Jul 7, 2026 | NCDCTA BOD Meeting - Virtual

Attendees: Helen Ingersoll, Amy Brumbach, Katherine Thornton, Haven Salzwedel, Charlotte Meli, Jennifer Swanson, Sarah Bookner, Heather Boyer, Shannon Stone, Ellie Balakrishnan, Ariana Rogers, Mandi Martyn

Absent: Will Barrus, Anita Quinn, Amanda Clodfelter, Jordan McKenzie-Solis

President, Helen Ingersoll, called the meeting to order at 7:03pm EST

Amy read the NCDCTA Charter.

NCDCTA BOARD TEAM CHARTER:

• We the board of the NCDCTA hold the following values as guiding principles to carry out the mission of our organization.

• To educate, promote camaraderie and recognize achievement in dressage and eventing.

• Respect, Humility, Patience, Self Awareness, Supportiveness, Accountability, Listening, Generosity, and Helpfulness

• Communication that is: Clear, Flexible, Ongoing, Supportive, Constructive and Safe while celebrating brave efforts to question and disagree.

• Decision making that is shared. Roles that can be flexible and board members that are engaged, present, and share appreciation for and with one another, freely.

Reports:

• President Report: Helen Ingersoll

• • Shannon and Helen are zeroing in on Brain and Body Symposium, 28 people are signed up, working on finalizing the details

  • Helen and Anita have all the bank statements squared away

  • July 13th is the USDF town hall meeting at 8pm EST, we would like to send a representative from NCDCTA

• Vice President Report: Amy Brumbach

• • Membership numbers for 7/7/2026 are:

  • Jr/YR: 92

  • AA: 364

  • Open: 112

  • TOTAL MEMBERS: 568 (575 this time last year)

• Horse Registrations

• Paid: 297

• Volunteer Card: 65

• TOTAL HORSES: 362 (410 this time last year)

• Discussing information sheet/video on how to register horses, perhaps organize a webinar for next year

• Concern that low numbers are due to having to self report scores

• • Plan to create info sheet around what NCDCTA membership dues cover  

• Treasurer Report: Anita Quinn 

• • Current balances:

  • • Checking: $39,246.38

    • Saving: $1,596.02

    • Show account: $1,000

    • PayPal: $2,547.78

    • Investment account: $140,241.35

    • TOTAL: $183,631.53 (difference from June 2026: $4,475.25)

  • June Revenue and Expenses:

  • • Revenue: $13,398.09

    • • Education income, HOY/gala, memberships

    • Expenses: $14,820 

    • • Communications, education, memberships, overhead 

• Volunteer Report: Charlotte Meli

• • Getting incentive program up and running

  • Volunteer Card Implementation working on getting it up and running

• Sponsorship Report: Heather Boyer 

• • 1) Inspired Horse – Sponsorship UpdateShelly Moore ofInspired Horseis mailing 48 sunscreens as an in‑kind sponsorship, placing her just under the $1,000 level. She has selected theOpen Reinoption and prefers a package focused on media exposure. Her sponsorship obligations will run from now throughJuly 2027.

  • 2) Suppl App – New ConnectionChloe Deutschman connected me with Melissa, founder ofSuppl, an equestrian training app designed to bring structure, organization, and purpose to riders’ training programs. The app functions like a journal in your pocket—allowing users to save training ideas, access dressage test resources, store exercises, and more.

  • 3) Drinking Post – Title Sponsorshiplevel for the Brain & Body Symposium, contributing $1,000 toward lunches and offering a Lunch & Learn session to educate attendees on the function and operation of their product. 

  • 4) Breezeway – Title Sponsorship CommitmentBreezeway has officially committed to being theTitle Sponsorof theCBLM / Harvest Moon Show. Their support will play a significant role in elevating the event and enhancing competitor experience.

• Gala Report: Ellie Balakrishnan

• • Starting to think about prizes for HOY, taking suggestions. Working on getting the budget together.

  • January 23rd, 2027

• Communication Report: Sarah Bookner, Haven Salzwedel

• • Please let Sarah and Haven know well in advance of respective chair’s related closing dates/application due dates for social media promotion

  • Have sent out 6 emails recently, about 1200 people are opening our emails

  • All the details are being nailed down to send out an email and social media announcement about membership benefits

  • Trying to update images and blurbs of new (and returning) board members

  • People enjoyed seeing posts on facebook and instagram about member achievements

• Competition Report: Amy Brumbach

• • First in Flight July Show

  • • 30 people signed up for First in Flight show 

    • Can have up to 60 rides 

    • Hosted an open house to see the venue

    • We need a watering truck and/or a watering solution 

    • Plan for tack sale 

    • • Can donate tack to NCDCTA with proceeds going to NCDCTA

      • Can pay for table 

    • Plan for concession stand for lunch, purchase finger food (mostly pre-made trays of sandwiches, granola bars, soda, water)

    • • Have a donation jar where people can donate to eat

      • Mandi will organize

    • Heather B is working on vendors 

    • Need volunteers for setup

• Harvest Moon and Autumn Leaves

• • HorseShowOffice and Amy have the prizelist ready

  • Collecting cBLM dues

  • Putting together budget

  • Going to meet with Heather B to discuss sponsorships

  • Figuring out cBLM prizes, thinking about halters or jackets for champion

  • Title Sponsor - Breezeway Sporthorse

• Eventing Report: Katherine Thornton

• • Working on organizing prizes for champion and reserve at NCDCTA championships

  • Emailing eventing leaders about NCDCTA Eventing championships

  • Some concern about how quickly points are being updated online

• Education Report: Shannon Stone 

• • Tying up loose ends for Brain and Body Symposium

  • Working on putting additional education events 

• Jr/Yr Report: Mandi Martyn

• • Three Jr riders attended the Region 1 Youth Team Challenge in Virginia with scholarships from the NCDCTA. 

  • • Have received 2 of the 3 articles and pictures from the riders that attended

  • Website is updated for Jr/Yr to apply for any scholarships for shows the rest of the year

• Membership Secretary Report: Will Barrus

• Western Dressage: Amanda Clodfelter

• Newsletter: Ariana Rogers

• Leadership coach: Jennifer Swanson

• • Available for coaching around role difficulties and brain storming

  • Evaluate strategic planning throughout the year

  • Jennifer is available in any way assistance is needed

  • Access Jennifer through: all1herd@gmail.com

Old Business:none

New Business:none

Next meeting: August 4 @ 7pm EST - virtual 

Helen adjourned the meeting at 8:12pm EST

Minutes respectfully submitted by Jordan McKenzie-Solis, Recording Secretary.