Kris is a club co-founder who has previously served several terms as NCWHA’s President and Vice President and has been a director since NCWHA’s inception.  Kris was a California representative on the TWHBEA board for several terms.   Her mother, Bonnie Herman, was a legend in the California Walking Horse world.   Kris’s daughter, also named Bonnie, has been featured for several years  in our shows’ leadline classes and this year is riding on her own, carrying on the family tradition.  Kris is known for her versatility skills and has promoted our breed in dressage and other open competitions throughout Northern California.  Kris is best known for her role in making  NCWHA’s Oktoberfest show our premier event. She accomplishes all of this while also managing a practice in medical genetics at UC Davis.

Joanna grew up riding Tennessee Walking Horses, and loved riding her mare Friday in versatility classes. She received her undergraduate and masters in accounting degrees at St. Mary’s College in Moraga. She is a Certified Public Accountant and works for Viasat, a satellite company based in San Diego. Previously an auditor at KPMG, Joanna has brought her wealth of accounting skills to the Treasurer’s position, including implementing a new streamlined system for horse show payments.

Grass Valley local born and raised, Traci has shown Tennessee Walking horses for the last 12 years throughout California and has also participated in schooling shows with her thoroughbreds. She has been a member of the Gold Country Glide Riders Drill Team for many years.  This organization has opened doors and created opportunities for Traci, and she is very grateful for that. The future of Tennessee Walking Horses and educating those new to the breed is very important to Traci.

Raised in Fairfield, Kailee lived in Utah for a year then moved back to California and picked up right where she left off.  She has had a passion for horses since she was little and has been riding TWHs for ten years and competing since 2015.  In 2023 she received TWHBEA’s Youth Superior Championship.  She is very excited to learn and become more involved in NCWHA and its members.

Shayna is a third-generation horse person. Shayna’s first love was horses. She became a professional horse trainer at the age of 19 and has always had a real passion for guiding a horse and rider team to achieving whatever goals they have set out to accomplish. Whether you are 3 or 80, a first-time rider or an experienced equestrian, you can always keep learning. Shayna has previously served as our President and on the board.

Vicki was born into a family of horse lovers. Her mother, grandmother and great grandmother owned and showed horses in La Habra Heights, Southern California. She developed a love of Tennessee Walking Horses in 2017, when her neighbor suggested that she take some riding lessons from her trainer. She had previously ridden quarter horses in cutting, ranch pleasure and reining. When her mother moved to the Oakland hills, she could be seen riding along Skyline Drive until she was over 80. In June 2024, she retired from teaching young children with special needs for 24 years and now would like to actively promote the Tennessee Walking Horse breed by becoming a board member. She earned her undergraduate degree and her MFA at UC Berkeley (Her MFA thesis was a body of paintings developed around the theme, “Spirits of Horses” ). She later earned a MA in Special Education and a teaching credential in moderate/severe disabilities with an emphasis on positive behavior support management for children with autism spectrum disorders. During her 24 years of teaching, she dveloped skills in supervising paraprofessional staff while maintaining a positive environment for both staff and students. Additionally, she is adept at writing legally defensible individualized education plans for children and their families, and hosting ZOOM Meetings.

As a board member, she will contribute her love of TWHs, reaching out to the equestrian community to expand our show season, and to promote new events. Additionally, her classroom skills will be a strength to working collaboratively with board members and the equestrian community.

Bob is co-owner of Alpine Boarding Stables in the Stockton area.  Together with his wife Valerie Valentine Ammirato, they own a pony and seven horses, six of which are Tennessee Walking Horses.  Bob retired from fifty-one years in the retail business, serving as Vice President of Macys for twenty-seven years  and as Vice President for Western Contract for six years.  He also owned his own company for eighteen years.  Bob was on the board of directors of the National Home Furnishings Association for twenty-two years, serving in multiple officer positions, including President.

Bob will contribute his experience and love of the Tennessee Walking Horse to further create awareness of the breed, along with expanding the show schedule and adding trail riding events.

Carson grew up riding and showing TWHs with her sister Joanna. She received her undergraduate degree in Marketing from St. Mary’s College in Moraga and works as a manager for the Enterprise Truck Division in Pleasanton. Carson is best known for her fierce competitiveness and expertise in Water Glass and Egg and Spoon.

Holly, together with her husband, Javier, are proud owners of two TWHs, and she has been competing in shows over the last year.  Holly has worked as a school administrative assistant for twenty years and has consistently demonstrated dependability, a strong work ethic and attention to detail.  Throughout her career she has honed the ability to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously, ensuring the smooth operation of daily school functions.  Holly is adept at creating a positive atmosphere for students, parents and staff in the educational environment.  Her commitment to excellence is evident in her meticulous approach to administrative responsibilities, whether managing schedules, coordinating events or addressing inquiries.  She brings a wealth of experience and a proactive mindset to every task.

Claudia has owned TWHs since 2002, and she currently owns five TWHs and one trotting horse. She competed in NCWHA shows for over twenty years, but three years ago retired from showing to focus on trail riding, horse camping, parades and drill team at the Nevada County Fair.  She has also participated at the California Horse Expo representing the breed and NCWHA.  She is an obstacle judge for equine sports and has judged NCWHA trail classes for several years.  She has also been president and a board member of the MVTA trails group that maintains trails in the greater Meadow Vista/Colfax area, and she promotes new trails in our area working with Placer County Parks and other entities.  She is a returning board member from several years ago.

Diane is a returning member of the board. She has been involved with TWHs since she was twelve. If you knew how old she is now you would know that is a really, really long time! She loves the breed and currently owns eight TWH’s with another one due in May. She enjoys trail riding, showing, clinics, and breed demos at the California State Fair to educate the public on the sound flat shod segment of the TWH. She hopes to encourage more events and show participation from our NCWHA membership and non-members alike and to promote our wonderful breed. Show expenses continue to escalate and participation at shows needs to be more inclusive and rewarding for all.