2016 NWHA Board Members
At the 2016 Annual Meeting
and High Point Awards Banquet, the National Walking
Horse Association planned for
the upcoming year of 2016. Part
of the process was the formal
announcement and swearing
in of the new NWHA Board of
Directors. These people were
nominated and elected by
NWHA members in late 2015. All
contact information for each
person is available at
nwha.com
Jean-Marie Degville, Magnolia, TX
Central Region Director, National Show
Committee Co-Chairperson
Jean-Marie actively rides, shows and has
been involved with the TWH industry for
26 years. She hopes to bring camaraderie
and fun events to the NWHA and continue
the sound horse mission through her
region and involvement in the board.
Susan has been riding gaited horses
for her entire adult life and actively
showing her grey TWH, Sir Albert, for the
last 8 years. Her love is trail riding and
versatility, especially gaited dressage,
obstacles, and games. She is committed
to promoting the versatility of the gaited
horse.
Kimberly O’Connor, Richards, NC
Secretary, Youth Chairperson, Media &
Education Chairperson
Kimberly joined NWHA in 2009 and
began serving on the Board as the
Southeast Director in 2014. Since
joining NWHA, she has served on the
Judge’s, Media Relations & Education
and Versatility Committees and also
chairs the NWHA Youth Committee. A
William Woods University’s Equestrian
Science alumni, Kimberly possesses 2
undergraduate degrees in the equine
field as well as holding a Master’s degree
in Management. She became certified
as an equine sports massage therapist
in 2006 and has held certification as an
open horse show judge through NCSU’s
cooperative extension judging program.
In addition to serving actively in NWHA
activities, she is also the secretary of a
NC based open horse show association.
Previous memberships include: AQHA,
PtHA, USEF, AMHA, ASHA, NFQHA,
TWHBEA and WHOA. At home Kimberly
is married to her active duty U.S. Marine
Corps husband of 12 years, sharing a
home their two young boys and two
beloved Dobermans. Currently they
operate their boarding facility, Royal
Meadows Stable. She owns a foundation
bred QH hunter mare and her first TWH, a
filly she began showing in 2015.
Katie Tanner, Spring Branch, TX
Treasurer, Trail Committee Chairperson
Katie has been showing, trail riding
and occasionally breeding and raising
Tennessee Walking Horses for 12 years.
She has served as a DQP and on many
different committees throughout her
10 years as an NWHA member. She
joined the Board in 2014 in order to
help promote the natural beauty and
versatility of the sound, humanely trained
TWH. At home, Katie is a U.S. Air Force
Lieutenant Colonel and is married to a
U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant. She has
an undergraduate and Masters degree in
Business Management as well as a second
Masters in Military Operational Art and
Science. Having lived and participated in
TWH activities in 6 different states over 15
years, she feels she is uniquely qualified
to represent the diverse interests of the
NWHA members.
Susan Havard, Semmes,
NWHA National News 16
AL Southeast Region Director, Trail &
Media Committee
Beth Jennings – Hemet, CA