Western Regional Directors
Matt Janisch | Mansfield, OH
National Show Liaison US Air Force Veteran
Matt first became an NWHA member in 2003. He has had the distinct privilege of serving on the Nominating Committee and even chairing said committee. Matt has graciously and tirelessly worked overseeing the stalls and shavings at the National for the last several years.
Newly appointed to the Board of Directors in 2025, Mr. Janisch has assumed and represents the Western Region’ s interests.
Along with his participation in the National Walking Horse Association, Matt also volunteers on the Board of Directors for the Richland County Fairgrounds in Ohio.
He received an honorable discharge from the United States Air Force, retired from AK Steel in 2021 and since his retirement grows and cuts hay. He enjoys his 11 grandchildren and two children with his spouse of 36 years.
Dana Kanstul | Burbank, CA
Lifetime Member Versatility & Dressage Liaison
Dana joined the National Walking Horse Association in the early 2000’ s. Since 2020, she has brought her dedication to the Board as a Western Regional Director, a role she continues to embrace. She will also serve as Versatility Liaison for 2026.
A Los Angeles native, Dana began showing Tennessee Walking Horses at the age of 8, and has shown in California, Arizona, Indiana, Minnesota, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington.
She has been a trainer for more than 25 years— originally partnering with Sue Wittick at Step Aside Stables and eventually taking it over.
She has a degree in marketing and agricultural management from Cal Poly. Dana resides in Burbank, California, with her daughter, partner and mother. When she’ s not at the barn, she enjoys going to the movies, seeing musicals at the Pantages theatre, and going to Disneyland!
March 2026 | NWHA National News 17