2026 NWHA
JoEllen Finerfrock | Odum, GA President
2024 Pegasus Award Recipient Lifetime Member ~ US Navy Veteran
JoEllen joined NWHA in 2004 and is a lifetime member. She has served on various committees, was elected as a South East Regional Director in 2020, and began serving as treasurer in 2023.
JoEllen grew up showing horses in local circuits and 4-H shows until she enlisted in the United States Navy, now retired after 24 years of honorable service. She earned her Bachelor ' s Degree in Business Management and is an IT Program Manager at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Georgia.
She is certified in BEMER, equine massage, and aromatherapy, and is an NWHA carded judge. She was introduced to the Tennessee Walking Horse through the Sound Trail and Rail Society( STARS), where she served on the board. STARS hosted several NWHA shows in Jacksonville, FL, and JoEllen personally organized the first NWHA Region 4 Show in Statesboro, Georgia.
JoEllen has advocated for sound horses in Washington, D. C., and she is a proud supporter of naturally gaited Tennessee Walking Horse, Spotted Saddle Horse, and Racking Horse breeds.
JoEllen rides, trains, and breeds gaited horses with her husband Mike at their facility, Outback Ranch in Odum, Georgia.
Merleene Pacheco | McGregor, TX Vice President
Lifetime Member ~ US Marine Corps Veteran
Merleene began showing with NWHA in 2014 and has volunteered in several NWHA roles, including Regional Director, Rules Committee Chair & Liaison, show committee member, and the Trail Committee. She is highly involved with NWHA shows throughout Texas, coordinating the Gaits of Texas High Point Series and the Dub Ivins Texas Rails Award each year.
Merleene and her husband, Leo, own Fox Run Ranch in McGregor, Texas, where they host clinics and small shows, along with raising an occasional walking horse, such as her multi-WGC Spotted Saddle Horse, Rock That Thang. She is a CHA-certified riding instructor and was the Equine Program Manager at Highlander Ranch, a local community college facility. This role fit well with her experience in event planning, office management, facility management, leadership, and personnel management.
Merleene has served on the Board of Directors of the Texas Equestrian Trail Riders Association( TETRA) and is currently the Vice President of REACH Therapeutic Riding Center in McGregor, Texas. The Pachecos are avid supporters of the NWHA and of equine programs serving activeduty and military veterans. They have eight wonderful grandkids.
8 NWHA National News | March 2026