2024 USIHC BOD Election Nominations
In accordance with Section 2 of Article IV (Voting and Elections) of the Constitution of the USIHC, The Election Committee accepted nominations until October 30, 2024. Incumbent directors Leslie Chambers, Emily Potts, and Janet Mulder are up for re-election. Janet Mulder has opted to run for re-election. Leslie Chambers and Emily Potts have declined to run for re-election.
Nominations for the following individuals were submitted:
Cathleen Gendron - Nominated by Leslie Chambers and seconded by Amy Goddard and Brigit Huwyler.
Tammy Kolbe - Nominated by Virginia Lauridsen and seconded by Asta Covert and Carrie Brandt.
Ebba Meehan - Nominated by Leslie Chambers and seconded by Amy Goddard and Brigit Huwyler.
Shelby Walker - Nominated by Leslie Chambers and seconded by Amy Goddard and Brigit Huwyler.
This election shall select three directors who will serve for terms of three years. All terms will begin on January 1, 2025.
Ballots have been sent via email to voting members and remain open through December 15, 2024 11:59pm ET. If you don't see the ballot email in your inbox, please check your spam and promotional folders. If you need to update your email address or have any questions or concerns about receiving your ballot, please contact webhelp@icelandics.org.
2024 Board of Directors Nominees
Janet Mulder
Incumbent
Janet Mulder has served on the USIHC Board since December 2019. She has been the Leisure Committee chair and organized the S2SS ride for the past 5 years. Janet began riding Icelandic Horses in 1993. She has participated in FEIF Youth Cup (2002), became an intern Judge (2007), FEIF Trainer Level 1 (2008), organized events for local Regional Club (Alaska Icelandic Horse Association) since 2013. She has also been the leader of the Tolt Alaska Youth Group since 2015. Became a Tolt in Harmony Instructor in 2018. Janet lives in Anchorage AK with her husband and two children. They operate a small riding school and breed a few foals. Janet would like to continue to serve on the USIHC Board to promote Icelandic Horses in our country. Continuing and developing programs that educate and celebrate our community of enthusiastic Icelandic horse people.
Cathleen Gendron
Though I had an interest in horses from a very young age, I met my first Icelandic horse on a trip to Iceland as a teenager, and bought my own Icelandics in California just a few years later. Since then, I've settled in the Finger Lakes region of upstate NY, where I currently run a small breeding program at Seliana Stables. I also maintain a small band of mares in Iceland. My focus is breeding the ideal horse for the majority of riders in the United States - strong, correct conformation, a forgiving, brave temperament, and clear-beated, well-separated gaits. I am also proud to say I now have horses from my breeding in 4 different countries.
I hope to serve the USIHC and be a small part of the Icelandic horse's continued growth in the United States. In particular, I would love to help support the development of new riders, up-and-coming trainers, and domestic breeders. Our community has made incredible progress, and I hope to be a part of our continued success!
Tammy Kolbe
I am connected to the Icelandic horse community through my daughter's passion for Icelandic horses, since starting to ride at age five (now 14). My daughter's involvement in the Icelandic horse community fuels my interest in giving back and actively supporting the USIHC.
I hope to bring a diverse skill set to the Board, drawing upon my background in education and public service. This includes current and prior experience serving on other boards, and experience with effective board governance, strategic planning, and finance.
Ebba Meehan
Please vote for me for Education and Promotion for USIHC.
Ebba Salvör Meehan grew up in the beautiful region of Borgarfjörður in West Iceland. She was fortunate to grow up in a country that reveres it’s equestrian culture and maintains the purity of the Icelandic breed. The Icelandic Horse was a constant presence throughout her childhood and horseback riding was something her entire family enjoyed. From working in stables to competing, the Icelandic horse has always been a part of Ebba’s existence.
For the last 10 years Ebba has run Merrimack Valley Icelandics, horse farm in Boxford, MA. She has offered training, lessons, sales, International Clinics, trekking, kids camps, shows, breed demos, and continues to do so. Ebba is passionate about promoting the breed on a grand scale and offer education more broadly over the country.
Ebba served on BOD for NEIHC for two terms as an Education and Promotion Chair.
Why would it be a good idea to vote for Ebba for the Promotion and Education Chair at USIHC?
- Eternal passion for Promoting the Icelandic Horse Breed anywhere possible.
- Unstoppable interest in learning/improving and inspire others to do the same.
- Motivation to lead and execute goals regarding the breed and keep telling others about this breed!
- Ability to empower people of all ages and levels to take the “next step”, compete or challenge yourself. For an example her own daughter who is now very inspired to compete internationally.
Some facts about past events Ebba has done:
- Ebba has produced one of the most popular Icelandic Horse shows (including a drill team demonstration) for 5 consecutive years in Topsfield Fair, the largest fair in New England and the oldest in the country.
- Ebba has performed at the ECTA Expo For 8 consecutive years.
- Ebba has taught/organized countless clinics in New England over the last 10 years.
- Ebba and her students travel all over the eastern United States, including Kentucky and Virginia to participate in many of the shows to promote the breed and to promote participation/support to hosts that offer these events.
Shelby Walker
In 2021, I had just retired from another competitive sport after 10 years and was looking for a new challenge. I decided I wanted to learn to ride and that is when I discovered the breed. Over the past three years, I have immersed myself in both the sport and learning everything I can about how to care for Icelandic horses. We now have our own farm in Boxford, four Icelandics (two imports and two domestics) and train regularly with Merrimack Valley Icelandics. I also enjoy trail riding and always look forward to the annual Sea2ShiningSea challenge. Most recently, I competed at the WR show in Kentucky and am excited to have placed into the intermediate level. When not riding, I am the Chief Legal Officer for an AI-focused biotechnology company, with multiple degrees in biology. I also love spending time with my four kids and four dogs. I am very interested in helping USIHC promote the breed and become more active in the community.
