March/April 2025 Issue

EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN March/April 2025 Page 37 horses; helping owners, riders, and horse enthusiasts connect with their equine partners through empathy and understanding. Visit Grace McDonald at the Graceful Strides Mobile Massage Therapy booth 420, 421. Reed Messer Ride the Digital Wave; Connecting Youth in the Equine World (Sat., 5 pm, Seminar Hall B) Reed is a member of the Penn- sylvania State 4-H Horse Program, Lucky 7 4-H Club, and Team Horsepower, a horsemanship skills leadership program for teens. He competes in Ranch Horse classes and was a PAState Horse Show Qualifier the past two years. He won the Horse category and was Over All winner of the DIVE4AG Challenge with Oregon State University last year. Reed hopes to continue to share his experience with horses through technology. See Reed Messer at the Penn State 4H Horse Prog. booth 610, 611. Michelle Miller Selecting Horses for Lesson & Therapeutic Programs (Thur., 4 pm, Seminar Hall B) Michelle began volunteering at a therapeutic barn in exchange for riding lessons, and discovered her goal to help others through therapeutic riding and equine assisted activities. She has a BS from Wilson College, majoring in equine facilitated therapeutics (EFT) and minoring in entre- preneurship and small business management. She is a certified therapeutic riding instructor through the Council for Educa- tion and Certification in Thera- peutic Horsemanship. In 2021, she began a therapeutic riding program at an established lesson barn, where she also coached the Interscholastic Equestrian Association Hunt Seat team. Mi- chelle now teaches equitation and helps maintain the herd at Wilson College and is working on her master’s degree in Organizational Leadership. Visit Michelle Miller at the Wilson College booth 516. Norma Moore Saddle Fit Matters (Thurs., 6 pm, Seminar Hall B) Norma has lifelong roots in the horse industry. She attended Kentucky Horseshoeing School in 1986 and had a long career as a far- rier as well as working in the har- ness racing industry and as a vet- erinary assistant. She attended the Saddle Fit 4 Life Academy, taught by Jochen Schleese and studied Western Saddle Fitting under Rod Nikkel. Today she spends her time between saddle fitting and hosting rides at Jersey Maples Farm, her husband’s nearly 200-year-old farm in Bradford County PA. See Norma Moore at the PA Equine Council booth 212-214, 235-237. Mounted Games Across America All About Mounted Games (Sat., noon, Seminar Hall B) Speed Games Demonstration (Sat., 3 pm, Equine Arena) Mounted Games Across America consists of a variety of very fast relay races performed by excellent riders on well-trained ponies. Geared to riders of all ages and skill levels, Mounted Games riders develop a high degree of athletic ability, instinctive riding skills, and hand-to-eye coordina- tion. Equestrians of all ages and skills are welcome to come join us for the most fun you can have on horseback. For more information email mgaainfo@mountedgames. org. Visit Mounted Games Across America at Booth 727. Brenda Mueller Using Social Media to Market Your Equestrian Business (Fri., 11 am, Seminar Hall A) Brenda has been in the hunt- er jumper industry for over 40 years as a trainer, rider, business owner, event planner, media consultant, clinician, and sponsor coordinator. Her well rounded experience provides a variety of marketing ideas for equestrian business owners and trainers to sell their services, products, and horses. Brenda has given edu- cational media clinics to sales teams, riders, professionals, and stable owners on topics including how to make a marketing plan, handling interviews, and building your social media brand. See Brenda Mueller at the Penn. National Horse Show booth 408. Chaplain Joel Nupp Cowboys for Christ Church Service (Sun., 9:05 am, Seminar Hall B) Born in 1957 on a horse farm outside Ellicott City, MD, Joel mucked stalls for 25 cents an hour and rode cutting horses. Joel started Friendship Equine Dentistry, LLC, and in 2009, Joel and his wife Shery started a Cowboys for Christ chapter, a non-denominational church, out of their barn. Joel start- ed preaching in 2013 for Maryland High School Rodeo. He and his wife were ordained on Nov 2, 2015. Opening Ceremonies (Thurs. 12:05 pm, Fri. 10:05 am, Sun., 9:05 am, Equine Arena; Sat., 9:05 am, Large Arena) With a mix of horsemanship and patriotism, Horse World Expo (Continued from page 36) (Continued on page 38)