At The Dressage Foundation’s recent board of directors’ meeting, Lendon Gray (NY) was selected as the new chairman of the board beginning this month (January 2024). Gray first joined TDF’s board in 2013 and has served as vice chairman and president, besides serving on numerous committees.

As an equestrian, Gray competed in the 1978 World Championships and also the 1980 and 1988 Olympics. Her impressive reputation and coaching abilities are reflected in her training of many international, national and regional champion riders, both juniors and adults. In addition to longtime involvement with organizations such as TDF, USET, USEF, USDF and the US Pony Clubs, she founded and is the current chairman of Dressage4Kids (D4K).

Beth Baumert, TDF’s president and CEO, said, “Lendon brings a world of knowledge, experience and common sense to The Dressage Foundation, and we’re thrilled to have her assume the role as chairman.”

Barnett praised

TDF also extends appreciation to Maryal Barnett (MI) as she steps down as chairman. Barnett served in this role from 2015-2023, in addition to previously serving as vice chairman, vice president and on various committees. Her extensive history with the organization is unmatched, and TDF is grateful that Barnett will remain on the board of directors.

“TDF has benefited from Maryal’s wisdom and steadying influence for many years, and we’re greatly relieved that she’s staying on as a board member,” said Beth Baumert.

In other news, TDF’s board of directors also established two new officer positions for 2024: vice president of development and vice president of grants and programs. Nancy Hutson (CT, FL) and George Williams (VA, FL) will serve in these roles, respectively. Through these new roles, TDF will continue to grow in the areas of both fundraising and grants/programs.

Additional new officer positions include Fern Feldman (CT) as vice chairman and Diane Skvarla (FL) as secretary.

Members and officers

Members and officers of the TDF Board of Directors for 2024 are:  

Lendon Gray (NY), chairman
Fern Feldman (CT), vice chairman 
Beth Baumert (CT, FL), president and CEO 
Nancy Hutson (CT, FL), vice president of development
George Williams (VA, FL), vice president of grants and programs
Ryan Shumacher (CA), treasurer 
Diane Skvarla (FL), secretary 
Maryal Barnett (MI)
Barbara Cadwell (FL)
Nicole DelGiorno (NJ)
Sarah Geikie (CT)
Rebecca Hafner (MN)
Karin Reid Offield (MI)
Ralph Dreitzler (director emeritus)
Michael Poulin (director emeritus)

For more information about The Dressage Foundation or to make a donation, visit www.dressagefoundation.org or contact Executive Director Jenny Johnson at (402)434-8585 or [email protected].  

The Dressage Foundation 

The Dressage Foundation is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, tax-exempt, donor-driven organization that is dedicated to educating, supporting, and advancing the sport of dressage. The organization solicits contributions, appropriately allocates the donations and awards grants to dressage riders, judges, instructors, breeders, high-performance teams, nonprofit equestrian organizations and more. For more information, please visit www.dressagefoundation.org.