Message From The Chairman
2020 – what can I say? It was one for the record books for sure. However, two small words synonymous with the NSBA Foundation, #CowboyCourage, kept us moving forward.
I personally have been lucky enough to make my living in the horse business and know first hand the impact the horse has had on my life. My family, friends as well as customers and other competitors have provided me with opportunities I might never have experienced had it not been for the common love of the horse.
The NSBA Foundation is committed to doing just that for so many others who may otherwise not be afforded those same opportunities. As the Chairman of the NSBA Foundation, I want you to know that I am committed to making sure we not only offer those opportunities to others but that we:
- Celebrate the horse and what they bring to each and every one of us
- Celebrate the accomplishments of the NSBA members we serve and impact the most,
- Celebrate our donors that help us carry the work of the Foundation to our members, and finally
- Celebrate the diversity, inclusion of and contributions of all member voices to our NSBA family
Whether it be professionals, non-pros, youth members, owners, breeders, veterans, special ability riders or their related family members – the programs of the NSBA Foundation are the result of identifying a need in an area that we can enhance and encourage greater participation in our sport.
Our team that serves on the NSBA Foundation Board of Directors reflects our membership and we will continue to work diligently to expand and build these offerings to include all riders. I encourage each and every one of you to reach out to any of these folks to learn more about our work. We would love for you to be involved.
I welcome the chance to visit with any of you and look forward to visiting with you at an NSBA event in 2021.
Carrie Oakley
2021 NSBA Foundation Chair
About
A member of NSBA since the association's inception, Carrie Oakley, of Pilot Point, Texas, has been a horse owner, breeder and active exhibitor in the industry for many years. In addition, she has owned two NSBA Hall of Fame horses, Hotrodder's Jet Set and Delea Siemon. An NSBA and AQHA champion, who is passionate about the pleasure horse industry, Carrie came through the ranks as a Youth, Amateur and Select exhibitor; and passed her passion for horses along to her daughter, Courtney, who also competes in Amateur and Non Pro events.
A professional inside and out of the arena, this Texan is also a real estate agent and equine insurance representative, and has won many awards honoring her achievements in and outside the horse industry. She has actively participated in United Way, Chamber of Commerce fundraisers and is involved in missionary work through her church. "I am driven to succeed at my personal and business endeavors," she said. Carrie and her husband Troy reside in Pilot Point, Texas.
Foundation Officers
Passion for the horse industry and passion for serving other seems to rise to the forefront for this year's leaders on the National Snaffle Bit Association's Foundation board of directors. This team is tasked with assisting the Foundation in administering its core programs, including Equestrians With Disabilities Grant Program, Trainer Crisis Fund, Heroes On Horses, Animal Welfare Fund and the Youth Scholarship Program.
Laurel Champlin
Chair Elect and Treasurer
After being introduced to the NSBA Foundation through the Equestrians with Disabilities and Heroes on Horses programs at the NSBA World Championship Show, Laurel Champlin, of Pilot Point, TX, has watched the Foundation grow, and observed the impact fundraising efforts have had on riders who face challenges. She stated with her children now grown, she now has the time to match her desire to help others and get involved.
Additionally, Champlin has always been a steward of her animals and their welfare. She believes the NSBA Foundation programs, and mission to serve others in the horse community, as well as their animals, align nicely with her own values. Champlin is a tremendous asset to the Board of Directors bringing her kind heart and her “Let’s Do It” attitude to inspire those around her.
Laurel has been involved with NSBA since it began it 1983. She served as a horse trainer, coach, judge and breeder, before becoming an Amateur exhibitor later in her show career. In addition to the NSBA Foundation, she has been involved with other non-profit groups including the Desert Club scholarship program, volunteered at Kids and Horses, and as a board member of Pet Network.
Jennifer Hulcher
Past Chair
Jennifer Hulcher, of Pilot Point, Texas, has been involved in the equine community for many years. Her hobby is also her vocation through her ranch, Equine Sale Water Therapy, which provides preventive maintenance therapy, conditioning and rehabilitation for horses across several breeds, as well as event horses. Since first competing at NSBA events four year ago, Jennifer has met many friends and earned many awards and titles. Jennifer and her daughter Brooke Bancroft have been involved with ApHC for several years, earning national and world champion titles.
Jennifer has been an ApHC member since the early 1970s, and has served on the Dal-Worth Appaloosa Horse Club and Texas Appaloosa Horse Club boards, assisted the Appaloosa Youth Association, as well as coordinated the Texas World Show Team. Her community involvement makes her an ideal board member for the NSBA Foundation, including the Community Civic League, United Way, Angel Tree, Humane Society of Flower Mound, Teton County Animal Shelter, Jackson Hole Animal Shelter and Coast for Kids. One of her horses, Ravishin Radical, has been used as an EWD therapy horse at Stable Strides in north Texas.
Beth Hartman
Secretary
Although not getting involved in horses until later in her life, Beth Hartman, of Mattawan, Michigan has seen not only success in the show pen, but how horses can change people's lives.
As an active volunteer of the Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center based in Richland, MI, Beth has had the opportunity to help children, teens and adults make great achievements while aboard the therapy horses. "There are no words to describe the feeling I get when I see these people aboard a horse, loving every minute of it. I really want to see the Heroes on Horses and Equestrians With Disabilities programs grow because I've seen with my own eyes how horses can change a person's mood and outlook on life," Beth said.
Beth has worked with the NSBA Foundation in creating the Coaches Summit in an effort to continue to educate the therapy community about the benefit of horses and horse showing. Beth has watched her daughter compete for the last seven years, and is now enjoying the success of her own horses showing and winning at AQHA and NSBA events across the country.
Ryan Cottingim
Board Member
With over 25 years of horse show industry experience, Ryan Cottingim and his fiancée, Amanda Gately, welcome riders of all ages to their facility based on a 30-acre farm outside of Nashville in Shelbyville, Tennessee. There, they have established a very successful program, earning multiple world show and Congress championships in the Open divisions, as well as coaching amateur and youth riders in both the English and Western all-around events.
Ryan brings a professional horseman’s perspective to the NSBA Foundation Board of Directors. His personal experiences as a competitor, an educator & clinician, assistant trainer and now as a business owner allow him to offer unique insight of the industry for inclusion and diversity.
He also experienced first-hand the profound effort of the Foundation to make an impact in someone’s life. In 2017, Ryan was involved in a horse accident that severely compromised his business and livelihood for a period of time. He was a recipient of assistance directly from the NSBA Trainers Crisis Fund. He is determined to add that perspective to the continuation of that program in addition to the others for fellow NSBA members.
Whitney Lagace
Board Member
Owner Whitney Lagace is the head trainer and instructor at Whitney Ridge LLC in Higganum, Connecticut.
Born in New York, Whitney started riding with encouragement from her mom, who loved to see the horses in Central Park in New York City. She started with a pony and her involvement with horses grew as she started working for trainers who had Arabians. She was approached by another farm to start a lesson program using Quarter Horses, and she quickly became enamored with the trainable, calm demeanor and the versatility of the Quarter Horse.
Lagace learned about the works of the NSBA Foundation through her professional relationship with NSBA Director of Operations, Stephanie Lynn. As an instructor during the NSBA Foundation funded Boot Camps, she realized the importance of the outreach and financial support needed to attract and retain new riders of all ages, who are interested in the equine industry.
She is anxious to get involved and continues to share her expertise and assist in the outreach efforts of the Foundation. She strongly believes in giving back to the industry that has allowed her to have a career and do what she loves.
As a loving mother of four, Whitney has balanced her family business alongside her husband Mike, who is an engineer. The Lagaces have three grown children, and a daughter still at home, who shows with her mom at AQHA and NSBA events across the country.
Mike Laplace
Board Member
Michael Laplace is an equine industry veteran, having owned, bred, and raised Quarter Horses for more than 50 years. His love of Quarter Horses stems back to his childhood when he was first introduced to them, competing in local open and AQHA sanctioned shows. Michael’s passion continued into adulthood, and in the 1960s he began breeding, raising, and training registered Quarter Horses at his family farm in Chester, NY. When the farm was first purchased, his family raised and sold Black Angus cattle for several years.
Michael and his wife Linda still live there today, and that is where they raised their twin daughters, Dale and Hannah. Dale and Hannah were introduced to Quarter Horses at a very young age. The family passion for Quarter Horses continued from one generation to the next, making it a family affair. Hannah and Dale have earned numerous NSBA World Championship titles and top ten placings throughout their youth and amateur careers.
Today, Michael owns and operates a commercial industrial park in Elmwood Park, NJ, that was formerly a family owned chemical distribution company location serving the Northeast. Today, Michael continues to breed and raise Quarter Horses. He also enjoys trout fishing and deer hunting.
Michael is a former member of the Advisory Board for National Community Bank of New Jersey and the Regional Board for the Bank of New York. He is a graduate of Miami University of Ohio, where he earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in business administration and economics.
Page Simpson
Board Member
Page Simpson of Jacksonville, Florida began her love of horses as a four-year-old, with her pony “Torpedoes Black Jack”. Horses have remained a constant in her and her family’s life ever since. Competing in over fences classes in the Midwest as a youth, to the past 11 years on the Appaloosa Horse Club circuit with her daughter, Dawson, Page continues to be an active horse show competitor herself.
Page’s professional career has been varied as gallery owner, grant writer, and finally with the Community Foundation for Northeast Florida as Director of Grantmaking. Her experience in program development, reviewing and making funding recommendations, will be a tremendous asset to the NSBA Foundation. Page retired in 1999 to raise her daughter Dawson, but continues to volunteer. Page also serves on the Board of Directors for Christian Healing Ministries.
In addition, Simpson provided financial support, which was instrumental in the implementation of the Windemere Hunter Classic at the Appaloosa Horse Club’s world championship show. She enthusiastically supports a number of Appaloosa Horse Club activities at the local, regional and national levels. Her involvement in many non-profit organizations has benefited the arts, medical causes and efforts focused on women’s related initiatives.
She is grateful to have learned some of life’s greatest lessons through her involvement with horses. Page commented, “NSBA’s program of work offers so many opportunities to positively impact a wide range of horses, and those who love them, in ways that provide relief, education and encouragement”. She is looking forward to helping the Foundation continue to grow its mission.
Karl Hoopes
Board Member
A veterinarian with a lifelong involvement and commitment to the horse industry, board member Karl Hoopes brings a unique skillset and a strong passion for our membership to the NSBA Foundation.
He currently serves at the Equine Extension Specialist for Utah State University. His core program is Ride Utah!, which offers therapeutic equine experiences for military personnel and their families across Utah.
Raised on a small dairy farm in Afton, Wyoming, which used draft horses to feed cattle, haul hay and for competitive pulling contests, horses have always been a huge part of Karl's life. He grew up riding saddle horses to irrigate crops, trail ride and for hunting before transitioning to training colts and later, racing quarter horses. Karl continues to run quarter horses today and is a member of the Cache Valley Cutter Racing Association, Utah Horse Pullers Association, Utah Horse Council and holds a race trainers licenses in Idaho and Wyoming.
Karl received his undergraduate degree from University of Wyoming and graduated in 2003 from Colorado State University with his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine, moving to Richmond, Utah to work for Valley Veterinary Services. Karl became an owner/partner of Valley Vet and enjoyed practicing there for 13 years before his transition to Utah State University in 2015.
Karl states that working with horses has "brought me peace and fulfillment. I truly love sharing that with our military personnel. The Foundation Board of Directors is a perfect fit for me to continue to help serve our military".
Karl looks forward to helping bring more opportunities to military equestrians to show and compete.
