What is the MVEA?
The Miami Valley Equestrian Association is a non-profit organization comprised of equestrians like you who are passionate about growing our local equestrian community.
Our goal is to promote the sport of Eventing and other equine activities by preserving our local green space and providing access to community education and equine focused events. Much of our fundraising effort is dedicated to the conservation and improvement of Twin Towers Horse Park in Fairborn, Ohio, which is a valuable schooling and competition venue in our area. To support our mission, MVEA hosts organized schooling days, sanctioned and unsanctioned horse shows, riding clinics, and various other events at Twin Towers.
There are many opportunities for spectating, participation, and learning with both feet on the ground at our events. You do not need to be a member to participate, but MVEA members receive discounts on MVEA shows and clinics as well as other benefits found on our Join page.
Who We Are
We are a community of equestrians invested in our sport. Our Board and Committee Members generously volunteer their time, fueled by their dedication to making the sport accessible to all equestrians who share their passion. If you are interested in getting involved and volunteering on a Committee, please contact us!
MVEA Board of Directors
jim nealon, president
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Jim Nealon, President
Jim was born into a horsey family. He grew up participating in a local 4-H program and pony club - achieving the "B" level. He also began eventing in the mid 1980's with his OTTB, Tigger. Tigger was the first horse to take Jim to the preliminary level. In the late 1990's, Jim moved to Southern Pines, North Carolina, where he was lucky enough to train with a number of Olympic level riders. Since being in the Miami Valley area, Jim has competed with several horses from the starter through preliminary levels. He is an active member of USEF, USEA, and the USEA's adult rider program. He volunteers at the Riding Center in Yellow Springs and other horse events in the area. Jim is currently working on his license to be a technical delegate. |
kendra schide, vice president
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Kendra Schide, Vice President
Kendra grew up riding ponies on her neighbor's dairy farm. In her teenage years, she joined 4-H and loved competing at the county fair. As an adult, her first Arabian horse took her on many miles of competitive and endurance trail riding. She started Eventing in her early 30's and has continued to do so presently with her OTTB Thoroughbred named Soulman. Kendra recently retired from many years of service for park districts and environmental agencies. She joined MVEA in 2024 and currently serves as Vice President, park liason for Twin Towers Park and volunteer coordinator for all MVEA events. She wishes all riders, Tally Ho and Happy Trails! |
emily hansen-palmus, treasurer
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Emily Hansen-Palmus, Treasurer
Emily is a professional rider and trainer with extensive experience through CCI4* eventing and Prix St. Georges dressage. She holds a USDF Bronze Medal, is a B level Pony Club graduate, and an ICP Level II instructor with over 22 years of teaching and training experience. Her business Red Fox Equestrian serves many riders in the Dayton area. |
saundra davis, secretary
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Saundra Davis, Secretary
Saundra's love of horses started when she was very young but her dream of owning her own horses wasn't realized until 2012 when she rescued baby Shyloh, a Tennessee Walking Horse, and two Paints, Indiana and Dundee. She loves hanging out with Shyloh just to leisurely ride or to improve her western dressage skills. Saundra has competed in the WDAA International Online Challenges, qualifying for the World Championship Show in 2022 and 2023. After retiring from Teradata Corporation in 2016, Saundra became an "Eventing Mom", traveling with her youngest daughter Kate and their OTTB Ravenclaw to USEA Area 8 shows for many years now. Saundra also volunteers at MVEA sponsored events and joined the MVEA Board in 2023. |
Monica Christian
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Monica Christian
Monica began riding in 4-H and showed Arabians prior to joining the world of Eventing. She served on national boards for the Arabian Horse Association and USEF, focusing on improving grassroots involvement and education within the organizations. She first caught the Eventing bug during a 4-H trip to the (then) Rolex Three-Day Event. While it took many years, she eventually made her way out of the arena and into the cross country field. Monica now competes at USEA and USHJA shows with her two OTTBs, Izzy and Rye. Recently, she began participating in the Take2 Thoroughbred league in both Hunters and Jumpers. When not in barn clothes (which is not very often), Monica enjoys working out and hiking with her wife and dogs. She looks forward to her role on the MVEA Board and is excited for the year ahead. |
Nicole Lehmann
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Nicole Lehmann
Originally from Brighton, New York, Nicole grew up as a junior rider on the A circuit with aspirations of qualifying for the Maclay Finals, before a ride on a friend's Irish Sport Horse redirected her to the jumper ring. In college, she competed for The Ohio State University and Hartwick College and later represented the US at two international Student Rider Nations Cup competitions in Switzerland and Belgium. Following her collegiate career, Nicole worked professionally as a show jumping rider and assistant trainer in Southern California and Colorado, relocating with her husband Zach's active-duty military assignments. After several years away from the sport to focus on raising her two sons, she returned to riding in 2021 with the purchase of Zuki. Initially intending to produce Zuki for the jumper ring, a visit to Twin Towers introduced the pair to Eventing and the rest is history! Nicole is currently pursuing certification as an ISNHCP Natural Hoof Care Practitioner and continuing to compete with Zuki in Area VIII while also looking forward to competing at the 2026 RRP Thoroughbred Makeover with her new OTTB, Captive Heart. |
Kathryn Davis
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Kathryn Davis
Kathryn began riding at the age of seven on a pony named Misty. She advanced to competing in schooling shows on Shyloh, a Tennessee Walker, making him a unique jumping Walking Horse! In 2019, Kathryn began her Eventing journey on Coty and now competes at the Modified level with her OTTB Ravenclaw in USEA events. When not hanging out with her horse, Kathryn's a full time student at the University of Dayton, majoring in Psychology and playing the piccolo for the UD Flyer's basketball pep band. She's an active member of USEA and MVEA, volunteering for many MVEA events. Kathryn joined the MVEA Board in late 2024 and is in charge of MVEA's social media platform. |
2026 MVEA Board of Director Meeting Dates
Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 5:00 pm
Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 4:30 pm
Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 4:30 pm
Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at 7:00 pm
Wednesday, September 2, 2026 at 7:00 pm
Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 4:30 pm
Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 4:30 pm
Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at 7:00 pm
Wednesday, September 2, 2026 at 7:00 pm
MVEA By-Laws
| mvea_by-laws.docx__2_.pdf |
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Contact and Follow us!
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