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.
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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!
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MVEA Board of Directors

jim nealon, president
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
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
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
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 is a member of the WDAA and 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.
Jill o'Banion
Jill O'Banion

Jill had a pony as a child, riding through the woods to take lessons at a nearby stable.  Returning to riding as an adult, Jill has done trail riding (over 10,000 miles tracked through Ohio Horsemen's Council), camping, competitive trail riding, centered riding, hunter paces, English and Western dressage, and jumping.  Currently, Jill competes in eventing on Joey, her 14.3 hh quarter horse.
Diane Minkner
Diane Minkner

Diane grew up in a horse family and was riding from an early age.  She was an active 4-H kid, starting out in Western Pleasure and then dabbled in reining and contesting.  Diane got to attend Rolex for the first time as a teenager and was immediately hooked on Eventing.  She began taking lessons and fell in love with the sport.  Diane enjoys competing as a hobby at a lower level.  She also enjoys breeding and has a small program focusing on Connemara crosses.
Kathryn Davis
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 Training 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.

2025 MVEA Board of Director Meeting Dates

*Saturday, January 11, 2025
*Sunday, January 26, 2025
*Sunday, March 30, 2025
*Wednesday, June 11, 2025
*Sunday, September 21, 2025

MVEA By-Laws

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