ORCDA Officers and Board Members

President

Cameron Pedri   ORCowboyDressageAlliance@gmail.com

Resides in: Silverton, Oregon

Horses: Booker (Shiner’s Gold Freckle) is a coming 9 year old Quarter Horse. We’ve been together three and half years. He is my first Quarter Horse, and if he is typical of the breed, I’m sold! Although we’ve had our challenges, he is a very kind, people-oriented horse who always tries his best for me. One of the first things people notice about Booker is his ‘weird’ dark coloring on the left side of his neck. It is due to a somatic mutation, a harmless color mutation that produces patches of unexpected color. It also produced a beautiful grey streak in his mane. I love his one-of-a-kind markings.

Why I ride Cowboy Dressage: I think Cowboy Dressage (CD) is perfect for Booker and me. We started out together, and have so appreciated all the kind, supportive, wonderful people we’ve met. Since he was green when I got him, and I was still making my way back into horses after 20 years off, I have appreciated the framework and support CD has provided us as we’ve worked to develop our skills and partnership. The tests offer us a way to check-in with how we are progressing, be it at home or at a Gathering. I also love that it isn’t an end unto itself. It seems like everyone does a variety of other things with their Cowboy Dressage horses, like recreational trail, Mountain Trail, cattle work, ranch riding, driving, even barrel racing! CD helps you and your horse to develop confidence, communication, and most importantly, a partnership based on kindness and respect that enables you to be better at whatever you do together.

Other Tidbits: Cowboy Dressage is unique in that it is not only about how to ride your horse, but also how to interact with him, through ‘Soft Feel’, and with others around you with consideration and respect. This attitude is at the very core of CD and its organizations, but isn’t always the standard for many equine sports. I’ve experienced this different attitude at every clinic, gathering and lesson. I’ve had strangers help me get ready because I forgot my ride time, offer to be a ‘buddy horse’ when Booker was nervous, or to call our test, and always there have been words of support and encouragement to each other. I think it is very special. By joining the ORCDA Board I hope to help provide opportunities for existing and new Cowboy Dressage riders to experience this wonderful environment, while they develop skills, partnership with their horses, and have a lot of fun in our beautiful Northwest!

Vice President

Mary Kemhus

Resides in Seaside, OR

Horses: I currently own a black Percheron cross mare, named Licorice, who will be forever sixteen until she isn’t. I’ve had horses since I was thirteen and started riding western using the dressage principles taught by my 4-H leader. I’ve had a mix of breeds including part-Arab, Appaloosa, Tennessee Walker/Morgan, Thoroughbred and Mustang. Each has taught me something unique and enriched my life.

Why I Ride Cowboy Dressage: I’ve been searching all my life for a discipline that embodies the true meaning of dressage which is to help each horse be the best they can be. Not to mold them into an idea of what someone says they should be. I have finally found that in Cowboy Dressage. I love that there is not a specific type or breed of horse but that it embraces the wonderful diversity of equus. I love that Cowboy Dressage horses are encouraged to move freely in their own style in wonderful partnership with their riders. I love the spirit of community and support in the Cowboy Dressage riders I’ve met. This is what riding is all about.

Additional Tidbits:  I enjoy a mix of arena work and trail riding. I like the gentle, kind approach to riding that I find in Cowboy Dressage. In my lifetime with horses some of the things that stand out to me are qualifying to compete at 4-H State Fair several years in a row, riding 120 miles down the Skyline Trail, now part of the Pacific Crest Trail, and miles and miles of beach riding. I joke that I used to ride five miles to start riding, heading out at 8:00 am and returning at 8:00 pm. That’s not in the cards anymore but I’ve found that same peace and joy riding Cowboy Dressage.

Secretary/Treasurer

Lisa Clapp  

Resides in: Seaside, Oregon

Horses: My little band of horses helps keep me whole and renewed. Three horses share their lives with me, each such an individual. Two older paint geldings and a young Andalusian mare patiently teach me how to face myself and live my best life. After 50 years with horses, I cannot imagine a life without them.

Why I ride Cowboy Dressage:   Cowboy Dressage speaks to my core. Not only does it revere soft feel, condone two way communication, and focus on foundation skills valuable to all horse disciplines, but it is where I feel at home. The camaraderie that the organization values is not just idle talk or fluffy words on a website. It is real. It is ubiquitous at every gathering, lesson and collection of cowboy dressage riders. We are all in it TOGETHER and the support from those you never met is as genuine as from your best friend. There is a spirit of wholeness and kindness that pervades how we treat our horses and each other. An essential hallmark of this genre is relationships. Openness and patience are fundamental to the Cowboy Dressage doctrine. Not only do we strive to practice these values, we celebrate the release of old, rigid paradigms of shame, guilt and force. Beauty is found in seemingly simple consistent rhythms, soft and fluid transitions, and relaxation that forges exquisite grace. Cowboy Dressage embodies harmony of the human and horse spirits. 

Additional Tidbits: surround myself with nature in the Coast Range of northwest Oregon where I live with my husband, dog, cats and chickens. And horses. Did I say horses? Yes, horses, horses, horses. 

General Board Member

Christine Simpson

Resides in Vancouver, WA

Background: Chris Simpson has 45 years of experience showing western horses, has studied with several well-known horsemen, and is a successful trainer and clinician. She has 2 APHA champions, 10 APHA Superiors in Western Pleasure, Hunter under Saddle, Trail, and 40+ state championships. Chris loves Cowboy Dressage and how it includes all breeds, all levels, youth and even little lead-line riders. She is a certified Richard Shrake’s Resistance Free clinician as well as a Level 3 Cowboy Dressage clinician.