2015 Board Member Biographies
PRESIDENT - Vote for One
JILL AMBURGEY - running for President
I was born and raised in Florida. I am a graduate "B" pony clubber. I was a horse enthusiast as a very young child and got to take riding lessons with my mom when I was six. I have been riding, then teaching ever since.
Steve and I, with our two children, have a small farm in Green Cove Springs. I am involved with th3 4 H program in Clay county as well as First Coast hunter jumper association. I have been involved in NFDA over the last 10 years.
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JILL AMBURGEY - running for President
I was born and raised in Florida. I am a graduate "B" pony clubber. I was a horse enthusiast as a very young child and got to take riding lessons with my mom when I was six. I have been riding, then teaching ever since.
Steve and I, with our two children, have a small farm in Green Cove Springs. I am involved with th3 4 H program in Clay county as well as First Coast hunter jumper association. I have been involved in NFDA over the last 10 years.
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VICE PRESIDENT - Vote for one
MICHELLE VELASCO - running for Vice President
My name is Michelle Velasco and I am running for Vice President. I have been a member of NFDA practically since about 1980, and have already served in the positions of secretary, Treasurer, Schooling show manager and now Schooling show coordinator Vice President.
I started trying to ride dressage at the amateur level after meeting Kathy Daly over 30 years ago. She has been my friend, mentor and critic throughout the years since and taught me early about classical dressage. With limited time to ride due to my job & family, the opportunity to ride and show locally has been a blessing for me . I feel obligated to the NFDA for giving me those opportunities through our schooling and recognized shows and clinics. I feel that my time spent volunteering and supporting our club has been rewarding both from the aspect of my involvement in the sport of dressage, and the many incredible friends I have met along the way. I am glad to continue to serve NFDA in any way possible.
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MICHELLE VELASCO - running for Vice President
My name is Michelle Velasco and I am running for Vice President. I have been a member of NFDA practically since about 1980, and have already served in the positions of secretary, Treasurer, Schooling show manager and now Schooling show coordinator Vice President.
I started trying to ride dressage at the amateur level after meeting Kathy Daly over 30 years ago. She has been my friend, mentor and critic throughout the years since and taught me early about classical dressage. With limited time to ride due to my job & family, the opportunity to ride and show locally has been a blessing for me . I feel obligated to the NFDA for giving me those opportunities through our schooling and recognized shows and clinics. I feel that my time spent volunteering and supporting our club has been rewarding both from the aspect of my involvement in the sport of dressage, and the many incredible friends I have met along the way. I am glad to continue to serve NFDA in any way possible.
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SECRETARY - Vote for One
SHANTEL BROOKS - running for re-election as Secretary
Hello! My name is Shantel Brooks and I am running for Secretary for the 2015 year. I have been a member of NFDA since 2008 and have held numerous positions over the years. Since 2009, I have been on the Awards Committee and in 2014, I became the head of the Awards Committee. In 2010, 2011, and 2014, I held the position of Secretary and in 2012 and 2013, I was Vice President. I love being a part of such a wonderful group of dressage enthusiast and enjoy watching our club continue to grow. I have been a horseback rider all of my life, growing up riding my aunt’s horses through the woods in Georgia. In the early 90’s, I moved to Florida and took up English riding and learning how to jump. In 2004, I was a working student at a dressage farm and that is when my passion for dressage really took off. I own 2 horses currently. My first love, Layla, is a 19 year old Off the Track Thoroughbred that I was showing through 1st level and schooling through 2nd level. She is semi retired now (though she doesn’t know it!) and I am currently riding and showing my 7 year old Oldenburg Rex AKA Revolver. We are currently showing 1st level and schooling some 2nd level movements and are looking to move up next year. I look forward to serving another year with the NFDA and to serving the NFDA and our members in any way I can.
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SHANTEL BROOKS - running for re-election as Secretary
Hello! My name is Shantel Brooks and I am running for Secretary for the 2015 year. I have been a member of NFDA since 2008 and have held numerous positions over the years. Since 2009, I have been on the Awards Committee and in 2014, I became the head of the Awards Committee. In 2010, 2011, and 2014, I held the position of Secretary and in 2012 and 2013, I was Vice President. I love being a part of such a wonderful group of dressage enthusiast and enjoy watching our club continue to grow. I have been a horseback rider all of my life, growing up riding my aunt’s horses through the woods in Georgia. In the early 90’s, I moved to Florida and took up English riding and learning how to jump. In 2004, I was a working student at a dressage farm and that is when my passion for dressage really took off. I own 2 horses currently. My first love, Layla, is a 19 year old Off the Track Thoroughbred that I was showing through 1st level and schooling through 2nd level. She is semi retired now (though she doesn’t know it!) and I am currently riding and showing my 7 year old Oldenburg Rex AKA Revolver. We are currently showing 1st level and schooling some 2nd level movements and are looking to move up next year. I look forward to serving another year with the NFDA and to serving the NFDA and our members in any way I can.
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TREASURER - Vote for One
CAROL ELLMAKER - running for re-election as Treasurer
October 2014
Thank you for the opportunity to run for the position of Treasurer of NFDA.
My qualifications are that I am a degreed accountant and have worked in the accounting and finance fields for over twenty years.
I have loved horses forever but was not able to own a horse until ten years ago. The last few years I have had the opportunity to work with a school master and am learning to ride dressage the correct way. It is a joy to watch people and their horses go up the levels and work with such a good group of horse people here in the Jacksonville area.
I have been the Treasurer the past two years and would like to chance to continue in this position.
Carol Ellmaker
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CAROL ELLMAKER - running for re-election as Treasurer
October 2014
Thank you for the opportunity to run for the position of Treasurer of NFDA.
My qualifications are that I am a degreed accountant and have worked in the accounting and finance fields for over twenty years.
I have loved horses forever but was not able to own a horse until ten years ago. The last few years I have had the opportunity to work with a school master and am learning to ride dressage the correct way. It is a joy to watch people and their horses go up the levels and work with such a good group of horse people here in the Jacksonville area.
I have been the Treasurer the past two years and would like to chance to continue in this position.
Carol Ellmaker
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Member at Large - Vote for Three
MARTHA MOORE - running for Board Member at Large
Martha has been a member of NFDA since 2002. She has ridden since a small child and has competed in dressage, hunter jumper, TN Walking Horses, and barrel racing. She and her husband own Little Creek Ranch on Black Hammock Island in northeast Jacksonville. Martha previously served on the board and was president for two terms, from 2009 to 2011. During her tenure, the club successfully hosted the USDF Convention and Symposium. Martha is a frequent scribe at area shows.
She has a degree in civil engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology as well as a degree in physics from Jacksonville University. Martha is the division manager of transportation planning and traffic engineering for Ghyabi & Associates, and is responsible for projects throughout north and central Florida.
Martha is a strong advocate of amateur riders and non-traditional dressage horse breeds. She has successfully shown her American Paint Horse, V-Rod, and Irish Sport Horse, Fiona, at schooling and recognized shows. She plans to begin showing her Irish Sport Horse mare, Elle, at Dressage on the First Coast in December.
SARAH LAKE - running for Board Member at Large
My name is Sarah Lake and would like to serve the NFDA as a Board Member. I was the Volunteer Coordinator for 2012 & 2013 and am currently serving on the awards committee.
I started riding at age 13 and was an Eventer for years. After a few falls over jumps (fortunately, none serious), I decided I would pursue the art of Dressage. I have come to make many good friends through our club and I cherish every one of them. NFDA has also given me many learning opportunities to learn and grow as a rider and horse person. I have the hope that our Board our club will continue to grow strong and be a wonderful learning venue for the next generation of up and coming dressage riders.
ANN MAY - running for Board Member at Large
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MARTHA MOORE - running for Board Member at Large
Martha has been a member of NFDA since 2002. She has ridden since a small child and has competed in dressage, hunter jumper, TN Walking Horses, and barrel racing. She and her husband own Little Creek Ranch on Black Hammock Island in northeast Jacksonville. Martha previously served on the board and was president for two terms, from 2009 to 2011. During her tenure, the club successfully hosted the USDF Convention and Symposium. Martha is a frequent scribe at area shows.
She has a degree in civil engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology as well as a degree in physics from Jacksonville University. Martha is the division manager of transportation planning and traffic engineering for Ghyabi & Associates, and is responsible for projects throughout north and central Florida.
Martha is a strong advocate of amateur riders and non-traditional dressage horse breeds. She has successfully shown her American Paint Horse, V-Rod, and Irish Sport Horse, Fiona, at schooling and recognized shows. She plans to begin showing her Irish Sport Horse mare, Elle, at Dressage on the First Coast in December.
SARAH LAKE - running for Board Member at Large
My name is Sarah Lake and would like to serve the NFDA as a Board Member. I was the Volunteer Coordinator for 2012 & 2013 and am currently serving on the awards committee.
I started riding at age 13 and was an Eventer for years. After a few falls over jumps (fortunately, none serious), I decided I would pursue the art of Dressage. I have come to make many good friends through our club and I cherish every one of them. NFDA has also given me many learning opportunities to learn and grow as a rider and horse person. I have the hope that our Board our club will continue to grow strong and be a wonderful learning venue for the next generation of up and coming dressage riders.
ANN MAY - running for Board Member at Large
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