Schooling Show Saturday, June 7. Entries Due by June 1st!

Meet Our Board

Kristin Mills

Chapter Chair

Kristin began riding at the age of three in her hometown of Hamburg, Germany, where she competed in dressage shows before ultimately pursuing riding as her profession. She apprenticed for five years under renowned dressage judge and trainer Juergen Böckmann in Schenefeld, Germany. Following her apprenticeship, Kristin successfully completed the rigorous two-day German Bereiterprüfung examination, earning the title of “Bereiter FN” and state licensure as both a dressage and jumping instructor. During this time, she also earned her Bronze and Silver Medals from the Deutsche Reiterliche Vereinigung (FN).

In 2008, Kristin moved to Sacramento, California, and shortly thereafter founded Kristin Mills Dressage. She became a USDF L Program graduate, a COPA USPRE winner and team rider, and received the FHANA Dressage Performance Award. She also achieved numerous placings at Regional Championships, earning her Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medals from the United States Dressage Federation (USDF).

In 2022, Kristin transitioned from her career as a professional rider and trainer to focus on other passions. She is now the Director of Finance and Human Resources for the California Foundation on the Environment and the Economy, an environmental nonprofit organization addressing issues and policy development related to water, housing, transportation, and technology. Kristin also pursues her passion for teaching and education as part-time faculty at Sacramento State University, where she teaches Strategic Management for the College of Business.

In her personal time, Kristin enjoys riding and spending time with horses for fun and training for marathon and triathlon races. In 2024, she qualified for the Sprint Triathlon National Championships and competed in the Ironman California.

Julie Smith

Education Director

I have loved horses from my earliest memories. After years of watching from afar, I began riding at the age of 10. From that time, horses have always been a part of my life. I have been a member of CDS for approximately 25 years, with my participation ebbing and flowing as other work/life responsibilities took precedence.

I am now retired from a 30 year career at UC Davis, and live with my husband Stan in the hills of Vacaville. We have country property that allows me to have my horses at home as well as board a few horses too!

I currently am riding a 7 year old Hanoverian mare "Fabrizia". We competed this past year at 1st level and are schooling 2nd level with hopes of competing at that level next year. I also have a 5 year old homebred mare "ReJoyce". We haven't competed yet, but hope to next year. I never thought I would have a redheaded mare, and now I have two and love them both.

Suzanne Reed

Webmaster

My riding career began at age 13 on the East Coast where I rode hunt seat. Over time, I advanced to teaching lessons to beginners and riding the greener horses. When my family moved to Southeastern Washington State, I became a working student in a more eclectic horse environment. There, I learned to start horses and to ride saddle seat and western pleasure. I competed 5-gaited Saddlebreds and jumpers on the rough and tumble county fair circuit. Returning to New England after high school, I rode on the hunt seat team at Smith College.

I rode intermittently after college and in 1976 my work brought me to Northern California where I bought my first very own horse. I paused my involvement with horses for 15 years while raising two children and persuing my career. Once my children entered college, I filled my empty nest existence with horses. I transitioned from jumpers to dressage in my 60's and trained and competed up to third level on my horse Leonardo (Leo). In 2023, I qualified for membership in the Dressage Foundation Century Club at age 75, riding a third level test on the McMullen Ranch FEI schoolmaster Muztagh (Muze), age 25. I consider dressage the most difficult of the disciplines I have ridden. It is clearly an endless pursuit of continuous learning. I feel fortunate to have such good company on this journey.

Carlee Arnett

Chapter Treasurer

My first memories are of the horse in the pasture next to our house. When I would go missing, I could be found curled up in the grass near the horse. My father says my love of horses started there and there was no point fighting it. As a teenager, I rode hunters at Blue Cloud Farm in Longmont, CO. After graduating high school, I went to Germany and was not involved with horses for 22 years. Then I adopted a retired horse from UC Davis and took an off-track standard bred from a rescue. Not too much later, I was taking riding lessons. After a year, I retired the standard bred and decided to buy a dressage horse. This was an excellent decision! We are currently competing at First Level and it has been a wonderful experience.

Francesca Campagna

Events Co-Coordinator

I began my equestrian journey at the age of 2, starting with eventing and later developing a strong passion for dressage in my early teens. I'm proud to have trained my Arabian gelding, my heart horse, to PSG, earning both my silver and bronze medals along the way. Recently, I've taken on the task of starting a young horse with the goal of returning to FEI competitions. I'm enthusiastic about volunteering with the Sacramento Valley Chapter, where I'll assist with educational events and co-host Dressage Camp alongside Pamela Carroll.

Maddy Kent

Social Media Coordinator

Maddy Kent of Kent Dressage is an USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold Medalist dressage trainer, who has trained multiple horses to FEI. She is based out of Fairfield, CA.

Maddy grew up in Portland, OR and was out at the barn with the neighbor's horse as soon as she could walk. Riding lessons started soon after and never stopped. Maddy started competing in dressage at age 8, and worked her way all the way up the levels. After graduating from UC Davis in 2013 with a degree in Exercise Biology and a minor in Nutrition, Maddy started building her own training business in Northern California.

From starting young horses to riding Grand Prix in internationally rated shows, Maddy has worked with horses of all ages, skills and breeds, as well as teaching riders of all levels. She focuses on building strong, confident horses with a solid, correct training foundation to set them up for success in any direction. Maddy is continuing her education by training with Nick Wagman, Jeremy Steinberg, Jan Ebeling and others.

Nancy Johnson

Chapter Secretary

Born and raised in California, I’ve been living in Vacaville since 1974. My lifelong passion for horses apparently started as soon as I could talk, as Dad said the first words out of my mouth were: “Dad, I want a horse”. No Dada, pony…horse. And from thence it went! I started out having my horse saddled for me (the saddle outweighed me!) and being led up and down the driveway. Graduated from there to 4-H, riding Western and galloping all around the countryside. As an adult, I decided I wanted to learn to jump and started taking Hunter Jumper lessons. It was durimg that time a guest trainer came in and her discipline was eventing. I was hooked! I evented until my mare decided she didn’t want to jump any more, so we continued with our dressage training, discovered how much fun cows were to move around, packed the mules and trekked up the mountains, trail rode at Pt. Reyes (although never did make it to the beach…that’s still on my bucket list). My last ride on her was at 33 years old, and she passed away at 35. So my “new” guy, who is 26 this year, a Thoroughbred long off a successful racing career is happy just walking down the road. I’ve been offered the wonderful opportunity to ride Julie Smith’s mare, ReJoyce, who is very busy teaching me to RIDE! I’m learning so much from her, and hopefully she’s learning a thing or two from me.

I’m new to CDS, and as Secretary, I’m very trainable. I look forward to working with everyone, learning about the Society and what it offers the riding community.

Pamela Carroll

Events Co-Coordinator

Have you ever tried to take a selfie with a horse….or two….at dawn….in the rain?! I highly recommend it! It’s a great way to start the day. Most of the photos are hilarious! As usual, my horses gave me a real dose of joy on the morning I tried to take photos for this bio!!

Like most of you, I cannot remember a time that I was not obsessed and totally in love with horses. I was fortunate to have my first horse, Rosa, when I was 11 years old. We lived just outside of Madrid, Spain and she was a PRE mare that I could not believe was mine! Over the years I have known and loved many beautiful equines. Currently I share a 5 acre property with two PRE mares; Samba and her daughter, Skye.

As a teenager, I rode bareback except for once a year; I used a saddle when I rode in the Fiesta Days Parade through downtown Vacaville! While a student at UCDavis, I learned to play polo and I have played polo in the US, India, New Zealand and Argentina. My horsey travel adventures also include a safari on horseback in South Africa and riding trips in Ireland, New Zealand and Portugal. My Dressage journey began while I was working and living in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In order to ride, I took lessons at a stable in the city. The lessons were tailored to the discipline of the instructor. I learn to jump a little until the jumping instructor went back to England. She was replaced by a Swedish Dressage instructor. So my education in Dressage began. I am not a competitive rider and am very much an amateur; but I love learning about fine tuning my communication with my horse and how to influence her way of going.

As your Communications Director, it will be my privilege to communicate with all of you the Dressage news from our chapter and beyond.

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