Kris Schuler – Nominations Committee Nominee

For more than 25 years, Kris has been dedicated to breeding Hanoverians and Oldenburgs, producing multiple mares with overall 8.0 scores, many 7.5 mares, and several who have successfully completed their Mare Performance Tests. Her passion for the Hanoverian breed and commitment to quality sport horse breeding have made her a perfect member and strong supporter of the American Hanoverian Society, which she believes (and we do too) stands as the premier breed society in the U.S.

Throughout her years of involvement, Kris has built strong connections within the AHS community-collaborating with fellow breeders, committee members, and mentors. She's served as a mentor in the AHS mentorship program and helped organize the silent auction for the annual meeting, experiences that have deepened her appreciation for the society's volunteer-driven spirit.

Professionally, Kris serves as a team lead within a global company of over 85,000 employees, where she regularly collaborates with other team leads, vice presidents, and CMOs. This experience has strengthened her leadership, communication, and organizational skills-tools  that she would bring to the Nominations Committee to help identify and encourage dedicated members to serve the society.

Kris is passionate about expanding AHS's outreach to attract new and younger breeders. As competition from other registries such as KWPN, GOV, and Westfalen increases, the AHS must continue to engage and educate the next generation to ensure the future strength and influence of the American Hanoverian Society.

Robin Compagno – Nominations Committee Nominee

Robin is a dynamic entrepreneur, sales and marketing professional, and passionate
breeder of Hanoverian horses. As the founder of the Dressage Breeders Group, Robin is deeply
committed to promoting quality-bred North American sport horses and supporting the mission of
the American Hanoverian Society (AHS).

Professionally, Robin formerly served as Director of Sales and Marketing for a leading custom
home building company and is recognized as a top-producing real estate agent with Douglas
Elliman in Las Vegas, specializing in equestrian properties, land, and luxury real estate. With a
proven record of success across multiple ventures, Robin brings extensive experience in business
development, branding, and client relations.

An enthusiastic advocate for excellence in breeding and sport, Robin currently serves as Chair of
the Nominations Committee for the AHS and is proud to seek re-election to continue advancing
the society’s goals. Her dedication lies in raising awareness, fostering community engagement,
and encouraging greater participation in the AHS’s programs and initiatives.

Beyond her professional and breeding pursuits, Robin has contributed her time and expertise to
various philanthropic organizations, reflecting her commitment to leadership and service across
both professional and equestrian communities.

Cathy Tucker-Slaterbeck – BOD Nominee

Cathy has been interested in warmbloods since the 1980s and bought her first two-year-old Hanoverian mare in 1990. She had a small breeding operation in Reisterstown, Maryland where she the occassional breeder, as her mares were also riding horses, training in dressage. Cathy was a riding teacher and worked for a small animal veterinarian.

She's been on the AHS Board since 1996 and is Chair of the Awards Committee. She has also helped on the inspection tour for many years by assisting at inspections as secretary. Through this, she has learned the scoring systems for Mare Inspections, Mare Performance Tests, Futurities, and Stallion veterinary inspections after licensing, and has been responsible for the detailed paperwork at many Inspection sites, both on the tour and for the Mid Atlantic Hanoverian Breeder’s Club. Cathy serves on the Mare and Stallion Committee and is a current AHS inspector.

A retired Montessori pre-school teacher, Cathy has also been a USEF “r” Dressage Judge and an "R” Eventing Judge for over 40 years. Between her own farm and horses, the AHS Board, the Awards Committee, and judging at shows and events, she keeps busy and interested in many aspects of the horse industry.

Rick Toering – BOD Nominee

Rick Toering, with his wife Jayne and their two daughters Hanna and Jordan, operate Bent Hickory Farm (www.facebook.com/BentHickoryFarm), a small breeding and show barn in Northern Virginia. The Toerings strive to produce all-around athletic Hanoverians with talent and temperament for the hunter/jumper market. In 1998, the Toerings purchased their first Hanoverian, a jumper-bred yearling filly. In 2014, the first granddaughter from this filly achieved the second highest mare performance test score in the country and in 2015, the first great-grandson from this filly was born. Both Toerings’ daughters (now both professional riders) rode, trained, and successfully competed many of their homebred Hanoverians. From their small breeding program, the Toerings have bred and produced the following successful competition horses:

• EM/CM/JBP** Coquette BHF (Coconut Grove/Wanderkoenig), 2006 Hanoverian mare. Placings at 1.40m, shown to 1.45m.
• EM/CM/JBP** Balou Moon BHF (Balou du Rouet/Coconut Grove), 2010 Hanoverian mare. Wins and placings at 1.45m, shown to 1.50m.
• EMC/CM/JBP* Premonition BHF (Pablo/Ganymed), 2006 Hanoverian mare. USEF Horse of the Year in 2018 in the 3’6” Large Junior Hunters, 16-17.
• First mare to receive the AHS's Competition Mare title as a show hunter and two-time winner of the AHS Premonition Memorial Trophy

Rick has served on the AHS Board since 2007 and has been active in the AHS for many years prior to that. An attorney by profession, Rick serves as the Chair of the AHS Corporate Regulations and Grievance Committee, where he rewrote the AHS’ bylaws and breeding rules as well as developed the breeding rules for the new American Rhineland Studbook. In 2016, Rick successfully proposed the requirements by which hunter stallions may be fully approved for breeding with both the AHS and the Verband. Rick was the initial driving force behind the organization and implementation of the Hanoverian Jumper Breeding Program (JBP) and serves as the Chair of that committee. In 2021-22, Rick assisted with the operation and reorganization of the AHS Office. In 2024, Rick became an inspection judge for the AHS and expects to complete the requirements for judging stallions in 2025.

For many years, the Toering family hosted the annual Mid-Atlantic Hanoverian Breeders' Mare Inspection and Performance Test at their facility in Waterford, Virginia.

Rick offers unique prospective and insight to the Board, not only as an experienced attorney, but also as an avid competitor (owner and trainer) in the hunter and jumper rings.

Ashlie Racette – BOD Nominee

Horses have always been Ashlie's passion. Her breeding program focuses on high quality dressage and jumping horses, with special emphasis on strong dam lines. Ashlie's completed the Hanoverian Breeding Course twice which has given her a solid foundation in evaluating bloodlines and making thoughtful breeding decisions. She's been recognized by the USDF where she's earned the title Breeder of Distinction (Bronze).

Ashlie has been an AHS Member since 2006. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the AHS where she supports and promotes the Hanoverian horse across North America.  As the Chair of the Education Committee, she helps to coordinate Breed Orientation Courses, educational webinars, and assisted in the launch of the official AHS podcast to expand access to knowledge for breeders, trainers, and enthusiasts. Ashlie also contributes to the Fundraising Committee to help organize the annual Stallion Service Auction. Her committee involvement helps shape the Society’s programs and initiatives.

Ashlie approaches her roles with commitment, vision, and a welcoming spirit, striving to create opportunities that strengthen our community and advance the AHS mission.

Ashlie holds two specialized national certifications – Certified Post Anesthesia and Certified Ambulatory Peri anesthesia nurse. She has personal commitment to advancing her practice and to stay at the forefront of the peri anesthesia specialty. Additionally, Ashlie contributes to the profession on a national level as an exam writer for certification testing. Her academic background includes a Master of Science in nursing.

Jan Marquardt – BOD Nominee

Jan started riding when she was 4-years-old and has been around horses for much of her life. When she and Gary her husband decided they were going to start breeding, they went to three different countries and 14 states looking for their foundation mares. Jan and Gary started Walkabout Station in 2006, and in 2024 they started the Walkabout Station Journey award to celebrate the success of riders with their partner in sport through the levels.

Jan was the CFO of Bassett Company for 20+ years before retiring. In 2000 she started a parrot toy company called Busy Beaks, LLC. Jan is a Lifetime member of the AHS and has owned and bred Hanoverian horses. She has been on the AHS Board of Directors for 4 years, starting as Secretary and now as Treasurer. Jan was the 2023 recipient of the AHS Volunteer of the Year Award.

Carrie Leach – BOD Nominee

Horses are part of Carrie's heart and soul. Her parents wanted their family of 5 children to learn a sport that they could do at any age and at any stage of life. After watching her older sisters take riding lessons, Carrie was finally put in the saddle. Her parents enrolled Carrie in bi-weekly lessons at The Horse Forum owned by Steve Haight in Lake Forest, IL where she participated in local schooling shows, and spent her summers riding at camp.

Carrie's parents finally caved to her wishes and bought me an Arabian/TB pony named Silver Threads. Together they joined the Pony Club and she still uses the skills she learned from Pony Club. Carrie moved on to horses and leased a beautiful TB mare named Penny Lane. She and Carrie excelled in Equitation classes. In 1989, Carrie purchased a TB named Reliant. Riley and she competed in Hunter-Jumper, Equitation and Medal Classes across the Midwest. Carrie trained with Todd Minikus from 1987-1990 and Russell Frey from 1990-1992 until she graduated high school. As a member of the USHJA, Carrie participated in both the 1991 and 1992 Nationals in Lexington, Kentucky.

After watching Saturday Night Jump-offs throughout her teenage years, Carrie dreamed of owning a Warmblood. Their size, power, athleticism, and talent filled her with awe and wonder. Carrie wanted a Warmblood she could show both in the Dressage and Hunter/Jumper rings. That's when she found Lord Louie SDSF. A dark bay Rhinelander with four even white socks; he was perfect. It was love at first sight.

The hunt began to find a Second Level horse. Carrie travelled to New Hampshire to try Sinco De Mayo SPF, a 2014 Hanoverian gelding. Carrie had officially switched disciplines and learning dressage has become her new "job," after I retired from a career in education. Sinco and I have worked our way through the levels. We started at Training Level earning many awards and have been successful through Second Level. We earned an initiation to Nationals in 2024 in First and Second Level Freestyle. Sinco has taught me more than just dressage.

Carrie's love for learning through hard-work, determination, and a positive attitude keeps her training and showing. She looks forward to 2026 with her three wonderful and talented horses. I’m blessed to be surrounded by family, friends, horses, dogs, and a community of those who love and admire all things equestrian.

Melinda Kelly – BOD Nominee

As a child, Melinda purchased a pony and later a horse with her own money. Many years later, Melinda's daughters said they wanted a horse, so she started them with riding lessons, something Melinda never had. She took advantage of the opportunity and took the learning journey with them. After a year of lessons, Melinda and her husband Kevin bought two horses. She told Kevin they couldn't get one because they are herd animals and one would need a companion. Sadly in 2007 the Kelly family lost three of our four horses in nine days due to what they suspect was colic due to Jimson Weed poisoning. With only 30 days to find another horse for one of their daughter's 4-H projects, they were introduced to warmbloods. Their neighbors at the time, Don and Joy Chapin, had Hanoverians and introduced them to Don and Dee Kapper who just happened to have a few horses for sale. Don and Dee became the Kellys mentors in breeding and introduced them to the AHS in 2013.  Melinda and Kevin have been members ever since. They enjoy the breeding process and especially working with the foals. Their first Hanoverian foal born on their KBX farm was Capistrana OBX, we call her Capper in honor of Don and Dee Kapper. That was 2014 and we have been raising foals each year. Melinda enjoys the hands-on experience she has with their horses and the joy that they bring to our lives.

Melinda has a BA in Art Education from the University of Cincinnati. While at UC, she worked in the college library and was taught book binding and book conservation. After graduation, Melinda was hired as the Bindery Assistant in the Fine Arts Library, housed in the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University. She worked there for two years and then returned to Ohio to marry Kevin and raise their four children. Along with breeding Hanoverians, she also breeds Sebastopol geese. You can view them at kellyfarm.weebly.com

Although Melinda doesn’t have board experience, she’s taught 4- and 5-year-olds at her church for 16 years. When her girls were in 4-H, she became a 4-H Advisor for the next 11 years where she did all the organizational paperwork and computer work. Melinda likes to be organized and has been told on several occasions that she’s approachable and easy to talk to.

Kevin and Melinda attended an AHS Breeder's Orientation course in 2014 in Germany with the Chapins and the Kappers. In 2015, we jointly with the Chapins rented a facility and hosted a Hanoverian Inspection. And most recently Melinda attended the AHS Foundations breed course held during the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event.

Natalie DiBerardinis – BOD Nominee

Natalie is a lifetime horse owner with primarily a dressage focus.  She was a Dressage Technical Delegate and has been the Managing Director of Hilltop Farm for 17 years. Natalie serves on numerous regional and national committees and boards. She’s been fortunate enough to have almost 30 years of a career in professional positions within the equestrian industry. Natalie has a strong background in marketing, program development, and event planning.

Natalie is the current AHS President and is Chairman for the AHS Foundation. She has extensive board level experience from local level through national organizations on both start-up and longstanding organizations.

Natalie serves on Awards Committee and Mare and Stallion Committee, AHS Education. She has a long history of serving effectively on different AHS committees, combined with extensive contacts across the equestrian industry.