Board of Directors

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President	Steve Schiestel steve(at)summitstrategies(dot)ab(dot)ca Box 371 Eckville, AB T0M 0X0 (403) 358-8259(for bio click here)
Vice President	Ron Tocher – RonT(at)allspan(dot)com P.O. Box 1584, Cochrane, AB. T4C 1B5 (403) 932-7057(for bio click here)
Past President	Dean Ross (for bio click here) parkview(at)telusplanet(dot)net Box 186, Castor, AB T0C 1X0 (403) 882-4441
Treasurer	Kathie MacKenzie krmacken(at)shaw(dot)ca 427 Flett Drive NE Airdrie, AB T4B 1M7 (403)948-6359 (for bio click here)
Secretary	Anthony Hankins markoutwelding(at)shaw(dot)ca 4711-61A St. Stettler, AB, T022L1 (403)740-3821W (403)742-8269H (403)742-8269F (for bio click here)
SHOW COMMITTEE	Anthony Hankins markoutwelding(at)shaw(dot)ca 4711-61A St. Stettler, AB, T022L1 (403)740-3821W (403)742-8269H (403)742-8269F (for bio click here) Ron Tocher – RonT(at)allspan(dot)com P.O. Box 1584, Cochrane, AB. T4C 1B5 (403) 932-7057(for bio click here) Kathy Yake kyake(at)calgarypolice(dot)ca Box 579, Cremona, AB T0M 0R0 (403)637-2756(for bio click here) Deserie Rieu - deserierieu(at)hotmail(dot)com Bos2207, Rimbey, AB T0C 2J0 (403)396-8565
DRUG TESTING	Ken Grayston - kengrayston(at)hotmail(dot)com R #2, Innisfail, AB T4G 1T7 (403) 227-4213(for bio click here) Anthony Hankins markoutwelding(at)shaw(dot)ca 4711-61A St. Stettler, AB, T022L1 (403)740-3821W (403)742-8269H (403)742-8269F Ron Tocher – RonT(at)allspan(dot)com P.O. Box 1584, Cochrane, AB. T4C 1B5 (403) 932-7057(for bio click here)
WAYS & MEANS	Lisa Schiestel slf(at)netkaster(dot)ca Box 371 Eckville, AB T0M 0X0 (403) 358-8259 (for bio click here) Susan Walsh – suewalsh(at)shawdot)ca 207 Scenic Ridge Cr. NW, Calgary, AB. T3L 1V1 (403) 547-0136 (for bio click here) Committee Chair Kate Bamford - bkb(at)platinum(dot)ca Box 41, Site 14, RR # 8 Calgary, AB T2J 2T9 403-931-2768 cell 403-852-7680 Kathy Yake kyake(at)calgarypolice(dot)ca Box 579, Cremona, AB T0M 0R0 (403)637-2756 Patti Shea p2shea(at)hotmail(dot)com Box 23, Site 4, RR2 Olds, AB (403)556-5903 (403)620-8585(for bio click here)
AWARDS & BANQUET	Sandy Kirtzinger kirtzins(at)netkaster(dot)ca Box 376 Hay Lakes, AB T0B 1W0 780-848-0002 (for bio click here) Kathie MacKenzie krmacken(at)shaw(dot)ca 427 Flett Drive NE Airdrie, AB T4B 1M7 (403)948-6359 (for bio click here) Judy Doiron***** point tabulator judy(dot)pd(at)shaw.ca Box 343Standard, AB. T0J 3G0 (403) 455-2020
MEMBERSHIP	Susan Walsh, Committee Chair s suewalsh(at)shaw(dot)ca 207 Scenic Ridge Cr. NW Calgary, AB. T3L 1V1 (403) 547-0136, Kathy Yakekyake(at)calgarypolice(dot)ca Box 579, Cremona, AB T0M 0R0 (403)637-2756(for bio click here)
YOUTH	Advisor: Debbie Hill crossida(at)telusplanet(dot)net Box 747 Viking, AB T0B 4N0 780-336-4070 (for bio click here) Associate Pat Ross ***patross2(at)hotmail(dot)com Box 186, Castor, AB T0C 1X0 (403)981-7677
AMATEUR	Vacant
TRAIL RIDE	Lisa Schiestel
BYLAWS	Ron Tocher
NOMINATIONS & CREDENTIALS	Trevor McBurney Steve Schiestel
WEB SITE & COMMUNICATIONS	Vacant
STALLION SERVICE AUCTION	Dean Ross (for bio click here) parkview(at)telusplanet(dot)net Box 186, Castor, AB T0C 1X0 (403) 882-4441
AQHA DIRECTORS	Jim Fleming (Director at Large) 403-256-7777 mtl5(at)telusplanet(dot)net Cal Loree (Director Emeritus) 403-208-1910 crloree@shaw.net Sheldon Soderberg 403-347-6052 sqhorses(at)telusplanet(dot)net Joanne Perlich 403-328-9872 perlichj(at)telusplanet(dot)net Dean Ross 403-882-4411 parkview(at)telusplanet(dot)net Shannon Burwash 403-246-8283 burwash(at)telusplanet(dot)net Ross Brigden 403-527-9585 brig-chem(at)telusplanet(dot)net

Note: *** indicates the individual is not an elected board member, but serving on the committee as a member at-large or AQHA Director

DIRECTORS BIO'S

DEAN ROSS
Dean Ross, a Saskatchewan native, proudly born and raised in Maple Creek, He attended quarter horse shows in AB starting in the late 70’s and have been an avid supporter of the association since that time. After moving to AB in 1983 and marrying Pat Stock, the “DRTC” Dean Ross Training Centre has been going strong ever since. Pat now operates and manages the full time training center in Cochrane, AB from Bars West Quarter Horses owned by the Critchley family. Dean and Pat and their clients are no strangers to the winner’s circle and take pride in their accomplishments in the all around arenas, futurities, as well as youth and amateur programs. Dean still resides in Castor, AB where he owns and operates the Stettler Funeral Home & Crematorium and Parkview Funeral Chapels & Crematorium in Castor and Coronation. Dean is a fully licensed funeral director and embalmer and holds a degree in mortuary science as well as is graduate of numerous Grief Recovery programs and is a certified memorial counselor for Sunset Memorial and Stone Ltd..

Dean and Pat have two sons, Colton (18) and Carter (15) who both have shown in the youth divisions at quarter horse shows and are the pride of the Ross household to say the least. Colton continues to show also in the non-pro and youth divisions of the NSBA and AQHA shows.

Dean is the president of QHAA; a director of the Canadian Quarter Horse Association; director of the American Quarter Horse Association (Youth Activities Committee); active member and committee representative to the Alberta Funeral Service Association; Vice Chair of the Town of Castor Recreation Board; AQHA and NSBA judge having judged many major shows across N. America and Europe including the World Championship Quarter Horse Show; the All American Quarter Horse Congress and the National Snaffle Bit Association World Championships and many of the countries major circuits; as well as volunteer to many of the rodeo and horse show committees in the local areas.

Dean enjoys taking part in the annual drama production from his local church, loves to travel and meet new people while traveling the country. The horse world is much like family and he is proud to be a part of it all.

DEBBIE HILL

STEVE SCHIESTEL Steve in the Announcers booth Photo by Cheryl Smythe, Thank you

Steve was elected to the QHAA board of directors in 1997 the same year he married professional horse trainer Lisa (Mowat). Most people now know Steve as Kaitie’s dad, Lisa’s husband, horse show announcer, the guy that draws the funny cartoons, the banquet host, or the guy that writes the articles for the local horse magazines.

Outside of the horse world Steve is a designated professional accountant with an office at Summit Strategies Wealth Management in Red Deer. He and Lisa also farm north of Sylvan Lake where they breed quarter horses and run a large herd of commercial cattle and a small herd of purebred Gelbvieh cattle.
Things not commonly known about Steve:

As a kid Steve showed horses for 12 years at the 4-H level and showed a halter yearling at the Wild Rose circuit in 1986.
Steve’s past careers have included agronomist, stand up comic, grain buyer, tattoo artist, pig feed consultant, rodeo announcer, saddle maker, tradeshow organizer and steer wrestler.
He actually did well with a couple of these careers, can you guess which ones?
He spent four whole days playing football in training camp with the Edmonton Eskimos in 1989.

TREVOR MCBURNEY

Trevor McBurney resides at Lacombe, Alberta where he operates McBurney Quarter Horses with his wife Tanya and children Brooke and Kyron.
Trevor has shown and trained multiple Futurity champions, Canadian Champions, NSBA Champions, World Show Qualifiers and European Champions in Western Pleasure. He also coaches Youth and Amateur’s for All Round events.
Trevor is a past president of the QHAA and is a member of the AQHA Professional Horsemen’s Association.
Trevor is currently promoting their new Stallion Clever But Costly and anxiously awaits his first foal crop in 2008.

SHANNON BURWASH

Shannon lives with her husband, Wayne, west of Calgary, on property that also serves as Wayne’s veterinary practice and equine reproduction centre. Between the two, they have five grown children and nine grandchildren. Their children have all competed in American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) youth events, including Canadian youth team tournaments, Canadian National Quarter Horse Show Championships and at the AYQHA World show, making top 10. Shannon has been a member of the AQHA and the Quarter Horse Association of Alberta (QHAA) for over 25 years. In the late ’80s, she was vice-president of the QHAA but discontinued her involvement to support her children’s activities, including showing Quarter Horses. Shannon renewed her active involvement in the early ’90s, serving on the board of the Alberta Amateur Quarter Horse Association for the past fifteen years, including two years as president, and on the QHAA board for four years, currently website editor. She has won aCanadian National Quarter Horse Show championship, numerous QHAA and Amateur Hi-Points and qualified for the AQHA Select World Show. Shannon has served as show secretary for the Canadian National Quarter Horse Show and as editor of the QHAA magazine and directory. She has also been involved in 4-H and the Calgary Exhibition & Stampede Volunteer committee. Besides working at Equine Services Ltd., Wayne’s veterinary practice, Shannon runs her own bookkeeping business with outside clients. Because Wayne is involved with Spruce Meadows as head of the Veterinary Commission, Shannon can be seen helping him with various duties there.

Anthony Hankins

ANTHONY HANKINS
Hello! My name is Anthony Hankins. I live in Stettler, AB with my wife,
Jayna. I am a welder by trade and an auctioneer for fun. I was an avid
rodeo competitor - competing in the saddle bronc and tie down roping
events till I was side lined due to injuries. I had never been to a
horse show when I met Jayna 2 years ago. After many miles of
traveling and being the groom/cheerleader I decided that it was time to
step in the ring myself. So this year at the Dawson Creek, BC QHAA show
I entered the novice amateur showmanship. That's right guys showmanship.
From rodeos to horse shows who would have ever guessed and I am loving
every minute of it.

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© Cheryl Smythe

CINDY SODERBERG
Cindy Soderberg has been showing and training horses for 25 years. She and her husband, Sheldon, operate a training facility known as Soderberg Quarter Horses, west of Red Deer. Their children, Lindsay and Wayne have also been active members of the Quarter Horse community as well, showing side by side with their parents.

Cindy is originally from the Calgary area where she started riding her first horse when she was 12. In the late '70's Cindy attended the Meredith Manor International Equestrian Center in West Virginia where her English riding skills were polished.

Cindy and Sheldon stand their senior Stallion, "Three Dimension Zip" and Cindy shows many of the young horses that they raise. She coaches all levels of youth and amateurs and Cindy's favourite class is Trail.

Cindy is currently the Alberta Youth Quarter Horse Association Advisor. She helps the youth with their plans and activities for the year including the selection of the World Show participants on behalf of Alberta.

RON TOCHER

Ron is a 47 yr. old Albertan who has been married to his wife Karen for 23 years, and is an avid Quarter Horse performance enthusiast. Ron lives West of Cochrane on Grand Valley where Ron and Karen enjoy their acreage and 8 Quarterhorses.

Ron is a Journeyman Millwright who takes care of the Maintenance Department with Allspan Buidling Systems in Cochrane, a major truss and housing component manufacturer.

Ron has, for approximately the last 8 years, been a member and supporter of both QHAA and AAQHA, and is currently an acting director on both of these boards.

Ron and Karen trained under Jason and Bob Grimshaw for over 5 years in the discipline of Reining, but enjoy all Quarterhorse disciplines

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Ken Grayston

KEN GRAYSTON
Born in Wainwright; Ken moved to Red Deer in 1970 in order to attend Red
Deer College. He is now retired after spending 34.5 years employed with the
Alberta Government as a social worker, supervisor and program specialist in
Children's Services.
As a former competitor in tie down roping in the Foothills Cowboy Rodeo
Association, he rodeod in the FCA for 11 years from 1974-1985.
Ken is married and his wife Marianne and him have two children, Scott and
Kelsie.
Ken became involved in the QHAA in 2003 when his daughter, Kelsie, began
participating in the youth division of the QHAA.
He has been a director on the QHAA since 2006 and is currently responsible
for drug testing within the QHAA

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SUSAN WALSH

Susan Walsh was born and raised in Calgary. She has been showing Quarter Horses since the late 90’s in the novice classes.
Susan currently has a young horse which she is planning to start showing this year... she’s hopes. Susan has been a director for the Quarter Horse Association of Alberta for about 6 years and is also a director for the Alberta Amateur Quarter Horse Association. Susan was show manger for the Wild Rose and Canadian National shows for a couple of years in the early 2000's.
Last year Susan’s mare won the Canadian National Show 2 year old Western Pleasure Championship. It was a great thrill for her and her family. Besides showing and riding, Susan also enjoy spending time with her 2 cockatoos (parrots)

KATHY YAKE
Kathy is currently employed is a Business Licence/Security Clearance Coordinator for the Calgary Police Service, where she does fingerprints and confirmations of criminal records. She has been employed with the City of Calgary for 17 years and enjoys the variety of work that she has performed over the years.

Kathy has been interested in horses since her father took her on her first trail ride in Banff,when she was only 4 years. She has now have been riding for 18 years. Kathy started out just wanting to learn about horses; to where she would ride lesson horses and then to buying my first horse in 1992. From there she started to compete in the smaller community shows in a lot of the disciplines from Halter to Reining. Kathy then I started to expand to the larger showing circuits for about 16 years now to ARCHA, AQHA, QHAA, NRHA, Reining Alberta, Reining Canada, etc. hoping one day to make it to the worlds.

She has been blessed with great friends, great trainers and great horses. It sure is a great lifestyle. Her newly married husband is just starting out in the show world and she is looking forward to having him with her at the QHAA shows.

LISA SCHIESTEL
Lisa Schiestel was raised on a 4,500 head feedlot near Calgary. She has been riding pens and chasing cattle since she was able to ride. At the age of 14, she started showing in 4-H and open shows. At 17, ,she converted to breed shows with the paint mare "Add A Little Do", which saw them having a great deal of success. Lisa graduated from Olds College in 1994 after taking the Equine Science program. In 1995 she started work for Sheldon and Cindy Soderberg. While working there she helped train and coach several amateur and youth competitors. Lisa assisted with managing the breeding program as well.
In 1997 she married Steve Schiestel and in 2002, Lisa and Steve purchased land on the Rainy Creek Road and started building.
After the the 2004 show season Lisa esigned her position at Soderberg Quarter Horses to await the arivial of our first child, Kaitlynn in March of 2005.
Lisa started training horses on my own and in the spring of 2006 and soon ound herself with a barn full of horses. She has competed in AQHA circuits in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Montana with a great deal of success. Currently she is breeding, raising and training her own horses as well as a small group of client horses.
Lisa have been a director of the QHAA for seven years and is currently the Committe Chair of Ways and Means.

SANDY KIRTZINGER

Sandy and her husband Ken, raise registered Quarter Horses and commercial
Simmental cattle on their farm near Hay Lakes, 50 kms. east of Leduc,
Alberta. Sandy began showing quarter horses in 1976. During the 80's,
Sandy showed "Glencoe Bars" their buckskin Quarter Horse Stallion to high
point halter and cutting awards often at the same show. Some offspring of
that great stallion are in their broodmare band today. Their philosophy is
to breed versatile Quarter Horses and all are started under saddle and used
to work cattle on the farm. After taking 20 years off showing to raise two
sons and 86 foster children, Sandy returned to the show ring in 2004,
showing "The Peppered Kid" aka "Jose" to ROMs in both Open and Amateur
Halter as well as other halter horses they own. Her goals for 2008 include
riding Jose toward his AQHA Championship, showing Jose's offspring as well
as their most recent purchase, "GK Hired Gun", a Golden Gunslinger son; in
halter. They will be standing Jose as well as Michelle Smith's stallion,
"Sirtainly Sierra" to outside mares in 2008 as Michelle becomes a new mom in
January.
Sandy says "We welcome visitors to come see the horses any time."
She adds, "I'm really excited to be a director of the QHAA and look forward
to a successful 2008. See you at the shows!!"
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KATHIE MACKENZIE (coming soon) Back to top
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PATTI SHEA
I've been involved with horses since I was three years old. My Father was a world champion skeet shooter so spent many hours shooting, and while he practiced his targets, my identical twin sister and I were taking turns running the legs off our shetland pony. The rest of course is history. As a child I rode in parades , did pony club, and showed western and english at the local fairs and then became interested in the jumping game. Years later Grimshaws gave me an introduction to reining and I was Hooked, 17 years ago.
My involvement with the QHAA board is to become more active in the horse showing community and to be an added voice for the reiners.
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