Members

Karin Pekarchik

Karin Pekarchik

Founder
Senior Extension Associate for Distance Learning
University of Kentucky
College of Agriculture, Food and Environment
Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering
116 C.E. Barnhart Building
Lexington, KY 40546
Phone: (859) 218-4322

Areas of Expertise/Interest: Female equestrian health outcomes over the lifespan, with particular interest in outreach and educational programs for youth and aging riders.


Kimberly Tumlin

Kimberly Tumlin, Ph.D.

Co-founder
Assistant Professor, Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health
Research Director, Equestrian Athlete Initiative, College of Health Sciences
University of Kentucky
College of Public Health
111 Washington Avenue, Suite 204
Lexington, KY 40506-0003
Phone: (859) 218-2017

kimberly.tumlin@uky.edu

Areas of Expertise/Interest: Occupational motivation and environmental exposures in communities with strong ties to animals and ecosystems in order to support health over the lifespan.

 


Liz Barrett DVM

Liz Barrett, DVM, MS, DACVS

Veterinarian

Ocala, FL

USA

Areas of Expertise/Interest: Sport horse lameness and health, jumping.

 

 


Alicia Benben

Alicia Benben

Instructional Designer
University of Kentucky
UK Online, Teaching, Learning and Academic Innovation
Lexington, KY
USA

Areas of Expertise/Interest: Online delivery of educational content, technology use in the classroom, equine studies.

 


Eleanor Boden

Eleanor Boden, PhD, MRes, BSc, PCGE, FHEA

Chief Executive
Scottish Racing Academy
Scotland

Areas of Expertise/Interest: The lived experience of female employees within the UK Thoroughbred racing industry; barriers to participation; diversity and inclusion in equestrian sport; education and training; building successful career paths for females in racing careers.


Jenny Burbage

Jenny Burbage, Ph.D.

Senior Lecturer in Biomechanics, Research Group in Breast Health

University of Portsmouth
Portsmouth
England

Areas of Expertise/Interest: Biomechanics, breast health of riders.

 


Fernanda Camargo, DVM, Ph.D.

Fernanda Camargo, DVM, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Equine Extension Specialist
University of Kentucky
College of Agriculture, Food and Environment
Department of Animal Sciences
Lexington, KY
USA

Areas of Expertise/Interest: Kentucky 4-H Horse Program, Saddle Up Safely, jockey/rider/handler safety.

 


Lorna Cameron

Lorna Cameron

Senior Lecturer, HE Equine

Hartpury University
Gloucestershire
England

Areas of Expertise/Interest: Biomechanics, breast health of riders, dressage.

 

 


Sarah Jane Cullen

Sarah Jane Cullen

Lecturer

Waterford Institute of Technology
Waterford
Ireland

Areas of Expertise/Interest: Jockey injury, concussion.

 

 

 


Kate Dashper

Kate Dashper

Reader, School of Events, Tourism, and Hospitality Management

Leeds Beckett University
Leeds
England

Areas of Expertise/Interest: Equestrian sport and leisure; the human-horse relationship.

 

 


Jenni Douglas

Jenni Douglas

Senior Lecturer Sport and Exercise Sciences
Hartpury University
Programme Manager: BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Nutrition & BSc (Hons) Strength and Conditioning
Gloucester
England

Areas of Expertise/Interest: Menstrual cycle status, contraception use and knowledge of female-specific physiology.


Lucy Dumbell

Lucy Dumbell

Associate Dean

University Centre Hartpury
Gloucester
England

Areas of Expertise/Interest: Role of the rider in equestrian sport.

 


Sonja Gagnon

Sonja Gagnon

Global Education Coordinator
Saddlefit 4 Life Inc.
Caledon, Ontario
Canada
 
Areas of Expertise: Equine biomechanics and anatomy, equine welfare, research, biomechanics-centered riding, training and rider health, online education, equine studies, saddle lameness. 

 


Jennifer Glass

Jennifer Glass, Ph.D.

Research Development Officer
Office of Research Development and Administration
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI
USA
 
Areas of Expertise: Cognitive function, effects of pain on cognitive function, rider biomechanics, certified RWYM biomechanics coach, dressage. 

 


Dixie Hayes

Dixie Hayes

Program Coordinator / Lead Instructor

North American Racing Academy
Lexington, KY
USA

Areas of Expertise/Interest: Thoroughbred racing, women in thoroughbred racing, endurance riding.


Morgan Hayes, Ph.D., P.E.

Morgan Hayes, Ph.D., P.E.

Assistant Extension Professor, ​Livestock Systems Extension

University of Kentucky, Dept. of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering
Lexington, KY
USA

Areas of Expertise/Interest: Livestock Housing, Ventilation; Heat Stress, Precision Management, Environmental Stewardship, Air Quality, Structures.

 

 


Holly Heartz

Holly Heartz, Board Certified in Sports Nutrition, MS (exercise & sport science), IOC diploma in sports nutrition, PhD (c)

Equestrian Nutrition

Canadian Sports Centre - Atlantic
University of New Brunswick, Canada

Areas of Expertise/Interest: Nutrition for female equestrians.


Joy Hicklin

Joy Hicklin, D.P.T., D.Min, M.H.A.

Orthopedic Therapy Specialists, LLC
Topline Matters, LLC. Author, Sleepy Ponies.

Rock Hill, South Carolina
USA

Areas of Expertise/Interest: human and equine anatomy and kinesiology; best biomechanics practices for partnership; sport-specific exercises; human and equine exercise, wellness, and sport psychology; and positive human and equine bond.


Pita Lee Hitchens

Peta Lee Hitchens

Research Fellow

Equine Orthopaedic Research Group
University of Melbourne
Australia

Areas of Expertise/Interest: Female jockey health and safety, female representation in racing leadership positions.


Hannah Hoch

Hanna Hoch, Ph.D., ATC

Assistant Professor

College of Health Sciences, Dept. of Rehabilitation Sciences
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY
USA

Areas of Expertise/Interest: Women's health, health-related quality of life, patient-centered care.

 


Victoria Lewis

Victoria Lewis

Program Manager, BSC Equestrian Sports Coaching

University Centre Hartpury
Gloucester
England

Areas of Expertise/Interest: Rider performance, injury, physiology.

 

 

 


Laura Long

Laura H. Long, PT, ATC, CSCS

Physical Therapist, Clinic Director

MedStar National Rehabilitation Network & MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital Outpatient Center for Orthopaedic Rehab (OCOR)
Baltimore, MD
USA

Areas of Expertise/Interest: Concussion, sports injury.

 

 


Staci McGill

Staci McGill

Graduate Research Assistant, Livestock Systems Engineering

Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY
USA

Areas of Expertise/Interest: Engineering, controlled environment, eventing.

 

 


Mary Midkiff

Mary Midkiff

Licensed Thoroughbred Race Trainer (KY); Adjunct Professor Equine Rehab and Therapy; Equine Lecturer; Author; Founder of "Women & Horses" 

Midway University
Midway, KY
USA

Areas of Expertise/Interest: Rider health, biomechanics.

 


Jenny Paddison

Jenny Paddison MSc, ProfGCE, BSc (Hons)

Associate Head of Department, HE Equine

Hartpury University
Gloucestershire
England

Areas of Expertise/Interest: Impact of pregnancy and maternity on female equestrians

 

Glenye Cain

Glenye Oakford

Senior Content Editor

United States Equestrian Federation
Lexington, KY
USA

Areas of Expertise/Interest: Eventing, foxhunting, equestrian sports.

 

 


Susan Pollack, MD

Susan Pollack, MD

Assistant Professor
University of Kentucky
College of Public Health
Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health; Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center
 

Areas of Expertise/Interest: Cancer epidemiology, colorectal cancer, cervical cancer, patterns of care for cancer, Appalachia, cancer registries, injury prevention for adolescents.


Sabine Schleese

Sabine Schleese, B.Sc., MBA

Director of Corporate Affairs
Schleese Saddlery Service Ltd. and Saddlefit 4 Life Inc.
Holland Landing, Ontario
Canada
 

Areas of Expertise/Interest: Equine and human biomechanics and anatomy as they impact saddle design; equestrian industry education and professional development..


Kate E. Snyder, Ph.D.

Kate E. Snyder, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Developmental Psychology

Hanover College
Hanover, Indiana

USA

Areas of Expertise/Interest: Achievement motivation, educational psychology, dressage.


Natalie Stones

Natalie Stones

Master of Research Student

University Centre Sparsholt
Winchester
England

Areas of Expertise/Interest: Body image and judge perception related to rider biomechanics in female equestrians.

 

 

 

 


Andrea Whittle

Andrea Whittle

Internal Medicine and Biosecurity Technician
Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital
Lexington, KY
USA

Areas of Expertise/Interest: Safe horse handling with regards to patient care and veterinary procedures as well as personal health with long-term shift work.