About Us
The Utah Dressage Society (UDS), an affiliate of the United States Dressage Federation (USDF), exists to educate, promote, encourage, and inspire its members and the general public through programs, publications, and competitions, in a way that enhances the image of dressage and promotes the welfare of the horse.
Dressage is the gradual, harmonious advancement of the horse, both physically and mentally, to develop its natural abilities and to make riding a graceful and pleasurable experience. The programs of the society shall be educational and competitive and provide a framework in which individuals can progress with the schooling of their horses and themselves.
Our mission is to educate, inspire, and encourage dressage riders around the state of Utah, and to promote the sport of dressage in our community.
History of the Utah Dressage Society
Established in 1969 by dressage enthusiasts, including Johanna and Eva Adolphi, the Utah Dressage Society (UDS) has flourished into a vibrant community. The first meeting drew eight individuals, sparking the inception of our passionate journey.
The inaugural Utah Dressage Society Annual Show on August 19, 1972, featured 25 horses and 33 riders. By 1975, it gained recognition with Elizabeth Friedlander Searle as the judge. Today, the UDS Annual Show in August boasts 200 rides over two days with two "S" judges.
With nearly 200 members, UDS continues to grow as dressage spreads through the "wild west." Our roots trace back to an early schooling show in 1969 or 1970, where a simple sheet of paper led to the formation of a dedicated dressage club. Since then, UDS has become a hallmark of excellence in equestrian circles.
Meet the Board of Directors
Eva Adolphi
FOUNDER/SPECIAL ADVISOR
My mother was the horse crazy one and dragged me off to ride at the Lazy Bar Ranch when I was 8. At 12 I was given a horse and by 19, when we got our own property, the emphasis changed to Dressage I was a founding member of the Utah Dressage Society and served on the board for 33 years! I am now the adviser to the board. I have been a show secretary, show manager, and competitor. I am a USEF licensed Technical Delegate and enjoy traveling to shows in other states. I also enjoy working with my students. I attend the USDF Convention every year now that I am retired, usually as a delegate.
Katie Lorens
SECRETARY
Katie grew up in Chicago and moved to Salt Lake in 2011. She is an athletic trainer who worked with Utah Gymnastics for 10 years before starting work with a local hand surgeon. She also runs her own business doing injury evaluations, Rehabilitation/injury prevention, strength and conditioning and bio mechanical analysis. After her 30th birthday, she decided to get back into riding after a long break. Last year, she bought her first horse, Midnight Sun “Odin”, and is excited to start showing him. She has been passionate about dressage since she began riding as a kid and is eager to get more involved and serve the Utah Dressage Community.
Mindy Simmons
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION
Mindy has been the crazy horse girl her entire life! She started riding at 8, (that is the age riding school near my house would accept new riders or would have started earlier). She bought her first rescue horse at 14 and it has been an amazing journey ever since. She fell in love with dressage about 5 years ago and has had some amazing mentors. She is currently working up the levels with her mustang. She is hopeful she can give back to the dressage community as it has changed her life!
Tara Miller
DIRECTOR OF EVENTS
Tara is an experience management insights sales professional by day and horse crazy, "it's not a hobby, it's a passion" type, by night (okay the latter tends to spill over into the days too). She has been obsessed with these four legged creatures for as long as she can remember and often recounts what she calls her first ever encounter with a horse. The years following said encounter, were painstakingly rife with begging and pleading her parents' indulgence. Fortunately, the apple didn't fall too far from the tree and her mother recalled similar adolescent pleas with her own father who ultimately caved, and well, Tara's mom did too. Horses have been a part of her life on and off since she was 12. Which if you were to ask her age, would only account for 13 years when in actuality it's more like 28. She is fortunate enough to have 2 and half horses, one she rides, one up and coming and a mini (Adonis, Qandid, Tater Trot). Partnered with her special horse Adonis now for 10 years, the majority of their time together was spent eventing. When the journey to improve in the "white sandbox" exposed her to the depth, beauty and technical challenge that is the sport of Dressage, she transitioned and made it her sole focus. Tara has so much gratitude towards the enrichment horses and the equestrian community have brought to her life, that she is thrilled to be able to contribute her past event planning experience to the Direct of Events role. She looks forward to seeing you all at the UDS Year end banquet!!
John Maznicki
PRESIDENT
John has been involved with Utah Dressage for 10+ years competing, breeding, coaching and volunteering. He has come to know many of our local members through the UDS, and looks forward to getting to know more of you by adding being on the board as part of his service to the local community.
Dana Prior
TREASURER
I grew up in southern california and started riding at age 10. I took a break from riding when I went to college in Washington to study Spanish and accounting. After passing my cpa exams i decided to get back into riding, which is not only where i was introduced to dressage, but also my lesson horse Harley - who I eventually bought. Because of my analytical brain, I immediately started loving dressage and we have been a team ever since!
We have participated in many short tour shows over the years and just started showing in recognized shows this past season. I volunteer wherever I’m needed from scribing to gate calling or test reading. I look forward to continuing to volunteer by serving the Utah dressage society!
treasurer@utahdressagesociety.com
Katie O’Neal
DIRECTOR OF COMPETITIONS
I moved to Utah from Boston a decade ago, and have been involved in the Utah dressage community ever since! Most recently, I've been working as the assistant trainer at Revel Ranch Hanoverians and have become more involved in hosting clinics as well as the USDF instructor certification. I have begun my L program, and have also served on the NEDA board when I lived in Boston as the marketing chair. I would love to serve on the UDS board and support the growth of dressage in Utah.
Cheyenne Holm
VICE PRESIDENT
Hi, my name is Cheyenne Holm, I am your vice president! I have been riding horses for 20 years now and dressage has always been my passion, I have a quarter horse named Jax who I raised from a baby and my heart horse Betty who is a big ole thoroughbred! I have a passion for helping and bringing our youth together and reaching out where I can!!! I’m hoping to step back into the show ring this summer with my little duo! I am studying equine nutrition and biomechanics!
Kim Judd
DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP
From the time Kim could say "horse", she has loved horses! When she was a teenager growing up in Sandy, she went down the street to a family's stables, and asked to work in exchange for riding lessons. Unfortunately they usually forgot to give her lessons, but she got very good at mucking out stalls! Kim graduated from BYU with a degree in Ballroom Dance (which was also how she met her husband: they were competition partners). After living out east for 14 years, Kim and her family moved back to Utah, and she finally realized her dream of starting to learn to ride! Dressage feels like a natural switch from ballroom dance: the partnership, the technique, the constant striving to be better, then even better! After riding for 6 years, Kim's husband asked "when are you going to do a dressage show?" Becoming part of the Utah Dressage Society and entering shows has been such an amazing experience, and Kim is excited to use her extensive secretarial skills (developed over 22 years and 5 kids!) to help support the board of the Utah Dressage Society!
Sian Griffiths
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
Siân Griffiths lives and rides in Ogden, Utah. A former jumper turned dressage rider, she competes as an adult amateur, working her way up the levels with her beloved Holsteiner, Larry.
After working for the U.S. Equestrian Team in 1999-2000, fund raising for the Sydney Olympic Games, Siân decided to pursue her passion for fiction writing and earned her PhD at the University of Georgia. She now serves as a professor of English and Creative Writing at Weber State University and is the author of the novels Borrowed Horses (New Rivers Press), Scrapple (Braddock Avenue Books), the short fiction chapbook The Heart Keeps Faulty Time (Bull City Press), and, most recently, the essay collection The Sum of Her Parts (University of Georgia Press).
She is thrilled to join the Utah Dressage Society team and encourages members to reach out to her at communications@utahdressagesociety.com with any news they would like to share