Region: 1
Tell us a little about yourself (your location, career, life outside of horses, etc.):
Hi! I am currently a Senior (graduating in May 2024) studying marketing, data analytics, and fine arts at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. For six years, I have been a working student for Olivia Steidle, my longtime mentor, who is a dressage trainer based in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. I am also the Office Administrator for The Distinguished Rider, a local woman-owned company that sells luxury equestrian apparel, tack, and custom tall boots of various brands. Additionally, I am the Marketing and Media Chair on the Board of Trustees of the Eastern States Dressage and Combined Training Association (ESDCTA), which is a large (300+ member) GMO in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. My “side hustle” is equine and pet portraiture (drawings and paintings in multiple media), as well as freestyle creation.
How long have you been involved with horses and dressage/USDF?
I have been involved with horses since I was two years old, as my parents both used to ride (as amateurs), and my mom had an older retired pony that she would put me on. I then took lessons as a hunter/jumper for several years, making the switch to dressage when I was nine, when I began riding my mom’s off-the-track Thoroughbred mare. On this mare, I learned the intricacies of the aids and the tactfulness needed to ride a very sensitive horse. Although I was a USDF member for most of my childhood and enjoyed the free educational benefits and videos that USDF offers online, it wasn’t until I began riding with Olivia in 2017 that I began participating in USEF/USDF competitions.
How long have you been a PM delegate? What made you decide to accept your nomination?
I became a PM delegate last year (2023). I decided to accept the nomination because I wanted to become more involved in USDF. I’ve participated in and appreciated the shows and events that USDF has run, so I felt that doing my part to help with its governance was a great way to ensure that USDF continues to lead dressage in the US.
What are your general duties and responsibilities as a delegate? What skills are beneficial for this role?
The biggest responsibility of a PM delegate is to attend the Board of Governors meeting at the USDF Convention. Here, you vote on governance issues such as rule changes, electing new officials, and more. You can voice your opinions regarding rule changes or express your ideas and ask questions. This is incredibly important to USDF, because a lot of change comes from the grassroots. As delegates, we have the opportunity to express any need for change that we encounter. As a PM delegate, it is also important to attend the Spring and Fall virtual meetings to stay informed of new business, competition updates, etc. In this role, I believe it is beneficial to have excellent communication skills and to be diplomatic.
What advice do you have for potential nominees?
My advice for potential nominees is to go for it, and encourage friends to get involved and possibly become PM delegates as well! It was a lot of fun to attend the convention and be so closely involved in USDF, and it’s extremely educational to experience all the behind-the-scenes action. The more, the merrier, and I would love for more people to become involved, especially youth (as I am no longer a youth and have now become an adult amateur)!
What is an issue you are passionate about resolving in your region? Within USDF? In the horse world?
I am passionate about encouraging the emergence of grassroots events and new opportunities for shows, symposiums, clinics, etc. I love to see exciting activities arise for local dressage riders, such as the Dressage4Kids Benefit Show offered by Bucks County Horse Park, the Terry Gallo freestyle symposium being hosted by ESDCTA in April at USET Foundation, and the unmounted events hosted by Lehigh Valley Dressage Association throughout the winter and early spring.
How do you maintain communication with your Regional Director and other Participating Members to determine which issues are most important to your region?
I listen closely for any complaints or questions I hear about shows, events, and more! Word of mouth can be the biggest indicator of any issues that need to be resolved. People have great insight into issues and potential improvements, but sometimes that information doesn’t make it to the higher-ups in the Region. So it’s important to listen and learn, then communicate those concerns to the Regional Director and/or other PMs. Being involved in ESDCTA on the Board has helped me to stay informed, as ESDCTA members often reach out on social media or email with questions and concerns.
Brag about your Region! What does your Region do that other Regions could benefit from practicing?
I am from Region 1, which is the host of the Colonel Bengt Ljungquist Memorial (CBLM) Dressage Championships. Last year, ESDCTA hosted the CBLMs, and I had the pleasure of being on the committee and doing all the promotional work on social media. I was also able to ride in the show! From both a competitor’s and an organizer’s perspective, this is such a fun championship, and the format is incredibly welcoming for adult amateur and youth riders, in particular. It is different from USDF regionals in that adult riders are grouped into divisions based on experience level, instead of just Open and AA. This is a very unique event, and I hope ESDCTA can host it again!
Do you own, train, or hang out with any horses? If so, tell us about them!
I have had the pleasure of working with many horses during my time as a working student. My main partner in crime since 2019 has been Ducati, who is a 2009 Hanoverian gelding (Dancier x Londonderry). Ducati is owned by a longtime client of Olivia’s, Brenda Curnin, who generously shares Ducati with me. We both ride and show him, and we have enjoyed his progress up the levels under Olivia’s watchful eye! The journey with Ducati has been incredible: we have gone from Training Level to Fourth Level, ridden in Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Championships three times and US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan® once, qualified for the USDF Dressage Seat Medal Finals (unfortunately, COVID prevented me from competing at Lamplight that year, though), shown at Dressage at Devon, and created and competed freestyles at First through Third Levels with scores as high as 74%… It’s been incredibly educational, lots of fun, and a lot of work, but thoroughly worth it!
Share your socials! How can your constituents contact you (email, phone number, website, social media, etc.)?
Email: pzimm.plz@gmail.com
Phone: 484-894-2298
Instagram: @paige.z.dressage
Facebook: Paige Zimmerman
