Beth Jenkins (20232)

Beth Jenkins is a longtime supporter and promoter of dressage, managing some of the largest dressage competitions in the country. Beth is the longest serving member of the New England Dressage Association (NEDA) Board of Directors. She joined in 1972 and was the person behind computerizing the process to put the membership on a database. She has served NEDA in many roles included NEDA Vice President, Manager of the NEDA Summer show in the 80's and 90's, as well as Secretary and then Manager of the NEDA Fall Festival/CDI/Breed Show/Championship for 25+ years. She absorbed the Region 8 Championships at the behest of then Regional Director Fern Feldman in 2004 and managed or acted as liaison with that addition to the fall festival until 2021. Up to the time when she received her Member of Distinction recognition, she has continued as the Competition Director for NEDA; overseeing all their competitions.

One of Beth’s most creative ventures came in the early days of her riding, when indoor arenas were a rarity in New England. She created an unmounted program and wrote a supporting book called "Riding Thru Winter" which provided educational opportunities to the equine community during the winter months. In addition to show management, Beth is a riding instructor and clinician, and a retired judge. Beth is acutely aware of the importance of correct judges’ education and has been endlessly supportive of USDF "L" program by providing opportunities for education/testing at NEDA shows, particularly for testing at the Fall Festival. Many judges have been tested or promoted as a result of her efforts to accommodate the program.

For her many years of cumulative efforts, she was awarded the USDF Volunteer of the Year Award in 2008. In 2010, she was elected USDF Vice President.