Board of Directors Biographies

 Nyssa Sheridan 

Nyssa Sheridan is a scientist at heart.  She received her Bachelor’s of Science in Biology from UW-River Falls in 2009 followed by a Master’s in Bacteriology in 2012 from UW-Madison.  She has been working as a medical microbiologist for the past decade. 

Outside of the laboratory, she spends her time in equestrian activities.  First introduced to horses as a youth through Camp Anokijig, a non-profit summer camp in the Kettle Moraine, she now owns two Arabian horses of her own.  She is a board member of the non-profit therapeutic riding group, Horse Power Healing Center.  Nyssa is often found in the show ring with her amateur trained, owned, and bred purebred mare “No Greater Honor” aka “Chili”. Chili does a bit of everything: trail riding, driving, dressage, western dressage, and sport horse in hand.

Nyssa strives to include others that don’t normally show, or typically just show at open shows.  She loves the Arabian horse and can often be found promoting in and out of the show ring, especially with the therapeutic riding group Horse Power Healing Center—one of the few therapy groups that prefers and loves Arabian and part-Arabian horses. 

Nyssa has been on the board of directors since 2016.

Jamie Wright 

 Jamie has been involved with Arabians, and a member of WAHA in particular, for over 20 years. Jamie is the current Vice President, WAHA Youth Coordinator, and participant in several committees, including the open and rated show committees. Recently, she has been the barn and show manager for the WAHA Spring Fling and the WAHA August Show. In her younger years, Jamie was on the executive board of the WAHA Youth group as well as her 4-H group, which is part of what prompted her to take on the WAHA Youth Coordinator role. She longs to see the youth group grow into the active club it once was – providing opportunities for youth members to be on the judging team and/or be a delegate at Youth Convention, or to simply get the youth members together routinely so they can continue to build relationships outside of the show ring, and she would love to have a similar impact on the larger club as well. Jamie is interested in building relationships and encouraging people to try something new – joining a committee in which they see room for improvement, volunteering at a horse show or other event, promoting the Arabian breed, etc. Jamie shows her Half-Arabian, PHF On the Virg++/, in sport horse and dressage. 

Molly Schwister 

I am the WAHA Secretary and WAHA Region 10 Delegate. I have been showing Arabian horses since I was 5 years old. I was very fortunate to grow up in a family that bred and trained Arabian horses here in Wisconsin. I was very involved in showing many different disciplines with my family across the Midwest. Throughout my youth years I was very active in WAHA, Region 10 and AHYA serving on the board and volunteering my time towards the organization. I also was very successful on the Youth Judging Team bringing WAHA home the National Individual Win in 2014. After I graduated high school and became and adult amateur, I took a break from serving the WAHA board and showing my family’s show horses to focus on college. During college I worked for Dan McConaughey and became an essential part of the show team throughout my time there. Additionally, I assisted in coaching several Region 10 Youth Judging teams throughout my college years. In 2017 I was able to purchase my horse, Psolitude, while I was still in college. Psolitude and I have had many wins in hunter pleasure, showmanship, sport horse under saddle, show hack, and dressage. I have shown across the country with my horse and have a lot of experience with how many different shows run. I am very well rounded with Arabian horses and can contribute my experiences and knowledge of pleasure and dressage to the Region 10 Board as well as the WAHA Executive Position. I am also currently pursuing my Arabian Horse ‘r’ Judging card and have attended Judging School.

Outside of horses I am a District Sales Manager for DEKALB Asgrow Seeds covering southwestern Wisconsin. I am very passionate about my career in agriculture and have been able to learn a lot on how to successfully operate business functions. I will be able to bring my business skills to the table to assist in the growth of our organization.

Deb Duick 

I have owned and bred Arabian horses for over 40 years and have been involved as an exhibitor, officer, show committee member, and delegate.  I have seen a lot of changes in the clubs, shows, and even the horses during this time.  As a delegate I am a voting member of the amateur committee and the equine stress/research and education committee.  I have no strong alliance to any one discipline and believe we need to show people all the things our breed can do in order to attract new owners/members and keep existing members with us.  Professionally, I am a CPA with my company offices in Elkhorn and Clinton.  I have over 40 years' experience in accounting, tax, and dealing with people.  I have been the treasurer of Elkhorn Rotary for 21 years, WAHA & NIAHAC for about 12, and Region 10 for 7 years.  I am well aware of changes in the economy and in technology and the effects they have on our horse industry, both good and bad.  I live outside of Whitewater on the property Steve and I built and own 13 horses.

 Jessica Dillingham 

 Jessica is a camp person at heart, I went to summer camp at Camp Anokijig as a kid where my parents thought I would swim all week in a lake and instead I walked down the hill and rode my first horse. It’s easy to say I was hooked on horses.

 I have been a member since 2013 and on the board since 2017, and horses have been part of my life since I was a kid. Fast forward to now I am a Program Director at Camp Anokijig the summer camp I rode my first horse, which has led me to horse ownership and I currently own an Arabian mare Nisa WRA. I have had a few horses over the last few years, but currently Tulip who is a younger mare I hope to show in hand, dressage, all sorts of things and most importantly being an ambassador for the breed at camp. In the past I have shown in the main ring Hunter Division, Sport Horse in Hand, Trail and Dressage.  As a summer camp director I organize a lot of events, I work with a lot volunteers, and enjoy making events happening.  I have been involved in multiple committees in my time with the board, most recently the rated show committee and I am Region 10 Delegate for the club. I am also a Volunteer EMT for Elkhart Lake EMS at home and enjoy this volunteer role.  

Karissa Held 

 I first joined WAHA as a youth member, participating in the judging team, points programs, and youth board.  I joined the WAHA board of directors after graduating from college (B.S. Chemistry) and am involved in creating the newsletters and various show committees.  I have two purebred Arabian geldings that I show in the sport horse and western dressage divisions.  I have also previously shown in the hunter pleasure, western pleasure, 4H, WIHA, and open show divisions.  In addition to showing, I enjoy trail riding and camping with my older gelding.  We have enjoyed the trails in states such as Colorado, South Dakota, and North Dakota. 

Sydney Arnold

I have been a passionate horse, and specifically Arabian horse, enthusiast for as long as I can remember…must be going on 28 years - who’s counting anyway? I have been an active WAHA member for about 18 of those years. Starting out as a WAHA Youth member, I served in many leadership positions, was Region 10 Youth Vice Director, and participated in the Region 10 Youth Judging Teams each year. Now showing as an adult amateur, I am proud to have been serving the club as a WAHA Board of Director since 2017, working alongside other passionate Arabian horse enthusiasts to continue supporting our local club and member base. 

In addition to other BOD responsibilities, I am active in our Show Committee - the group of members dedicated to planning and hosting WAHA shows each year. I have utilized my knowledge and skills from my financial profession, as well as my showing background in the AHA and USHJA circuits to provide reasonable show budgets and plans. I always look forward to running into old and new friends at our WAHA and other local horse shows each year! 

Amber Severson  

I have been on the WAHA Board of Directors since January 2023. I am on several WAHA committees, as well as managing the Points Program System. I grew up with Arabians my whole life. We have a very special half Arabian pinto, Toby. He was born in 1994 with my family and was also the 2022 WAHA Ambassador. Currently my family owns 5 horses - 2 Friesians, 1 Purebred Arabian, and 2 Half Arabians. I grew up showing at open shows and in 4H, however, have stepped back from showing several years ago as my children are showing in 4H, at local shows, and the Friesian and Arabian breed level. It was always my dream to show at the breed level, so I am happy to be able to make this happen for my children. My daughter and I also exhibit our Friesians and an Arabian at Midwest Horse Fair every year. I have also been a 4H leader for a Dane County 4H club for about 10 years now. My passion is to truly help others in any way I can and watch them succeed/have fun!  In my professional side, I am a Supervisor of Quality Audit for a Health Insurance company.

Nicole Fink 

 My name is Nicole, and I serve as your one of your WAHA directors and Arabian enthusiast. I’ve been involved with Arabians since I was 5 years old. My family isn’t necessarily a horsie family, minus my mom and grandpa, who both grew up with horses, so for me to be able to find my passion with horses, Arabians especially, brought the love for horses back to them.  I’ve been showing Arabians rated since 2008, and many years before that in 4H with my mom's late half Arabian, Gin. I was gifted my first purebred, in 2011 which continued my passion. In 2015, I purchased my dream horse, a half Arabian/half Friesian weanling. While she has some fought some medical battles in her life, she is my once in forever horse, my dancing partner and my best friend. Starting as a main ring hunter, we switched to dressage after laminitis almost took her life. We have found our happy spot and hope to continue to be healthy in the sport. We currently show 2nd level, school 3rd with hopes of Grandprix. I am a DIY amateur with a wonderful coach, I study dressage nightly to continue my education. My horses are at home, and I am their caregiver, along with my mom when I am at work. We live on a small farmette with two horses. I am a director because I want everyone to achieve their goals and dreams with the horses they love! When I’m not horsing around, you’ll find me at the dental office, my second passion. Oral health is extremely important, and I want to educate everyone and anyone. LOL.    I also serve on the Region 10 Sport Horse Committee. 

Mason Spencer 

 Mason has been an animal enthusiast ever since he could walk, and the draw to horses started at about that same time. He acquired his first Arabian at 13 and there was no looking back. Mason has been a WAHA member since his youth years, but this is his first term on the board (starting in January of 2023) and he is looking forward to becoming even more involved in the future as time and experiences allow.   

Mason graduated with a degree in Dairy Science/Animal Science from the University of Wisconsin - Platteville and currently work as an IVF Embryologist.  He lives in Stoughton, Wisconsin with his fiancé Jay and their house full of dogs. Mason currently owns 3 purebred mares and shows periodically from the open show level to the national level.   

Mason loves to share the Arabian horse breed with all and encourages anyone and everyone to get involved and give new experiences a try! There is always something new to learn with each experience no matter what the task is, and the relationships built through those experiences are a phenomenal bonus. 

Jessica Hornung 

I have been on the WAHA Board of Directors since January 2024.  My husband Quinn and I own a farmette in Arlington, WI.  We have our Arabian horses and mini ponies, chickens, dogs, cats and three children, Landon, Livia, and Leo. 

I worked at Exact Sciences for many years as the CEO and Board of Directors Meeting/Event Planner. I am a stay at home mom now and in my free time I teach beginner horse experience classes. In 2023 I taught over 50 kids in four months about arabian horses. I have been apart of AHA and WAHA for almost 20 years. I was WAHA youth vice president when I was in high school. I have shown on the Arabian rated A, regional and national level. I graduated from William Woods University with a BS degree in Graphic Design and minor in Equine Management. I competed on their saddle-seat and western equestrian team all four years in college.

Jeana Radosevich 

My name is Jeana Radosevich. I have been a member of WAHA since 1998. I am a current director and have previously served as club secretary as well. I work as an assistant horse trainer with Dan Barker Training Services, LLC. I also have my real estate license and currently work as an associate agent for the Redfin Corporation.

I have been involved in Arabian horses since I was a youth and have been honored to work with and show them at many levels, and in many disciplines. I currently have a half-Arab mare, Afire Love C, aka Rosé. We began our show career together last year, competing in half-Arabian hunter pleasure.