During the general session at the 2025 Annual Meeting, US Equestrian President, Tom O’Mara, introduced a new segment titled “Presidential Shout Outs,” where he recognized several individuals whose actions in the equestrian community led to a significant positive impact.  

“As President, I encounter incredible members and stakeholders all year long who go above and beyond every day to make US Equestrian stronger and to help our horses and people do better,” said O’Mara. “For the first time, I will award Presidential Shout Outs, and I will continue to make these awards throughout the year as warranted.” 

The first recipients of the Presidential Shouts Outs included the following:  

Mare Ehlers 

In 2022, Marian “Mare” Ehlers founded the S’mores Code after an outbreak of equine herpesvirus (EHV) struck her horse community, taking the life of her friend’s horse, S’more. Just 16 years old at the time, Ehlers became interested in promoting biosecurity, and with her mother’s help, developed an easy-to-remember biosecurity mnemonic to educate equestrians on steps they can take for biosecurity and prevention of disease. The SMORES mnemonic stands for Sanitize, Monitor Temperature, Observe Symptoms, Report Sick Horse, Educate, and Separate Supplies, which are all vital components for biosecurity. Ehlers has promoted the S’mores Code around the country at equestrian events by posting signs at show parks and has written a book called Fergus Learns S’mores Code with author and illustrator Jean Abernethy that teaches the acronym through cartoon illustrations.  

To learn more about Mare’s efforts, click here.  

Major General Trevor Bredenkamp, Retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral John Kreitz, and Mary Roberts 

Next, O’Mara commended a group of individuals who helped transform the lives of horses serving the U.S. Army at Fort Myers as part of the Caisson Platoon. The program had been shut down due to welfare and care concerns, but now, the horses who honor fallen heroes at the Arlington National Cemetery are living much better lives and have a brighter future, in large part due to the work of these three people. Major General Trevor J. Bredenkamp, the commanding general of the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region and the US Army Military District of Washington; retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral and USEF Board Member, Jon Kreitz; and Mary Roberts, founder of World Equestrian Center, who provided an idyllic environment on her private farm for all the Caisson horses who were ready to retire from service.  

To learn more about the Caisson Platoon, click here.  

Jane Blue 

Jane Blue, a US Equestrian member, left a lasting impact on O’Mara with her passion for the equestrian community. Blue sadly passed away last year, but her memory lives on through the many organizations she served, including her involvement with Saddlebreds, Morgans, and Hunter Jumpers. Blue served on the American Morgan Horse Association’s (AMHA) Board of Directors for two full terms and on USEF’s Morgan Rules Committee for several terms, was named AMHA’s Woman of the Year in 1994, and was inducted into the AMHA Hall of Fame in 2011. Blue often reached out with articles and news concerning the equestrian community, and O’Mara said, “I found her passion contagious and her interest in spreading great information about horses worthy of applause. I am more aware and appreciative because of her.”  

To learn more about Jane, click here. 

Tina Wentz 

For his final shout out, O’Mara commended Christina “Tina” Wentz, who acted as the U.S. Para Dressage Team Personal Care Assistant at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Wentz has been highly involved with the United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA) since its inception in 2009, and has served as Secretary, Vice President, and Interim President after the passing of founder and former President, Hope Hand. Wentz has been involved with US Para-Equestrian Sport even longer, starting out as a US National Classifier in 1997. Today, Wentz has served on the USEF International Disciplines Committee, has been an FEI International classifier, and is currently a member of the USEF Para-Dressage sports committee. “Her dedication and commitment to the sport and its athletes and horses is unequalled,” said O’Mara. 

To learn more about Tina, click here.