ASA Board of Officers
Meet our Board of Officers
Diana Kocunik
President
From a very early age Diana was fascinated with horses. She spent hours drawing and painting horses and unicorns. Diana got her unicorn in a tall black and white draft cross with lots of personality. Gallant Quest or Quest for short is a very willing partner. Diana and Quest have accomplished much in their 14+ years of partnership. They have earned ribbons in Dressage, ridden many miles of trails, fox hunted, walked through fire in mounted police training, jumped, competed in working equitation, and ridden sidesaddle. The sidesaddle adventure started innocently with an internet search. Diana googled sidesaddle and her life has never been the same! Since then, the pair has attended sidesaddle clinics, ridden in demos and more than 12 parades, the most memorable being the 2009 Inaugural Parade for President Obama in Washington DC. Diana is a founding member of ASA and earned her JIC with ASA in 2015. She has since taught clinics and continued adding to her sidesaddle collection. Recently Diana and Quest have enjoyed working equitation sidesaddle.
Location: Illinois – NILS
Contact: [email protected]
My Sidesaddle Horse: Gallant Quest
Andee Vassar
Secretary
I grew up in Southern Ohio where I bed stole or borrowed a horseback ride from anyone I could. Horses were and still are my passion in life. I got my first horse at 7 and showed in 4-H throughout my growing up years. I taught at a Girl Scout Horse stable where I eventually managed their program. Through this experience, I became a certified riding instructor. I was coaxed into a sidesaddle for the first time my senior year of high school by a friend in 4-H. In college, sidesaddle became my gateway to remaining in the horse world while working and going to school full time. My childhood dream of Montana led me to a summer job and relocation after college. I now ride aside in local parades and teach lessons and clinics as time permits. I’ve spent several years riding aside in the Bob Marshall Wilderness while working for outfitters and taking personal trips. I can’t wait to get my young daughter in her first sidesaddle.
Location: Polson, Montana
Contact: [email protected]
My Sidesaddle Horse: Loom’s Fudge Fantasy “Baby”
Monica Chapman
Treasurer
Bio:
Location: Montana
Contact: [email protected]
My Sidesaddle Horse: I actually don’t ride sidesaddle. I was a sidesaddle mom. I have been a Safety walker, driver, banner holder, popper Scooper, etc. Our Secretary Andee Vassar is my daughter.
Maggie McAllister
Membership Chair
Bio:
Location: Bainbridge, OH – SOLA
Contact: [email protected]
My Sidesaddle Horse:
Samantha Reeves
Points Secretary
On one lonely, third shift night more than ten years ago, Sam Reeves was watching The Princess Bride. During the early scene of Buttercup’s abduction, she noticed the princess was riding sidesaddle. After a quick search, she found the American Sidesaddle Association, and after an evening of chatting with Maggie McAllister, a clinic was scheduled in Kentucky. From there, Sam took on the three day eventing world, competing aside in multiple shows, baffling and frightening judges as she and her pony, Pixie, stormed around the Kentucky Horse Park cross country course. The pair are also familiar sights during the Kentucky Three Day Event, working as mounted stewards aside during the cross country phase. Now the pair are more focused on Western Dressage Association of America, as Pixie enters her golden years. Sam can also be found schooling rescued standardbreds and preparing them to be excellent sidesaddle horses for show, expo, and parades. As Points Secretary, her job is to make certain everyone’s events are logged for the correct category and to tally up points, as well as randomly audit the list. Watch for periodic updates to see where you stand!
Location: KY
Contact: [email protected]
My Sidesaddle Horse:
Teresa Runions
Social Media Chair
Bio:
Location: OH – SOLA
Contact: [email protected]
My Sidesaddle Horse:
Vicki Pritchard
Librarian
Vicki Pritchard is a founding member of the Southern Ohio Ladies Aside. She has served as the American
Sidesaddle Association Membership Coordinator and Points Chairperson for many years. She lives in
Chillicothe, Ohio, and has not owned a horse or ridden aside for many years; however, she has fond
memories of her gaited horse, Sheba.
Location: Chillicothe, Ohio – SOLA
Contact: [email protected]
My Sidesaddle Horse: Sheba
Hannah Barker
Webmaster &
The Phoenix Editor
I’ve been riding most of my life and have always been fascinated by the style and elegance of sidesaddle riding. It became a dream to chase a few years ago. A big milestone towards that dream was purchasing a Mayhew saddle – which came with another, Riding Aside! Going to my first banquet and meeting so many of the amazing ASA members was a great experience. I also earned my JIC certification. I’m pursing my next dream by doing outreach and education about sidesaddle riding.
Location: Phoenix, AZ – AZA
Contact: [email protected]
My Sidesaddle Horse: I don’t have my own, but lucky to share my friends’ horses.