Mike Powers
Mike Powers
My name is Mike Powers, and I am running for the open seat on the Board of
Directors for NAPHA.
I have been involved with the Peruvian Paso breed for nearly 40 years. I have been active in showing and enjoying my horses on the trail, in demonstrations and in open-gaited breed shows. I have also bred and raised many Peruvians horses in my life. I am also a carded show steward.
I was a past Regional Advisory Council rep for Region 4 and currently a member of the current Advisory Council. I am active with and a past president of the Escalon Lions Club which is a community service organization and active with the Wine Country Peruvian Horse club as treasurer and a past president.
During my last term on the Board, I was involved in a number of different jobs. I took the position as Treasurer, I helped to recover tax refunds from the IRS as a result of the pandemic, I re-wrote the by-laws creating the current Advisory Council that replaced the Regional Advisory Board (RAC), which was approved by the membership. I worked to improve accountability and visibility in what the Board is doing for the Association and the breed.
One of the last projects I worked on before I termed out was re-vamping and updating the Junior Rider College Scholarship program which, I hope, will be put in place this year.
I have met and spoken with many different people in my area and at different equestrian venues who have heard about Peruvians horses but are not aware of the many activities the horse has been used for. I would love to help educate and promote the horse’s unique gait, it’s “champagne” ride and the history of the horse in North America.
The pandemic interfered with the normal business of the Association and we have yet to recover from. We need to think outside of the box for the promotion of this wonderful breed which I feel will help increase our membership.
Please put a check next to my name and vote for Mike Powers for the NAPHA
Board of Directors.
Mitch Dubois
Mitch Dubois
My name is Mitch Dubois, and I am honored to be nominated for a position on the NAPHA Board of Directors. While my introduction to horses began in 1997 after meeting my wife, my true passion for the Peruvian Horse was sparked in 2016 when I became the proud owner of a remarkable mare, Anastasia EC.
Since then, I have developed a deep enthusiasm for trail riding, exploring many of our great U.S. states on horseback—and I look forward to riding in many more upon retirement.
I have been given the opportunity to work at several NAPHA shows as Barn Manager and Gate Steward, in these roles I have been able to apply my organizational and time management skills while contributing to the smooth operation of our shows and supporting fellow members. In addition to serving in this way, I have also enjoyed showing our wonderful horses in both Novice and AOTR classes, gaining a well-rounded appreciation for both the show and recreational sides of our community.
As a board candidate, I want to bring a fresh and balanced perspective—one that reflects the interests of many newer members who are active riders outside of the show ring. I believe it is essential that our leadership represents the full diversity of our membership, from dedicated show exhibitors to passionate trail riders. My goal is to help NAPHA grow membership and engagement by fostering inclusivity, encouraging participation at all levels, and continuing to promote the versatility and beauty of the Peruvian Horse. I would be honored to earn your support and to serve our community with integrity, enthusiasm, and a shared love for this incredible breed.
Thank you for your consideration
Mitch Dubois
Nancy Cox
Nancy Cox
My Name is Nancy Cox. I am interested in running for a position on the NAPHA board. I live in Oregon and am an avid trail rider. I also attend many shows around the country. In my professional career, I have owned my own tax consulting firm since 1980, but my passion is the Peruvian Horse. WE purchased our first Peruvian in 2010 and now have many that we enjoy on daily rides around Oregon, Washington, California, and many other states.
My Husband, Glen, is a retired diesel mechanic. With our free time, we enjoy our horses on the trails and in the show ring.
I retired from many years of competitive endurance riding because my husband’s back issues prevented him from continuing to ride the trotting horse. Hence, my love and passion for the Peruvian Horse. Part of my interest in joining the BOD is to help promote the Joy of Riding.
I have been on the BOD of the Peruvian Horse Association Canada for several years, which has a Between the Ears ridding program with many members who participate. This program has increased its membership significantly, and people enjoy many activities together as part of this program. This is something I believe NAPHA needs.
I am excited about this breed and would like to introduce it to our trail and leisure riders. I also understand the importance of the shows and promoting the breed to attract owners who feel they have no reason to become members of NAPHA. With my experience as a certified Tax consultant, I can also help make informative tax decisions with the board.
My Husband and I will attend the National Show in Albuquerque with 3 of our horses. I look forward to meeting those I have not met and having good conversations about where the breed needs to be.
Sincerely,
Nancy M. Cox.
Kerrie Justice
Kerrie Justice
My name is Kerrie Justice. I am running for the Board of Directors of NAPHA.
I am a life time Peruvian owner, from my birth to now, as my mother Joline Bell has owned and raised Peruvian horse since before I was born.
Today, I have been a successful family law attorney for over 25 years, as well as being an active owner and breeder of our wonderful breed. I am an active show exhibitor, showing my wonderful horses, as well as just riding for fun.
I am running for our national Board to further promote our breed. We need to re-evaluate the actual needs of our breed in today’s markets, starting with our shows, expanding on our pleasure rider’s needs, as more of our breed is owned by owners who wish to go out and just ride a smooth Gaited horse. These owners are the backbone of our breed now. So, our awards for riders using their horse for their own enjoyment, not usually showing at shows, must continue to be awarded and promoted, perhaps with ads in Gaited or Trail horse magazines. I am fairly sure we sell more horses for pleasure use than showing. I am happy we have started doing more awards for our novice riders, and thankful to owners who loan their horses to be shown by new exhibitors. Those novices this past year have been some of our new buyers!
Helping our national show be an advertising point of importance for our breeders, we need to give breeders a better forum to advertise the horses they have for sale by adding a free website within our NAPHA website. Better advertising is crucial to help our breeders, as most everyone knows, we are losing breeders, yearly. If this continues, we are not going to have horses for sale in the United States, because we depend on our breeders to provide most of the horses that are for sale. Again, promotion of our breed is important, not only for breeders, but for owners that only breed one or two horses, but need a place for them to promote and sale.
To encourage better attendance at the national show, as well as our club shows, we must review the quad points. This has been a bad thing for our clubs, as if exhibitors in local shows do not have a fair way to win a national award with attending local shows, it hurts those local shows with entries. We have seen this with our local clubs in California.
The National Ch of Ch awards, especially for our breeding classes, must be better promoted, as these are the most important awards for our breeders to use to promote their breeding programs.
Thank you for considering me for the board of directors of NAPHA. If you have questions please give me a call.
Kerrie C. Justice
