BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Whips Board of Directors are a group of dedicated individuals who not only support our club but roll up their sleeves and get to work doing all the necessary background work to make this club successful.
President
Lynn Parker
pres.floridawhipsclub@gmail.com
I have had a love for horses since a very young age and took my first riding
lesson at age 5. I have shown Poso Fino horses, competed in cutting horse
competitions, reining cow-horse competitions, ranch sorting and
competitive trail.
I started my driving adventure in 2014 through the encouragement of my
good friend and trainer, Louise Blankinship. We joined the Florida Whips
and through their many clinics, programs and mentors such as Lynda
Jowers and Dona Love, our skills and love for the sport grew exponentially!
Over the past 12 years, I have participated in trail driving, tandem driving,
combined driving, pleasure shows, and my latest passion, The Concourse
de’Attelage.
I have been an active member of the Florida Whips since 2014 and have
served on various committees, have been the membership chair, a board
member and have had the privilege of assisting with the Junior Driving
Initiative. I am also an active member of the Tickety Boo Tandem Club,
ADS and USE. In 2025, my small pony pair earned the USEF Horse of the
Year award and the National Championship.
As your new president, my vision for The Florida Whips is to bring together
the Florida driving community in a like-minded group, sharing the love for
driving, mutual respect and camaraderie. A club that provides opportunities
for its members to learn, socialize and enjoy the sport of driving.
Secretary
Beth Rieselman
secfloridawhipsclub@gmail.com
Beth Rieselman was a Licensed Veterinary Technician for 27 years at a Small Animal/Zoo Practice before retiring to work part time at the family Sheet Metal Business in NE Pennsylvania. She began snow birding to Florida in 2008, finally moving full time in 2019. Having ridden Hunter & Equitation since she was a child, she began showing Miniature horses in ADS Pleasure Shows in 1992, winning over 20 Championships, then gradually switching to Combined Driving in the 2000’s.
She learned to love Driven Dressage while driving her 32” mini and helped start the ADS Driven Dressage Medal Program. Beth has earned the Training Level, Preliminary Level, and Intermediate Level Dressage Medals with Miniature horses. She is currently showing her oversized Mini (small pony division)in Advanced 2* Combined tests going for the Gold Dressage Medal.
Beth served as Whips Club Treasurer from 2020 to 2025.
Dr. Mindy Sharp was born and raised in the Kansas City, Kansas area. She was involved in trail riding and showing huntseat and dressage. She graduated from Kansas State University with a bachelor degree in Animal Sciences in 1988, and a doctorate in veterinary medicine in 1992. She spent a year working as a veterinarian at Thistledown race track in Cleveland , Ohio, 12 years with Peterson and Smith in Ocala, Florida, and has owned and operated Sharp Equine veterinary services since 2005. She is new to the driving world, having only been introduced in early 2024. Shortly after, she completed the Meta Baxter introduction to driving clinic. Now she drives her pony, Ricco Suave, every chance she gets on trails, in the arena, or at small, local shows. She is very excited to improve her skills in dressage, cones, and obstacles. Dr. Mindy volunteered, and was graciously accepted, as the Florida Whips treasurer as a way to connect with other drivers of all experience levels and stay involved in club activities. She appreciates the opportunity to “pay it back” to the club for all the knowledge and opportunities she has been blessed with and “pay it forward” to new drivers all over the state of Florida.
Activities Director
Linda Jowers
actfloridawhipsclub@gmail.com
Bio coming soon!
Membership Director
Jeanne Abbott
member.flawhips@gmail.com
Jeanne's lifelong love for equestrian sport began as a child, with her ponies, competing in Michigan 4-H gymkhana speed events.
College day studies were in Equine/Animal Science at Texas A&M University, Kingsville, while living on the King Ranch.
There, she also found time to compete on the university equestrian teams in Hunters, 3-day Eventing, and the Arabian breed ring.
A move to Ocala Florida soon found employment training and showing youngsters in dressage for Foxmoor Arabians. Then later, as a trainer/handler of young sport horses at Hamacher Farm Holsteiners, in Micanopy.
Her complete infatuation with all things 'carriage driving' began with the purchase of her first Morgan mare, Eclypse Promenade.
Several years competing in pleasure shows and CDE's eventually gave way to 25 years as a professional CDE navigator ( All the while-
raising a family, working for the Post Office, and forever, clipping and braiding horses for others at night!)
Alternate Membership Director
Gail Thomas
member.flawhips@gmail.com
Gail is a retired pediatric Physical Therapist in Ocala, Florida. A native of northeast Kansas, Gail received her undergraduate and doctorate degrees from University of Kansas. She is married to Jim Thomas a retired 30-year Army veteran. They currently live in Ocala, FL with their three dogs and two Dartmoor ponies. Gail and Jim have 3 children and 8 grandchildren. Gail began showing horses when her daughters became active in their local 4-H club. Gail also serves as a member of the ADS membership and Nominating committees. She volunteers for several organizations including the University of Florida Master Gardener Volunteers and The Outreach Program at the Ocala First United Methodist Church.
Webmaster
April Hardeman
april.hardeman@icloud.com
April Hardeman is an equestrian professional with a passion for supporting and growing the sport of combined driving. She is an FEI 1* Driving Steward, serves as a scorer at ADS, USEF, and FEI competitions, and is a participant in the Chef d'Equipe Apprentice Program. April also serves as Director of Driving for Live Oak International, where she helps coordinate one of North America's premier combined driving events.
Professionally, April specializes in digital marketing and e-commerce, combining her expertise in technology and communications with her lifelong involvement in horses. As Webmaster for the Florida Whips, she is committed to strengthening the club's online presence, improving communication with members, and promoting carriage driving to new audiences.