2026 Board of Directors & Officers

Jackie first joined WPOAC in 1973 and has been involved with the organization on and off since then. Most of her career was spent as a self-employed business owner. She successfully owned and operated a tavern and later a supper club, gaining valuable experience in hiring, training, and managing employees.

Professionally, Jackie also worked in management for the State of Wisconsin Department of Corrections as a Food Service Administrator. Now retired, she enjoys having the time to dedicate to serving WPOAC and its membership.

In recent years, Jackie’s role has focused on supporting others within the organization. She enjoys planning, organizing, and helping spread the word about WPOAC and what the club can offer families. Her long involvement with the POA breed has created lifelong friendships and many memorable opportunities. One of the most rewarding parts for Jackie is seeing kids who were involved in the 1970s, 80s, and beyond return to the POA world with their own children and grandchildren.

Jackie also has a wealth of experience organizing horse shows and enjoys seeing all the planning come together while watching families create lasting memories. She considers herself very blessed to have been part of the POA community for so many years.

Outside of the club, Jackie enjoys gardening, reading, and staying active with breeding and raising POAs.

Patty Jacobson joined the WPOAC board as Vice President in 2026, having previously served in that role as well as Northern Chapter President in the 1990s. Her passion for the Pony of the Americas began with the breed’s strong focus on youth and its unmatched versatility. She continues to be inspired by watching a single pony excel in both pleasure classes and games.

Patty was introduced to the POA breed in 1993 by Carl Kenyon, a dedicated promoter, while she was searching for a smaller equine. After purchasing their first mare, she quickly recognized that the size and temperament were the perfect fit. A few years later, the addition of Straw Mickey, a Supreme Champion, further solidified her family’s connection to the breed.

She fondly remembers the welcoming nature of the club, where camaraderie and competition went hand in hand. Show weekends often ended around a campfire while kids played with their ponies, complete with water fights. During those early years, Patty was attending graduate school to become a family nurse practitioner, and the ponies and community provided a much-needed break from her studies.

After her daughter Lisa graduated from the youth program, Patty remained active in the breed. She and her family raised foals, trained ponies, and enjoyed connecting with people from across the country.

Recently retired from her career as a family nurse practitioner, Patty now has more time to dedicate to her role as Vice President. Her experience serving on various boards and councils has given her a strong understanding of collaboration and effective leadership. She also values the history of WPOAC and is committed to preserving the qualities that make it such a unique organization.

Outside of her involvement with ponies, Patty enjoys gardening, snow skiing, singing, and reading. She is also active in her church, where she serves on the council and has helped start a homeschool co-op. One of her favorite pastimes has been performing in musical theater, especially lighthearted productions. She believes there is nothing better than making people laugh.

Samantha has been a member of WPOAC for the past three years and chose to step into a board role because she believes strongly in the club’s potential and wants to help create positive growth and a strong reputation for the organization. When the opportunity arose to serve, she was eager to help contribute to the club’s future and support its members.

Horses have always been a part of Samantha’s life. She began showing through 4-H, where she developed a strong work ethic and appreciation for earning what she has through dedication and effort. Her professional background includes office administration beginning at age 16, along with fundraising experience that started during her 4-H years. She currently manages a kitchen within her children’s school district, where she oversees ordering, health inspections, and administrative responsibilities.

Outside of horses, she enjoys baking, cooking, camping, playing games, and spending time with her children. She also runs an in-home baking business and recently checked a lifelong goal off her bucket list by writing her own cookbook.

Brenda has been a dedicated member of the Wisconsin POAC for approximately 40 years. Over the decades, her sons and grandchildren have also been active participants, proudly showing ponies and continuing the family’s long-standing involvement in the organization.

Throughout her membership, Brenda has served in nearly every position within WPOAC and previously represented the club as the WSHC Director for many years. She is currently involved in managing the storage and care of WPOAC trophies and ribbons, ensuring they remain high quality and well maintained. WPOAC uses a self-serve awards system at each show, and she encourages exhibitors to collect their trophies and ribbons during the events.

In recognition of her many years of service and commitment, Brenda was honored with the WPOAC Lifetime Achievement Award, an acknowledgment she considers a great privilege to receive.

Professionally, Brenda is a retired medical transcriptionist who spent her entire career working in the medical field.

One of the aspects she enjoys most about WPOAC shows is watching the partnership between pony and handler develop throughout the season. Seeing those combinations grow, improve, and reflect the dedication behind their work is especially rewarding. She looks forward to another successful and enjoyable show season with the WPOAC community.