WDA-AUS is the National Governing Body responsible for setting national standards in all aspects of Western Dressage in Australia.
NATIONAL SHOW
WDA-AUS BOARD 2021 - 2022
JIM WHITAKER
WDA-AUS CHAIR / STATE - QUEENSLAND
Jim's early years were spent on a large cattle property in Far North Queensland, with horses being an important part of everyday working life.
When Jim and his family moved to South East Queensland, he developed an interest in furthering his skills with horses, and started competing. Jim was fortunate enough, to have access to great trainers, like Ian Francis and Dave Christiansen, who helped him have success as a youth competitor and young adult. After driving logging trucks and owning his own portable saw mill for many years, Jim was able to become more involved in the horse industry. For many years Jim drove interstate for Rudd's Horse Transport. He has now recently returned to the timber industry and on weekends, enjoys his horses, alongside his wife, Vivian Wearing. Jim would like to see Western Dressage in Australia, become the recognised foundation training for all other western events, as well as its own destination. Jim is also the President of the Western Dressage Association of Queensland.
PAULA BYRNE
WDA-AUS VICE CHAIR, SECRETARY, JUDGES PORTFOLIO / STATE - QUEENSLAND
Paula has been working in the public service industry for 32 years, mainly in tropical Far North Queensland. She and her partner live on a small property in the Cairns Hinterlands, where they have bred Quarter Horses in the past and now run a few cattle. With a background in Western Performance, Paula is keen for Western Dressage to reach the regional areas of Australia with the aim of encouraging local Clubs to participate. She actively promotes Western Dressage and would like to see the discipline grow and develop as much as possible. Paula is also interested in developing opportunities for interested persons in becoming judges so as to actively support Australia's regional equestrian communities.
JULIE SAIN
WDA-AUS TREASURER; EVENTS CO-ORDINATOR / STATE - QUEENSLAND
Julie has worked for Queensland Health for 30 years from Accounts Payable and Finance and now clinical administration. Julie started her equestrian journey at a local riding school at the age of 15 learning Dressage and competing in Eventing and Hack classes, and then moved into the Pony club scene. Becoming an Instructor and then on to Chief Instructor and Judge for a number of years. With the purchase of her first QH/ASH Mare the journey in the Western and Stock horse events started and then continued with breeding her own horses. The last filly bred who is now 13 competes in Western Performance and Halter classes but really excels in Western Dressage with the local QH club. Julie is the Treasurer for the local QH club and when the Treasurer position of WDA-AUS became vacant, she accepted the role willingly. Julie lives with her family on a small acreage property west of Innisfail.
TERESA RUSSO
WDA-AUS COMMUNICATIONS; NEWLETTERS / STATE – QUEENSLAND
Teresa is a local resident of the Innisfail area. She is an accomplished horsewoman and breeder of Quarter Horses & Stud Brahman Cattle. She spends a lot of time on the road travelling from the Far North of Queensland to regional Queensland centres, New South Wales and Victoria for showing, training and breeding purposes. Teresa also spends a lot of time giving back to her local community, she coordinates local shows and training clinics for western performance, including Western Dressage. Teresa is the President of the North Queensland Quarter Horse Association and was a driving force in bringing Western Dressage to Far North Queensland.
STATE - WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Pam is retired and she lives on 10 acres in Oakford, Western Australia with her husband. She has two daughters that ride and have their own horses.
Pam belongs to an adult riding club and she has regular sessions with coaches. She enjoys being involved with horses and people and as such she helps in the management of a local equestrian centre. The centre is used by clubs to hold events such as pony club, adult riders, dressage and working equitation, all of which interest Pam.
She hopes to continue riding for as long as possible and after that, Pam feels that just owning a horse would be good.
LYNETTE ROBERTON
STATE - QUEENSLAND
Lyn has been riding most of her life, she gained her instructors certificate for PCAQ in 1976 and was chief instructor for west Moreton for 10 years where she ran many instructors schools. Lyn was chief ring steward for Toogoolawah show for 27 years which was she found was very rewarding. She & her husband have 4 children who all rode and two still ride today in the campdrafting arena. Some grandchildren draft as well, now the next generation are out there. Lyn was very involved for some years as president of the Lockyer Equestrian group or LEGS as it is known. For the past 47 years Lyn has been a nurse and managed the aged care facility at Toogoolawah for 15 years and she still does some part time work. Her love of horses has never wained especially for the ASH breed. Lyn and her husband have had the pleasure of breeding some special horses which now carry some of their great grandchildren around. She found a love of western dressage about 5 years ago after having a really bad fall. She loves the sport, the friendships that are formed and especially the soft feel and overall look of how the western dressage horse travels. Lyn is limited as to how much she can ride now and so she has moved across to judging, which gives her much enjoyment. She joined the board in 2020 with an aim to make a beneficial contribution to the sport.
BETH NOBLE
Beth lives on a small property in the hills of Perth with her husband, 2 children, horses and a variety of pets.
She is a mine surveyor by trade (which comes in handy when setting up dressage arena's these days) and also has experience in HR & Recruitment. She has been running her own equestrian business for 12 years as well as being involved on several equestrian club committees.
Beth competed in english riding competitions on her Anglo Arabian gelding for many years before being introduced to Western Dressage. What started as some amusement about how much more suited both she and her horse were to western rather than english dressage, soon transformed to a full conversion and a great love and appreciation for the sport began. Beth now owns two quarter horses and is looking forward to enjoying western dressage with them.
Beth is the president of the Western Dressage Association of Western Australia. When a position on the WDA-AUS Board opened up in 2020 she accepted the role.
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