Meet the Iberian Horse Alliance Board of Directors

I first became a member of ERAHC in 1996 after the purchase of my Alter Real Lusitano/Hanoverian cross mare Karma DF. I later bred her to Linda Denniston’s stallion, Jalifa GS, and have a lovely mare out of the pairing. I had been an exhibitor at the Virginia 

show for many years and was asked to be on the Board. 

I have a degree in Computer Science/Meteorolgy and was a software engineer for NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, NOAA, and IBM. Horses and riding were my escape from the cerebral world of computers. I started in the hunter/jumper world with my off the track thoroughbred and was introduced to the Andalusian world through a friend who owned one. I became enamored with the breed and left the world of jumping for French Classical Dressage.

Not only do I love this breed but I’ve also enjoyed the people I’ve met through them. It didn’t matter what our political views were, our backgrounds, or beliefs. What connected all of us was this very special horse. Our love of this breed united us to seek knowledge, preserve their history, and enjoy the richness they have brought into our lives.

Sarah is located outside of Boston, MA.  She is totally emersed in the world of Iberian horses. She enjoys raising, and developing young horses and is also involved in rehabilitation. Sarah has several P.R.Es, some of which she competes at amateur status. By day, she and her husband run a busy veterinary clinic. She is committed to the breed and has recently taken on the responsibility of Club Secretary.  

IHA is proud to have her on board.    

Tina Cristiani Veder is the co-creator of The Baroque Equestrian Games & Institute with Bruno Gonzalez. From 1986-2000, her farm Caballos de Cristiani was an acclaimed breeding and training facility, selling champion Iberian horses for competitive dressage to many top riders in North America, Europe, and Australia, including several US Dressage Team members and 3 Olympians for their clients. She retired her breeding operation in 2000 to form New Dawn Equestrian, LLC. and concentrate on training and teaching.

Tina studied under three generations of the famous Konyot family, as well as other noted European Classical trainers of the last century. Steeped in the principles of Classical riding and training, she shares her passion through articles and teaching, along with exhibitions showcasing the upper levels of balance and collection. Her special focus is in helping riders attain the elegance and effectiveness of the Classical seat.

Dressage trainer and instructor, Patricia Norcia, owns and operates Idlenot Farm in Connecticut. Trained in Spain and the United States, Patricia is certified by the British Horse Society and the American Riding Instructors’ Association. She trains and instructs in the French classical style; and, while she works with horses of any breed, her passion is for the Iberian horse, the Andalusian and the Lusitano.

Patricia is also an accomplished actress and stage director. An acting graduate of the Yale School of Drama, she was introduced to tai chi as part of the required curriculum. She has performed on and off Broadway, in television, and in films. She has also taught breathing and spinal alignment classes at Yale, Columbia, and Rutgers Universities.

 Patricia has performed with the company Dancing with Horses, an exhibition group that combines modern dancers on the ground with horses, either ridden or at liberty. She also recently created and choreographed her own Idlenot Quadrille that has performed at various events throughout New England.  She recently produced the opera "Carmen" featuring the Iberian horse and is on the Board overseeing the educational component of the Connecticut Dressage Association.