Principal Partner
Staff Profiles
Hamish Johnston - Equestrian WA CEO
Hamish has been with EWA since May 2008. His career background includes High Performance Sport and Event Management, and he has a degree in Human Movement and Exercise Science, plus a Post-Graduate Diploma in Education. Hamish was introduced to horses from an early age, and rode throughout most of his childhood and teenage years. His main focus was in Horse Trials, having competed at a number of events within WA at CIC**. Hamish has a good understanding of the sport from past experience in competition, coaching, and officiating; particularly course designing and judging for show jumping and cross-country.
Hamish has a small business background from his ownership of a very successful “learn-to-swim” school. He developed the swim school from one student in 1997, and there are now currently 5000 students a year.
Governance and policy has been a large part of Hamish’s involvement in sport for a very long time. Throughout the years Hamish has held positions on UWA Guild Council, was the UWA Sports Council President, and was made a life member of UWA Triathlon Club and received a University letter (highest honour in sport for volunteer service). Recently he was a Board member of the Queensland Kite Surfers Association.
Telephone 92961200
Facsimile 92961194
Hamish has been with EWA since May 2008. His career background includes High Performance Sport and Event Management, and he has a degree in Human Movement and Exercise Science, plus a Post-Graduate Diploma in Education. Hamish was introduced to horses from an early age, and rode throughout most of his childhood and teenage years. His main focus was in Horse Trials, having competed at a number of events within WA at CIC**. Hamish has a good understanding of the sport from past experience in competition, coaching, and officiating; particularly course designing and judging for show jumping and cross-country.
Hamish has a small business background from his ownership of a very successful “learn-to-swim” school. He developed the swim school from one student in 1997, and there are now currently 5000 students a year.
Governance and policy has been a large part of Hamish’s involvement in sport for a very long time. Throughout the years Hamish has held positions on UWA Guild Council, was the UWA Sports Council President, and was made a life member of UWA Triathlon Club and received a University letter (highest honour in sport for volunteer service). Recently he was a Board member of the Queensland Kite Surfers Association.
Telephone 92961200
Facsimile 92961194
Vanessa Fuchsbichler - Executive Assistant
Vanessa comes from a farming background. As a teen Vanessa coached Prince Phillip Games teams and began instructing at Pony Club too. Showing horses became a love in early years which led to a passion for dressage. For three years Vanessa travelled the world from New Zealand to Zimbabwe, the UK to Scandinavia to work with horses and cherishes her FEI experiences with British riders Fiona Bigwood and Ferdi Eilberg.
Vanessa comes from a farming background. As a teen Vanessa coached Prince Phillip Games teams and began instructing at Pony Club too. Showing horses became a love in early years which led to a passion for dressage. For three years Vanessa travelled the world from New Zealand to Zimbabwe, the UK to Scandinavia to work with horses and cherishes her FEI experiences with British riders Fiona Bigwood and Ferdi Eilberg.
Vanessa studied Agribusiness, and later Design. Vanessa is accustomed to variety in the work environment and has had roles of management from supervising emu breeding, thoroughbred yearling preparation to Natural Resource Management (NRM) in the wheatbelt. She was involved in the administration of an AFL football league for seven years before coming to Equestrian WA in December 2008.
Telephone 9296 1200
Facsimile 9296 1194
Email: exec.assistant@equestrianwa.org.au
Telephone 9296 1200
Facsimile 9296 1194
Email: exec.assistant@equestrianwa.org.au
Meredith Tenger - Registrar
Meredith joined the EFAWA as registrar in July 2002 with a background in financial services, dealing in master trusts, wills and estate/trust financial planning. Meredith has had a go at all equestrian disciplines with success, however her current passion is Dressage, which she currently competes in with her young Warmblood mare Jessica.
Meredith joined the EFAWA as registrar in July 2002 with a background in financial services, dealing in master trusts, wills and estate/trust financial planning. Meredith has had a go at all equestrian disciplines with success, however her current passion is Dressage, which she currently competes in with her young Warmblood mare Jessica.
Telephone 9296 1200
Facsimile 9296 1194
Email: members@equestrianwa.org.au
Jenine Dilts (B. Sports Management, Hons) - High Performance Manager
Telephone 9296 1200
Facsimile 9296 1194
Email squads@equestrianwa.org.au
Facsimile 9296 1194
Email: members@equestrianwa.org.au
Jenine Dilts (B. Sports Management, Hons) - High Performance Manager
Jenine was appointed to the position of the High Performance Manager of Equestrian WA in March 2007. Jenine grew up in London Ontario, Canada, and has been involved in the equestrian industry since 1987as a keen member of the London Pony Club. Having competed in Eventing and Jumping, Jenine focused on Dressage before moving onto University. Jenine attended Sir Isaac Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario, where she received her Bachelor of Sport Management (Honours) in 2004. Throughout her tertiary education Jenine worked with top University athletes and managed various championship events. A qualified personal trainer and overall sports enthusiast, Jenine continues to further her education in high performance management and sport governance. Jenine now resides in WA with her husband Daniel.
Telephone 9296 1200
Facsimile 9296 1194
Email squads@equestrianwa.org.au
Jennine Smith (Dip Teach, B.Ed, NCAS 1) - Development Manager
Jennine began full time employment in administration at EWA in 2004 and in 2005 started in the role of State Equestrian Centre Manager. Jennine has always been an active equestrian enthusiast specialising in Dressage. Jennine studied at WACAE in Nedlands and completed a Diploma of Teaching before furthering her education with a Bachelor of Education. For nine years Jennine then taught Secondary Science at Mercy College. Following this, Jennine gained accreditation as an NCAS Level 1 Coach and ran her own Agistment and Dressage Training Centre in Oakford. During this time Jennine was also a successful FEI Dressage competitor, travelling east regularly to compete between 1995 and 2000. In 2002 and 2003 Jennine then took on the role of coaching and coordinating the State Young Rider Dressage Squad for EWA. From reception to SEC Facility management, Jennine has now moved into the role of Development Manager for EWA utilising her skills in education and training focussing on BEATS, NCAS and Schools Programs. She currently rides Calcarra Bonbonniere at Elementary level.
Telephone 9296 1200
Facsimile 9296 1194
Email development@equestrianwa.org.au
Jennine began full time employment in administration at EWA in 2004 and in 2005 started in the role of State Equestrian Centre Manager. Jennine has always been an active equestrian enthusiast specialising in Dressage. Jennine studied at WACAE in Nedlands and completed a Diploma of Teaching before furthering her education with a Bachelor of Education. For nine years Jennine then taught Secondary Science at Mercy College. Following this, Jennine gained accreditation as an NCAS Level 1 Coach and ran her own Agistment and Dressage Training Centre in Oakford. During this time Jennine was also a successful FEI Dressage competitor, travelling east regularly to compete between 1995 and 2000. In 2002 and 2003 Jennine then took on the role of coaching and coordinating the State Young Rider Dressage Squad for EWA. From reception to SEC Facility management, Jennine has now moved into the role of Development Manager for EWA utilising her skills in education and training focussing on BEATS, NCAS and Schools Programs. She currently rides Calcarra Bonbonniere at Elementary level.
Telephone 9296 1200
Facsimile 9296 1194
Email development@equestrianwa.org.au
Karen Lee - Administration Assistant
Karen joined the team at the EFA in June 2006 as Receptionist/Administrative Assistant. Karen's previous employment was with TAFE where she was Receptionist/Secretary for the Directorate. Karen and her young family live nearby at the Vines and her young daughter has just begun her riding career. Karen hopes to follow in her daughters footsteps in the near future.
Telephone 92961200
Facsimilie 92961194
Email reception@equestrianwa.org.au
Sharna Keys-Fernihough - Administration Assistant
Sharna comes from a background of family forces in the trotting and racing world. Her dad trains racehorses and grandfather Leo Keys was a very prominent pacing trainer. Grandfather (on her mum’s side) Bernie Cushing was a very prominent pacing trainer driver in his day.
Horses have been a main focus of her life – pony club at Port Hedland with her Arab13.3hh pony Marshmallow and did anything and everything on - show horse, jumping, games, cushion polo to name a few. Biggest achievement on him was being Champion Large Pony at FeNaClNG Festival Show and jumping the Six Bar. Became involved in the Darling Range H & PC doing very well on a bigger horse then moved to her passion of eventing. Sharna travelled everywhere possible to event - Wooroloo, Katanning, Fairbridge, Waroona with success. She also enjoyed a short experience in dressage with striking thoroughbred Surpanch.
Sharna started at EWA in August 2008 and loves her job. It gives her great joy to be working in the horse industry, helping people to enjoy their passion. Sharna says “I work with a fantastic group of people.” Married to Mark and has a gorgeous son Wyatt.
Ph 9296 1200
Fax 9296 1194
Email reception@equestrianwa.org.au
Horses have been a main focus of her life – pony club at Port Hedland with her Arab13.3hh pony Marshmallow and did anything and everything on - show horse, jumping, games, cushion polo to name a few. Biggest achievement on him was being Champion Large Pony at FeNaClNG Festival Show and jumping the Six Bar. Became involved in the Darling Range H & PC doing very well on a bigger horse then moved to her passion of eventing. Sharna travelled everywhere possible to event - Wooroloo, Katanning, Fairbridge, Waroona with success. She also enjoyed a short experience in dressage with striking thoroughbred Surpanch.
Sharna started at EWA in August 2008 and loves her job. It gives her great joy to be working in the horse industry, helping people to enjoy their passion. Sharna says “I work with a fantastic group of people.” Married to Mark and has a gorgeous son Wyatt.
Ph 9296 1200
Fax 9296 1194
Email reception@equestrianwa.org.au
Maria Archer – Newsletter Editor
Maria joined the EWA team in May 2010 as the E Blast editor. Having been involved in the equestrian world for as long as she can recall, starting at pony club to working with racehorses and then competing in eventing and showjumping. Back to pony club when her daughter Paris took up riding and was involved in running the XC phase of events at Serpentine for many years with husband Darryl. Being involved in different disciplines over the years has had the benefit of meeting fantastic people who have kept her in the loop now that riding is no longer an option.
Maria now runs a successful agricultural contracting business with Darryl (he does all the hard work) and has her own small business ‘Breakneck Grafix’ creating websites, event programs and advertising.
Email mad1@westnet.com.au
Email mad1@westnet.com.au
Shannon Crosby – Sports Secretary
Ph 0424 900 951
Email admin@equestrianwa.org.au
Gabby Nyakpo - Accounts Officer
Telephone 9296 1200
Facsimile 9296 1944
Email accounts@equestrianwa.org.au
Ph 0424 900 951
Email admin@equestrianwa.org.au
Gabby Nyakpo - Accounts Officer
Telephone 9296 1200
Facsimile 9296 1944
Email accounts@equestrianwa.org.au
SEC Manager
Marcia Devenney has been SEC Centre Manager since September 2009 and joined the team after a 13 year stint living and working overseas and around Australia.
Marcia Devenney has been SEC Centre Manager since September 2009 and joined the team after a 13 year stint living and working overseas and around Australia.
Educated at St Hilda’s, Marcia continued her education at UWA with degrees in the Arts and Education. Marcia also enjoyed a decade long career in IT with roles at IBM, Alcatel and TUSC working with corporate clients such as Telstra, BT and VISA. More recently Marcia moved into writing and journalism, editing English language newspapers and magazines in Cyprus and Germany for the mainly expatriate British military community.
Marcia is a keen devotee of ‘stressage’, after investigating endurance and showing as possible equine pursuits. Marcia currently pilots one hairy oversized Riding Pony known as only as ‘Pony’ in some vague semblance of a circle from time to time.
Telephone 9296 1200
Fax 9296 1194
Email manager@secbrigadoon.com
Telephone 9296 1200
Fax 9296 1194
Email manager@secbrigadoon.com
