Author: nrha

The NRHA Executive Committee and Board of Directors are responsible for managing the business of the Association and for representing the best interests of its members and the Association as a whole. Each year, NRHA opens nominations and hosts elections for a variety of leadership positions.

Each year, the NRHA election nomination process allows affiliates and members to submit candidates for consideration in the upcoming vote. For the 2026–2027 term, two candidates were nominated for the NRHA Board of Directors seat representing North America’s East Central region. Additionally, two candidates were nominated for the Director-At-Large position, elected through a worldwide vote. The candidate receiving the most votes in each race will serve on the board from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2027.

Voting for the 2025 election will begin Sept. 2 at noon CDT and ends Sept. 16 at noon CDT. Be sure to mark your calendars and ensure your NRHA membership is current to vote! Individuals with a General membership (excluding partnerships, businesses and joint memberships) have voting privileges; however, youth and association members do not have voting rights.

Director-At-Large – Executive Committee (Worldwide Voting):

Sebastian Petroll – Whitesboro, Texas

My passion for reining runs deep. Together with my wife Melanie, we operate Petroll Reining Horses, LLC, a full-service training/breeding operation for clients from all over the world. I’m fortunate to be able to make a living in this industry, and NRHA is a big part of that. I have been in the horse business for over 25 years. Serving in different functions over the years is my way of giving back to the industry. The membership is very diverse. Understanding the different needs of members is very important. The way NRHA is governed is exemplary across the horse industry. It is also an ongoing process, and I gladly do my part. Over the years I have been elected to serve multiple terms on the NRHA Board of Directors. I also have served for nearly two decades on NRHA Advisory Committees representing the membership. Those committees include the Judges, Stewards (Vice-Chair), Non Pro (Vice-Chair), Aged Events and Eligibility. I have also volunteered my time for NRHA Task Forces with topics such as the NRHA Derby, judging and animal welfare. As a NRHA Professional, I have won numerous titles and have made every major event level 4 open finals.

Karen Shedlauskas – Reddick, Florida

I’ve been a member of NRHA since 1992, when I began my reining journey as a rookie competitor. I’ve been an active competitor since and have enjoyed the many facets of the NRHA experience. My show experience spans everything from weekend shows to all of the major events. In addition, I’ve been very active with my local affiliates beginning with the Eastern Pennsylvania Reining Horse Association, where I served as a board member for many years, as well as Vice President. Most recently, I served four years as President of the Florida Reining Horse Association, which annually produces the highly successful Florida Reining Classic and has produced the Southeast ARC for the last five years.

From 1995 through 2015, I was a regular contributor to the NRHA Reiner magazine, covering everything from events to NRHA history. I also managed the NRHA Sire & Dam Program for three years revitalizing the program after many years of dismal participation. For many years I was privileged to work as a staff member at the NRHA Derby and Futurity, gaining valuable insight to what it takes to make these events run successfully. 

Over the course of the last 25 years, I’ve been a member of many NRHA committees including Marketing, Youth, Non Pro, Aged Events, Affiliate, Eligibility, Nominating/Governance and Hall of Fame. I’ve served as Eligibility Committee Chair for many years as well as Youth Committee Vice Chair. Additionally, I’ve worked on many task forces addressing such things as the world championship program, eligibility and show rules/conditions.  I served two terms (2021-2022, 2023-2024) as the regional representative to the NRHA Board of Directors from the Southeast Region. 

With over thirty years of NRHA experience in the show pen, as a regional representative to the Board of Directors and 25 years of NRHA committee work, I feel that I would bring a wealth of well-rounded experience to the Executive Committee. Thank you for your consideration.

East Central Region

The East Central Region is comprised of Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia and Tennessee.

MARGARET FUCHS – Canfield, Ohio

I’ve served as the director for the East Central region for four years. During this time, I’ve been very active, serving as a Judges Advisory Committee member, as well as an active member of the Teaching Panel. I’ve done my best to represent our region’s interested at the board level and would like to continue to do so!

KEITH LARKIN – Carbondale, Illinois

I’ve been involved in NRHA events and competition since 2010. My wife, daughter and I raise and show our reining horses as often as possible and are grateful for the wonderful opportunities and friendships we have enjoyed throughout our participation in NRHA. For the past several years I have been involved as a member of the Board of Directors for the Tennessee Reining Horse Association, most recently serving as the President of that affiliate. Over the years my family has shown in most of the states that make up the East Central region. The exponential growth of our sport and the performance horse industry as a whole has been one of the most exciting things I have been lucky enough to be a part of. Outside of my regular career as a Financial Advisor I spent 12 years as an elected official in my local county government. In that role I helped to create and manage a $16,000,000 budget and respond to the needs of multiple agencies as well as the concerns of my constituents. I think this experience makes me uniquely suited to serve in this role in NRHA. My skills are most rooted in building consensus and developing long term plans.

Additional Seats

Several other elected leadership positions will be filled for the same two-year term. The following uncontested seats will be elected by acclamation by the Board of Directors. Those seats are:

North Central: Mike Davis – Davenport, Iowa

Northeast: Matt Murphy – Boonsboro, Maryland

Northwest: Kylie Warn – Canby, Oregon

South Central: Andrea Stillo – Pilot Point, Texas

Election procedures and more info will be posted at nrha.com and emailed to eligible voters soon! Contact Christa Morris-Stone (cmorris@nrha.com) with questions.