Our Board
The United States Lipizzan Federation is led by a passionate team of volunteer Directors dedicated to preserving and promoting the Lipizzan breed. Each year, our members have the opportunity to elect 4 of the 8 Director positions, including the President or Vice President of the Board on alternating years. The Secretary and Treasurer are appointed annually by the Board. Every Director serves a two-year term, with no limits on re-election.
Lisa Kelly Simmons, President (OR)
Lisa Kelly Simmons, President (OR)
Lisa Simmons serves as President of the United States Lipizzan Federation (USLF), a position she has held since 2016. A Professional Engineer by trade, Ms. Simmons resides at St. Cloud Ranch near Eugene, Oregon, with her husband Jase and four Lipizzans: Gabriola, Alsea, Siglavy Melodia I-56, and Siglavy Acatherina. Her parents, Jeff and Kathy Kelly, who have also been deeply committed to the breed, live nearby.
Ms. Simmons has dedicated herself to mastering Lipizzan breed standards and evaluation. She has attended seven North American breed evaluations featuring five different European judges, five Lipizzan International Federation (LIF) General Assemblies, and four LIF judges training events. Her comprehensive understanding of European breeding programs comes from extensive visits to six traditional Lipizzan State Stud Farms across Austria, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia.
As USLF President, Ms. Simmons champions the organization's mission to preserve, protect, and promote the Lipizzan breed in North America. She recognizes that the collective strength of USLF membership is crucial, particularly during a period of declining horse populations. Her leadership focuses on fostering member engagement and facilitating meaningful discussions to ensure the breed's long-term stability in North America.
In 2022, Ms. Simmons expanded her influence in the international Lipizzan community when she was elected Vice-President of the Lipizzan International Federation. In this role, she facilitates communication between international member organizations, strengthening global cooperation for breed preservation.
Sam Martinson, Vice President (MN)
Sam Martinson , Vice President (MN)
I am the current USLF Vice President as well as Chair of the Breed Promotion and Advertising Committee and have spearheaded the USLF social media initiative for several years.
My first introduction to Lipizzans came when I began working at Mississippi View Farm. I am the assistant trainer and co-manager of the breeding herd of MVF Lipizzans. My time at MVF has given me first hand knowledge of the challenges facing Lipizzan breeders and the Lipizzan community. I am also regularly active in Dressage as a competitor, trainer, and instructor. In addition, I am a USDF “L” Graduate and a USDF PM Delegate. I have successfully competed Lipizzans at both the Regional and National level. As a professional trainer and avid competitor, I believe Lipizzans are incredibly competitive, intelligent, and personable with a unique and rich history. I am passionate about preserving the breed and ensuring they have a place in our modern world of equestrian sports.
Cristina Alegria, Treasurer (FL)
Cristina Alegria, Treasurer (fl)
Of the many horses I've ridden over the past several decades, I can count on one hand the number of horses that have changed my life, and nearly all of them have been Lipizzans. I was first introduced to this very special breed in 1996 while attending an equestrian summer camp in Ellington, Connecticut, where my favorite horse was the most lovely mare named Ophelia. It wasn't until many years later that I was able to lease another mare, Cremona, who helped me build trust and confidence in the harmonious partnership that I've only found in Lipizzans. I decided to breed my own once-in-a-lifetime heart horse, an XL-Lipizzan gelding born in 2014, who made my wildest dreams come true in the winter of 2021-2022 when we were invited to train in Wellington, Florida. As soon as we arrived in Florida, I was absolutely certain that we were right where we belong.
While my career has been built on the foundation of business management, I've been a legal professional specializing in Trusts & Estates for UHNW clients since 2017, having a particular interest in assisting clients with the preparation of various annual tax and business filings. It is a sincere privilege and humbling pleasure to be able to offer my professional experience as a volunteer with the USLF.
Muffin Smith, Director (VA)
Muffin Smith, Director (VA)
Since childhood, I’ve been fascinated by the Lipizzan breed and its noble history when my husband and I bought our first two Lipizzans in 1997, it was a dream come true. Currently, three Lipizzans live with us and grace our barn. I have served as a USLR/USLF Director since early 2003 and served as Secretary from 2005 to 2017. As Treasurer, I chair the Finance committee. I also currently chair the Bylaws committee, serve on our Show and Awards committee, and am the occasional “scribe” for the Breeders Committee.
To the USLF Board I bring my education and my work experiences in the Federal Government as well as my love for Lipizzans. After earning an MBA in 1976, I did PhD. work in 1978-79 in Business Administration, while working for the U.S. Department of Treasury. I retired from the Treasury in 2001 after serving as financial analyst, economist, and general computer geek for 24 years. I’ve been a rider most of my life, am focusing on my dressage skills, and am adding pleasure driving to my repertoire.
Jenn Mikulski, Secretary (MD)
Jenn Mikulski, Secretary (MD)
My name is Jenn Mikulski. I am from Baltimore, MD and I am passionate about Lipizzans. I am passionate about Lipizzans because of the breed’s beauty, athleticism, intelligence, and personality. I am also passionate about Lipizzans because, as a result of careful breeding, they are a living, breathing, direct connection to history, virtually unchanged for centuries. And I am passionate about my fellow Lipizzan lovers as well. I have yet to meet a more welcoming and positive group of people, from many walks of life, united by one purpose; to love Lipizzans and further the USLF mission to preserve, promote, and protect them.
While I did not grow up around horses, even at a young age, I was obsessed with Lipizzans. As a child, I saw Hermann’s Royal Lipizzan Stallions perform while on a family vacation in Florida. And my first few dressage lessons were at a barn that also stabled a Lipizzan stallion (a Pluto). That said, though I was infatuated with Lipizzans, as a non-horse person, I never thought that I would ever meet or ride a Lipizzan, let alone own one. Lipizzans were just a beautiful daydream. And were it not for a small dressage barn in White Hall, MD (Four Winds Farm), a farm that also bred Lipizzans, for me, the breed might have remained just a daydream. Fortunately, I found that small dressage barn and, in 2014, I met and rode my first Lipizzan, Conversano Melora II. After that, that daydream slowly began to transform into reality.
In 2015, I joined the USLF as an enthusiast. I first began volunteering with the USLF in 2017. This year, while still an enthusiast, I was appointed to the Board as an Interim Director, to fill a sudden vacancy. Very recently, I had the opportunity to claim my own Lipizzan. Daydream-to-reality transition complete.
Steph Mussmann, Director (MI)
Steph Mussmann, Director (MI)
I have been riding for nearly 30 years. I am a USDF Bronze, Silver, and Gold medalist, USDF Bronze, Silver, and Gold Freestyle Bar Medalist, and WDAA Gold Medalist. Like many people, my first experience with Lipizzans was seeing a traveling Lipizzan performance troop, but it wasn’t until I met my dream horse, Siglavy Aga (“Aga”), that I became actively involved with the breed. Since becoming partners with Aga, we have been on an incredible journey, representing the breed in 3 USDF Regional Championships, including winning Grand Prix AA Champion of Region 2 in 2017. Together, Aga and I have represented the breed at USDF Finals two years, placing in the top 10 of all of their national championship classes.
The USLF is such a special organization, full of people who love their horses and encourage one another on their horse journeys. I am grateful for all of the friendships and support that I have gotten from USLF, and I am honored to be a part of continuing that great tradition.
Judy Downer, Director (FL)
Judy Downer, Director (FL)
Like many horse crazy girls, I first viewed the Lipizzans in a performance at Madison Square Garden with my 4-H club. I am a lifelong horsewoman, riding and training different breeds and disciplines. Luckily, my Dad insisted I attend college and after 9 years there, I had qualifications to be employed in veterinary pharmaceutical research and development, which allowed me to afford horses. My judging career (USEF “S” dressage and “R” western dressage) brought me into friendship with Mississippi View Farm’s owner, Kate Phillips, and introduced me to Lipizzan ownership. I am currently competing two offspring of MVF’s program in dressage: Favory Vereina and Ravenna.
While new to the USLF Board of Directors, my experience and connections throughout the horse industry bring an outward look to Lipizzan promotion and support in the U.S. My academic work (17 years developing and teaching Equine Studies at College of Central Florida) provide expertise in conformation, gait biomechanics, exercise physiology and nutrition of the horse. My goal on the board is to enhance education of USLF members in the care, breeding and training of their beloved Lipizzans. Additionally, through the larger equine industry, domestically and internationally, I hope to grow membership in the USLF and facilitate our connections to international breeders and trainers.
Rennie Squier, Registrar (OR)
Rennie Squier, Registrar (OR)
I first became interested in the Lipizzan breed back in 1988 when I began trimming and shoeing for June and Leonard Boardman at White Horse Vale in Washington State. I was so impressed with the feet and the temperaments of their Lipizzan horses! We brought our first mare home from WHV in 1989 (she is still with me at the ripe old age of 34!). I took over as Registrar from Melinda Suydam in 2010. While I no longer breed regularly, I ride two Lipizzans we bred on a regular basis. I practice Classical Dressage, enjoy trail riding, a bit of Working Equitation and have dabbled in several other pursuits.
To contact a board member please contact the USLF Office.