Dear fellow members,
Thank you to everyone who clicked on our form and expressed your opinion about the nomination of candidates for the board. Out of our 170 members, 45 took the time to help out in the interest of our association. As a representative of the current board, I sincerely wish to see many more of you in the upcoming online voting in a little over a week from today. This newsletter will be quite long as we have seven seats on the board and in total nine candidates to present. This information will be presented on our website as well and in the FB group.
We have a world championship ahead of us in Aachen and the yearly General Assembly of IAEJ, where we this year need to elect a new board. According to the current statutes, a mandate period is four years, election is held every four years. If the members so decide, board members can serve more than two terms.
As half of the current board has served for two terms, your mandate to the board is vital. In our member survey in January this year, we received a lot of interest in volunteering as a board member, setting aside valuable time for our common cause. It is not a glamorous task but important for us all. To be eligible for serving on the board membership in IAEJ is mandatory to have paid dues for 2026 and be up to date with our equestrian media sector above all.
We have now gathered suggestions from members and have a list of candidates together with current board members. When the nomination survey was presented, only two of the current board members were stepping down. Since the survey was distributed, board member Arnd Bronkhorst has also given notice that he is not available for a second term after being elected in Herning 2022.
When we come to the actual voting procedure, current board members and candidates are on equal terms. Our current statutes dictate a bit on how the board is to be configured: “The Board consists of the President, the Vice-President, and five members. Of these seven, one must be from North America, one from Europe, and one has to be a photographer.”
We are relying on online voting to make it a fair and democratic process, giving every member a chance to have a say.
Working as a board member means participating in (sometimes) late-night Zoom calls, chatting and discussing different questions and problems that arise, and helping out with the administrative changes underway in any way possible. Serving means giving back to our community what you have learnt from the experience of our business. It has few perks, little glam and glory, but often a certain level of satisfaction when our actions can make a difference and help members out. How often our assistance is called upon a year varies greatly.
IAEJ is currently in the process of changing location and legal form from Canada to the Netherlands. The project was initiated as our long-time treasurer, Jennifer Anstey, has asked to be relieved of her duties; we are eternally grateful to her for all these years as the backbone of IAEJ.
It will be an intense autumn with the location change, a new member admin process with new systems and procedures, an updated website, and dues collection, so all candidates are prepared to roll up their sleeves.
Presentation of candidates, current board members
President Jan Tönjes (GER) – Served two terms since 2018, last four years as president. Member since 2006.
Motivation for another term:
After some intense reflection, I would like to stand for a third term on the board and a second as president. As you may know, my personal situation has changed immensely since the last elections, and my workload hasn’t decreased.
I feel that in the current situation, where the IAEJ is facing a fundamental transformation process, it is only fair to proceed with what has been started. If the members agree, I would like to continue the path and would be happy to dedicate time and expertise to the new challenges that we, as a little but important player in the equine industry, are facing.
Journalism is the key. That always was and will ever be my strong belief. That is what I stand for.
Secretary Kim C Lundin (SWE) – Served two terms since 2018, last four years as secretary. Member since 2012.
Motivation for another term:
In an ever-changing media world like ours, I believe my background as both a journalist, web editor, SoMe-creator and photographer can be of value for IAEJ and all its members as a bridge between the past, present and our future.
After two terms, I have the proper background and can contribute with my knowledge and work experience from previous professions in IAEJ’s transition to a new location by introducing a new member admin platform with a website. I feel strongly about IAEJ moving the work with a Universal Accreditation Platform forward in cooperation with FEI and show organisers, perhaps achieving something we have not managed in the past four years but still would provide great value for our members.
Photographer’s Representative Jon Stroud (GBR) – Served two terms since 2018 in the role. Member since 2018.
Motivation for another term:
If given the opportunity by the membership, I would very much like to stand once again for election to the board of the IAEJ as Photographer’s Representative.
Since joining the board in 2018, I have worked hard to ensure that the best possible conditions and access have been provided for both photographers and journalists at countless events and championships across the world by working directly with OCs, press officers, and photo managers, in advance and on the ground during competition.
We are all now working in an ever-changing media environment. I believe that in continuing my role within the IAEJ board, I can help address some of those challenges and embrace the opportunities they present.
Board Member Diana De Rosa (USA) – Served one term since 2022. Member since 1986.
Motivation for another term:
I welcome the chance to serve on the IAEJ board to support equine journalists.
Having covered many equine events worldwide, including 10 equestrian Olympics (now researching LA28), I understand our diverse needs—robust media centers, strong internet, food access, sized lockers, interview access, etc.
I will work hard to ensure stellar working conditions for members.
Presentation of candidates, nominated members
(first name alphabetical order)
Ashley Neuhof, USA, member since 2023.
Motivation for nomination:
I would like to be involved in the board as an active photographer on the global circuit, with insight into today’s challenges and how to keep moving IAEJ and equestrian sport coverage forward.
Kimberley MacMillan, USA, member since 2009.
Motivation for nomination:
I previously served on the IAEJ Bureau and at that time administered the Alltech IAEJ Media Awards program (I collected and prepared the entries to be judged, and communicated the judges’ picks to the IAEJ membership).
Additionally, with the help of press chief Marty Bauman, I prepared a media briefing about the 2026 FEI World Cup Finals in Texas this spring.
I am a journalist and photojournalist with over 40 years of experience. I have previous experience serving on boards of directors of several other organizations. I am a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and Nikon Pro Services. My university degrees are in agriculture/science journalism (BS) and animal science (MS).
Sally Spickard, USA, member since 2019.
Motivation for nomination:
I would love to contribute in any way needed.
I work with a lot of events in the US on press/media services and am very interested in working more closely with the FEI as well as helping the IAEJ evolve as content creation, etc continues to rise.
Sascha Dubach, Switzerland, member since 2002.
Motivation for nomination:
I have been a member of the IAEJ for decades and would now like to play an active role in shaping the organisation’s future by drawing on my experience and network.
These are challenging times – think ‘animal welfare’ or ‘social media influencers’.
I have been an equestrian journalist for over 30 years and have been editor-in-chief of the weekly Swiss magazine ‘PferdeWoche’ for the past 10 years.
I have also served as press officer at a wide variety of major events, including the World Cup tournament in Basel, and have accompanied the Swiss endurance team to championships as deputy team manager.”
Timothée Pequegnot, France, member since 2024.
Motivation for nomination:
Dear colleagues
I’ve been a member of the IAEJ for two years, but I’ve valued its work for a much longer time. Considering the specificity of our work as journalists or photographers in the niche environment of equestrian sports, I find it not only useful, but very beneficial for us to be able to count on official representation with all stakeholders.
Furthermore, I really do think that transmission plays a big part in our personal development as journalists, and it has to. In my opinion, the IAEJ isn’t only an alliance that tries to fight for our work conditions, but it also represents a great opportunity to exchange experiences and knowledge, learn from each other, and help each other.
At 23, I’m personally very grateful to be able to learn every day from more experienced colleagues, some of whom I’m very happy to be able to call mentors. Despite my age, I’ve worked in this field for six years, both as a freelancer and on a permanent contract, as a journalist and sometimes as a photographer.
I still have a whole lot to learn, but gathering as much knowledge as possible is exactly my goal as a board member if you elect me. I know my youth might be considered a handicap to join the board – at least it was in my mind when I considered whether to be a candidate or not – but I do think it can also be an advantage to bring a youth perspective to the board.
The process forward towards election
The process forward looks like this
Elections to the board.
b. Newsletter, web post and FB-post presenting current board members wanting to stay on AND new nominations to the board. Presented with information on upcoming vote. Sent out by the 31st of July at the latest.
c. Newsletter and FB-post with actual voting between current board members wanting to stay on AND new nominations to the board. Presented with information on upcoming GA. Preliminary sending 9th of August, open until 13th of August.
d. Results will be sent to members nominated and currently serving on the board ahead of the General Assembly. By the time we have our GA on the 18th of August, the results from the members voting will be presented to everyone in the meeting room and following online.
Only current members can vote in the coming election, and we will be using your listed email address as verification for access. Invalid votes will be discarded. Unsure what email you have listed? Check here.
Through a newsletter, we invite all valid, paying members to have their say in the election to the board.
Very much looking forward to seeing you in Aachen or on Zoom for the General Assembly on the 18th of August.
At your service, on behalf of the IAEJ board
Kim C Lundin, Secretary