Board of Directors

Returning President: Phillip Williamson

Executive Secretary: Anne Bailey Johnston

If you would like to email the entire Board, please send your email to the SWVHJA Office and it will be forwarded. Board member emails can be accessed by clicking or hovering over the name.

PRESIDENT: Phillip Willia mson

Phillip Williamson is the Director of the Equestrian program at the University of Lynchburg. He has worked in multiple college riding programs prior to his position at Lynchburg. He also holds his USEF "r" judges card in hunters and equitation and has shown professionally across the east coast in the hunters and jumpers and coached students to ribbons in local and rated horse shows at all levels. Phillip's dedication to local, grassroots showing comes from his early days as a competitor in Colorodo Hunter Jumper Association competitions. He feels strongly that our association provides valuable opportunities for those looking to enjoy horse sport while learning and growing their horsemanship and riding skills.

VICE PRESIDENT: Anne Lesko

I’m Anne Justis Lesko and first joined the Southwest Virginia Hunter Jumper Association when showing my large pony in the late 1980’s. I was very fortunate to have parents who showed and fox hunted. They helped us manage our animals in our little barn at home, always quick to share their knowledge and support. Horses have always been a central part of our family, either through breeding, thoroughbred racing, hunting, or showing.

As a junior, I showed in Children's Hunter and Equitation through SWVHJA. I went on the show in the Junior Hunter division with Reynard's Ridge, owned by Mike and Alicia Rosser of Southern Pines, North Carolina. As an amateur, I rode on the Hollins team, showing in ODAC, ANRC, IHSA and open shows.

My husband, Richard Lesko, showed in the junior jumper divisions. We have two children, Henry and Ginny, who share our love of horses. We have a small farm in Scottsville, Virginia where we keep our horses and care for them at home, as a family.

I serve on the board of the Association because I feel that our mission, particularly the of promotion good sportsmanship and horsemanship, is important. As an amateur and as a parent of riders, I believe that having a well-run, local horse show association creates the community of support that many need as they find their way through life with horses.

SECRETARY: Sarah Vagnoni

Sarah is the Stable Manager and Road Manager for Memory’s Hill Stables. She regularly competed as SWVHJA junior member from the intermediates through the children’s whilst developing a passion for horses and horse care. She continues to show as a member of the organization, and assists Memory’s Hill in hosting SWVHJA shows and other events. Sarah frequently travels with Memory’s Hill to all levels of horse show, attending SWVHJA shows and USEF rated shows, handling everything from show entries, set up, horse care, and rider needs. When she is not on the road, she enjoys spending time with her horse, Millie, and her dog Elmer.

TREASURER: A nnie Shawver

Annie has been riding since she was a little girl, and she’s been involved with SWVHJA since its inception. Annie grew up in Rockingham County, where she and her sister, Sarah, spent many an hour riding and showing their ponies. In those days, it meant multibreed horse shows and often on baseball fields and similar venues. It was a beloved family affair! Annie was involved with 4H and was on the judging team. After graduation from JMU, Annie (and her horse!) relocated to Roanoke where she began a career in accounting. Annie is a CPA and operates a consulting practice that serves Virginia local governments and related entities. She and her husband, Jeff, have a small farm in Roanoke County. Over the years, Annie has shown in divisions such as the Special Adult Hunters, Adult Amateur Hunters, Adult Equitation on the Flat, and she loves medal and derby classes. Annie is a recipient of SWVHJA’s Guy Burkholder Adult Sportsmanship Award and she served on the Board previously from 2011 to 2014. Annie’s interest in serving on the SWVHJA Board is to support strong financial management, to learn about and support the needs of the membership, and to facilitate communication with and feedback from the membership. As well as riding and showing, Annie loves her little pets (cat and dog), good food, hiking, camping (as long as a bed and shower are involved!) and just about anything outdoors!

PARLIAMENTARIAN: Gordon Reistrup

Members at Large:

Jamison is a full-time professional civil engineer and a longtime member of SWVHJA. She began riding in 1999 at Vineyard Farm under the tutelage of the late Sarah Davis, kickstarting a passion for horses, Thoroughbreds especially, and hunters. Her junior years were spent bouncing between horses and divisions (and in the dirt!), prior to finding success in the 2’6” divisions with a talented Thoroughbred named Bailey. She graduated from UVA in 2013 and moved around the state for work, riding and showing whenever possible. In 2020 she moved home to Hot Springs, VA permanently and returned to Vineyard Farm. The same year she purchased her first horse, Z Town, and reentered the show ring. Since purchasing Z, she’s had mixed success in many of the SWVHJA amateur and open divisions and in the Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program championships and performance awards. When she isn’t working or at the barn, she might be found volunteering with Bath Animal Welfare Foundation, trail running, or walking Snaffle and Tonka, her unruly dogs, around the family farm.

Robin Wood :

I have been instructing for over 40 years from the beginner to advanced level and travel to my students for individualized attention. I coach at both local and rated horse shows and offer clinics for multiple disciplines. In addition to instructing, I also judge Hunter/Jumper and Equitation shows as well as other disciplines. My passion is raising Welsh/TBx ponies. Many have done well in the show ring and have gone on to Pony Finals. I run a small boarding facility in Ruckersville. I also am a huge supporter of 4 H and all it has to offer our youth after taking advantage of the program as a 4 H member many years ago.