Who's who in the office?
Wendy Cohen - CEO
Wendy has been the CEO of Equestrian NSW since October 2002. Prior to this she worked in the film industry for almost fifteen years in both Australia and the UK as a producer, script developer and theatrical agent. She worked with companies such as RGM, Harry M Miller Mgt, Paramount Pictures, Waterview Productions, Little Bird Films UK and MTV – Europe. She also has extensive experience in public relations, corporate communication and marketing. Wendy has a Bachelor of Arts (Communication) from Charles Sturt University.
Wendy has a semi-retired warmblood, Calvin, who used to do dressage and a bit of jumping. He now just eats grass all day and does the odd dressage lesson.
Debbie Bugden - Equestrian NSW Saddlehorse Coordinator Debbie is the longest surviving staff member so far, starting in February 2002. Deb has had a number of previous admin roles and also spent 10 years in the fitness industry as a fitness leader, personal trainer and fitness presenter. She has also gained her NCAS Level 1 and run her own riding business. Deb manages Equestrian NSW Saddle Horse as well as being a single parent to an active 10 year old daughter, Tomeika. She says that with all that she doesn't really have much time for hobbies however gets to the gym when she can and has just started up endurance riding again. Her aim is to win the NSW Lightweight Champion, a title that she won in the late 90's. Sue is the one of the long standing team members at Equestrian NSW, first joining us in August 2002. Coming from a finance background, she worked with NAB for 16 years in a range of finance and marketing managerial roles servicing metropolitan and rural NSW and QLD. Sue achieved a Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing) degree from the UNSW and a Diploma in Direct Marketing. Sue is an NCAS Level 1 non-jumping coach and our resident dressage guru. Also being an E level dressage judge, Sue can be found most weekends judging at events around Sydney with her partner and penciller extraordinaire Tony. Home is in the Hawkesbury with Tony, a collection of horses, Cracka, the Jack Russell and a pet chicken. Joining us in May 2006, Jo spent 16 years working in public service and also worked a number of years in the racing industry. Jo has successfully bred and shown Arab's for over 26 years. In her spare time after looking after her 4 horses, Dog Dog the dog, 3 cats and 2 daughters she likes to work at renovating her house, fishing and waterskiing .
Elysha joined the staff of the EFA NSW as a casual for the busy renewal period in 2007 and has never left! After growing up competing in eventing, showjumping and Pony Club she spent 10 years in the racing industry working for some of Australia's best trainers and travelling with horses but felt the need to return home to some "normal horses".
Home is at Wilberforce on 'the funny farm' with husband Woody, a racehorse trainer, and lots of racehorses (not enough paying ones), 2 beautiful Irish Sport Horses who will one day make it out competing and a very loyal and spoilt Jack Russell, Maggie
elysha@efansw.com.au
Sue Birch - NCAS Co-ordinator/ Dressage Consultant (3 days)
Susie Burns - Sports Project Officer
Joined the Equestrian NSW in March 2008. She is a qualified Equine Myofunctional Therapist, EFA Showhorse Official and runs a Horse Physio business from home with her husband, Ian.
Susie enjoys competing in dressage and shows her Andalusians, Pegasus and Banderas, and has most recently commenced endurance riding with Ian on her purebred arabian Champagne n' Ice.
Susie has 2 teenage children, Emily and Timothy, 5 dogs including 2 spoilt Jack Russells Lucy and Lizzy, 2 cats and 7 horses (and has a unique ability of acquiring more). Home is in Bringelly. She loves to read and watch movies in her spare time of which she has very little.
susie@efansw.com.au
Joanne Cocksedge - Accounts/Office Manager(3 days)
