In this episode of the Dressage Today Podcast, sponsored by KPP and Tribute Equine Nutrition, Aviva and Stephany interview USEF “r” Technical Delegate from Eastern Pennsylvania Jen Koch, the latest Unsung Hero in their ongoing series.
Jen represents the kind of quiet, steadfast leadership that keeps dressage thriving behind the scenes through her professionalism, deep knowledge of rules and her genuine desire to help riders have positive, fair experiences in the competition environment. But what makes her truly extraordinary is the way she shows up for people and for the sport—consistently, generously and without ever seeking recognition.

Jen’s service extends far beyond helping individuals, and her commitment to youth development is unmatched. As president of the Youth Dressage FUNdation, she helps run the Region 1 Youth Dressage Team Challenge every year in Virginia. She has also served on the USDF National Youth Programs Committee, held multiple USDF Group Membership Organization leadership roles, and currently serves on the Board of Trustees at her local horse park.
Jen works tirelessly to create opportunities for young riders, strengthen community programs, and ensure the future of dressage is bright, inclusive and well-supported. This would be impressive on its own—but she does it all while working full-time as a teacher and pursuing her master’s degree. We loved talking with Jen, and we know you will enjoy learning more about her.
In this episode, Aviva and Stephany also catch up on what’s been going on in their lives, and Aviva answers a new Ask the L question from Heather about virtual showing. Aviva details her experiences with virtual showing from a judge’s point of view and discusses how various groups do it differently.
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You can list to more episodes of the Dressage Today Podcast here.
About This Episode’s Sponsors: KPP and Tribute
Tribute
At Tribute Equine Nutrition, caring for horses has always come first. As a family-owned company safely making feed right here in the USA, they’re celebrating America’s 250th anniversary by supporting programs that make a difference through horses. Every bag of Tribute sold helps support PATH International’s Equine Services for Heroes programs helping veterans through equine-assisted services. They’ve also introduced limited-edition Patriotic Horse Treats for summer. Ready to try Tribute? Start with a free personalized feeding plan and your first bag free at TributeEquineNutrition.com.
KPP
Is your horse suffering from respiratory problems like intermittent coughing, nasal discharge, seasonal allergies, poor performance, or difficulty breathing during exercise? Kentucky Performance Products has a new supplement—AirWise®—that can help. Formulated using a synergistic blend of high-quality, potent antioxidants and micronutrients, AirWise is research-proven to help horses maintain healthy respiratory function. It has been shown to promote normal respiratory rates, enhance lung function, support a healthy inflammatory response in airways, and maintain immune health. To see if AirWise—available through veterinarians—is right for your horse, speak with your vet, visit https://www.KPPusa.com or call 859-873-2974.