We’re starting a new weekly feature here on the CAA’s blog, where we plan to introduce drivers, collectors, restoration specialists, officials, CAA members, and more … to you and to each other.

The premise is simple enough … we’ve compiled a list of questions (most are driving- or horse-related, some are just for fun), and we hope to get a wide variety of driving-community members to answer our questionnaire. Each Friday, we’ll introduce you to someone new.

We’re starting this series with our own Jill Ryder, the CAA’s executive director …

Where do you live?  Kentucky

For those who don’t know you: How are you involved in the driving world?  I have worked for the Carriage Association for 26 years!

How long have you been involved in the driving world?  Apart from my job, I helped organize a successful one-day cde in New Jersey in 1982 and from there became interested in scoring CDEs and also judging presentation. 

How old were you when you became involved with horses / driving?  I have photos of myself in a carriage and on horseback from the age of 6 months old.

Do you come from a driving/horsy family?  Yes. Many people will be familiar with my father, Tom Ryder, from the Hackney world or the carriage or coaching world.

Are you a CAA member? If so, for how long?  I was a member before being offered the job with the CAA in 1983, and I used to help out at conferences, so I guess you could say I volunteered my way into this job.

Do you compete?  Over the years I have helped groom or navigate for others. I have only ever competed in a pleasure show with a Hackney.

Do/did you ride or participate in other horse sports?  Pony Club when I was young.

What do you like best about driving as a hobby/sport?  The tradition of carriages and driving and the camaraderie.

What is your favorite carriage museum?  This is hard because I have seen so many wonderful carriage museums, but the one that really struck me was at the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, as they took us to see many special items in storage.

What is your favorite type of carriage?  I love the lines of the Spider and Mail Phaetons.

If you could go back in time to visit a particular era of horse-drawn transportation, which one would it be?  When the ladies and gentlemen paraded in Hyde Park, London, in all their finest! 

Do you have any other pets?  I just inherited a stray cat! In the past I have always had dogs.

What kind of car do you drive?  VW Jetta

What was your first car?  It was a red Dodge sports car, but I cannot remember the type (that was a long time ago!).

What is your favorite holiday?  Christmas

What spectator sports do you enjoy watching?  Tennis

What is your favorite food/cuisine?  That is hard. I enjoy cooking British food, but also enjoy either Italian or Indian.

What was the last movie you saw?  Julia & Julia – I really enjoyed it.

Do you plan/hope to come to the WEG (as a competitor or spectator)?  With the CAA office/shop right in the middle of the Kentucky Horse Park I will most certainly be there – with our doors wide open to welcome the world!