Our Board & Members
Kristal Freese ◀︎◀︎◀︎
President (23, 24, 25)
Kristal was born and raised in central Iowa and attended Iowa State University in Ames where she earned a degree in Animal Science. She has a life-long obsession with horses, owning and showing them since childhood. In 2018 that passion for horses led her to enter the world of horse racing with the purchase of their first racehorse. They’ve been racing horses here at Prairie Meadows, as well as Remington Park, Oaklawn Park and elsewhere ever since. They recently expanded into the world of horse breeding with plans to race those foals.
Tyler Ingle ◀︎◀︎◀︎
Vice President (25, 26, 27)
Tyler was born and raised in Altoona and owns a small horse farm here with his dad. He has done everything from breeding to claiming over the years and claimed his first racehorse when he was 16yrs old. He has been a part of numerous ownership groups who’ve run horses all over the country, including Saratoga, Churchill Downs, Oaklawn Park, and here at Prairie Meadows. His fondest memory at Prairie Meadows was watching his relative’s horse, Nickel Classic, win the Heartland Oaks back in 1998. Tyler currently chairs the Program Assessment Committee and has worked on several other committees over the years.
Brandi Jo Fett ◀︎◀︎◀︎
Executive Director
Call: 515-957-3002 or Text: 515-710-8164
Brandi is a lifelong Iowan with deep roots in the state’s Thoroughbred racing and breeding community. She grew up on the backside of Prairie Meadows, where her love for the sport began early as her family’s horse, Holmish, won the very first race at the track in 1989.
Since 2006, Brandi has served as Executive Director of the ITBOA, leading programs that promote Iowa-breds, support breeders, and strengthen the future of racing across the state. She’s also a longtime Iowa HBPA Board member and takes great pride in her work on the Benevolence Committee, helping provide support and resources for backside workers.
A founding member of HART, Iowa’s Thoroughbred aftercare organization, Brandi continues to champion the well-being of horses and horsemen alike, both on and off the track.
Nikki Ferwerda ◀︎◀︎◀︎
Secretary/Treasurer (24, 25, 26)
Nikki is an Associate Teaching Professor and Equine Farm Manager in the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University (ISU). She has been a faculty member at ISU since 2007, where she teaches a range of undergraduate courses in equine science. She also manages the University’s Horse Farm, overseeing daily operations, including horse care, breeding, marketing, and the facility’s use for teaching, research, and extracurricular activities. Nikki grew up in Nebraska enjoying horses and other livestock through 4H and spent time in Missouri and Texas before arriving in Iowa. She currently serves as the ITBOA secretary, chairs the Scholarship committee and assists with the stallion auction.
2025 Committee Assignments
Find the 2025 committees, their chairs and responsibilities listed here.
Note: All board members will be expected to participate in the recruitment of new members and provide content for the newsletter.
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Fall Sale:
Co-chairs: Josie McShane and Mike Vanderpool
Responsibilities: Select an auctioneer, assist with sales, assign roles to directors, proof catalog pages and more.
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Legislative:
Chair: Scott Weiser, Lobbyist
Responsibilities: Identify issues to bring towards legislation.
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Membership:
Co-chairs: Deb Moss and Christa Jordan
Responsibilities: Membership recruitment, membership renewal and retention issues.
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Newsletter:
Chair: Brandi Fett
Responsibilities: Compile and organize newsletter content.
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Stallion Auction:
Chair: Nikki Ferwerda
Responsibilities: Recruit stallions, update auction procedures.
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Awards:
Chair: Kristal Freese
Responsibilities: Determine awards.
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Golf Outing:
Co-chairs: Paul Fell and Lane Johnston
Responsibilities: Organize teams, door prizes hole sponsors, assist in set up and tear down.
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Promotion and Advertising:
Chair: Deb Moss
Responsibilities: Partner with Prairie Meadows and IAHBPA on racing promotions.
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ITBOA Scholarship:
Chair: Nikki Ferwerda
Responsibilities: Review applications and award the recipients.
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Supplements:
Chair: Paul Fell
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Program Assessment:
Chair: Tyler Ingle
BECOME A MEMBER.
Want a voice in who serves on the board? Interested in serving on board yourself?
Become a member of the ITBOA!
Get the monthly newsletter, vote for board members, gain access to the ITBOA scholarship, attend the yearly awards banquet and more.