Meet Our Hosts
Dr. Regina Schinker
When palomino pony Buttercup arrived at Regina’s home on September 15, 1977 (yes, she remembers the exact date), a lifelong love of horses began. Through the years, Regina has shown 4-H, Open, PHBA, AMHR/ASPC, AQHA, PtHA, and APHA. She has earned multiple World Titles. In the 80s and 90s, Regina and her parents raised, trained, and showed stock-type overo Pinto ponies on the PtHA circuit.
In 1991-1992, Regina represented the Pinto Horse Association as Miss Pinto of America.
In recent years, Regina has shown in the amateur classes at both Pinto and Paint horse shows. She currently follows her daughter on the APHA circuit. Lila shows in the all-around and is an AjPHA National Director.
Regina has her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, Organizational Analysis. She has worked in higher education administration, instructional design, and as a professor for almost 20 years.
Regina and her husband, Chris, live on ancestral land along the St. Joseph River in Michigan. On their small farm, they spend time with their dogs, barn cats, horses, and Brahma show chickens.
Their oldest daughter Loryn lives and works in Washington D.C. Their son, Luke is a freshman at Michigan State University and a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. Besides showing horses, daughter Lila also plays basketball and volleyball. The entire family is involved in creating and protecting habitat for the migrating Monarch butterfly on their farm.
Lynn Cool
Lynn has been passionate about the horse industry her entire life. Lynn grew up with a purebred barnyard Shetland and eventually upgraded to an Indian pony. Showing 4-H and the occasional breed show as a teenager Lynn always dreamed of showing at the national level.
In the mid 80’s and 90’s Lynn worked along with her husband, Kevin, to manage Cool Performance Horses. They helped several youth and amateur horseman reach their dreams of state and national titles in various disciplines.
Kevin and Lynn took a break from horses for several years to raise their son’s, Ty and Wyatt. Both boys were active in athletics and showing livestock. In particular, cattle and show pigs. The Cools are still very active in the livestock industry operating Cool Cattle Company. After many years with no horses Kevin has recently purchased a cutting horse and is chasing titles himself.
For over 20 years, Lynn has held various sales and business development roles in the medical device industry. She has won numerous sales awards in a highly competitive environment. She is currently a Corporate Accounts Manager for a leading medical device manufacturer. Lynn graduated from Spring Arbor University with a BA, Management and Organizational Development. The Cools reside in Mendon, MI.
Heather Werkema-Smith (HWS)
Heather has been involved in the horse industry since her very first horse show at the age of 3 years old. Introduced to horses by her grandparents Pat and Harry Werkema, Heather was raised on the Michigan Quarter Horse circuit. Showing nationally and later involved in the industry as a trainer, she's experienced many aspects of the industry as a whole. Even her entrepreneurial skills have been horse industry based. As the owner of Initial Impressions by HWS, Heather has been serving horse people across the country (and world), by providing access to affordable custom western hats. Her passion and ambition has been shared with her daughters who have been successfully showing as long as they can remember. As a proud "Horse Show Mom," Heather loves to share her passion, knowledge and experiences and is looking forward to using the Horse Industry Podcast, as well as other avenues, to do so.