07/07/2026
Get know not only our D27 president but the CGA president.
Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing a series of posts to help you get to know your Board of Governors. Enjoy!~
Behind the Reins: Getting to Know Your CGA Board of Governors 🐴✨ Meet Matt Fredriks, CGA President
1. What's one thing most CGA members would be surprised to learn about you?
I refused to join District 27's board because I was afraid they were going to ask me to become the next District President. It turns out that avoiding leadership positions is not one of my hidden talents.
Oh, and I don’t like frogs!
2. What do you love most about CGA?
What I love most about CGA is the variety it provides through its 13 different events and rating matrix system. We have the freedom to run shows while choosing from a wide range of events, which keeps every show fresh and exciting.
What sets CGA apart is that each event has its own rating matrix. Whether you're competing in FC or AAA+, there is a division where you can be competitive. Riders are not only competing for the day's awards but are also constantly challenged to improve their personal best and work toward the next rating level.
3. What advice would you give to a new member?
Don't be afraid to introduce yourself and meet new people at shows. One of the greatest strengths of CGA is the people. You'll be surprised how much you have in common with fellow members and how quickly friendships can formI learned this lesson firsthand. One Saturday after a District 27 show, my family and I headed to Lincoln for a District 3 show the next day. We parked next to Jim and Marnie Nessen. At the time, Dez and I didn't know them very well. After we got settled in, Marnie suggested we go on a camp crawl.
To be honest, that was completely out of my comfort zone. Going into my trailer and watching a DVD sounded much better to me. But we went anyway.
That evening we visited several camps, ate cake at a birthday party, enjoyed leftovers from a steak dinner (complete with dipping sauce served in glass cups—looking at you, Eric and Sheri), and met a lot of great people. What I learned that night was that CGA members are just regular people who love horses, family, and having a good time. Everywhere we went, we were welcomed with open arms and cold drinks.
So my advice is simple: step outside your comfort zone. You might discover that some of your best CGA memories start with a simple introduction.
4. What is your go-to comfort food?
Pizza! Hands down, easy winner. And pineapple belongs on pizza.
5. What's your favorite holiday and why?
Christmas has become my favorite holiday. Growing up in a broken home, Christmas often meant traveling from place to place and trying to visit multiple families. It was always fun, but it could also be exhausting.
Over the years, my wife’s love for Christmas slowly rubbed off on me. What started as her excitement for the season became something I began to enjoy. At our house, Christmas decorating starts on November 1st. At first, I went along with it because she loved it. Now, I genuinely look forward to it myself. Plus, after all these years, I've learned that when your wife loves Christmas that much, it's probably in your best interest to love it too!
6. What song do you know every word to?
The Greatest Showman Soundtrack. Like all of it…………
7. What's one place you've always wanted to visit?
I have little desire to travel and see places but I've always wanted to visit New York City. As a farmer who has spent most of his life in rural communities, it's hard to imagine millions of people living and working in such a small area. I'd love to experience firsthand how a city of that size functions and how people navigate life in such a fast-paced environment.
I also want to take in the incredible sights and architecture. From the towering skyscrapers to the historic landmarks, New York seems to combine both business and beauty in a way that few places can. It would be a completely different world from what I'm used to, and that's exactly what makes it so appealing.
8. What's something on your bucket list?
I'm not much of a bucket list person. I've always believed that life is meant to be enjoyed every step of the way, not just by chasing a few big moments. My goal has never been to check items off a list, but rather to appreciate and enjoy whatever phase of life I'm in at the time.
9. What is one question you’d wish someone would ask you?
"What can we do to make CGA even better?"
I love talking about ideas, finding solutions, and helping create experiences that members will remember for years to come. Whether it's a horse show, a new activity at State, or simply making someone feel welcome, I enjoy being part of building something bigger than myself.
