photos curtsey of Al Cook and Ron Peterson Photography

Photo's of Tara and Stephanie Curtsey of Ron Peterson's Photography.

Stephanie Scherer,  Assistant Instructor:

Stephanie joined our Stonehouse Stables family immediately following her May 2006 graduation from Sweet Briar College (Virginia).  There she earned a degree in Biology with a certificate in Equine Studies – Teaching and Schooling - and was active as an undergraduate in Sweet Briar’s Riding Program Advisory Committee and Riding Council.  She also served as a teaching assistant for three years at the Sweet Briar College Roger’s Riding Center where she taught beginner riders (students and faculty), planned and carried out trail rides and games, and educated student on the basics of riding and horse care.  She has worked as an instructor and as Recreational Assistant Riding Director at Camp Friendship Stables in Palmyra, Virginia.  In addition, Stephanie has extensive experience as a groom and stable worker during summers and as a part-time weekend worker, working in stables of 20 to 40 horses.  She is also First Aid and CPR certified. 

Stephanie grew up around horses on her mother’s horse breeding farm in Natural Bridge, Virginia, specializing in riding and training ponies.  Contact Stephanie via e-mail at ssMcCallister@cox.net or ask for her when you call 757-566-0666.  She recently established the Stonehouse Riding Academy, creating structured learning programs as a fun way to learn more about good horsemanship.

Jennifer Gardner,  Barn Staff Manager:

Jennifer has years of experience taking care of your special needs for each individual horse.  She is a long term employee of Stonehouse Stables and is very at good handling young horses and teaching them manners.  Please feel free to contact her with any special concerns you may have with your horse as she will be the one directing the staff to take care of the details that matter most to you and your horse.  She can assist you in mane pulling, body clipping, and in general horse care.  Please contact her via the office or email at ssJLGardner@cox.net. 

Jamie Lynn Brabon, Office Manager and Assistant Instructor:

 A 2006 graduate of Virginia Intermont College in Abington, Virginia, Jamie comes to Stonehouse Stables with a Bachelor’s Degree in Equine Studies and a minor in Business Administration.  She is no stranger to the Stonehouse family, having been a student here for many years and a part-time instructor and trail guide for several summers.  In addition to her degree, she is also an American Riding Instructor Association Certified Instructor in Hunt Seat and is Certified in Stable Management as well.  While in college she competed in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association for Virginia Intermont, riding at the Nationals in 2006.  While her primary interests lie in teaching and showing Hunt Seat, she is also a member of the Intercollegiate Dressage Association and competed as well in Show Jumping and Eventing.  In addition to her previous work at Stonehouse Stables, she worked during college at several horse farms in Southwest Virginia, gaining practical experience while completing formal equine studies.  Jamie and her horse “Wilbur” will add both depth and breadth to the Stonehouse full-time staff.  Her email is ssJBrabon@cox.net.

Teresa Walton, Full Time Office Executive Assistant:

Teresa is here to help communicate all of your horse needs to our staff.  She assists all of our staff with horsey details to ensure that our clients get the attention they desire.  She came to us after owning and operating her own Interior Decorating Company, Unlimited Interiors.  She also was working as a Senior Director of Home Interior for 15 years.  She decided to leave corporate America and pursue a more peaceful and stress free life.

She has always enjoyed being a Stonehouse Stables Family Member along with her 2 daughters.  Here, she has watched her children blossom into educated young riders.  She found herself wanting to spend more time out at the barn and fulfilling the love of horses she had growing up.  She wanted to be more involved, so she joined our team of loving professionals, dedicated to serve your horse needs.  She also has started riding herself and is finding the challenges of riding very exciting. 

Audrey Smith, Part Time Instructor:

Audrey is an avid horse enthusiast with years of experience.  She not only had her own horse as a child, but has two loving girls who are now into horses as well.  Audrey understands the connection between horses and children and just how special that bond can be - just ask Lucy, Ramsay, Sophie or Pumpkin.  We welcome her as an addition to our Stonehouse Stables family.