MEET THE TEAM
Chagrin Valley Farms’ team of camp and lesson riding instructors share the philosophy that riding should always be fun and safe and they know how to provide a positive experience for every level of rider. If you are looking for additional services—horse training, coaching at horse shows on the road, buying or selling horses and ponies, Chagrin Valley Farms-based trainers can help you transition to the next level.
KATIE STOCKDALE
Katie has been riding and working with horses for nearly 20 years. She graduated from Lake Erie College with degrees in Equine Facility Management and Equine Teaching and Training. With experience in hunt seat, stadium jumping, dressage and cross country, as well as western and trail riding, she has taught students of all ages and abilities. Katie has also groomed for several top dressage trainers, managed show horse facilities, and ridden her Pony of the Americas in jumpers and dressage.
CARI GLEESON & EMILY ALINEN
Cari grew up showing ponies in New England. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education at Ohio University, she taught elementary school for 10 years while pursuing a career on the A circuit as an Amateur rider. After her first daughter was born she left the public school system, but continued to show and began training as a career. She and assistant trainer, Emily Alinen, specialize in starting young ponies and horses and always have horses available for sale or lease. Emily grew up riding and showing and after graduating from Hiram College she joined Cari in the business and is one of the busiest young pros around.
RANDE & KELBY MELLEN
Rande is a lifelong equestrian originally from the Boston area who rode hunter horses and evented. She was an A Pony Clubber. She has been training hunters since 1986 and raised her own family of riders who competed at the national level. Daughter Kelby works with her in the business and Rande trains riders of all ages from pony kids to adult hunters. She specializes in pony hunters and young riders and has horses for sale and lease.
JULIE MCELHANEY
Julie is a life-long equestrian specializing in Eventing, the tri-fecta of horse competitions involving Cross-Country, Dressage and Stadium Jumping. Her students ride through Preliminary level. Julie has competed successfully through Advanced Level Eventing at Morven Park CCI, Radnor CCI, and ridden through Prix St George Dressage. She rides with Canadian Pan Am rider Waylon Roberts, as well as Eventer Robin Walker, and is active with CANTER of Ohio. Julie works with riders and horses of all levels. She has her own business, Four Star Sport Horses in Chardon, OH.