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| Karen
Mealey is a graduate of Virginia Intermont College, with a major
in Equine Studies. Karen began her equestrian career when she
was eight years old riding ponies and horses in Manchester,
Connecticut. She started showing horses and ponies as a child
and continued through college showing jumpers on the A circuit.
While attending Virginia Intermont, Karen spent her summers
with Carol Lush at Maple Side Farm in Pennsylvania starting
young Thoroughbreds and Warm bloods under saddle, as well as
furthering the training of the older horses, preparing them
for the show ring. After Graduation Karen took a position as
an instructor and trainer at the Westbrook Hunt Club, Westbrook
Connecticut. Karen has operated her own farm for several years
at different locations, before establishing Wonderland Farm
in Leland, NC.
Karen
teaches the intermediate to advanced rider. The foundation
of her teaching method, stresses the form and function of
the rider, that are basic principals established by the greats
such as George Morris.
When Karen takes
on the task of training young horses she closely follows her
basic instinct to gently help the horse learn. Her passion
for the horse drives her to look through the horse’s
eyes, thus helping both horse and rider to work as a unit.
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Karen
Mealey and Rhea |
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| Michael Mealey has a
degree in business management from Murray State University.
After serving in the U.S Army he embarked on a successful career
in business management and corporate sales. As Wonderland Farm
continued to grow, Mike decided to hang up his suit and commit
his full attention to the farm.
Mike is the behind-the-scenes man on the farm, putting everything
together to make the farm go. He works closely with Karen
as they lay the ground work with the young horses. In addition,
he teaches the beginning rider, helping them understand the
basic principles of equitation as they learn the correct and
safe seat. |
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Mike
Mealey |
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