Kim Russell
Current Horses:
I’m Perfect – 15yr TB mare evented through Preliminary level
Alpengeist – 6yr Oldenburg gelding evented through Preliminary Level
“I have been riding with Courtney for around 20 years. I started eventing after I joined pony club and started leasing a horse in middle school. I started riding with Courtney when I was 16, and I was one of her first working students in Pennsylvania. When I went to college in Virginia I continued to ride with Courtney during the summer and on school breaks. I also spent the winter as a working student with Courtney in Florida the year between college and veterinary school.
“Courtney has helped me start several off the track thoroughbreds in eventing, and has helped develop the two homebred horses I have. My first homebred was the East Coast Young Event Horse reserve champion, and with Courtney’s help I brought her up through Preliminary level before sending her to Courtney to be sold when I became pregnant. My second homebred, Alpengeist, just moved up to Preliminary level with Courtney.
“I have continued to ride with Courtney because I always trust her to push me hard enough to ride to the best of my ability, while not pushing me beyond my limits. Throughout the years Courtney has not only been a great coach but also a good friend, and is one of the few people I trust to send my horses to when I have been unable to ride them myself. I always know they will receive the best care and expert training while they are with her.”
Kelly & Seth Beaver
Current Horses:
Kelly’s horse is Sempre Fino (Hobbs), a 16 year old TB gelding evented through CCI**.
Seth’s horse is Mr. Bojangles (Jango), a 15 year old Canadian Warmblood evented through Preliminary.
Kelly began her riding career in Middleburg, VA at the age of 6. She was active in Hunters/Jumpers until moving to Pennsylvania at the age of 11 when she transitioned to eventing and became active in Pony Club. She evented through Training level before attending Lehigh University. While beginning her career Kelly met Seth at UGI Utilities and introduced him to eventing and he caught the bug. Seth was new to riding and they bought a quarter horse for him to learn. As Kelly and Seth progressed through the levels they were both in search of new equine partners when they met Courtney.
Kelly’s goal had always been to ride at the upper levels, but finding the right team had been a struggle. Kelly bought Hobbs from Courtney in 2010 and began training with her shortly after that and were able to achieve their goal of completing Fairhill CCI** in October 2015. Courtney found Jango for Seth in 2013 and they have had much success at the Novice and Training level, most recently moving up to Preliminary.
“Courtney’s biggest contribution to my riding program has been her support and help for me to build confidence in my ability. She is tough, but encouraging and continues to challenge me. She allows you to learn from your mistakes and makes you feel like you can succeed without being perfect. She truly cares about helping us reach our goals while keeping our horses happy and healthy. She has helped Seth and I find perfect equine partners and I wouldn’t buy or sell my horse with anyone else in the future. Hobbs and Jango have taken both Seth and I further than we ever could have imagined.” ~Kelly
“Courtney allows us to be part of her journey in the sport as well. It was amazing to watch her achieve one of her dreams completing Rolex in 2016 on her homebred, Who’s a Star (Tag). We have seen how dedicated she is to her craft and her horses and were thrilled to be there with her at Rolex. This dedication has, and continues to inspire us as equestrian athletes. She has a huge support system through the relationships she’s cultivated over the years. It’s obvious when you see how many people were rooting for her that she is one of the most supportive professionals out there and constantly exhibits true horsemanship.” ~Seth
Robin King
Current Horse:
Jonny – Young TB Gelding competed through Novice level
Most of Robin’s riding has been in the dressage and hunter/jumper arenas. Because of her military career, riding was always a hit or miss kind of thing. She might get to ride for a few years, and then at her next assignment, there might not have been time or opportunity to ride. It wasn’t until 2011 while she was stationed in Washington that she was able to start eventing. When she came to Maryland for her last duty assignment, she was introduced to Courtney by her trainer in Washington. Shortly before retiring, Robin purchased a young OTTB from California. He came with her and her other unraced TB from Washington to Maryland.
“I am so grateful for Courtney’s help with everything. My horse, Jonny, can be a handful sometimes, and with Courtney’s help, we have managed to overcome our (mostly my) issues. I had become a somewhat timid rider, but we have made so much progress. Courtney knows what we can do, and pushes just enough to help us keep moving forward. She is honest and forthright, and I know I can count on her to let me know how Jonny and I can become an even better team. As a result, our confidence and trust in each other has blossomed. I also leave Jonny with Courtney when I have to travel. The additional training helps to smooth out any bad habits he might have developed, and his
care is impeccable.” ~Robin
Lia McGuirk
Current Horse:
Tequila Sonrise, a 12 yr old Warmblood mare competed through Preliminary
“I started riding with Courtney around two years ago after a little urging from a good friend. I was starting to really dive back into eventing after a ‘break’ to be an assistant trainer and ride jump races and Tequila’s failed attempt at broodmare life. We both needed change. My grandmother bred Tequila and she’s been mine since before she hit the ground. I had managed to compete her through Training but we needed help. Courtney has been exactly what we needed. She’s pushed us when we needed it and more importantly took us back when we needed it. We did our first Prelim summer of 2017! I am so grateful for what she has done and continues to do for both of us. Not only has she helped me with my mare but I have also brought both young and seasoned hurdle horses for lessons. When I was hurt she even gave my strictly jump jockey/ fox hunting boyfriend (he almost died when she asked him to sit in the saddle at the canter) lessons on a young horse. We always have fun and there is always something to learn with Courtney and that’s what I love!”
Campbell Jones
Current Horse:
Aura CF, an 8 year old Oldenburg mare
Campbell Jones, a middle school student, makes the trip from Ann Arbor, Michigan to Aiken, SC and Nottingham, PA to train under and compete with Courtney as her coach. Campbell’s parents feel that, “Courtney does such a nice job balancing safety with encouragement through positive coaching. She has built a good deal of confidence in our daughter, and has been so good to work with in so many ways.” Campbell rode the AA pony hunters throughout the Midwest for several years before transitioning to eventing in 2016. Her horse of a lifetime, “Sophie,”, helped teach her the eventing ropes and took her from tadpole to the top of the 2018 USEA junior Novice leaderboard. In September 2018, with Courtney at her side and after 9 blue ribbons at Novice this year, Campbell successfully stepped up to training level with Aura CF. She is looking forward one day to making a run for NAJYRC, with Courtney’s support.
