The Secret Lives of Maryland Horse People

What they do when they are not doing horses!

Do you have a passion outside of horses?
Email a photo and caption to editor@equiery.com for future editions.

Melanie Biemiller

Melanie Biemiller

Runner

Melanie Biemiller, executive director of Maryland Horse Rescue, finds stress release in running. She ran her first marathon at age 50 and has also run several half-marathons. Melanie also ran a 200-mile, 36-hour relay race from Gettysburg, PA to Washington, DC! (appeared in the March 2017 issue of The Equiery)

Fritz Boniface

Fritz Boniface

Singer & Musician

Jump jockey Fritz Boniface of Havre de Grace sings and plays the guitar.
(appeared in the Nov. 2016 issue of The Equiery)

John Brophy

John Brophy

Musician

Kiser Scholar and steeplechase jockey John Brophy (far left) playing the fiddle at Fair Hill International.
(appeared in the Oct. 2016 issue of The Equiery)

Sheila Jackson Brown

Sheila Jackson Brown

Singer

Green Spring Hounds MFH Sheila Jackson Brown singing at the MSA Governor’s Cup awards reception.
(appeared in the Oct. 2016 issue of The Equiery)

William "Beaver" Brown

William "Beaver" Brown

Basketball

Periwinkle Farm manager William “Beaver” Brown, pictured here with boarder Jean Peterson, shows off his basketball skills each year at the Howard County Fair.
(appeared in the Oct. 2016 issue of The Equiery)

Gretchen Butts

Gretchen Butts

Runner

Waredaca co-owner and eventing judge/official Gretchen Butts, pictured here completing the Disney Half Marathon this past January, is an avid runner.
(appeared in the Nov. 2016 issue of The Equiery)

Kate Calvert and Kerry Blackmer

Kate Calvert and Kerry Blackmer

Athletes Serving Athletes

Eventers Kate Calvert and Kerry Blackmer, pictured here with Terrence Ridley at the Charles Street 12 Miler, participate in a program called Athletes Serving Athletes. It is a Maryland-based nonprofit that helps those living with disabilities compete in mainstream running and triathlon events. “Everyone deserves to feel the thrill and sense of accomplishment that comes from crossing a finish line,” Kerry said.
(appeared in the Nov. 2016 issue of The Equiery)

Nicki Carson

Nicki Carson

Dog Trainer

Dressage rider and trainer Nicki Carson will be competing at the Can Am Classic, largest flyball tournament in the U.S. with her dog Trixie.
(appeared in the Oct. 2016 issue of The Equiery)

Tom Crouse

Tom Crouse

Musician

Tom Crouse of Maryland Equine Dental is in a band called Gravy.
(appeared in the Jan. 2017 issue of The Equiery)

Mike Cosgrove, Bruce Davis, Matt Cosgrove & Frank Scarpa

Mike Cosgrove, Bruce Davis, Matt Cosgrove & Frank Scarpa

Sharp Shooters

Goshen Hunt members Mike Cosgrove, Bruce Davis, Matt Cosgrove and Frank Scarpa won first place at the HCIBH sporting clay shoot on August 21.
(appeared in the Oct. 2016 issue of The Equiery)

Patti Davidson Schindler

Patti Davidson Schindler

Champion Green Thumb

Patti Davidson Schindler of Reisterstown has been winning in the hunter circuit on the national level for over 35 years. But when she is not showing, Patti is putting together award-winning flower and greenery arrangements. This year, as a first time exhibitor at the Maryland State Fair, Patti won several first place premiums and was ultimately chosen as winner of the Hellen Burns Smyth Award, a memorial award given in memory of Maryland horsewoman Hellen Burns Smyth, who died in 1997. Like Patti, Hellen was a champion amateur show hunter rider who also enjoyed exhibiting her works at the State Fair. The award is given annually to the entry that the judges’ panel, including members of Hellen’s family, believes has surpassed all others, from a selection of finalists in nine different Home Arts and Farm & Garden categories.
(appeared in the Oct. 2017 issue of The Equiery)

Linda Davis

Linda Davis

Dalmatian Breeder/Handler

Equiery photographer Linda Davis breeds champion Dalmatians. Her stud dog “Taco” (Snapshots Don’t Spill the Beans) is the first dog in AKC history to have earned both the CAX9 and CAX10 titles in lure coursing.
(appeared in the March 2017 issue of The Equiery)

Holly Feather

Holly Feather

Musician

Frederick County 4-H Therapeutic Riding program volunteer Holly Feather is the director of the Rohrersville Band and also plays in the FCC Wind ensemble and FCC String ensemble.
(appeared in the Dec. 2016 issue of The Equiery)

Suzy Floyd

Suzy Floyd

Shooting Instructor

Dressage and natural horsemanship trainer, coach and judge Suzy Floyd (pictured left) of Brookeville is also a Maryland State Police Qualified Handgun Instructor and Maryland Handgun Instructor Licensee. She graduated with achievement from Sig Sauer Academy as a Semi-Auto Pistol Instructor, Patrol Rifle Instructor and Shotgun Instructor. She also holds several NRA certifications and is the chairperson for the Montgomery County, Maryland Firearms Safety Committee.
(appeared in the Nov. 2016 issue of The Equiery)

Cassie Frederick

Cassie Frederick

Long-Distance Cyclist

Carrollton Hounds whipper-in Cassie Frederick is also a long-distance cyclist participating in rides from 25 to 110 miles long. “It’s fantastic cross-training for riding as it uses many of the same muscle groups,” she stated.
(appeared in the Nov. 2016 issue of The Equiery)

David Geyer

David Geyer

Chef

David Geyer of Celebration Farm (Union Bridge) is a chef in his “spare” time.
(appeared in the Jan. 2017 issue of The Equiery)

Toby Gibbon

Toby Gibbon

Musician

Woodbine trainer Toby Gibbon plays a variety of instruments with the Frederick Community College Wind ensemble, FCC String ensemble and the Rohrersville Community Concert Band, which is the third oldest band in the country.
(appeared in the Dec. 2016 issue of The Equiery)

Susan Graham White

Susan Graham White

Musician and Singer

Known in her equestrian career as a successful dressage competitor, trainer and judge, Susan Graham White of Port Republic is also a well-known musician and singer. Susan has just completed the finishing touches on an extraordinary new album, “Lost Art,” with an impressive range of songs that represents the best of her ever-evolving talent and devotion to meticulous song craft. A two-time Washington Area Music Association winner for Songwriter of the Year, the former member of Hazlewood (with Grace Griffith) turned three CDs into a solo career. She co-wrote songs with the industry luminaries like Tom Paxton, and shared the stage with DC’s most respected studio and touring musicians. Her most recent performance was on August 9 at Rams Head Live in Annapolis. The concert was a benefit for Progressive Equestrian Therapeutic Services, Inc.
(appeared in the Sept. 2017u issue of The Equiery)

Ned Halle, Bill Mayo and Jody Westerlund

Ned Halle, Bill Mayo and Jody Westerlund

Musicians

Foxhunters Ned Halle, Bill Mayo and Jody Westerlund play in a bluegrass band called the Lonesome Foxhunters.
(appeared in the Nov. 2016 issue of The Equiery)

Elisa Harvey

Elisa Harvey

World Vets Organization

Polocrosse player and former Redland Pony Club mom, Elisa Harvey of Sandy Spring is a recreational rider and Fjord lover. A veterinarian by profession, in her spare time, Elisa donates her services to the World Vets organization. Her most recent trip was this past summer to Nicaragua where she and other World Vets provided free veterinary care for working horses as well as dogs and cats. Her next trip will be to Cambodia this fall for a spay and neuter trip.
(appeared in the Sept. 2017 issue of The Equiery)

Natalie Hollis

Natalie Hollis

Tough Mudder

Eventer Natalie Hollis of Destination Farm has been participating in Tough Mudder competitions since 2011 with fellow eventers Suzannah Cornue and Kerry Blackmer.
(appeared in the Dec. 2016 issue of The Equiery)

Chip Howard, Burley Cocks, Chuck Gittings and Govane McClees

Chip Howard, Burley Cocks, Chuck Gittings and Govane McClees

Sharp Shooters

The winning team from the New Market-Middletown Valley sporting clay shoot on September 11, last competition in the Royal United series: Chip Howard, Burley Cocks, Chuck Gittings and Govane McClees of Elkridge-Harford.
(appeared in the Oct. 2016 issue of The Equiery)

Tim Keefe

Tim Keefe

Ironman

Thoroughbred racehorse trainer and Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association president Tim Keefe (Sandy Spring) also competes in Ironman Triathlons.
(appeared in the Oct. 2016 issue of The Equiery)

Brenda Klaunberg

Brenda Klaunberg

Beekeeper

Brenda Klaunberg (Mt. Airy), a.k.a. “senior equine caregiver,” is a beekeeper who keeps her bees in nonconventional horizontal hives and then moves them to traditional Langstroth hives.
(appeared in the Nov. 2016 issue of The Equiery)

Toni Koerber

Toni Koerber

Foxhound Owner/Breeder/Handler

Real estate agent Toni Koerber breeds and shows champion foxhounds.
(appeared in the Oct. 2016 issue of The Equiery)

Keith Kohr, Alex DuPont, Steph Butts Kohr, Cami Pease, Dr. Peter Radue, Mark Gasser, Dr. Edward Radue & Meg Belcher

Keith Kohr, Alex DuPont, Steph Butts Kohr, Cami Pease, Dr. Peter Radue, Mark Gasser, Dr. Edward Radue & Meg Belcher

Trail Runners

They may be veterinarians, brew masters, trainers, event riders and scientists during the week but these professionals are also avid runners. Together they participated in the Ragnar Relay Trail Race in West Virginia at the end of the summer in which each member of the team ran one leg of the race in relay fashion.
Pictured front row from left: Keith Kohr (Waredaca Brewing Company), Alex DuPont (John Hopkins Applied Physics Lab and event rider), Steph Butts Kohr (SK Eventing and Waredaca Brewing Company), Cami Pease (Government Accountability Office and event rider); back row from left: Dr. Peter Radue (Damascus Equine Associates), Mark Gasser (molecular biologist at the University of Maryland School of Medicine), Dr. Edward Radue (Damascus Equine Associates) and Meg Belcher (Zoetis pharmaceuticals representative)
(appeared in the Oct. 2017 issue of The Equiery)

LuAnne Levens

LuAnne Levens

Motorcyclist

LuAnne Levens of Periwinkle Farm is a new motorcycle mama on her Honda 250.
(appeared in the Oct. 2016 issue of The Equiery)

Pam Link

Pam Link

Explorer

Equiery photographer, and avid traveler, Pam Link (Harwood) enjoying the Sleeping Bear Dunes in Michigan.
(appeared in the Oct. 2016 issue of The Equiery)

Arthur and Nancy Lisi

Arthur and Nancy Lisi

Musicians

Standardbred horsemen Arthur and Nancy Lisi (Ft. Washington) play in a variety of bands including the KingStreet Bluegrass.
(appeared in the Jan. 2017 issue of The Equiery)

Allie Listrani Panetta

Allie Listrani Panetta

Singer

When she is not training horses or riders out of her family’s Walnut Pond Farm in Montgomery County, she is getting trained herself in voice, vocal and singing – these days, jazz.
“I have been singing my entire life. I enjoy singing the anthem at some of the big shows. Singing keeps when sane when horses make me crazy.”
(appeared in the July 2017 issue of The Equiery)

Alisa Matricciani

Alisa Matricciani

Dog Owner/Handler

Alisa Matricciani of Parkton is a lifelong hunter and jumper rider. She has been a member of the Maryland Horse Shows Association and Baltimore County Horse Show Association for most of her life, and has served as an MHSA board member. When not showing horses, Alisa is showing Australian Shepherds, specifically ASCA/AKC CH Windham Hill Dream Doll, a.k.a. Millie.
Alisa purchased Millie as a four-month-old from Windham Hill Aussies in Paris, Kentucky, which also happens to be a well-respected Thoroughbred breeding farm. Millie started showing at six months old in puppy classes at AKC shows. When she was 18 months old, she went to the Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA) Nationals and won the 12-18 puppy sweeps class under judge Sunday Miles. “We continued to show AKC shows for the next six months when we went to the AKC Australian Shepherd nationals in April 2016. There she placed fourth out of 10 in the open red Merle class!” said Alisa.
After AKC nationals, Millie went out with a professional handler Maria Neff to finish her ASCA Championship, and finished it in only one week! She continued to stay with Maria throughout the summer and showed in the AKC ring. Millie finished her AKC championship in March of this year at a show in New Jersey. “Now that she is finished her championship we will start working on rally and dock diving, but first we will be going to ASCA Nationals in College Station Texas in October,” Alisa said adding, “Hopefully in the spring of 2018, Millie will have puppies!”
(appeared in the Sept. 2017 issue of The Equiery)

Terri Moebuis

Terri Moebuis

Dog Owner/Handler

Terri Moebuis of Silver Run, pictured here with Ashland’s I Love Lucy of Moebest, also shows Miniature American Shepherds.
(appeared in the Dec. 2016 issue of The Equiery)

Denise Parsons

Denise Parsons

Autocross

Most people know Denise Parsons as the lady in charge and co-owner of Horse World Expo. Well, when she is not organizing Expo, riding horses or lobbying for the elimination of “Big Lick” soring in the Tennessee Walking Horse industry, she can be found fishing competitively, participating in K-9 sports with her Weimaraners and Golden Retriever, and most recently, racing in Autocrossing.
(appeared in the Nov. 2016 issue of The Equiery)

Crystal Brumme Pickett

Crystal Brumme Pickett

Breeder/Owner of American Cocker Spaniel Competition Gun Dogs

Equiery publisher, Crystal Brumme Pickett (Joint Master of the Howard County-Iron Bridge Hounds) and her Master Hunter American Cocker Spaniel Madison’s For the Life of Pride (field name Zoe) on an upland hunt with friends. Photo by Katherine Rizzo.
(appeared in the March 2017 issue of The Equiery)

Judy Schaefer

Judy Schaefer

Beach Volleyball Player

Judy Schaefer plays beach volleyball, pictured here as setter at the co-ed quads at Baltimore Beach, when she’s not showing in the hunter ring.
(appeared in the March 2017 issue of The Equiery)

Jo-Ann Schaudies

Jo-Ann Schaudies

Hound Owner/Breeder/Handler

Hunter/jumper judge and trainer Jo-Ann Schaudies, pictured here with GCH Rebel Hound’s Rock-n-Roll of Surmont also breeds and shows Basset Hounds.
(appeared in the Nov. 2016 issue of The Equiery)

Andrea Seefeldt Knight

Andrea Seefeldt Knight

Competitive Marksman

Former jockey Andrea Seefeldt Knight (Butler) is a competitive marksman both locally, nationally and internationally, competing for Team USA in Dubai!
(appeared in the Jan. 2017 issue of The Equiery)

Rebecca Smith

Rebecca Smith

Musician

Rebecca Smith may be a horse show mom and groom extraordinaire by day but she changes out her barn clothes and muck boots for concert black by night to play the harp at the Kennedy Center and other venues. She was the principal harpist for the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra before her daughter was born and now freelances at the Kennedy Center and other places.
(appeared in the March 2017 issue of The Equiery)

Liam Straton

Liam Straton

Falconer

Farrier Liam Straton just earned his falconry license.
(appeared in the Jan. 2017 issue of The Equiery)

Allison Stoner

Allison Stoner

Swine Handler

Pony clubber Allison Stoner of Taneytown shows purebred swine like this 608lb Yorkshire sow, both regionally and nationally.
(appeared in the Dec. 2016 issue of The Equiery)

Marla Stoner

Marla Stoner

Dog Owner/Handler

When Montgomery County dressage rider Marla Stoner needs to get away from her duties as co-chair of the PVDA Sugarloaf Mountain Chapter, she goes to the dogs.
“My 20-month-old ‘puppy,’ Eagletarn Mistral Wind RN CGC (“Thrill”), is shown here winning a Hat Trick award at this year’s Flat-Coated Retriever Society of America (FCRSA) National Specialty, May 16-19 in Clymer, NY. To win a Hat Trick award, the dog had to qualify/place in three of the five venues. Thrill qualified in Beginner Novice Obedience for his second leg, and qualified in Rally Novice for his third leg which gave him the RN title and he placed second in his conformation class. I’m very proud of my puppy!”
(appeared in the July 2017 issue of The Equiery)

Tim Streaker

Tim Streaker

Metal Detector

Although he purchased his first metal detector in 2004, he didn’t get serious with it until about 2013––and now Howard County’s Tim Streaker is the president of the Maryland Artifact Recovery Society. Does it somehow make sense that a farrier would end up being a metal detector?
“My best find would have to be the sterling silver shoe buckle from silversmiths Joseph and Nathaniel Richardson, approximately 1770; there is a matching pair in the Philadelphia Museum of Art. My oldest silver coin is a Spanish reales 1775. My most desired bucket-list coin would be an early silver U.S. coin; we only made them from the 1790s for about 10 years.
“My most surprising and odd find would be a Chinese penny, which must have been dropped by an immigrant.
“Several years ago, metal detecting on Sanibel Beach, I found a black-encrusted Spanish silver coin from the 1600s, real pirate treasure! I was over the moon! For weeks I worked at cleaning it, until I cleaned it so well – a beautiful Spanish coin! I should not have cleaned it that well. On the bottom, it said “copy.” The beach novelty shop was selling them for six bucks.
(appeared in the July 2017 issue of The Equiery)

Lauren Sumner

Lauren Sumner

Musician

Eventer, trainer and Redland Pony Club graduate Lauren Sumner is a solo acoustic singer and guitarist performing at local venues, events and restaurants around the DC metropolitan area.
(appeared in the Dec. 2016 issue of The Equiery)

Jennifer Webster

Jennifer Webster

Runner

Equiery associate publisher Jennifer Webster is not only a foxhunter and show rider (as well as full-time mom!) she is also an avid runner.
(appeared in the March 2017 issue of The Equiery)

Regina Welsh

Regina Welsh

Competitive Sailor

Regina Welsh of U.S. Pony Racing sails competitively when not training steeplechase horses and ponies.
(appeared in the Oct. 2016 issue of The Equiery)