Applejack Stables, LLC
About the Staff
Leigh
Leigh has been riding and working with horses since the age of eight (8). She volunteered much of her free time
at her lesson barns in Westchester, NY for most of her youth. She then went on to attend Johnson and Wales in
Rhode Island for Equine Business Management and riding.
In between her college years she rode thoroughbred racehorses, became a certified riding instructor
through ARIA and ran summer camps at a local barn. In addition, she also competes in Barrel racing.
Leigh's passion and love for horses has inspired her to pursue a lifelong career surrounded by the horses she loves so much.
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Julia
Julia has been a horse lover all her life, riding and working with horses since she was 10 years old and getting her first horse at the age of 13. Now, she owns three horses: Lightning, a Thoroughbred; Jackson, a Quarter Horse; and Peanut, an adorable miniature horse. Throughout her riding career, Julia has shown locally on all of her horses and, most recently, trained with an accomplished dressage instructor to learn and train her own horse in the discipline. She has watched and learned from many professionals over the years and has always wanted to share the knowledge she has gained.
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Julia has been working at Applejack, teaching beginner and intermediate lessons for several years now. She loves teaching students the basics of riding and helping them improve their skills both on the ground and in the saddle. Julia enjoys introducing children to the wonderful world of horses, but her greatest joy comes from introducing horses to adults who have dreamt of getting back in the saddle or riding for the first time.
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Emme
Emmeline is a passionate and dedicated equestrian with a lifelong connection to horses. She began working with horses at the age of eight and has spent years developing her skills both in and out of the saddle, showing locally and showing IEA. Over time, her focus naturally evolved into teaching, and for the past year she has been an instructor at Applejack Stables, where she specializes in riding lessons for a range of ages and experience levels.
Emme’s teaching philosophy is rooted in classical dressage principles, combined with a strong emphasis on positive reinforcement, for both horse and rider. She believes that clear communication, mutual respect, and thoughtful guidance are key to helping students build confidence and connection with their equine partners.
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Marissa
Marissa has been riding and working with horses since the age of 9. She began her equestrian journey by volunteering daily at a local barn, where she gained hands-on experience in horse care, barn management, and assisting with lessons. Over the years, she has worked with riders of all ages and skill levels, with a special focus on helping those struggling with confidence issues achieve their goals in the saddle.
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Marissa has experience in both English and Western disciplines and actively competes at local shows. She has been teaching at Applejack stables for over a year now, helping people of all ages find the love for horseback riding. Marissa is dedicated to helping riders grow both in and out of the saddle, creating a lifelong love for horses and riding.
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Joan
When Joan was a horse-crazed little girl growing up in a non-horsey Massachusetts suburb, she never dreamed she would end up teaching and riding to her heart's content. Joan took lessons here and there as a child, but there were few opportunities. However, once she was on her own and could pay for lessons, she rode as much as possible and eventually leased a horse.
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Joan met Leigh at Cimarron Ranch 14 years ago when she wanted to get back into riding as her children were now older. Leigh needed a Saturday instructor, and it worked out perfectly. Joan taught on Saturdays and weekdays in the summer, eventually running summer camps and their recreational/therapeutic program for special needs riders, whom they took to the Special Olympics.
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It has always been important to Joan to be a good teacher with well-thought-out plans and steps. Over the years, she has taught subjects as diverse as lifeguarding, social work, and riding. Joan loves teaching both adults and children and welcomes beginner and intermediate riders alike.
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It continues to be her greatest joy to provide both children and adults with what she had longed for so badly as a child. It never ceases to make her smile when she sees their faces light up as they interact with these amazing animals and experience the excitement when things begin to click.
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