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Lisa Frick, Manager
Lisa with daughter, Holly, riding Orlando, at a local show.

Lisa began her career with horses at age ten. As many young girls do – she worked for rides at local stables in her Maryland hometown. At age 14, with much “sweat equity” under her belt, Lisa earned a job at a local Thoroughbred breeding and sales farm, Country Life Farm. In addition to daily barn care, Lisa attended to the farm’s broodmares, assisted during breeding sessions, and participated in foal watches. She also worked with newborn foals and yearlings, educating them on basic ground manners. Animal Science courses at the University of Maryland kept Lisa learning about horses as she pursued degrees in Business and Journalism. After graduating from college Lisa started a career in Marketing Communications while volunteering as a Youth Minister. When her six-year old daughter asked to ride horses, Lisa returned to her passion. Melding her parenting and youth ministry experience with her fundamental horse foundation, Lisa welcomes beginner riders to Southern Oak Equestrian Center. She teaches our Introductory Course, educating new students on safety rules, grooming techniques, and proper tacking procedures. Lisa also teaches beginner-level lessons and leads the Hi Ho Hunters 4H Club.

 

Lisa Dye, Instructor

 

Lizzy Kramer, Instructor

Lizzy Kramer, is a dynamic instructor who brings the belief that both horse and rider benefit from an enthusiastic, creative atmosphere. Her teaching and training is based in the classical, centered riding philosophy & is customized to focus on each rider’s personal goals. Lizzy’s background includes riding her childhood horses in the hunter ring, competing on the east coast in various hunter circuits and was actively involved in the NC 4-H Horse program. She also gained valuable experience riding overseas with her older sister, an accomplished dressage rider, who resides in Italy. Continuing to work with horses while attending NC State University she began a part-time free-lance instructor service. Following graduation from NCSU, Lizzy began traveling to private farms / homes in the Triangle area to work with riders of all levels as well as their horses. In 2003 she teamed up with Harward Farms in Swift Creek, NC as the private lessons instructor & trainer for their breeding program. Her passion for working with horses and riders led to enrollment in Meredith Manor International Equestrian Centre’s Riding Master program for the purpose of achieving a teaching certification & riding masters. Lizzy graduated from Meredith Manor in August of 2006 with honors. Her concentrations were in Teaching, Riding (Jumping, Dressage, & Western), and Farrier Science. Lizzy was the recipient of the “Excellence in Teaching” Award, and was recognized for her Jumping achievements on a horse she trained and preformed on in quarterly show masters. Lizzy is an active member of the horse community, and enjoys coaching all levels of riders from beginners to upper level competitors. She believes safety comes first, maintains current CPR & First Aid certifications, and considers education to be a lifelong process.

Crista Pritchard Gardner, Instructor

Crista brings to Southern Oaks over 20 years of experience in riding instruction. During the late 70s and early 80s, she taught riding at Meredith College, and competed in dressage through the third level. She served on the NCDCTA board, and organized the Capital Dressage Classics and the 1987 Olympic Dressage Festival. From the late 80s into the 90s, Crista served on the Little River Horse Trial Committee, the NC Veterinary College Foundation Board, and was a Level D Chairperson for the Raleigh Triangle Pony Club for three years. She competed in eventing through the preliminary level, and taught freelance riding lessons in the Triangle area. She also co-managed a barn in Apex, and at Fantasia Stables, she fox-hunted horses and helped break in young thoroughbreds for their racetrack. Currently, Crista is a freelance balance seat, dressage and eventing instructor in North Raleigh, and works with all ages and levels. She also coaches at some shows.

Carol Bijelic, Instructor

 

Debra Moorman, Instructor

Debra grew up on a horse/cattle farm . During that time, she learned about breeding and training young horses. She has used that experience to train various horses throughout the years. Debra started showing at age 6 in Charlotte, NC and continued to ride and compete through her teen years, focusing on the hunter and jumper arenas. An accomplished equestrian athlete, Debra was a member of the Duke University Equestrian Team. Family and children limited Debra's ability to show, however she taught students for several years before focusing on her two children, husband, and career. Debra teaches all lesson levels at SOEC.

Beth Morgan, Instructor

The horse bug hit Beth at the age of eight when she began riding lessons, both hunt seat and western. Her parents bought her first horse at age 12. At age 14, she started her own riding program, teaching children and even a few adults. Beth became an active 4H member during middle school and led the only 4H horse club in my county for several years. She competed in several 4H competitions on the state and national levels. Beth was on a state winning horse bowl team, also claiming the high scoring individual award for that year. She placed second in the State Hippology Contest and went to the National Hippology Contest where her team earned second place. Beth won the state demonstration contest and went to nationals where she received second place. A competitive equestrian, Beth showed on the Eastern North Carolina show circuit during middle school and high school. In addition, she earned a place on the UNC Equestrian team. Beth donated her horse to 4H through the horse donor program when she got married. Her daughter led her back into horses a few years ago when she started riding lessons. Beth teaches beginner level lessons at SOEC and is the leader of the Hi Ho Hunters 4H Club.

Laura Sides, Instructor

Laura started riding lessons at age 7 in Virginia Beach and completed at local schooling shows until age 13 when her family relocated to Statesville, NC. Laura bought her first horse off the racetrack at age 14 and started a career in training and selling horses. She began working at local farms as an exercise rider and trainer at age 16 and has worked for several A circuit trainers. Laura started breaking and training young horses independently for local farmers at age 16. During college, Laura worked at the NCSU Equine Educational Unit, assisted in breeding, imprinting, and starting horses, and also worked as a racetrack exercise jockey. Laura graduated from NCSU in 2006 and became the farm manager/caretaker for Helping Horse Therapeutic Riding Center. Laura currently attends UNC Chapel Hill Pharmacy School. She has two young horses in training and hopes to be a competitive 3-day eventer after graduating. Laura enjoys teaching young riders and sharing her love for horses with others. Laura teaches beginner level lessons at SOEC.

 

Other qualified instructors may fill in for absences, and teach private or beginner lessons.

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