photos courtesy of Al Cook and Ron Peterson Photography

Stephanie (Scherer) McCallister, School Program Manager and Assistant Instructor:

Stephanie joined our Stonehouse Stables family immediately following her May 2006 graduation from Sweet Briar College (Virginia).  There she earned a degree in Biology with a certificate in Equine Studies – Teaching and Schooling - and was active as an undergraduate in Sweet Briar’s Riding Program Advisory Committee and Riding Council.  She also served as a teaching assistant for three years at the Sweet Briar College Roger’s Riding Center where she taught beginner riders (students and faculty), planned and carried out trail rides and games, and educated student on the basics of riding and horse care.  She has worked as an instructor and as Recreational Assistant Riding Director at Camp Friendship Stables in Palmyra, Virginia.  In addition, Stephanie has extensive experience as a groom and stable worker during summers and as a part-time weekend worker, working in stables of 20 to 40 horses.  She is also First Aid and CPR certified. 

Stephanie grew up around horses on her mother’s horse breeding farm in Natural Bridge, Virginia, specializing in riding and training ponies.  Contact Stephanie via e-mail at ssMcCallister@cox.net or ask for her when you call 757-566-0666.  She recently established the Stonehouse Riding Academy, creating structured learning programs as a fun way to learn more about good horsemanship.

Allison A. Harcourt, Assistant Instructor:

A graduate of Old Dominion University with a BA in English, Allison Harcourt brings extensive equine experience to the Stonehouse Stables staff.  She is also no stranger to our barn family as her daughter Rachael has been riding at Stonehouse for several years. 

Mrs. Harcourt has in-depth horse experience in many areas including pony club (where she achieved a “B” level rating), eventing through the training level, coach and driving professional experience, hunt seat riding instruction, Hunter Trials and Hunter Paces, barn management, and amateur as well as professional hunt experience.  She has also owned her own horses as well as showed ponies and horses at both local and A-rated hunter shows.

Mrs. Harcourt will provide beginner and intermediate riding instruction, including weekend instruction. Contact Allison via e-mail at ssharcourt@cox.net or ask for her when you call 757-566-0666

Audrey Smith,  Part Time Instructor:

Audrey Smith is an avid horse enthusiast with years of riding and showing experience in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Virginia.  She is an honor graduate with a degree in International Relations from Denison University where she completed course work in Eventing as a founding member of the club equestrian team on campus.  Audrey’s daughters Lucy and Ramsay also ride at Stonehouse Stables.  The family owns Parker Ranger and long-time school pony, Pumpkin Patch who has recently been retired and is living in Pennsylvania on a family farm.  Audrey teaches on Sundays and is involved with our winter/spring and summer camps.

Megan, a May 2009 graduate of Virginia Tech with a B.S. degree in Equine Science, joins the Stonehouse Stables staff in the newly created position of Operations Manager.  You will find her overseeing horse care as well as managing many office functions.  Megan, in addition to her formal studies, has spent the last four years working her way through college in various equine related jobs in the Blacksburg, Virginia area.  Her work has included overseeing feeding, grooming, medical care and pasture management for  approximately 50 horses and maintaining a 36 stall barn.  A scholarship recipient at Virginia Tech, Megan hales from Pulaski, Virginia.  Megan owns a five year old Saddlebred named Gettysburg or Charlie.  The pair are currently working on dressage and eventing and have been together since Charlie was a two year old. 

If you need to contact her please email her at ssmartrip@cox.net or call 757-566-0666 for further assistance.