Ruth Hill-Schorsch - Owner/Trainer
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Ruth continues to pursue her own education with lessons, clinics and varied USDF educational opportunities on a regular basis. Ruth has ridden regularly with FEI "I" and USEF "S" Judge Jeanne McDonald, FEI "C" and USEF "S" judge and USDF Lifetime Achievement recipient Maryal Barnet, and FEI Trainer and USDF Gold Medalist Teah Bankes.
Originally from England, Ruth has lived in the USA since 1993, and became a citizen in 2007. Ruth holds a B.S. in Psychology and an M.A. in Human Resources from Michigan State University and has many years teaching and training experience. She has shown through the FEI levels to Grand Prix earning her USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold medals and Silver Freestyle Bar. All USDF medals she has earned on Allegro, a self made horse she bought as a 3yr old. Ruth placed in the top 20 in the USDF HOY rankings in 2012 with her own gelding Zhonner at Third Level with a median score of 69.4%. Ruth has earned many USDF and All-Breed Awards from Training through Grand Prix on a variety of types of horses. In addition, she has attended and qualified for Regional Championships each year. She has also won many Midwest Dressage Association Championships with her own and clients' horses. |
Ruth brings her own and clients' horses through the levels with classical dressage training in a kind and patient manner. These horses have gone on to successfully show at USDF shows and win a variety of Show Championships and USDF/USEF National Year End awards.
Ruth coaches the Michigan State Dressage Team and enjoys working with these young adults and continuing their dressage education while they attend MSU. The Team has attended the Intercollegiate Dressage Association National Championships with at least one rider each year since Ruth began coaching the Team. The Team has also had several members win National Championships over the years. Ruth is an engaging Teacher who enjoys teaching all levels of students from young beginners through competitive adults. Ruth's students have been successful both in their personal goals and in the show ring. Ruth is available for lessons, training, sales and clinics.
Ruth coaches the Michigan State Dressage Team and enjoys working with these young adults and continuing their dressage education while they attend MSU. The Team has attended the Intercollegiate Dressage Association National Championships with at least one rider each year since Ruth began coaching the Team. The Team has also had several members win National Championships over the years. Ruth is an engaging Teacher who enjoys teaching all levels of students from young beginners through competitive adults. Ruth's students have been successful both in their personal goals and in the show ring. Ruth is available for lessons, training, sales and clinics.
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Assistant Trainer - Katie O'Brien
Katie has ridden with Ruth since she began attending MSU. She moved into the Assistant Trainer position at Stapleton Farm in September of 2015 and works as Ruth's right hand person. She is an integral part of our Team. She works under Ruth's tutelage to do some of the training for the younger horses in addition to teaching beginner lessons. She has a strong foundation and spends a lot of time on ground work as well as under saddle work. Her positive attitude and desire to always bring out the best in people and horses makes her an invaluable asset to the Stapleton Farm Team. She is currently continuing her riding education, pursuing her Silver medal having earned her Bronze medal in 2017. In 2016 She was the Junior Training Level Champion for USDF Region 2. She has Ridden through Fourth Level and hopes to finish her Silver medal scores in 2018. |
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Taylor Jones Am Barn Manager
Taylor has been part of the barn for many years. She started as Barn Manager in 2016 and is an invaluable asset. Her attention to detail and meticulous nature make her the ideal barn manager. She keeps us on track and makes sure everything runs smoothly when Ruth's schedule is hectic. 
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Eliza Zahm Am Barn Manager
Eliza is our newest full time manager. She partners with Taylor to make the Am Barn Manager position seamless. Eliza brings a wonderful positive attitude to the job and enjoys working with all types of horses. She can always be found with bribes (treats) in her pocket. 
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Erin Hurd- Schafer - Evening Barn Manager
Erin does evening chores at the barn and has ridden with Ruth for many years. She enjoys working with her gelding Sterling and is a wonderful asset to the farm due to her years of experience and positive attitude. Her kind demeanor and passion towards the horses shows in all her work. 
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Mike Schorsch - Owner and Master of Repairs and Maintenance
Ruth's Husband Mike is an integral part of the farm. He supports the farm with his civil engineer skills often adding to or building new features of the farm. You'll often see Mike out working on the farm on the weekends. Ruth feels incredibly lucky to have such a supportive husband and looks forward to watching Mike teach their son Robin all of his barn maintenance skills! When not being a slave to the barn Mike enjoys Drumming and Running (really long distances!).
Ruth's Husband Mike is an integral part of the farm. He supports the farm with his civil engineer skills often adding to or building new features of the farm. You'll often see Mike out working on the farm on the weekends. Ruth feels incredibly lucky to have such a supportive husband and looks forward to watching Mike teach their son Robin all of his barn maintenance skills! When not being a slave to the barn Mike enjoys Drumming and Running (really long distances!).