Meet The Team
Karen A. Kelley
Owner & Head Trainer
Karen brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in the Hunter, Jumper and Equitation rings. Riding since the age of seven and born into a family of many successful horsemen, she won multiple championships in the Pony Hunter divisions through the Junior Hunters, as well as the Junior and Amateur Owner Jumpers. She attended Lynchburg College in Lynchburg, Virginia where she studied Communications and Marketing.
Her first professional job was with the Fairfield Hunt Club, working for Emerson Burr. Following the Hunt Club, she spent four years working with Cathy Cram at Cramberry Stables. In 1996, she was hired by Judy and Roger Young and worked for them in Camden for over 7 years. Here, she both rode and taught in their program and had several students make it to all of the finals in Harrisburg, Madison Square Garden, Washington and Devon.
In 2004, Karen moved to Charleston and joined Brick Church Farm. Over her 12 years there, she had many students qualify for National, Zone and local awards, as well as countless championships in just about every division, as well as winning multiple WCHR Year End and Zone Awards herself.
In 2013, Karen was the proud recipient of the WCHR Southeast Trainer Award. During both 2012 and 2013 she qualified her mount “Uncle Luc” for the USHJA International Derby Finals and in 2014 qualified both “Chosen” and “Uncle Luc” for this prestigious class. In 2017 her student, Matthew Bravo, received the inaugural USHJA Foundation Pony Finals grant.
We are proud to have Karen as the head trainer with her incredible horsemanship, excellent training and infectious smile!