Hi there! Let us tell you a little about

ourselves and our training...

   Having trained for nearly 30 years now, and well over 50 Oklahoma victory passes to his credit, Gerry Rushton is no stranger to the horse world. He worked for Roy Register and Larry Bacon and carefully gathered knowledge throughout that time, and ever since. Gerry is best known for his driving successes, some of which include WC Fletcher Banjo John, WC CCR's Outrajus Corajus, MLF Cimmerian, WC Indian Creek Catalyst, WC GLB Bell of the Ball, WC MLF A Gayla Afflair, WC Dreammaster J'st Sharper and the list goes on to include Saddlebreds, Hackney ponies, and Hackney horses that have excelled in their divisions under Gerry. But his saddle horses have certainly had their successes as well, being responsible for plenty of World Champions there. His ability to understand the horse and understand why they react, individually, as they do is what sets him apart from many trainers. He is uniquely aware of the horses needs and builds their individual program around them, something that has served him well and continued to allow him to turn out truly trained horses that are happy in their work. This carries over into his ability to understand and teach amateur riders and drivers and kids. Gerry's quiet way with horses and people, combined with his patience, results in horses and students that really understand how to communicate effectively and enjoy working together. He is also a well respected 'R' judge, the highest level of judging in the Morgan world.

Stacy Hennessy

   Stacy Hennessy grew up in New Jersey competing in the Hunter Jumper world that she was born into. Starting with leadline at Devon, thru the W/T divisions on the small pony to the pony hunters, caring for horses and understanding them was simply a part of life. At 8 years old her life took a turn toward the Morgan world when introduced to this breed. She continued to show her pony hunters at home and began to show Morgans under Kathleen Walsh (now Peeples) at Bridle Vale Farm. With a decorated Jr career that includes highlights such as: winning the Hunt Seat on the Flat and Hunt Seat Over Fences Gold Medal Finals the same year at Oklahoma, Winning the Jr Exb Hunter Pleasure RWC on her home trained hunter, Being only the second rider to get a ribbon in the Good Hands Finals at Madison Square Garden on a Morgan, and being in the top 5 in the Saddle Seat, Western Seat, Stock Seat, and Dressage Medal finals, Stacy looked to the industry to become her life. She decided that her education would come from the masters of the show horse world, and it did. She worked for Lynn and Kathleen Peeples, Sandy and Calvin Sessink, George Knight, and Gerry Rushton. These years of being an assistant to the top trainers across the country, in different breeds, along with her diverse backround helped her to become the trainer she is today as she draws from each and every one of those experiences to put the best parts of each in everything she does. From driving to riding, young horses to Ladies horses (a personal favorite:), Stacy has made victory passes from California to Oklahoma. But the most special victory passes are those made by her students, who have won from equitation to pleasure driving to English Pleasure to Park Harness at the most prestigious shows in the country. This is where she sees all of her work come together and it's something she particularly enjoys!
  

Erica Santa grew up in Longmeadow, Massachusetts and rode with, Cindy Mugnier,now the president of the American Morgan Horse Association. She showed Hunt Seat and earned a Reserve World Championship while still in her Jr. years. With a clear design on a career path in horses, Erica attended William Woods University and graduated with a degree in  Equestrian Science. This program is specifically designed to prepare students to succeed in the world of horse training and teaching. Erica was a camp teacher as well as excelling in the teaching courses offered at William Woods. She was responsible for a large group of horses and their care, from feeding to vet work, and got extremely high marks in her caretaker classes. Erica interned at Rushton Stables over the summer between her sophomore and Jr years in college and knew then that she hoped to return to California and Rushton Stables after graduation. Recognizing her excellent work ethic, desire to learn about the training side of things, and wonderful way with people, Rushton Stables held off hiring an assistant trainer until Erica graduated and could fill the position. Erica’s love for her work and enthusiasm is evident in everything she does and she is a valued member of the Rushton Stables staff. She is a part of every aspect of the barn as well as running the growing lesson program. Anyone fortunate enough to be under her tutelage is getting a great introduction to riding with safety and fun as priorities!

  As a side note, Erica is getting married to her college sweetheart over the summer of 2011!