OUR STAFF
Ashley Holsinger
Owner and Head Trainer
At Memory’s Hill, we provide quality instruction with a focus on hunters, jumpers and equitation. Ashley accepts riders and horses of all levels, abilities and focuses. Ashley not only aspires to turn out good riders but, more importantly, educated horsemen. The lesson and training program at Memory’s Hill is comprehensive and includes instruction both in the ring and the barn. Whether you aspire to begin riding for the first time in your life, ride for pleasure, begin work with a young horse, or be competitive on the local or “A” circuit, Ashley is committed to helping you get there.
Ashley has spent all of her life with horses. She has worked, ridden and trained alongside greats in the horse industry including Bob and Sharyn Cole and Sarah Irvine. She has ridden competitively on the local and “A” show circuit in New Jersey and Virginia, both as an amateur and a professional. Ashley has managed a large equestrian facility, taught extensively in lesson programs and has served as the assistant coach for two college teams in her career. She is a USHJA Certified trainer and holds a USEF officials license as an "R" judge in Hunters and Hunter/Jumping Seat Equitation. Ashley currently serves on the Equitation committee for the Virginia Horse Shows Association as well as the Board of Directors for the SWVHJA as the Fundraising and Education Chairman. She has served numerous terms on the Board of Directors for the Southwest Virginia Hunter Jumper Association. Ashley has operated as the Assistant to the Director of Riding at Bridgewater College where she played an active role in the equestrian program for 11 years. Her experience is not only limited to teaching and riding, but also includes horse show management, course design and judging. Ashley has a passion for young horses and enjoys raising foals and breaking and bringing along young hunter prospects as well.
As for a teaching philosophy, Ashley is an advocate of solid basics, beginning with a correct position. She believes that form is function in the saddle, and that mechanics, technique and style must be built upon that foundation. She has a patient approach to breaking and training, beginning on the ground.
Ashley has coached several students from their first riding lessons to wins both locally and nationally on the open circuit as well as to National successes in IHSA and IEA competition. In addition to coaching winners of ribbons at some of the country's most prestigious horse shows, Ashley has coached several NAL Finals, WIHS Finals, Zone Finals, SWVHJA, and various Medal Finals ribbon winners. Let her help you to reach your next goal!
Tara Deckel
Assistant Trainer and IEA Head Coach
Tara has been involved with horses since a young age. She began her riding career in Cape Cod, Massachusetts where she grew up. After high school she attended Bridgewater College where she continued to ride competitively on their Intercollegiate Team. From that experience, Tara brings a wealth of knowledge and a competitive edge to our Memory's Hill IEA Team. After college, Tara continued training and showing as an Amateur rider with Ashley and began helping in the barn as a working student at Memory's Hill. Tara has now been a right hand to Ashley in all aspects of the farm from training and riding to management for the last decade.
Sarah Vagnoni
Stable Manager and Road Manager
Sarah began her riding career as a young teenager and has been passionate about horses and their care ever since. While still in high school, Sarah began working at the farm on weekends. Between high school and college she spent the summer as a working student for Elizabeth Solter, where she earned a wealth of knowledge and experience. Throughout college, Sarah continued to work part time at Memory's Hill and became a full time employee and manager immediately following graduation.
While at home, Sarah oversees of the daily routine of the farm and the employees as well as the care of the horses. She also travels with us to all of the shows and handles everything from entries to set up and all aspects of the horses care and riders needs while at the show.
