MEET THE TEAM
Our team of lesson and camp riding and horsemanship instructors share the philosophy that riding should always be fun and safe – and they know how to provide a positive experience for every level of rider. If you are looking for additional services—horse training, coaching at horse shows on the road, buying or selling horses and ponies, Chagrin Valley Farms-based trainers can help you transition to the next level.
CVF RIDING & HORSEMANSHIP STAFF
AUBREY FAIT
HEAD TRAINER & DIRECTOR OF HORSEMANSHIP
Bio coming soon!
JULIE MCELHANEY
SENIOR RIDING & HORSEMANSHIP INSTRUCTOR
Julie is a life-long equestrian specializing in Eventing, the tri-fecta of horse competitions involving Cross-Country, Dressage and Stadium Jumping. Her students ride through Preliminary level. Julie has competed successfully through Advanced Level Eventing at Morven Park CCI, Radnor CCI, and ridden through Prix St George Dressage. She rides with Canadian Pan Am rider Waylon Roberts, as well as Eventer Robin Walker, and is active with CANTER of Ohio. Julie works with riders and horses of all levels. She has her own business, Four Star Sport Horses in Chardon, OH.
ASHLEY MICLEA
LESSON COORDINATOR, RIDING & HORSEMANSHIP INSTRUCTOR
Ashley has been training horses and riders for 17+ years in various disciplines, with an emphasis on: Hunters/Jumpers, Dressage, Young Horse Development, and Horse and Rider Biomechanics
From Ashley: “It brings me great joy to be a part of this wonderful team of trainers and riding instructors. My main focus and goal for my students is to create an education driven rider who will be able to continue their education throughout their future careers and to give back to our industry in a positive way. It is imperative to instill valuable horsemanship for the next generation for both competitive and non-competitive partnerships.
KATIE AURAND
RIDING & HORSEMANSHIP INSTRUCTOR
Katie has been riding and working with horses for nearly 20 years. She graduated from Lake Erie College with degrees in Equine Facility Management and Equine Teaching and Training. With experience in hunt seat, stadium jumping, dressage and cross country, as well as western and trail riding, she has taught students of all ages and abilities. Katie has also groomed for several top dressage trainers, managed show horse facilities, and ridden her Pony of the Americas in jumpers and dressage.
ILEAH MACLENNEN-WALTER
RIDING & HORSEMANSHIP INSTRUCTOR
Ileah has been in the horse industry for as long as she can remember and has hands-on experience across multiple facets within the industry. She has been involved in multiple English and Western disciplines and competes primarily in Eventing. She operates her own rehabilitation and training facility out of Louisville Ohio, called Excelsior Farms, where her motto is “every horse deserves an ever upwards and onwards”.
Ileah enjoys teaching all levels of students but cannot deny she has a deep fondness for her beginner students. She loves seeing the “ah hah” moments and smiles as they tackle something new. She also enjoys teaching Spring and Summer Horse Camps and seeing the students’ improvement over the week. Her teaching goal is for her students to be “lifelong learners of the horse”.