About Us
The Galloping Field offers an accomplished team of trainers & instructors to help you meet your goals at home or in the show ring. The Galloping Field core training team includes Gail Thompson, Sulu Rose, Melvin Stone, Derek Reed and Helen Thompson, each of whom are extremely active in everything from the East Coast and Canadian Show Circuit to every individual student's program. Scroll down for more information on each of our trainers...
Riding, training and teaching all over the world, Gail started in the hunter and jumper show ring in her homeland, Canada. Gail traveled to Iran to train and coach the Iranian Show Jumping team from 1972 - 1976. She has also trained in Mexico, New York, Georgia and more before initiating the equestrian centers in Manakin, Virginia. Gail has brought many of her students from competing in the local circuit shows on to be successful at the A-rated shows.
Sulu Rose-Reed
Initiating her riding career at four years of age, Susan Louise (Sulu)
is making her impressive mark on the Canadian show jumping scene. In 2002,
she traveled north to participate in the Selection Trials for the Canadian
Show Jumping Team in hope to head to the World Equestrian Games. Sulu
placed seventh overall, just short of the Games, but an amazing finish
for a first-time effort.
Despite training south of the boarder in Manakin, VA, Sulu Rose-Reed has
strong ties to Canada. Her grandfather, Deny Whitaker, was Chairman of
the Canadian Equestrian Team from 1961-1980.
With two Grand Prix mounts (Gannon & Watch This) as well as several
up-and-coming mounts, Sulu is a strong contender whenever she enters the
ring. Sulu runs her barn, Reed Training and Sales, as well as partners
with Gail at The Galloping Field in training, teaching and showing.
Click here for Sulu's Recent Competition
Highlights.
Melvin Stone
Born in Toronto, Ontario, Mel was a member of the Canadian Show Jumping Team from 1959 - 1966. Mel has gone on to become a very active Show Judge, judging both A rated shows such as the HITS series, as well as local shows nationwide.
Rode and trained in Europe with Litz Gripsover. Worked in sale barns in Germany. Was in business in Colorado where he trained Zone Champions in Adult/Amateur, Junior/Amateur and Low Jr. Am. Jumpers.
Helen Thompson
Helen competed in the hunter and jumper ring as a junior. Now married with two children, Helen manages the School at Swift Creek. She is an exceptional instructor for both children and adults, She has a happy and cheerful attitude we encourage at all of our facilities.
Tracey is 22 years old and has been riding for 14 years. She started working at Swift Creek when she was 10 as a working student. She then moved on to work at The Galloping Field as a show groom. She got the chance to go to Florida and Canada to horse shows while cutting costs and learning so much. After working as a groom, she became Assistant Manager at Swift Creek. She does a little bit of everything at Swift Creek from teaching lessons to schooling horses. She also takes the young children to local horse shows every weekend.
THE GALLOPING FIELD
1300 Dover Creek Lane
Manakin-Sabot, Virginia 23103
Telephone: 804.784.2287
Lessons: 804.784.2667
© Copyright 2006 The Galloping Field