Lucky C Stables has a small group of extremely knowledgeable and friendly staff members.  Our staff understands the importance of safety and care regarding you and your horse.  We make it our mission to keep the farm beautiful and safe, leaving you with one less thing to worry about.

Susan Clark: Owner, Head Trainer & Riding Instructor-      

  

Gary Clark: Barn Manager/Farm Maintenance -

Gary works hard every day to ensure the safety of each horse and rider.  Born and raised in central Missouri, Gary learned at a young age what it took to care for animals.  He and Susan moved back to New York to start this farm after they married in 1984.

At Lucky C Stables, Gary does it all! Most days he can be found fixing fence boards, mowing the fields, watering/dragging the rings and building new jumps.  Not only does Gary spend hours on these maintenance tasks, but he is also in charge of the feed and supplement regimen as well as the turnout program that occurs here at LCS.  He closely monitors each horse to ensure they're mantaining a proper weight and overall good health so it is one less thing for our customers to worry about.  Gary spends time evaluating each horse to see which type of turnout would work best whether it's turnout with one other horse, individual turnout or the more contained paddocks reserved for 1/2 day turnout.  He is also in charge of scheduling various appointments including the farrier and vet, as well as administering proper medication to the horses if needed. 

As if that wasn't enough, Gary also ships our horses wherever they need to go.  With a New York State Commercial Drivers License and several years of experience driving commercially, Gary is very qualified to safely bring your horse wherever his destination may be. 

Maureen Mayone- Rider & Assistant Riding Instructor:

(bio coming soon) 

Amanda Bender - Assistant Instructor

Growing up around horses, Amanda began riding at just 7 years old.  With Susan's guidance, Amanda had many years of successful showing on the local, Quarter Horse,  rated and intercollegiate show circuits.  Amanda and her horse Eagles Poco King (Bosco) began focusing on competing in recognized Quarter Horse Shows where her hard work paid off as she qualified for AQHA Congress three times as well as the Quarter Horse Worlds.  Not only did Amanda attend these shows, but she took them by storm finishing 11th at Worlds as well as returning home from Congress with a 4th, two 5th's and a 6th.  Amanda has been working for Lucky C for about 8 years doing stalls, braiding, grooming for shows and more recently, teaching lessons as well.

Amanda is a 2010 graduate of SUNY New Paltz, where she graduated with a degree in Sociology.  Amanda also served as the team captain two years in a row for the SUNY Equestrian Team.  It was at the 2009 Intercollegiate nationals that Amanda finished 4th in her Individual Intermediate Over Fences class, something that was truly awesome as she was the first SUNY NP member to qualify for and pin at nationals! Amanda has a passion for horses and she happily passes it along to all those she teaches.

Karen Kiely- Assistant Riding Instructor: Weekends

Karen comes to us with a lot of great experience in the horse industry.  Karen began riding at age 3.  At a young age she had the opportunity to train with Ali Thurston as well as hunt with the Goldens Bridge Hounds of North Salem.  Karen then decided to try her hand at something new so she began training with Dan Bratman in North Salem, NY to learn the ways of hunters & equitation.  By her teenage years, Karen had also taken interest in dressage where she rode up to 3rd level alongside well known trainers such as Mary Francees, Denton & Lendon Gray.  By 18 Karen was ready for the working world in the equine industry where she worked for facilities such as Crown Dressage International.  Another job that particularly stood out to her was the opportunity to work at Castle Hill Farm with McClain and Barney Ward.  It was here that she had opportunities to learn and ride world famous horses such as Sapphire, Goldika and Larioso.  Following that job, Karen took a head trainer position at Hilltop Equestrian Center in Goshen, NY where she worked until the farm sold.  We now welcome her to Lucky C Stables where she serves as the assistant instructor.  Karen also rides on occasion as well as help with stalls & barn work.                                                     

Tami Ward - Assistant Riding Instructor: Saturday's

Tami has been with Lucky C Stables for many years, in fact she grew up riding here! These days, she makes it to the barn once a week to lend a hand and offer her services to our beginner clients.  Tami has extensive experience teaching, as she has been doing it for quite a few years.  Her positive attitude and friendly personality encourages children to try their best during each lesson, creating the beginnings of the bond between horse and rider.  Although Tami used to ride and show herself, she now primarily focuses on teaching. 

Nicole Turcotte: Assistant Barn Manager

Nicole is a returning Lucky C student who has now joined our staff.  Nicole began riding at a young age where she competed on the local and quarter horse show circuits with her horse Quinn's Bonanza.  She attended SUNY Ulster where she developed a love for veterinary sciences.  Nicole has a very important role at Lucky C, keeping a close eye on each horse.  She can typically be found mucking stalls, filling stock tanks and turning horses out.  She is a very alert horse person as she has had several years of experience.  When not working at Lucky C, Nicole enjoys bringing along her two young horses Balou and Sneakers.