Judges

Sandra began her career running a public training stable in upstate New York. She then took a job as head trainer at Meg Preston’s Rum Brook farm in Epping, New Hampshire. Then on to Maynard Casler’s Misty Hills Stables in Troy, New York where she trained WC Supreme Odyssey and WC Mystical Mood.

In 1994, she moved to Bellville, Texas to take over the training duties at Bluebonnet Farm. Working first for Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Perwien and now their daughter Elly Berman. She has developed or started numerous outstanding horses for the Bluebonnet Farm breeding program and Bluebonnet clients.  Many champions include WC & RWCC Who’s Your Huckleberry, RWC Collier County, RWC High On Heir, RWC Bluebonnet’s Challenger, WC Albert Kaponey, WC Nella Fantasia, CH Uncut Jewel and numerous others. 

Sandra feels it is important to give back to the industry and runs the Texas Limited Breeders Stallion Auction and the Texas Futurity. She serves on the ASHBA Board and several of its committees.  Additionally, she is a member of the USEF Saddlebred and Discipline committee. She holds Judges cards for Saddlebred, Hackney, Roadster, Morgan, Friesian and Saddle Seat Equitation divisions. Along with judging nationally, she has also judged internationally at both the Parys and Bloemfontein shows in South Africa.

Jeanne Marie Miller is a USEF “R” licensed official in Hunter, Hunter Seat Equitation, Hunter Breeding, and Jumper divisions, with more than 26 years of experience officiating at premier equestrian competitions nationwide.

Raised at Roseberry Farm in Petersburg, Virginia, Jeanne Marie developed her foundation in horsemanship riding alongside her mother. She was fortunate to train with some of the sport’s most respected horsemen, including Rodney Jenkins, Joe Fargis, and Conrad Homfeld, experiences she credits as instrumental in shaping her extensive riding knowledge and judging expertise.

Throughout her distinguished career, Jeanne Marie has judged many of the country’s most prestigious horse shows and championship events, including the International Hunter Derby, Pre-Green Incentive, New England Finals, Devon Horse Show, and the Pennsylvania National Horse Show.

My interest in horses began early in the foothills of Virginia with my parents, Hazel and Lynn Williams. At the age of 6, I went trail riding every Sunday after church with my daddy. At that time, my dad mainly taught me, and we started competing on the Virginia/North Carolina circuit. I started teaching lessons. One, two and then more wanted show horses and the rest was history. I trained at Kerrylowe Stables and LB Porterfield’s barn accumulating a strong string of horses and riders on the southern circuit.

In 1979, I moved to DeLovey Farm in Rockport, Indiana with Raymond and Lillian Shively. That is where I learned how “the big boys” trained horses and honed my equitation skills with, Lillian, the very best.

Next stop was Riverton, Illinois, to join the Antonacci family and their four good riding kids: Kurt, Paul, David and Alicia. Alicia and David received World’s Championship honors in Juvenile 3-gaited and Juvenile Pleasure on the same day at the WCHS. Kurt was known to be able to ride anything with 4 legs and hair and Paul made his splash in the Five Gaited Pleasure division.

Andy Freseth and I married in 1990 and joined forces at Hollow Haven Farm in Chanhassen. Riders developed there included Courtney Wilcox, Liza Halpern, Laurel Sommerville, Barbara Brown, Clarissa Henry, Molly Schned, Ann Brickzen and her sister Linda Schwichtenberg, The Groves Family and Donna Beck.

Andy and I moved Hollow Haven to Oconomowoc, Wisconsin where long time Virginia student Susan Brock Creekmore joined the WI Hollow Haven bringing daughters Kaitlyn and Ashley Creekmore. Mandy Dellinger showed Carolina Cat, The Plaza, Jessie Cole, Look of Success and Heartland Accolade under the Hollow Haven banner. Elizabeth James-Lipscomb teamed up with CH Our Irresistible Design for many victory passes, and the Robert Gaiswinkler family, secured World titles in multiple divisions with the famous WC CH Blackberry Delight. It was a family affair involving the Brown-Anderson family, including Robert and Nancy Anderson and Linda, Brianna and Zach Meyer.

When Hollow Haven moved to Kentucky, Elizabeth Lipscomb moved CH WCG Irresistible Design and RWC My Irresistible Charm to the Bluegrass State.

Diane Sembler, daughter Erin and granddaughter, Mari Echinbaum campaigned

with WC CH Undulata’s Simbara, Lady Mandolin and Dancing in September.Clarissa Henry Hollander returned to Hollow Haven bringing her two daughters Brynn and Saige Hollander. Brynn with Viva La Fantasia and Saige Hollander with 4 Point 0.

The old Kentucky home,black board fences and green rolling pastures will probably be our last place to call home. Being a horse enthusiast, I can’t imagine a better place.

Gayle is currently an adjunct professor at William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri after being the saddle seat program director there for 41 years. Gayle holds judges’ cards in nine equestrian disciplines, and has judged competitions in 43 states as well as Australia, Canada, Great Britain and South Africa. She has also conducted clinics in 25 states and 3 foreign countries.

Gayle has judged the Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show ten times.  The first time was in 1993 and the most recent one was in 2022. She is honored and excited to be asked to judge again this year. Gayle has also judged the Northampton Morgan Horse Show twice. In 1996, Gayle coached the U.S. Saddle Seat equitation team to a gold medal at the World Cup Competition, held with Equitana in Louisville, KY. The outstanding Morgan rider, Georgia Hunter, was on the team that year. Gayle has conducted numerous USEF Judges clinics for Applicants, Morgans, National Show Horses, Saddlebreds, and Saddle Seat Equitation.

In addition to teaching and judging, Gayle also has shown Saddlebreds, Morgans and Arabians. In 1979, Gayle showed Zephyr’s King Moro to win the Ladies Park Horse Under Saddle Championship at the Grand National Morgan Horse Show.  In 2003, Gayle showed her own horse, Callaway’s Born to Win, to earn the Ladies Five-Gaited Championship title at the World Championship Saddlebred show held at the Kentucky State Fair. Additionally, at the United Professional Horseman’s Association American Royal National Championship Horse Show in Kansas City, Gayle won the Five-Gaited Ladies National Championship on Born to Win in 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010.

Gayle has been the recipient of the United Professional Horseman’s Association Equitation Instructor of the Year Award, the Missouri-Kansas Horse Person of the Year award at the American Royal Horse Show, the “Distinguished Professor Award” at William Woods University, and the Lurline Roth Sportsmanship Award at the American Saddlebred Horse Convention. In 2007, she received the Audrey Gutridge Award at the World Championship Saddle Horse Show held at the Kentucky State Fair. Also in 2007, The American Riding Instructor’s Association awarded Gayle the title of “Master Instructor”.  In 2015, Gayle was inducted into the “Missouri Sports Hall of Fame”.  Gayle was the first “horse” person ever to receive this honor other than one jockey and one rodeo rider. In 2024 Gayle was honored with “The Settler’s Award” from the Kingdom of Callaway.

In 1996, Gayle authored the book “Riding for Success, Both In and Out of the Show Ring” and in 2013, the revised edition of this book was printed. In her spare time, Gayle enjoys walking, planting trees, feeding ducks and playing ping-pong.  She even managed to win a Gold Medal at the 2000 Missouri Show Me Games in the Women’s single Table Tennis the same day she coached the first-place winner in Academy equitation at the Boone County Fair. The newest addition to Gayle’s life is Porchy, a little black feral cat, who moved in with Gayle in 2024 during a snow storm.

For nearly four decades, Fay Lowry has dedicated her life to the horse industry as a professional trainer, instructor, judge, and mentor. Alongside her husband, Jim Lowry, she operates Anna Marie Knipp’s High Spirits Farm in Columbia, Missouri, where they have built a highly respected program specializing in American Saddlebreds, Hackney Ponies, Morgans, and Dutch Harness Horses.

A familiar and respected face throughout the show horse community, Fay holds a USEF Registered Judge’s card in the Morgan, Saddlebred, Hackney, Roadster, and Saddle Seat Equitation divisions. Her extensive experience as both a trainer and a judge provides a unique perspective valued by exhibitors across multiple breeds and disciplines. She is widely respected for her knowledge, fairness, and dedication to the sport.

Beyond the show ring, Fay has a passion for giving back. She serves as chair of the UPHA Ribbons of Service Program, which has raised more than $1 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She also dedicates her time and energy to The Heart That Gives Foundation, helping provide support and resources to underserved communities in South Africa and Uganda.

When she is not at the barn or judging a horse show, Fay enjoys spending time with her family, caring for her pets, and tending her garden. Her lifelong commitment to horses, service, and the equestrian community continues to leave a lasting impact wherever she goes.

Matthew Roberts: A Leader in the Show Horse Community

Professional Experience and Expertise

Matthew Roberts is a respected figure in the Morgan and Saddlebred industries, with over 25 years of dedicated service. He is recognized for his talent in introducing new riders and owners to the show horse community, consistently creating a welcoming environment for all. Matthew excels in developing amateur and juvenile teams across all divisions, nurturing growth and excellence among participants.

Career Beginnings and Development

Matthew began his riding career under the guidance of Kim Nelson at Windchase Farm. Kim was renowned for his proficiency with Saddlebreds and versatility across various breeds. Together, Matthew and Kim transitioned to work for KAABA Arabians in the late 1980s, where Matthew’s knowledge and show experience with Arabians expanded further.

Misdee and Dedee Wrigley provided Matthew with opportunities to continue honing his skills. Misdee’s special interest in Saddlebreds inspired Matthew’s growing passion for the breed. He subsequently accepted a position with Jack and Brenda Nevitt at Emerald Hills Farm, a pivotal step that allowed him to develop his expertise with Saddlebreds. Matthew’s reputation grew, and he began acquiring clients of his own, eventually becoming the head trainer at Windchase Farm. This experience paved the way for him to become the owner and operator of Matthew Roberts Stables, a world-class boarding and training facility in Cave Creek, Arizona. His leadership and commitment to excellence have made the facility a prominent destination for horse enthusiasts.

Versatility and Training Accomplishments

Matthew’s adaptability as a young rider continues to influence his approach today. He embraces the challenge of training a diverse range of breeds, including American Saddlebreds, Hackney Ponies, Friesians, Morgans, and Arabians. His expertise has contributed to the training and instruction of horses and riders who have achieved success at the Regional, National, and World Champion levels.

Recent Judging and Leadership Roles

• 2025 World Cup South Africa
• Morgan Medallion Classic Horse Show
• California Springfest
• UPHA American Royal

Professional Affiliations and Contributions

Beyond training and judging, Matthew is an active member and board member of several esteemed organizations, including USEF, ASHA, AMHA, ASAA, and UPHA. As the current president of the ASAA board, he organizes two annual shows. The Carousel Charity Horse Show, known as the largest multi-breed horse show on the West Coast, highlights Matthew’s continued commitment to promoting the show horse industry.

Kristin Stivers, a native of Florida, moved to Lexington, Kentucky on Derby weekend 1994, to further her career in the equine industry. A third-generation horsewoman, she has been riding and showing American Saddlebreds since the age of two, earning multiple world’s and reserve world’s championship titles in a variety of divisions. Kristin has been a professional horse trainer, a bookkeeper for both Saddlebred and Thoroughbred horse farms, an executive with the United Professional Horsemen’s Association, and became a licensed United States Equestrian Federation official in 2006, holding judge’s cards in five divisions. She has judged two of the three horse shows that make up the Saddlebred “Triple Crown”, including the Kentucky State Fair World’s Championship Horse Show Twice, as well as the South Africa Saddlebred National Championship Horse Show in Bloemfontein, South Africa.

She holds dual degrees in business administration and the liberal arts and is a member of the USEF, AMHA, the AHHS, ARHPA, UPHA, ASHBA, the Thoroughbred Club of America.

Since joining McMahon & Hill Bloodstock in 2016, Kristin has embraced the Thoroughbred industry as well as the team at McMahon & Hill. Multi-talented, Kristin brings a deep appreciation of all breeds of horses.

I have been involved with horses all my life. My father, a rancher in South Texas put me on my first horse at age 2 and that is how it began. Until I was 21 years old, I did the rodeo circuit every weekend all over the state of Texas. When I was in college, I was asked by Stewart Title to work part time for them during the summer. Within 6 months I was driving their pair of horses all over the state giving carriage rides to clients. I had very little knowledge about driving except what I learned in a week’s time from their former trainer. I worked for Stewart Title for 2 ½ years before moving to Florida.

In 1999, I moved to Florida to work at Continental Acres, which is now known as Grand Oaks Resort. It was a great opportunity to be able to travel the United States and Europe grooming for Gloria Austin.

In 2008, I became the Equine Manager at the Resort where I was in charge of all equine staff, horses and equine events. Working at Grand Oaks Resort has given me the opportunity to show my driving skills in public events, outings and shows. I gave single, pair, tandem and 4-in-hand lessons on a regular basis. I have completed my Level 3 CAA Proficiency Evaluation and I am a Level 1 Evaluator.

In 2014 the American Driving Society accepted me as a “r” Judge in Pleasure Driving and in 2015 went on to get my “r” Judge in Pleasure Driving through the USEF.

In 2022, I became the General Manager of the Grand Oaks Resort. This has taken my focus into a broader area where I can expand the resort into a variety of directions.

I can say I always wanted the opportunity to drive a carriage, but never thought I would have the opportunities I have been given. Not everyone can say they get paid to do what they enjoy, but to this day it is a great feeling to drive onto the Grand Oaks property where I “work” and get to do what I love.