Michele joined Arrowhead Farms in September of 2010 and became Barn Manager soon after.  Michele brings with her not only an impressive career in horse care management, riding and training experience but also a true passion for taking care of horses.  Michele started riding at the age of 8 when a group of neighborhood kids decided to take some lessons.   As we horse-lovers know, you either love it or you don’t – and Michele loved it!  She rode daily and took Hunt Seat lessons at her local barn in Massachusetts.  At the ripe age of 12, Michele began asking others at her barn if she could ride their horses for $5 per ride so she could save up for horse showing!

Michele’s early horse show memories were of her getting to the barn early in the morning with her friends, in their show clothes, grooming their ponies, jumping in the saddle and walking their ponies over  to the local 4-H show, with buckets in-hand filled with brushes, a hoof pick and food money.

Michele purchased her first horse, Turtle, at age 14. Turtle was a 15.3 hand, off-the-track Thoroughbred, whom she saved from being put down.  Turtle took Michele to some notable Finals throughout her Junior riding career, winning the Championship ribbon in the MA Childrens Hunter Division, qualifying for Medal and Maclay Finals, and placing 5th and 7th at NE Equitation Championships.  At age 18, Michele was one of ten riders chosen  to participate in a rider instruction program with Gordon Wright in South Carolina, where she had two lessons a day (until they were “done”), fox hunted twice a week, and learned skills that solidified her invaluable horsemanship training.
 
Michele has worked with some talented Professionals throughout her career.  Judy Richter in NY took Michele under her wing and showed her the finer side of horses.  From there, Michele was Kara (Hanley) Riposa’s Show Manager in Florida, and worked with Paul Valliere in Rhode Island.  Michele attended any riding clinic within an hour’s radius whenever possible.  She frequented clinics by many notable trainers including George Morris and was exposed to the Hunterdon practices.  Michele has successfully managed private businesses both at home and on the road for the Williams family in IL and the Gormans in FL.  Michele decided to apply all that experience to running her own training facility for over 4 years with Alison Sherred in southern California, where she trained her horses and riders in the Hunters, Jumpers and Equitation divisions, and then by herself back in Jefferson, MA for over 9 years.
 
After a short break while taking care of an ailing family member, Michele took a break from horses and opened a floral business.  But it wasn’t long before she realized she couldn’t stay away.  We at Arrowhead Farms are so grateful that we found Michele, and so are our horses.  You can find Michele at home-base in Concord, 6 days a week, checking legs, chatting with the vet, hacking in the field, or making the rest of the Team and clients laugh out loud!

Ann Clemens is our Office Manager. Ann’s riding background is in Eventing, and she grew up riding competitively in Pony Club. She has been with Arrowhead Farms since 2000, and the farm has never been the same since! As Barn Manager for over 8 years, Ann’s impeccable attention to detail and take-charge attitude allowed her to keep Martha, Kristen, the staff, the barn and the horses organized (even the clients too!) Ann’s dedication to the farm is unparalleled, and has always treated the farm and the horses as her own. Ann has been known to come to work in horrendous weather conditions and stay up all night with a sick horse. Since starting her own family, Ann has taken over as Office Manager at Arrowhead.  We are so fortunate to have her as part of the Team.