Administrative Staff & Faculty
Ronald W. Meredith, D.S.: President / Instructor
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Dr. Meredith has over forty-five years' experience as president of the school and has developed it from its humble beginnings of six students in 1963 to its current world class level. Because of his outstanding contributions to the horse industry and specifically to equine education, he has received a number of distinctive recognitions including an Honorary Doctorate of Equestrian Studies Degree from Salem College in 1981, the only degree of this kind in the world. Dr. Meredith has held seven AHSA judges' cards and has trained top level horses and riders in the cutting and reining world. He has had over 75 articles published in over 150 equine magazines and journals.
Faith F. Meredith: Director / Instructor
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Faith has over thirty-five years' experience as a professional in the horse industry. She has successfully competed and trained horses and riders through FEI levels of Dressage. Faith holds a BS Degree in education and has had over 30 articles published in more than 150 equine magazines and journals.
Nancy Wesolek-Sterrett: Head of Dressage Dept / Instructor
Nancy is a Riding Master VI graduate of Meredith Manor, a Certified Riding Instructor and a Certified Equine Sports Massage Therapist. She holds an AAS Degree with an Emphasis in Equestrian Studies from WVU-P. Following graduation, Nancy toured the U.S. and Canada as a rider for the Royal Lippizaner Stallion Show. Before returning to teach at Meredith Manor, she owned and operated South Wind Stables providing training, clinics, lessons and summer camps.
Since Nancy's return she has accumulated numerous USDF horse awards including having earned her Bronze and Silver Medals on horses she trained. Her horses have repeatedly scored in the top three places regionally. They are now competing from Training Level through FEI levels. Nancy was selected to ride in the 2000 USDF National Dressage Symposium with Walter Zettl. Nancy has also trained both horses and riders for the North American Young Riders Competition. Nancy is the Head of the Dressage Department at Meredith Manor.
Michelle Wellman: Head of Jumping Dept / Instructor
Michelle is a Riding Master VI graduate of Meredith Manor, a Certified Riding Instructor and a Certified Equine Sports Massage Therapist. Michelle has three years of professional farrier experience. She trained mounted police horses in Kentucky before returning to teach at Meredith Manor. Michelle is the Head of the Jumping Department at Meredith Manor.
Jennifer Varner: Head of Western Dept / Instructor
Jennifer is a Riding Master VI graduate of Meredith Manor and a Certified Riding Instructor. She successfully trains and competes in Reining. Jennifer is the Head of the Western Department at Meredith Manor.
Kelly Bosgraf, M.Ed.: Head of Teaching Dept / Instructor
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Before joining the team at Meredith Manor, Kelly taught at several schools in the Southern Ohio area. She holds a BS Degree in Education from Ohio University and a Master's Degree in Education from Marshall University. Kelly heads the Teaching Department at Meredith Manor.
John Crothers: Head of Farrier Dept / Instructor
John is a Certified Farrier through the American Farriers Association. Before coming to teach at Meredith Manor, he owned and operated his own farrier business for nine years working in conjunction with many veterinarians and other farriers. He also worked with other farrier schools to develop their programs and curriculum. John also holds an Associate's degree from Hocking College in Back Country Horsemanship. John is the Head of the Farrier Department at Meredith Manor.
Walter R. Threlfall, DVM, MS, PhD: Equine Breeding Instructor
Dr. Threlfall is Head of the Theriogenology Area in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences and Director of Continuing Education at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
He received his DVM degree from The Ohio State University and an MS in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery as well as a PhD in reproductive physiology from the University of Missouri where he also completed a residency in Theriogenology. He is board certified by The American College of Theriogenologists, and is past president of the College. He served for seven years as the delegate to the American Veterinary Medical Association representing the Society for Theriogenology and currently is the Delegate to the AVMA representing the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association.
He has spoken at many state, national and international meetings, and has published more than 80 scientific articles and more than 50 chapters in numerous textbooks. He has advised over 40 graduate students and residents. He has been honored for his teaching techniques both locally and nationally, and has received educational grants to explore improved methods of instruction.
Nereyda Snider: Instructor
Originally from Mexico, Nereyda graduated from Meredith Manor with a Riding Master VI, a Level II Teaching Certification, and an Equine Massage Therapy certification. Prior to returning to Meredith Manor, she worked in the Wellington, FL area for 5 years as a professional rider, instructor, trainer, barn manager and equine vet technician.
Mary Lew Johnston: Instructor
Mary Lew graduated from Meredith Manor with a Riding Master VI, Teaching Certification, and an Equine Massage Therapy certification. After graduation, she was farm manager and trainer for Mathis Quarter Horses, a breeding farm producing western performance horses. Most recently Mary Lew was trail ride manager and trainer for Leatherwood Mountains, a residential-vacation resort and equine community and the home of The Best of America by Horseback television series.
Samantha Capoferri: Instructor
Sam is a Riding Master VI graduate of Meredith Manor, a Certified Riding Instructor and a Certified Equine Sports Massage Therapist. She holds an AAS Degree with an Emphasis in Equestrian Studies from WVU-P. Before returning to Meredith Manor she owned and operated Triforce Equestrian Training in Houston, Texas providing training, lessons and equine massage therapy.
Fuchsia Saarinen: Instructor
Fuchsia is a Riding Master VI graduate of Meredith Manor and a Level II Certified Instructor. She completed 9 months of additional study as a Meredith Manor graduate assistant. Fuchsia actively rides and trains horses for dressage, jumping, and reining. She also has trained horses for endurance and has been awarded first place and/or best condition on many 50 and 100 mile rides. Fuchsia is a certified Equine Massage Therapist.
Kristen Bosgraf: Office Manager / Graduate Services Director / Admissions Representative
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Kristen is a Riding Master VI graduate of Meredith Manor and Certified Instructor. She taught and trained in South Carolina before returning to join the staff as an Admissions Representative. Kristen has successfully competed in AQHA and open shows throughout West Virginia, Ohio, and Illinois. She also participates in continuing education in Admissions and Financial Aid.
Melissa Gilbert: Director of Admissions
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Melissa has spent the past ten years working as our Director of Admissions. Before coming to Meredith Manor, Melissa spent fifteen years in management, sales, and public relations. Her formal education consists of two years at West Virginia University in Parkersburg supplemented with various professional seminars and clinics. Melissa also participates in continuing education in Admissions procedures.
Matt Bosgraf: Financial Aid Director / Business Manager
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Matt holds a BS Degree in Business Administration from West Virginia University in Parkersburg. He has also participated in continuing education in Financial Aid.
Denver Hess: Financial Aid Representative / Accountant
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Denver holds a BS Degree in Business Administration from Ohio University. He has experience in public and private accounting.
Dirk Bosgraf: Director of Marketing and IT
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Before joining Meredith Manor, Dirk spent 5 years with Simonton Windows, one of the largest vinyl window manufacturers in North America, as a database administrator and manager of their Business Intelligence group. He holds a BS in Computer Science from Ohio University.
Owners:
- Ronald W. Meredith, D.S.
- Faith F. Meredith
- Dirk Bosgraf
- Matt Bosgraf
- Elizabeth Hammerman, ED.D.
- Virginia Preston