|
 Alicia Fraser- Trainer/Instructor/Owner
Born into a family of trainers, Alicia has been riding her entire life. As most young horsewomen, riding quickly lead to an interest in showing, and her show career on the "A" circuit began at the age of 6 in the Walk and Trot Equitation division. Alicia began showing on Arabian horses, but at the age of 11, decided to switch breeds and began riding for Peter Axtell Training Stables on American Saddlebreds. As the oldest of 5, owning a top quality show horse was not in the financial cards for Alicia's family, although you could always find "projects" of various breed in their backyard. Fortunately, Peter gave Alicia many opportunities to show a number of wonderful Saddlebreds in divisions from Equitation, to Country Pleasure to Three Gaited Performance horses. By the time she was cantering, Alicia knew she wanted to be a trainer. Upon graduating high school, Alicia moved from home to be closer to her trainer and work towards a degree in Business Management. At the age 0f 18, Alicia became Assistant Trainer for China Pointe, still under the direction of Peter Axtell. It was a job she loved! However, in 2003, an opportunity came along that was simply too good to pass up. It was June of that year that Alicia ventured out on her own to open Scottfield Stables. It was by luck that she fell upon the Morgan breed as the farm she had rented had been a Morgan Farm prior to her arrival. Alicia had worked with a handful of Morgans at China Pointe, primarily a few youngsters she started under saddle including 2003 NYSMHS High Point Winner CEM May Lace, owned and shown by Barbara McMurray and the outstanding young stallion, Sacred Pathss Fortune, owned and bred by Diane Seitz of Sacred Path Morgans. Alicia found that the Morgan breed displayed a perfect temperament for Junior Exhibitors and Amateur riders, the very riders Alicia hoped to specialize in training. Within no time, Alicia was devoted to this breed. After two successful show seasons, and some remarkable growth in business, Alicia and husband, Brian, decided to venture out and purchase their own farm in the Spring of 2005. Scottfield Stables has now found its permanent home at the beautiful Stony Ridge Farm in their hometown of Montrose, Pennsylvania. With 26 Morgans in full training and more than 30 students of all ages, the program at Scottfield Stables continues to grow in leaps and bounds.
Brian Natzle - Owner/Manager
Mr. Natzle came into horses by no choice of his own. When Brian began dating Alicia their Freshmen year of high school, he was happily working as a bus boy at a local restaurant, playing baseball, fishing, and hunting with no real idea just how involved his future bride was in the horse industry. By the time the two became engaged in 2003, Brian was knee deep in horses and getting in further by the minute. As time progressed, so did Brian's skills in handling horses, and it soon became apparent to all that watched him that he had a natural, quiet way with these animals. Now Brian works full-time on the farm, handling all of the feeding and management duties as well as assisting in the hooking and breaking of young stock, and being your all-around "step-n-fetch-it." The Scottfield Team relies heavily on Brian, and a more reliable, hard worker you'll never find!!
Becky Shultz- Assistant Trainer/Instructor
Becky has been involved with the horse industry her entire life, a career peppered with different farms, trainers, breeds, and disciplines. She has been the Assistant Trainer for three notable Arabian farms, and through her twenties, Becky showed several horses on the "A" circuit, including her Arabian mare, Soysky's Two Bits, who among other things was Top Five Amateur Western Pleasure Horse at Region 16 Championship Shows. Becky heads up the beginner lesson program at Scottfield for both children and adults. She is wonderfully patient and can make even the most difficult skill seem attainable! Becky is very gifted in the long-lining of young and finished horses alike, an asset we capitalize on by employing Becky as our Assistant Trainer. Becky is also very involved with her five children (the oldest of whom is Alicia Fraser!) and keeps busy with both the local 4-H clubs and Camp Susquehannock, an International Christian Camp whose Horse Riding program is managed and run solely by Becky. In what little spare time she has, Becky enjoys driving her newest horse, Maestro of the Dawn, in local driving competitions. Becky's warm, fun loving personality puts any rider at ease, while her great sense of humor keep us all laughing!
Priscilla Jennings (Perce)-Manager/Assistant Trainer
As per her instructions, Perce's description will be kept to a minimum. One of the quieter members of the Scottfield Team, Perce has worked on Stony Ridge Farm for over 20 years as their Farm and Breeding Manager. Perce is especially skilled in the handling of Stallions and Foals. Many a nervous and ill-tempered horse have been turned around by her quiet, steady style. Perce's hard-work, know-how and dedication to the farm would be impossible to replace.
Not to be without mention are the school horses that are the foundation of the Scottfield Riding Program.
Joker - Beginner Lesson Horse
Joker is a warmblood cross gelding whose 20 years of life experience make him an unshakable school horse. As a dressage horse, Joker was shown competitively up to second level. Now he enjoys his job as a lesson horse whose specialties include lunge-line lessons and teaching the rider correct use of legs aids. He still has a fabulous half-pass, and he can teach anyone a flying change!
Cinnamon Fersal-Beginner Lesson Horse
This 3/4 Arabian, 1/4 Saddlebred is our old "reliable" for those children learning to master the initial skills of steering and stopping. He has a fun personality and has a wonderful canter for the first-timer!
Lovely Rita- Advanced School Horse
Rita is a beautiful 12 year old National Show Horse who in her heyday carried owner, (then 14 year-old Alicia Fraser), to a Reserve State Championship in Saddleseat Equitation as a Four Year Old. She now enjoys demanding perfection from her students and is wonderful at teaching the rider to balance a bridle while simultaneously teaching an independent seat.
Dar vale Fitzgerald- Advanced School Horse/Academy Mount
"Fitzie" is a big bodied 24 Year Old Morgan who comes out of his stall every day ready to go to a horse show. Fitzie's forward energy and upright neck coupled with his deadly precision on a pattern puts a fabulous finish on our senior equitation riders. And best yet, he is still very competitive in the show ring when duty calls!!
|
Alicia Fraser- Trainer/Instructor/Owner