Klaas Stiksma - Associate Trainer, Jumpers
Klaas is a graduate of the prestigious Dutch Equestrian School at Deurne, earning high honors and degrees in both professional training (instructor) and equestrian management (’93 and ’96 respectively). Over the next six years, Klaas achieved increasing success as a trainer and rider at some of Europe’s finest stables including Nico Wouers van den Ouwdenwijer Farm, Dalhoeve Breeding and Show Stables, Egbert Schep Stables, Wijam Laarakkers and Joan Scharffenberger, and Herman Seiger Breeding Stables. He has placed in numerous international competitions and trained Olympic bound horses including Royal Discovery and Russell (Nic Skelton). Klaas spent the next eight years in Sweden training students and taking on the role of lead equestrian instructor at the Karlfeldt School in Avesta Sweden.
In 2008 Klaas moved to North America, beginning with a successful season at HITS Ocala, where he began working with Ketcham Farm. Klaas brings this extensive experience in training of young horses and students on up through top competitors, to the team at Ketcham Farm. His disciplined approach to training and development ensures that both horse and rider achieve continuous improvement, enabling a steady progression toward their highest level of proficiency individually and as a team
Klaas provides training, lessons and clinics at Ketcham, and leads the team in local, regional and national show jumping competitions. He works with the team of trainers at Ketcham to provide the full range of hunter, jumper, dressage and equitation training to the aspiring young riders and horses, up through serious dedicated equestrians at all levels. Utilizing Ketcham’s unparalleled equine therapy facilities and pool, Klaas also works with the Ketcham team in the rehabilitation of horses requiring therapy to regain their competitive strength and form.
Natalie Johnson - Associate Trainer, Hunters, Jumpers
Natalie Johnson came to Ketcham Farm as an Associate Trainer in May 2010, after spending 6 years at Heritage Farms in New York, as a student, top competitor and training apprentice.
Success came early and often for Natalie during her experience at Heritage. In 2004, she made her debut at the North American Young Riders’ Championship and also led her Team to the Silver Medal in the USEF Prix de States Team Championship held at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg. Individually, she placed fourth from a field of 40 starters riding Calino de Lezeaux, a chestnut selle francais gelding leased from Brooke Johansen of California for the 2004 season. Natalie rode Chagall to victory in the ASPCA Maclay Regional Championship before lending him to fellow rider, Addison Phillips, who placed third in the prestigious ASPCA Maclay Final in New York City. In 2005, Natalie's final year as the Junior, she claimed the Grand Junior Hunter Champion at the CSI-W Washington International Horse Show in October riding Moulin Rouge.
Natalie realized a dream come true at the 2006 North American Young Riders' Championship in Lexington, Virginia. She jumped five clear rounds, leading Zone 1 to the Team Gold and claiming the Individual Bronze Medal for herself. Her partner was Crockett 16, a Holsteiner gelding that she imported in January.
In 2009, Natalie was a Rider Representative for JustWorld International, donating all of her prize money to the non-profit organization. Natalie’s involvement with JustWorld International was recognized in 2004 when her high school, Greenwich Academy, honored her with the Sally Casey Award, given to the student who has made an outstanding community service contribution. When she is not riding, Natalie enjoys reading, photography and snowboarding. Her parents, Bonnie and Robert, and her brother, Nicholas, are very supportive of Natalie’s riding career.
During the Winter Equestrian Festival in 2006, Natalie was recognized for her outstanding contribution to JustWorld International. During the 2005 show season, Natalie donated 100% of her prize money, totaling over $38,000, to JustWorld International. The money will be used to help build a school and community centre in Tornabe, Honduras. The addition of a school is very important to this small village as 800 of its 2,500 residents are children that do not have access to proper education.
John Harris - Ketcham Therapy Center and Equine Pool Coordinator
John has been an integral part of the equine therapy center and pool long before it became part of the Ketcham Farm Group. A longtime favored facility for veterinarians throughout the central New Jersey area - particularly for standardbred care, the facility underwent a dramatic renovation in 2009, and now services the needs of the show jumping, standardred and thoroughbred and polo industries, veterinarians and individual equestrian ownners. John in a familiar role is responsible for coordinating all activities at the pool and throughout the facility.
Jose Alejo - Lead Show Groom
Jose has been a show groom for over 20 years, providing grooming services for show barns throughout the Northeast. In 2003, Jose was recruited as lead groom by Ketcham Farm in Fort Salonga, New York. He has now assumed the role at the much larger Ketcham facility in Allentown, New Jersey. As lead groom, Jose is responsible for all equine support at the Ketcham Show Barn, as well as for all equine services for the Ketcham team at competitions throughout the east coast.
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