Our Team
Karen McKelvy Stone
Karen comes from the competitive world of the East Coast hunter and equitation ranks of the early ‘80’s. Accumulating many successes (including the 1983 win of the USET Medal Finals East, 1982 Junior Hunter Champion at The National Horse Show, Best Child Rider at Devon, Harrisburg and Washington) Karen stepped away for many years after feeling the affects of burnout. Coming back to the sport, Karen was determined to heal from the militaristic style coaching she had endured. Pursuing new goals in the Grand Prix show jumping arena, Karen trained and excelled in the jumper discipline of the sport, pushing herself out of her comfort zone. Her successes include winning the Rocky Mountain Classic Grand Prix and competing successfully at Spruce Meadows in Calgary multiple years with ribbons in the Section 1 Open Jumpers. Determined to coach in a way Karen knows to work better, Karen’s skills include working with sensitive women and sensitive horses and building confidence through positive and self-affirming coaching. Whether riders choose to travel to A rated shows, or just follow paths to individual goals, Karen supports both athletes of the horse/rider team. She calls herself a marriage counselor, constantly working on bettering the communication between the two. She believes the joy of pushing through our perceived limitations is what it's all about.
Trainer
Robert Hanelt
Robert has been with the ranch since its inception and is in charge of every aspect of what the ranch needs. From horse health to grounds maintenance, Robert is on top of it all. Born in Germany but growing up in Santa Fe, Robert brings many unique and unparalleled talents to the team. And he is absolutely the chosen favorite among the many creatures the ranch nurtures!
Ranch Manager
FarrierDuane Flegel
We are so lucky to have Duane as our farrier. “No foot, no horse” as the saying goes, and Duane takes impeccable care of our equine partners. With many years of experience shoeing high performance horses in the high altitude desert of Northern New Mexico, Duane works closely with our team to care for our equine athletes. Committed to curiosity and studying horses, Duane is a true horseman and our secret weapon to keeping our horses sound and happy.
Owner / RiderLisa Piasecki
It was Lisa’s dream to live on the Chama River. Lisa and her husband Eric are both from Massachusetts and travelled through Northern New Mexico on their honeymoon, falling in love with the spot on the map. Growing up with horses and competing on the East Coast as a junior, Lisa grew to have a love/hate relationship with the competition world and stepped away for many years. Coming back to the sport with an OTTB she named Chama, Lisa rekindled her passion for horses and her riding. And now has built her dream, a place where horses and humans can be happy and healthy and enjoy the landscape. And reach goals! Lisa and her mare Cortina ES were the 2024 National Champions in the 1.10/1.15 Amateur Jumpers in Las Vegas. And 2 years in a row Lisa was the New Mexico Hunter/Jumper Association year end champion in the 1.10 Jumpers with Cortina, and 1.20 Amateur Jumper champion with her other mare Midnight Hour. An artist when not in the saddle, Lisa has created a place of inspiration, truly a ranch where dreams come true.
Owner / PhotographerEric Piasecki
Veterinarian / Rider