Neil Agate is the founder of business and technology services firms Four Gates, LLC, and Viener4Gates Consulting; he is the former President of the Maryland Horse Council and guided the organization through two major initiatives: the acquisition and management of
A lifelong equestrian, Jodie Vella-Gregory began her career in eventing in her native Canada, eventually landing a spot on the Young Riders Team for Alberta. After graduation from the University of Alberta with a degree in political science and psychology,
Amanda is a licensed attorney with many years of regulatory experience both in the insurance and biotechnology industries. She has worked extensively with contracts and intellectual property and started two businesses of her own: a health coaching company and a
Sarah Williams has over fifteen years of experience in the financial services industry. Sarah started riding in the hunter/jumper discipline at the age of eight and has ridden Thoroughbreds almost exclusively since. Recognizing the versatility of Thoroughbreds, Williams is a
Patrick Cummings is the executive director of the National Thoroughbred Alliance (NTA), a consultative organization founded by leading owner Mike Repole. Prior to launching the NTA, Cummings led the Thoroughbred Idea Foundation during its five-year operation, achieving multiple American firsts
Robert serves as the Chair of the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program (RTIP) where he oversees the direction of the Program. He also leads the programming efforts for the Global Symposium on Racing, hosting over 650 horse racing
Chris Knehr, originally from New Jersey, pursued his business degree at Virginia Tech. During college he grew his desire to work with horses while competing on the school’s IHSA team and working at a hunter/jumper training farm. Upon graduation, he
Now a resident of Aiken, SC, Richard grew up in Woodstock, VT, helping run his family’s horse farm, riding camp and ski lodge, as well as competing in hunters, jumpers, eventing, Pony Club and fox hunting. After graduation from St.
Clare and Tom Mansmann, who operate Pacific Farms in Hume, Virginia, have competed in the Thoroughbred Makeover since 2016, regularly attending with multiple horses and engaging their clients and students in the process. They have been advocates for and promotors
Dr. Shannon Reed, DACVS-LA is a past Thoroughbred Makeover competitor whose commitment to the work of the Retired Racehorse Project progressed into her serving as consulting veterinarian and a driving force behind the implementation of the Thoroughbred Makeover Arrival Exam.
Sissy Wickes is a highly regarded USEF “R” Hunter judge and trainer who has operated her own Springtown Show Stable for over three decades. An advocate for the Thoroughbred, Wickes and her husband, Tim, are also active in racing, breeding,
Steuart Pittman is the founder of the Retired Racehorse Project, formed as a non-profit organization in 2010, after recognizing the need for efforts to market the ex-racehorse as a sport horse. A former professional in the horse industry, Steuart operated
Dr. Carolyn Karlson is an owner and breeder of Thoroughbred racehorses through her New York-based business Sisu Racing Stables. Carolyn also offers college admissions counseling through her business Starting Gate College Consulting and additionally is employed as an instructor with
