About Us
OPRC-Piedmont was established in 2002 to promote horse activities for adults. Emphasizing fun, camaraderie, and education, we hope you will grow through your participation in our club activities. Our specific objectives include the following: that you continue to improve your riding, knowledge, and horsemanship; that you will expand your horse horizons and try something new; and most of all, that you will make new friends within our local riding community. The Board Members and instructors are here to help you reach for these goals.
The Board Members
Jola Peil
President
When members of the board of directors first asked if I would run for president, I felt honored but immediately said no. My first instinct was that there are many others more qualified than I and there's no way I could do the job as well Sue Knox has for the past 8 years. But after thinking on it a little more, I decided to say yes. OPRC has been so very important to me over the last 7 years that I'm truly motivated to give it my best.
Stefanie Bailey
Treasurer
Jinx Fox
Vice President/Mounted Events
Like many children, I loved animals from an early age. I grew up in Asia, learning to ride on Indian Cavalry polo horses and keeping backyard ponies in India and Indonesia. Some of my earliest riding memories are of riding tough mountain ponies along steep cliffs in the Himalayan Mountains as well as riding through bazaars and neighborhoods in New Delhi and Djakarta.
Robin Garbe
Communications/Social Media
Vicky Brown
Member at Large
Karen DeLong
Member at Large
Laura Hansen
Secretary/Membership
Preferring them over other toys, I have loved horses for as long as I can remember. With the exception of a few summer horse camps as a child, it wasn't until I was in my 30s with young children that I was able to get my first horse. From that time on, it has been fun to learn as much as possible about horse care, management, and riding. Traveling to different parts of the country with a military husband allowed me to dabble in foxhunting, trail riding, show hunters, and dressage. It was a thrill to share this passion with my children and other family members.
To further my education and experiences with horses, I joined OPRC-Piedmont over a decade ago. This organization provides many opportunities to try different skills and get instruction in areas of horse riding one might otherwise rarely encounter. I am proud to be part of the organization and to help perpetuate this club for the future so many more horse lovers can enjoy the friendly, low key atmosphere and still keep learning about and enjoying horses.
Never, ever hesitate to contact any of us with your questions.
We’re here to help you get the most from your OPRC experience.
What our members say
"When I first joined OPRC I had done mostly trail riding and was a bit apprehensive about ring riding in a group. But the members and the instructors were so encouraging that they put my mind at ease quickly. I particularly enjoyed doing the Christmas Musical Quadrille. "
Shirley B. OPRC Piedmont Member
