Michelle Le Clair, Owner

Michelle has been a primary school teacher in local schools for 15 years and has been riding for over 35 years. She has ridden competitively in both English and Western disciplines, earning several championships in each. She has had the privilege to work under Tom Dorrance for several years in the 1990's, where she learned about Natural Horsemanship and rehabilitating recued horses. She has taken what she learned from Mr. Dorrance, and combined it with her teaching experience to create the unique program at Pleasant Valley Horse Club.  Michelle’s philosophy is to establish well balanced riders with plenty of time in the saddle and a strong core foundation in a friendly, family environment.  Over the years, PVHC has produced many champions due to her approach.

Carey Preisinger, Barn Manager

Carey has been riding horses since she was 10.  She started lessons in the Sacramento Area, and after attending Rutgers University she continued riding in New Jersey.  Her focus has been mainly Hunter/Jumpers and Equitation, but since coming to PVHC in the fall of 2009, she has picked up an interest in Western Pleasure and Trail.  She enjoys being outside and working with kids.  She brings her experienceas a part of the English instruction team.

Lucas Le Clair, Camp Manager

At 17 Lucas had already won the AA California State Championships for Barrel Racing in '04 and '05. He also won the All Around Boys Western Series in Carmel, and has many ribbons from Western Pleasure, Trail, and Junior Cattle Sorting. He has also shown well in Jumpers and Endurance riding. Lucas has been riding from the time he was "around four" and was raised with horses his whole long life. He has a gift for training and has worked with horses from the ground up. Lucas helps today with camp safety and barrel lessons. He is currently in the Paramedic Firefighter Program at Cabrillo College.

Jhanna Radman, Camp Director
(currently on maternity leave)

Jhanna has been involved with horses since she was young. She has practiced both English and Western riding. She has spent time at the Monterey Bay Horsemanship and Therapeutic Center where she helped handicap children learn to ride and care for a horse. She has spent many summers at horse camps both as a camper and staff member. She brings her energy and enthusiam for kids and horses to our Camp Progam.

Lisa Niva, Hunter/Jumpers

Lisa has been riding for 18 years as a very successful amateur on the "A" circuit in Hunters, Equitation and jumper divisions. She has successfully taken many students to the top levels at shows, including year end champions in the A/A hunters, A/O hunters, children's hunters, and A/A jumpers. Her extensive equitation background has produced many winning horse/rider teams, in the medal classes. She was year end circuit champion at Woodside, as well as other numerous champions and reserves in the first year green, second year, regular working, and green conformation hunters. Lisa was tenth USEF Green Conformation Hunters 2004 and fifth Horse Of the Year for USEF in 2005, in the Regular Conformation Hunters. Lisa's philosophy is that students should walk away from a lesson with a feeling of accomplishment, and have fun while learning! Lisa helps PVHC's advanced English show team.

Alex Schierenbeck, Camp Directer

Alex has been riding and working with horses since she was 13. She has ridden mostly Hunter/Jumpers and puttime on several green horses. She started riding at the Monterey Bay Horsemanship and Therapeutic Center where she also helped handicapped children learn how to ride. Alex helped MBHTC with their lesson program, summer camps and horse care. After MBHTC Alex rode for Almaden farms as their head trainer and helped themput on their annual Almaden Farms Summer Horse Shows. Alex is currently studying Early Childhood Education at Cabrillo College.