We currently have a waitlist for boarding, 1:1 riding lessons, night time group lesso
13902 East Morgan Drive, Gilbert, 85295
Meet the Staff
Virginia McCarthy
Virginia McCarthy
Virginia McCarthy
Owner & Equine Specialist in Mental Health & Learning, Virginia has dreamed of living and working with horses since she was a little girl. Her professional experience as a Social Worker and her passion for horses drove her to follow her dream and share it through the creation of Equine Connections, LLC.
Virginia and Equine Connections, LLC. are on a mission share the joy and relief that the human and horse connection brings.
Virginia works both in the barn and behind the scenes to make Equine Connections a safe and productive environment for fellow horse-lovers. She uses her knowledge and experience in health care and civil service. Virginia is certified through PATH as and ESMHL instructor, with riding experience in barrels, dressage and trail riding. She loves to share her skills and experience with others through lessons and volunteerism.
Meghan Lewis
Virginia McCarthy
Virginia McCarthy
Instructor, Meghan is PATH certified & has been teaching for over 10 years! She’s dedicated to her work as an instructor is always learning & growing in her personal & horsemanship skills. Meghan taught peewee polo at one point in her horse career-she’s patient & has a calmness about her that helps her clients find their confidence in not only their riding but themselves. She works with all ages & abilities here!
She is also dedicated to her Andalusian Stormy who challenges her to grow everyday. She loves to travel all over the world.
Ashley Doria
Virginia McCarthy
Ashley Doria
Instructor, Ashley has been teaching for over 10 years! Her experience with horses goes all the way back to her childhood in 4H, Showmanship, Jumping, Western Pleasure & so much more. She has had horses most all of her life & her horse Special has been with her since he was born.
Ashley is patient & kind with her clients & the horses & conveys that in her sessions here at the barn. She teaches those just starting out all the way through advanced riding. She works mostly with our adult groups & intermediate riders here at the barn!
Sara Coble
Bekah Christian
Ashley Doria
Instructor, Sara comes from a background working with Arabians, She worked with breeding, groundwork, training & overall care of these horses. She also has a background in teaching young kids & kids with special needs in the schools.
She works with our little kids just starting out & our individuals with developmental delays. She is great at staying with her clients every step of their journey with our horses.
Bekah Christian
Bekah Christian
Bekah Christian
Reiki/Energy, Bekah is a Reiki Master/Teacher & is our onsite meditation & energy work lead. She works to integrate meditation, mindfulness practices, energy work & other healing practices into our non mounted & mounted programs. She works with all ages & abilities at the barn & is trained to integrate these practices with the horses. She also has a background in early childhood development & trauma.
You will see her out at the barn keeping up on her horsemanship skills, running our camps & our mindfulness events. She also runs individual & small group sessions throughout the week!
Luane Merkley
Bekah Christian
Bekah Christian
Horse Care, Luane has been with the barn for over 7 years now. She has helped with everything from horse care, feeding the horses, camps, fixing things, building things, mucking stalls, you name it. She comes from Montana & has a background in emergency & first response work. She & her husband live in the valley & enjoy going on cruises when she's not at the barn. Luane also helps out with our Helping Hands acclimating them to the barn & showing them how we get things done around here.
Elsy
Snoopy
Elsy
Barn Dogs,
Hank
Snoopy
Elsy
Barn Dogs,
Snoopy
Snoopy
Lady Bug
Barn Dogs,
Lady Bug
Lady Bug
Lady Bug
Barn Dogs,
