Stephens College Equestrian Center Faculty

Ellen Beard:

Ellen Beard joined Stephens College January 2007 as a saddle seat instructor. She previously worked at Stephens College as a riding instructor from 1985-87. Ellen is an '84 graduate of Stephens College and is an experienced saddle seat instructor, teaching at the nationally renowned Delovely Farm in Rockport, Ind., from 1987-1991. She has also worked as an equine consultant for the Cash Lovell Stables in Winston-Salem , N.C., Cheradon Acres in Omaha, Neb. and the 6D Ranch in Austin, Texas, helping each farm to maximize the potential and success of their riding programs.

Becky Clervi:

Becky Clervi has been active in the industry for more than 35 years and has taught western riding at Stephens for seven years. She has shown nationally and placed at the Quarter Horse Congress and the World Quarter Horse Shows. A state horse show judge and an active member of the AQHA, Becky has served as a board member of the Minnesota Quarter Horse Association and Missouri Horse Shows Association. She has worked with professionals Jack Brainard, Richard Shrake, Tim and Collen McQuay, Robin and Murray Griggs, Jim Dudley, Craig Johnson, and Kendra Weis, among others.

Sara Linde:

Sara Linde graduated from Stephens College with a degree in Equestrian Business Management and has been riding and competing since 1986. Having worked in various aspects of the indsutry, her knowledge ranges from training and teaching hunter/jumpers to assisting at a major equine breeding facility and managing one of the top hunter/jumper facilities in Dallas. She was also a veterinarian technician for a large and small animal practice. In addition to barn management in Dallas, she maintained a steady flow of up to 60 riding students as well as multiple horses in her training string.

Michele Smith:

Michele Smith, MBA, has been an equine professional for more than 40 years. She has taught at the college level since 1981 and at Stephens for 17 years. While her primary discipline is hunter/jumper, she also teaches dressage and combined training, taking beginnners through advanced riders to schooling as well as "A" rated shows. Michele competes in combined training and has also competed western, sideseaddle, and has been a member of a Fox Hunt. Twice named the Missouri Hunter/Jumper Trainer of the Year, Michele judges horseshows, gives clinics, and is a C-3 national tester for US Pony Clubs and course designer and judge for the Midwest Region Pony Club rally, including qualifying rounds for Nationals. The secretary of the Missouri Horse Shows Association, she is also a member of USEA, USH/J Association, USEF, and USDF.