Meet The Tack Shop Team of Experts
The Tack Shop had its beginning at Cleveland Park Stables in 1967 when Glyn's mom, Mary Sandzen, opened with a few thousand dollars of inventory in cardboard boxes. In 1979, Glyn took over the operations of the store, while Mary left to follow her dream to build the first indoor equestrian facility in South Carolina, Carolina Horse Park.
Glyn has competed in and taught both saddleseat and hunter-jumper disciplines, organized and produced horse shows, and managed an indoor equestrian facility. She has also completed extensive training in methods of bitting and saddle fitting.
The Tack Shop staff represents many disciplines of riding, training and competition. In this way, the shop stays current with the latest styles and information. We proudly offer a wealth and depth of knowledge based on our collective education and life experience.
"Among all of us, someone will either have the answer to your question or know where to find it..." says Glyn. "Give us a chance to be your resource. We understand the volume of information can be overwhelming and we want to help!"
Hey everyone! My name is Kelly and I have been riding horses since I was 6 years old. My high school buddy in Ohio had a horse farm, and I guess it's safe to say she was my very first trainer. After moving to South Carolina , I started to ride at Grove Station Farms and Frances Steele was my trainer for the next 5 years. I fell in love with an Apploosa/Tenessee Walker cross, and thought my life was over when I “graduated” from the farm and had to move on.
After shuffling around from show barn to show barn in Tryon , NC , I finally found my niche at Stoney Knoll Farms in Columbus, NC. Betsy and Gerald Pack have got to be the most wonderful combination of talented trainers that I know. During my junior years, I heavily competed in the equitation classes and loved the competition between the junior riders. My last year as a junior rider I competed in the ASPCA Maclay and rode in the PSJ Equitation Finals. In Fall 2008 I finally got my first horse, a Holsteiner/Irish Sport Cross colt named Diesel. I am looking forward to our future endeavors.
After 16 years of being involved in the horse world, I have learned that horse people are their own special breed of humans, and our love for the four-legged beast is unique and everlasting.
My name is Jessica Brown and I’ve
been a part of the Tack Shop team since June 2005. I enjoy working at the
shop as it provides me the opportunity to meet and talk with so many different
people who share a common love for the horse. My own love affair with horses began when I was 12, learning to ride at a small farm in Northern Virginia. I cleaned stalls and took care of horses to help pay for my lessons and eventually had my first horse to lease, Jesse - he and I had lots of fun! In 1991 I moved to South Carolina to attend Clemson. Three years later I took a sabbatical from school and moved to the Potomac Horse Center in Maryland where I lived and worked...and worked some more! With 120 horses to take care of, I learned something new everyday! In 1995 I returned to Clemson to finish my degree and continued riding at the Heritage with Linda Symborski. After graduation I took an introductory course in Equine Massage with a certificate from Equissage Inc. I was so excited about the field and wanted to learn more! I found Mike Scott in Camden, SC and completed his Advanced Muscle Therapy course. Later I was able to attend an Equine Cadaver Lab held at Tufts Veterinary School - that was amazing! Though I don't do much massaging these days, I find that the knowledge I gained has helped me tremendously in my relationship with my own horse, Franklin. I've found that even when life throws one of its random curveballs at me, spending time with Franklin and the rest of the gang at the barn puts my head right back where it needs to be!
Hi! My name is Cheryl King and I live in Greenville, SC. I began my riding career at age 10 and spent my childhood riding hunter/jumper in Illinois, California and Connecticut. Twelve years ago I discovered dressage, and fell in love with it. For those of you who aren’t familiar with this equestrian discipline, dressage is a French word that means ‘training’ and focuses on improving harmony and communication between horse and rider. I actively teach, train horses and show in dressage, as well as continue my own learning through regular lessons from an international level dressage trainer and USDF judge. This ensures that I can pass on the best knowledge and instruction to students and horses. I am also certified by the American Riding Instructor Association in Dressage Instruction and Stable Management.I specialize in introducing dressage and centered riding to horses and riders through kind and positive feedback. Throughout my career I have given literally hundreds of children and adults their start in the saddle, and really enjoy giving them a solid foundation of skills and knowledge. I am very happy to be helping students achieve their riding goals!
I currently own a 13 year old Dutch Warmblood/Thoroughbred cross named Luke. He is a sweetheart, and is enjoying his new career as a dressage horse.
Hey everyone, my name is Meredith Teeple and I currently live in Simpsonville! I started riding when I was 10 and my first horse was a 1 month old Tenessee Walking horse named Gizmo. Since he was so young, we basically borrowed his mother so that my family and I could ride her. Soon after, my mother decided to get me to take riding lessons probably in fear that I might one day injure myself. I bet she didn't know what one little lesson would soon turn into! When I was 12, we broke and trained Gizmo with the help of a neighbor. That was a really rewarding experience and made me realize how much I truly enjoy working with horses, even at such a young age! When I was 13, I got my first 'real' event horse named Copy. He showed me how simple yet difficult dressage can be, and even took me to training level in eventing. I competed in several Nationals in both dressage and eventing in Pony Club, and also competed in the first American Eventing Championships with him in Raeford, NC. I was also able to get my Pony Club C-3 rating on him, but soon after had to sadly retire him. I am currently riding a 14.2 hh project quarter horse that I got off of a whim at an auction named Oskar. He was a mess, but I have learned so much working with him. He has successfully competed at both training level dressage and novice eventing. I am also attending USC Upstate and majoring in Biology with a minor in Psychology. I plan on either attending PA school or working my way through a nursing track to become a CRNA. I am also married, and have a cat who is apparently the boss now.
I have learned so much with horses throughout the years. When I stop worrying about how I'm riding and just listen to what my horse is telling me, I have learned that the horse will be the best teacher you can have.
Hi my name is Lauren. I have been riding since I was 6 years old. I got my first horse at 11. He and I showed in 4H shows and did well. At fifteen, I got my second show Horse. He was a spunky green broke Arabian that gave me tons of trouble. I learned a lot from him, mainly how to stay in the saddle. In 2006 I bought a yearling appendix mare named Shadow. Now she is 5 years old and we are training with Estela Lindsey at Five Jokers Farm. I am super excited to show her in the hunter ring when we get ready. I currently manage a personal farm with forty horses. I love it. Horses are truly my passion and I enjoy spending my days with those unique animals.
Hi I'm Lila Kilby, and I am a junior at Greenville High. I have been riding for 10 years, from hunter-jumper to dressage, with a brief stab at playing cowgirl, and finally, to your everyday trail rider and horse fanatic. Right now, I own a 10 year old Quarter Horse gelding named Maserati, which might have suited him at some point. I keep Mazi at my friends barn, and amble around while she practices flying lead changes, half passes, and seeing how high her horse can jump. Currently, my goal is to condition Mazi, and go on hunter paces with my friend.After so many different, crazy, and fun experiences on horseback, one thing I can say that I have learned about horses is this: "You can learn no art truly but the art of horsemanship. The reason is the brave best is no flatterer. He will throw a prince as soon as his groom." ~ Ben Jonson.•••••
Meredith B.
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Lexi
This photo was taken of Lexi when she was just 3 months old at The Tack Shop. Just a couple of weeks before, as Glyn was leaving for work, she saw a car ahead of her pull over to the side of Alexander Rd, open the door, and shove a puppy out. Glyn followed her into the woods and brought her back, and she sat in her lap on the ride to The Tack Shop where she began her career as our Greeter.
Since then she has made 100's of friends, cleaned the faces of dozens of babies and entertained many young children, allowing parents to enjoy their shopping.
Click here to go to Lexi's Blog!