Our fine facility offers the best of care for the horses and a warm, friendly atmosphere for the owner/ student. Management and care of our horses and ponies is our primary concern.
With multi-discipline instructors and our excellent programs, the confidence, fitness, friendships, sportsmanship and horsemanship of the rider excel.
With multi-discipline instructors and our excellent programs, the confidence, fitness, friendships, sportsmanship and horsemanship of the rider excel.
Kristen Paster
Owner/Operator/Instructor (Hunter/Jumper, Saddleseat, Western Pleasure, Cross Country, Foxhunting, Trail)
Kristen Paster, owner of Yorktown Stables, comes from a multi generation horse family. She is a licensed instructor of Yorktown, Virginia and opened Yorktown Stables in January 2010. Growing up with horses in her backyard, she started riding the moment she could walk and has since had passion for horses. Her family homes', Thorpland Plantation and Daffodil Hill Farm, is where she gained valuable experience related to offering riding instruction and running a stable on a day-to-day basis. While in high school, she learned how to turn her teaching interests into a small business venture.
Kristen has shown both locally and regionally in both A-circuit hunter/jumpers, saddleseat (show pleasure, plantation pleasure, lite shod and park performance) and occasionally western pleasure. Kristen currently foxhunts with Colonial Hounds Hunt Club and volunteers for the NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association.) She was a member of the 4-H riding club and a pony clubber for five years. As a member of this organization she worked hard to stop the abuse of Tennessee Walking Horses and gave a presentation at the University of Virginia on this subject that won her a scholarship. She has been taught by and worked with many accomplished equestrians including; Judge, instructor and breeder Pamela Gregory, breeder and trainer Patricia Southall, Judge and gaited horse instructor Nancy Bacot, Tennessee Walking Horse trainers and breeders Bobby and Lori Moss, hunter/jumper instructor Sara Lee Nottingham, hunter/jumper instructor Jim Mashuski, and thoroughbred trainer/jockey Timmy Mayo.
She started her college career at the University of Hawaii and recently transferred to Saint Leo University. Kristen fell in love with horses- and riding- as a child and has since dedicated her life sharing this passion with fellow horse enthusiasts at Yorktown Stables. She wants to thank her parents, Roy and Sarah, her instructors, Mr. and Mrs. Forrest, her extended family, her many dear friends, and clients for making it all possible.
Kristen has shown both locally and regionally in both A-circuit hunter/jumpers, saddleseat (show pleasure, plantation pleasure, lite shod and park performance) and occasionally western pleasure. Kristen currently foxhunts with Colonial Hounds Hunt Club and volunteers for the NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association.) She was a member of the 4-H riding club and a pony clubber for five years. As a member of this organization she worked hard to stop the abuse of Tennessee Walking Horses and gave a presentation at the University of Virginia on this subject that won her a scholarship. She has been taught by and worked with many accomplished equestrians including; Judge, instructor and breeder Pamela Gregory, breeder and trainer Patricia Southall, Judge and gaited horse instructor Nancy Bacot, Tennessee Walking Horse trainers and breeders Bobby and Lori Moss, hunter/jumper instructor Sara Lee Nottingham, hunter/jumper instructor Jim Mashuski, and thoroughbred trainer/jockey Timmy Mayo.
She started her college career at the University of Hawaii and recently transferred to Saint Leo University. Kristen fell in love with horses- and riding- as a child and has since dedicated her life sharing this passion with fellow horse enthusiasts at Yorktown Stables. She wants to thank her parents, Roy and Sarah, her instructors, Mr. and Mrs. Forrest, her extended family, her many dear friends, and clients for making it all possible.
Sarah Smith
(Horsemanship, Trail, Specializing in Equine Rehabilitation)
Sarah Smith is Kristen's Mother and currently lives at her own private farm, Daffodil Hill Farm, in Gloucester, Virginia. Daffodil Hill Farm spreads over 14 acres of wooded and open fields. She has over 25 years of experience in the horse industry and is a Certified Registered Nurse. In 2001, she spent a year working with a Christian therapeutic riding program in Lexington, Virginia as the camp nurse. In the past, she has placed many hunter ponies after working with each one for at least a year. Sarah has rescued and rehabilitated many horses and ponies that had been abused and neglected.
Jordan Mauld
Instructor (Hunter/Jumper, English Equitation, Cross Country & Trail ) & Trail Guide
Jordan is from Poquoson, Virginia and currently attends Christopher Newport University. As an active member of CNU's Equestrian Team, Jordan has shown competitively all over the East Coast. She started teaching at YS in July 2011 and is a much sought after instructor.
Dakotah Mayo
Instructor (Basic English/Western Equitation, Trail, Barrels & Speed)
Dakotah is Kristen's cousin and is currently finishing her senior year of High School. She comes from a multi-generation horse family and has owned and worked with horses for her entire life. She has taken after her father, retired Jockey/Trainer/ Racing Official Timmy Mayo, and has a natural gift with horses and teaching. Cody obtained her "Pony License" (leads racehorses to starting gate) at Colonial Down in 2008.
Cody continues to show both locally and regionally in Barrel Racing and other speed events. In addition to instructing, she also schools the lesson mounts and helps care for all Yorktown Stables Horses & Ponies. Dakotah is one of Yorktown Stables head instructors and is also available for schooling rides. We are proud to have her as a part of our Team!
Cody continues to show both locally and regionally in Barrel Racing and other speed events. In addition to instructing, she also schools the lesson mounts and helps care for all Yorktown Stables Horses & Ponies. Dakotah is one of Yorktown Stables head instructors and is also available for schooling rides. We are proud to have her as a part of our Team!
Lauryn Haynie
Instructor, Trail Guide (English, Western/Speed, Trail, General Equitation)
Lauryn grew up in Gloucester, Virginia and has been involved with horses for as long as she can remember (her mother was an avid horsewoman). Lauryn has owned competed and ridden horses all of her life, competing in a variety of disciplines, including pony club, trail riding, and county level showing. She has gained a lot of knowledge along the way, although she admits after years with horses you can still learn something new every day and enjoys the learning process her self. She values teamwork, sportsmanship, and responsibility in her students, a combination Lauryn feels creates not only self esteem and builds confidence, but lifelong sense of accomplishment. Lauryn continues to ride, take lessons and show. It's important for instructors/trainers to keep their skills up and to continue to improve as well!
Mallory Musselman
Coming soon!
Tyler Dawson
Instructor & Trail Guide
Coming soon!
Jessica Steffens
Instructor & Trail Guide
Coming soon!
Lauren Langley
(Trail Guide)
Lauren Langley was born and raised in Newport News. She always had a love for horses but did not start riding lessons until her junior year of college when she joined the CNU Equestrian Team. She competed in IHSA shows and after graduation has continued to ride in her spare time. Lauren especially enjoys trail riding and has been on trails all over the world including Australia, Jamaica, and Aruba.
Jamie Wezensky
Instructor (English/Western Equitation, Speed Events)
Jamie has been riding for about 15 years. Jamie has competed locally and at the district and state level for 4-H, which she was a member of for six years. She has trained several horses for clients as well as her own two horses. She has been instructing multiple disciplines for several years but specializes in Western and Speed. Jamie brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Yorktown Stables Riding Program. We are proud to have her as part of our Team!
Jaqueline McCormick
Instructor (Hunters, Jumping, Equitation)
Jaqueline is currently a student at Christopher Newport University and is one of our part time instructors and schoolers. Her training and showing career spans over six years with success in both hunter and western disciplines. She is a much sought after and popular instructor, who is equally happy teaching beginners as she is helping to train riders develop more advanced jumping skills. She is a fantastic coach with a natural talent for bringing out the best in both horse and rider.Jaqueline is available for lessons and schooling rides.
Jenna Spracher
Assistant Instructor
Coming Soon!
