Knoll Farm - Our Trainers

Anne Gribbons has been training and showing horses in the United States since 1972. She has trained and shown eleven of her horses, six of which were USET long listed, to Grand Prix. A number of her students have competed at the FEI levels and several have schooled and shown their own horses to Grand Prix with her help.

Mrs. Gribbons was a member of the USET squad at the North American Championships in 1985 and the World Championships in 1986. She finished seventh in the 1994 World Championship Trials on Leonardo II, who was also invited to the World Cup League Finals and ended the year in fifth place in the USET 1994 Grand Prix standings.

At Devon in 1994, she rode on the CanAm Gold Medal Team and In 1995 she was a member of the Pan American Silver Medal Team on Metallic, whom she schooled to Grand Prix. Metallic, under Robert Dover, was on the Atlanta Bronze Olympic Team and was the 1998 U.S.D.F. Grand Prix horse of the year.

Mrs. Gribbons was the North American Representative to the FEI World Cup Committee 1994-1997, is serving a third term on the AHSA Board of Directors, is a member of the USET Dressage Committee and a member of the USET National Advisory Board. She chairs the new Athletes Advisory Council of the AHSA (all disciplines) is vice-chair of the AHSA Dressage Committee and is the Chairman of the USET Active Competitors Committee.

Anne Gribbons is Federation Equestre International Judge, a licensed AHSA Senior judge and Sports Horse Breeding judge.

ANDREA MERCIER

Andrea Mercier began her riding career competing in hunter/jumper and equitation classes as well as lower level dressage as a junior. Later Andrea received formal dressage training while residing at Verden Park, a European horse import, breeding and training farm in Maryland. There she was under the tutelage of Linda Schmergerlatt. Linda, an Australian who was "long listed" along with her horse Fenton in dressage for the 2000 Olympic games in Sydney. She also received daily training from Rainer Schmergerlatt. Rainer was on the U.S. Grand Prix jumper scene for some time before moving back to his homeland, Germany. Upon her return to Long Island, Andrea began teaching hunter/jumpers and dressage. This included training a variety of horses and taking students to shows which included the Hampton Classic. Andrea brought along several students that started as beginners and made the move up to the big Eq. As well as started and brought along many green horses.

Andrea is currently studying dressage with Anne Gribbons. Anne describes her as "brave, talented, enthusiastic and passionate". Andrea currently owns and competes on her horse Don Extra. Don Extra was ninth on the USET Grand Prix list. He has helped Andrea to qualify for the region 8 finals at Prix St Georges and Intermediare 1. Andrea also earned a USDF silver medal in 2004 aboard Don Extra. In addition Andrea is currently competing at Grand Prix and has earned one of her scores towards a USDF Gold Medal. Andrea has also had success in the training of her Swedish warmblood, Camelot. She has brought Camelot along the levels, starting with him at first level and recently competing him at Prix St. Georges. She also competed Camelot successfully in hunter/ jumpers. In addition, Andrea was invited to compete at Equus 2003 Costa Rica, an international, three day, show jumping competition. Despite a hiatus in jumping she paced 8th in the overall individual competition. Andrea has also taught and trained adult and junior dressage students. Riders and their horses are currently competing in FEI dressage competitions.

LAURA SAMUELS

Laura Samuels

Laura Samuels has trained exclusively with Anne Gribbons since 1986. Some of Laura's accomplishments have been:

1988/89 U.S.D.F. Young Rider Grand Prix National Dressage Champion
U.S.D.F. Silver and Gold Medalist
Showed extensively on the Eastern Seaboard Circuit for five years from Third Level through F.E.I.
Has shown "Losander", a Trakehner geldng, in Grand Prix de Dressage for four seasons
Rode for the Region 8 Team at the North American Young Rider National Championships three times and in 1980 was fifth in the individual Dressage Championships aboard "Kristall", a Swedish Warm blood gelding.

In addition to her busy teaching schedule, Laura currently has 13 horses in training ranging from Training Level to the FEI levels.

PAT CONLAN

Caption Pat Conlan showing Buddy

Pat Conlan graduated from Potomac Horse Center's HM Course with Honors. Under direction of Anne Gribbons, training horses at Knoll Farm for the past twenty years. Winner of AHSA, USDF, LIDCTA High Score Awards on own and client's horses. USDF Bronze Medal. For eight years Pat coached two college teams one of which won the regionals.

She has coached several Pony Club members - several going on the HA status - one student won the combined training regionals. Coached several students through the Open Equitation and Hunter Division, winning many championships. Additionally, she has judged over one hundred shows. Pat is an AHSA "r" judge.

Pat Colan riding and George Morris (standing at left) judging.

JENNIFER MORELLO

Jennifer joined the Knoll staff in the summer of 2001 with over ten years of professional riding and teaching experience under her belt. Her education had and continues to be a balance between Hunt seat and Dressage. An appreciation of both disciplines are projected to her students and is evident in her riding and training ability.

Jennifer brings a high level of patience and enthusiasm to her lessons. Riders of all ages and levels have blossomed under Jennifer's guidance.

Many of Jennifer's students have gone on to compete successfully at local L.I. shows in both the Equitation and Hunter Divisions as well as at the lower levels of Dressage and Combined Training Events.


	Anne Gribbons has been training and showing horses in the United States since 1972. She has trained and shown eleven of her horses, six of which were USET long listed, to Grand Prix. A number of her students have competed at the FEI levels and several have schooled and shown their own horses to Grand Prix with her help. Mrs. Gribbons was a member of the USET squad at the North American Championships in 1985 and the World Championships in 1986. She finished seventh in the 1994 World Championship Trials on Leonardo II, who was also invited to the World Cup League Finals and ended the year in fifth place in the USET 1994 Grand Prix standings. At Devon in 1994, she rode on the CanAm Gold Medal Team and In 1995 she was a member of the Pan American Silver Medal Team on Metallic, whom she schooled to Grand Prix. Metallic, under Robert Dover, was on the Atlanta Bronze Olympic Team and was the 1998 U.S.D.F. Grand Prix horse of the year. Mrs. Gribbons was the North American Representative to the FEI World Cup Committee 1994-1997, is serving a third term on the AHSA Board of Directors, is a member of the USET Dressage Committee and a member of the USET National Advisory Board. She chairs the new Athletes Advisory Council of the AHSA (all disciplines) is vice-chair of the AHSA Dressage Committee and is the Chairman of the USET Active Competitors Committee. Anne Gribbons is Federation Equestre International Judge, a licensed AHSA Senior judge and Sports Horse Breeding judge.

	ANDREA MERCIER Andrea Mercier began her riding career competing in hunter/jumper and equitation classes as well as lower level dressage as a junior. Later Andrea received formal dressage training while residing at Verden Park, a European horse import, breeding and training farm in Maryland. There she was under the tutelage of Linda Schmergerlatt. Linda, an Australian who was "long listed" along with her horse Fenton in dressage for the 2000 Olympic games in Sydney. She also received daily training from Rainer Schmergerlatt. Rainer was on the U.S. Grand Prix jumper scene for some time before moving back to his homeland, Germany. Upon her return to Long Island, Andrea began teaching hunter/jumpers and dressage. This included training a variety of horses and taking students to shows which included the Hampton Classic. Andrea brought along several students that started as beginners and made the move up to the big Eq. As well as started and brought along many green horses. Andrea is currently studying dressage with Anne Gribbons. Anne describes her as "brave, talented, enthusiastic and passionate". Andrea currently owns and competes on her horse Don Extra. Don Extra was ninth on the USET Grand Prix list. He has helped Andrea to qualify for the region 8 finals at Prix St Georges and Intermediare 1. Andrea also earned a USDF silver medal in 2004 aboard Don Extra. In addition Andrea is currently competing at Grand Prix and has earned one of her scores towards a USDF Gold Medal. Andrea has also had success in the training of her Swedish warmblood, Camelot. She has brought Camelot along the levels, starting with him at first level and recently competing him at Prix St. Georges. She also competed Camelot successfully in hunter/ jumpers. In addition, Andrea was invited to compete at Equus 2003 Costa Rica, an international, three day, show jumping competition. Despite a hiatus in jumping she paced 8th in the overall individual competition. Andrea has also taught and trained adult and junior dressage students. Riders and their horses are currently competing in FEI dressage competitions. LAURA SAMUELS Laura Samuels has trained exclusively with Anne Gribbons since 1986. Some of Laura's accomplishments have been: 1988/89 U.S.D.F. Young Rider Grand Prix National Dressage Champion U.S.D.F. Silver and Gold Medalist Showed extensively on the Eastern Seaboard Circuit for five years from Third Level through F.E.I. Has shown "Losander", a Trakehner geldng, in Grand Prix de Dressage for four seasons Rode for the Region 8 Team at the North American Young Rider National Championships three times and in 1980 was fifth in the individual Dressage Championships aboard "Kristall", a Swedish Warm blood gelding. In addition to her busy teaching schedule, Laura currently has 13 horses in training ranging from Training Level to the FEI levels. Back to Top PAT CONLAN Caption Pat Conlan showing Buddy Pat Conlan graduated from Potomac Horse Center's HM Course with Honors. Under direction of Anne Gribbons, training horses at Knoll Farm for the past twenty years. Winner of AHSA, USDF, LIDCTA High Score Awards on own and client's horses. USDF Bronze Medal. For eight years Pat coached two college teams one of which won the regionals. She has coached several Pony Club members - several going on the HA status - one student won the combined training regionals. Coached several students through the Open Equitation and Hunter Division, winning many championships. Additionally, she has judged over one hundred shows. Pat is an AHSA "r" judge. Pat Colan riding and George Morris (standing at left) judging. JENNIFER MORELLO Jennifer joined the Knoll staff in the summer of 2001 with over ten years of professional riding and teaching experience under her belt. Her education had and continues to be a balance between Hunt seat and Dressage. An appreciation of both disciplines are projected to her students and is evident in her riding and training ability. Jennifer brings a high level of patience and enthusiasm to her lessons. Riders of all ages and levels have blossomed under Jennifer's guidance. Many of Jennifer's students have gone on to compete successfully at local L.I. shows in both the Equitation and Hunter Divisions as well as at the lower levels of Dressage and Combined Training Events.
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