Meet Our Riding Instructors

Meet Riding Instructor Jen Tuttle

Jen has been riding for more than 25 years starting her horse career in the Napa Valley. She has spent time in England for an intense training at Yorkshire Riding School and competed for the Fresno State Equestrian Team.

Her first two summers of college were spent training horses and riders in Reno, Nevada at Red Rock Hounds, followed by two summers working at River Way Ranch Camp, one of the top children’s summer camps in the country teaching horseback riding to kids of all ages.

Following her love of horses she pursued horseback riding instruction upon graduation from California State University, Fresno with a degree in Equine Science. Jen loves sharing her passion for horses and riding with all of her students.

Meet Riding Instructor Lucy Villegas

Lucy was born and raised here at Highland Stable. She started riding at a very young age with help from owner Sarah Vernlund. At age seven, she joined Devil Mountain Pony Club and rated up through to the C-3 Level. Lucy helped care for and rode all of the lesson horses at Highland Riding as she grew up with the program. Lucy gained valuable experience as a working student to multiple professional trainers including Sarah Vernlund, Jaimi Martin Petersen, Ali Kermeen, Ruben Arce, and Olivia La Goy-Welt. She rode any available horse at the Highland Training program, participating in lessons and clinics with National level trainers. During High School, an opportunity to train and compete in dressage though Second Level with one horse, Silver Wings was very successful. Lucy and Talis (Silver Wings) were Northern California Junior Dressage Champions in 2006 at Training Level and Third in 2007 at First Level.  June 2009 she graduated from Monte Vista High School, and attended Las Positas College. With a commitment to youth development and sharing her passion for horses, Lucy dedicates her time to her Highland Stable riding students.

Meet Riding Instructor Megan Clupny

Megan Clupny has been riding for 14 years and training horses professionally the last five years. Her riding background has varied from western pleasure, english and dressage, to cowboy dressage. She worked as a barn manager and trainer the past three years at a therapeutic riding center for children with special needs. This experience taught her to prioritize safety, fun, and empowerment for riding students no matter their goal or discipline. 

Meet Riding Instructor Theresa Lalor

Theresa Lalor has been involved with horses for over 15 years. As a local, Theresa established her riding foundation at our very own Highland Riding about 13 years ago! Since then, she has gained competitive Hunter Jumper experience as well as an understanding of breeding and training Arabians for several disciplines (including English, Western, and Saddle Seat) while working as a groom at the Cal Poly Pomona Arabian Horse Center. During her time at college, Theresa led Cal Poly Pomona’s IHSA equestrian team with her position as a Hunt Seat Captain. Theresa is thrilled to be able to come full circle, and train at the place that made it all possible for her. She looks to instill confidence, passion, and improvements into each of her students.