National
Equestrian Management, LLC Appoints Shelley Van den Neste
By
May 14, 2008, 09:33

Equestrian Management, LLC, the management affiliate of Equestrian Services, LLC (www.equestrianservicesllc.com), the company setting the standards for planning, designing and managing equestrian amenities for resorts and communities worldwide, is pleased to announce that Shelley Van den Neste has joined the organization as General Manager and Riding Director for The Oaks Equestrian Center in Lake City, Florida.

The Oaks is a new ruralism, residential community and is home to The Oaks Equestrian Center, the world’s first exclusively-branded O’Connor Signature equestrian facility. Associated with renowned equestrian Olympians Karen and David O’Connor, the community, which combines the best of rural living with the best of suburban living, features a 33-stall custom barn; a David O’Connor designed cross-country course, and other equestrian amenities.

“I feel strongly that the Oaks Equestrian Center is one of the most complete training centers that I have seen, both for the rider and the horse,” said Van den Neste. “The covered round pen, arena sizes and footing, cross-country course, and miles of trails offer an opportunity for the rider simply wanting a well-rounded education to the horse and rider team that aspire for Olympic medals. The rural community atmosphere provides for families to have fun with their equine companions while the organization and education of the equestrian staff ensure that all activities are done in a safe environment.”

Equestrian Management, a division of Equestrian Services, develops the program elements and provides management and staffing of equestrian facilities. All Signature-branded equestrian amenities include Equestrian Management’s services.

With more than 17 years experience managing public, commercial and residential community equestrian facilities, Shelley is also an accomplished rider with 35 years experience, instructor, coach and FEI competitor with achievements including graduating with “Distinction” from the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) L program for judges in training; USDF Bronze and Silver Medals; and has coached riders to achieve their Bronze and Silver medals in the dressage discipline.

Shelley also has riding, teaching and showing experience and accomplishments in other disciplines including Regional and National championships in saddleseat equitation and pleasure, Western pleasure, hunt-seat equitation.

Prior to joining Equestrian Management, Shelley was director of the Equestrian Center at Promontory, a resort community in Park City, Utah. She managed the facility’s program, organized clinics with renowned clinicians such as Walter Zettl, trained and managed the staff and trained and showed clients’ horses.

Equestrian Services offers developers the opportunity to create an equestrian community under a Signature Equestrian Facility brand that is associated with world-renowned equestrian experts. Modeled on successful golf industry branding and management concepts, such as Arnold Palmer or Jack Nicklaus golf course communities, Equestrian Services and its partners, John Lyons (“America’s Most Trusted Horseman”TM) and equestrian Olympians Karen and David O’Connor, offer exclusively the world’s first branded equestrian facilities and amenities to builders and developers seeking to tap into the growing equestrian market.


John Lyons Signature and O’Connor Signature equestrian facilities are currently being considered in Virginia, California and Florida.


The Oaks is a 1,220-acre site in Lake City, Florida, northwest of Gainesville and west of Jacksonville, and offers strategically located Equestrian Recreation Areas (ERAs), a covered arena, an outdoor arena, and a covered round pen, in addition to the cross country course. The Oaks’ Equestrian Center Ribbon Cutting event was held in March, 2008.


Nearly two million people own the 9.2 million horses in the United States, with another two million people involved as equestrian volunteers or engaged in the equestrian lifestyle through family affiliation, according to the American Horse Council Foundation (AHCF).

www.bridleandbit.com