Graymar Staff
Penny Reeves - Owner / Trainer / Riding Instructor
Penny and Sherman at the 2018 WDAA Wold Show
Penny actively takes part in the daily operation of Graymar and considers it a privilege to care for all these wonderful horses. She also teaches western riding lessons at Graymar, specializing in trail, horsemanship, equitation, showmanship, hunter under saddle and, her favorite, western dressage! Penny works exclusively with riders who own their horses, both those who board at Graymar and many who haul their horses to Graymar for lessons. With over 30 years experience in 'natural' horsemanship training, Penny also enjoys working with horse owners to help them improve their relationship with their equine companions with ground work and in-hand work.
As a former Amateur exhibitor (APHA, AQHA, PtHA), Penny showed for over 20 years. She won numerous World Titles (PtHA), Zone Awards (APHA), High Point Awards (APHA / AQHA) and Circuit Awards (APHA / AQHA). She currently enjoys showing in western dressage.
Penny's philosophy as a riding instructor and trainer is centered around teaching her clients the HOW and WHY of riding. She feels the growth of a horseman or horsewoman happens when they learn to do something themselves. There are many paths to learning: reading, hearing, observing and doing. The most effective form of learning is actually DOING. Penny strives to give clients the 'tools' they need to communicate with their equine partner, thereby developing a wonderful horse/human team. These tools enable the 'team' to perform specific maneuvers - from the basic walk, trot/jog, canter/lope, back, pivot and side pass to more advanced maneuvers like leg yield, shoulder-in, haunches-in, half pass, and lead changes. Once the communication tools are learned, Penny then works with the client and the horse to refine the cues. Most of Penny's clients show their horses - a few enjoy competition at the national level winning national championships and awards. Many of her clients show locally in Open Shows, Ranch Horse Shows and Dressage Shows. While winning is usually a goal in any competition, Penny encourages her clients to focus on the small, incremental progress that is made when practicing and showing with their equine partner. Her teaching motto is 'Ride The Moment', which reminds clients to focus on the ride and each moment that makes up the ride; to be mindful and respectful of the exquisite relationship between human and horse. Focusing solely on ribbons, points or awards can take riders 'out of the moment'. When that happens, effective communication is compromised. When we 'Ride the Moment', we experience magic with our equine partner!
Penny is on the board of the non-profit Capitol Area Quarter Horse Association, a regional Quarter Horse enthusiasts club that hosts All Breed Open Classic and Ranch Horse Shows each year. She also coordinates 18 shows per year at Dripping Springs Ranch Park (DSRP) including Dressage in the Hill Country Shows with Western and Classical Dressage, Hunter/Jumper Shows, Ranch Horse Shows and Playdays. Penny works with the Hays County 4-H Horse Program and leads the weekly mounted meetings and lessons. Kids, parents and horses from around Central Texas come to Graymar and DSRP to have mounted and unmounted meetings, focusing on both riding skills and horse management.
As a former Amateur exhibitor (APHA, AQHA, PtHA), Penny showed for over 20 years. She won numerous World Titles (PtHA), Zone Awards (APHA), High Point Awards (APHA / AQHA) and Circuit Awards (APHA / AQHA). She currently enjoys showing in western dressage.
Penny's philosophy as a riding instructor and trainer is centered around teaching her clients the HOW and WHY of riding. She feels the growth of a horseman or horsewoman happens when they learn to do something themselves. There are many paths to learning: reading, hearing, observing and doing. The most effective form of learning is actually DOING. Penny strives to give clients the 'tools' they need to communicate with their equine partner, thereby developing a wonderful horse/human team. These tools enable the 'team' to perform specific maneuvers - from the basic walk, trot/jog, canter/lope, back, pivot and side pass to more advanced maneuvers like leg yield, shoulder-in, haunches-in, half pass, and lead changes. Once the communication tools are learned, Penny then works with the client and the horse to refine the cues. Most of Penny's clients show their horses - a few enjoy competition at the national level winning national championships and awards. Many of her clients show locally in Open Shows, Ranch Horse Shows and Dressage Shows. While winning is usually a goal in any competition, Penny encourages her clients to focus on the small, incremental progress that is made when practicing and showing with their equine partner. Her teaching motto is 'Ride The Moment', which reminds clients to focus on the ride and each moment that makes up the ride; to be mindful and respectful of the exquisite relationship between human and horse. Focusing solely on ribbons, points or awards can take riders 'out of the moment'. When that happens, effective communication is compromised. When we 'Ride the Moment', we experience magic with our equine partner!
Penny is on the board of the non-profit Capitol Area Quarter Horse Association, a regional Quarter Horse enthusiasts club that hosts All Breed Open Classic and Ranch Horse Shows each year. She also coordinates 18 shows per year at Dripping Springs Ranch Park (DSRP) including Dressage in the Hill Country Shows with Western and Classical Dressage, Hunter/Jumper Shows, Ranch Horse Shows and Playdays. Penny works with the Hays County 4-H Horse Program and leads the weekly mounted meetings and lessons. Kids, parents and horses from around Central Texas come to Graymar and DSRP to have mounted and unmounted meetings, focusing on both riding skills and horse management.
Daysha Palmasino - Facility Manager
Daysha is the key that makes Graymar function EVERY day - through sun, rain and snow!! We couldn't do it without her hard work, dedication to our horses, commitment to excellence, and expertise. Her understanding of safe, effective equine management and all it entails is mind-boggling.
Priority one for Daysha is happy, healthy horses living in a safe environment. Second to that is her love for the folks who board horses at Graymar. We all love hanging out and talking with Daysha! In addition to being a fellow horse owner, Daysha is one of the funniest, kindest and most caring individuals we know.
Daysha has worked in horse facility management for years and brings her expertise, skills and knowledge to our operations. She LOVES horses (like all of us at Graymar) and has a relationship with each horse boarded here. She is committed to the highest quality care and attention to detail. Our horses and their humans appreciate Daysha! Graymar is fortunate to have her on our team!
Priority one for Daysha is happy, healthy horses living in a safe environment. Second to that is her love for the folks who board horses at Graymar. We all love hanging out and talking with Daysha! In addition to being a fellow horse owner, Daysha is one of the funniest, kindest and most caring individuals we know.
Daysha has worked in horse facility management for years and brings her expertise, skills and knowledge to our operations. She LOVES horses (like all of us at Graymar) and has a relationship with each horse boarded here. She is committed to the highest quality care and attention to detail. Our horses and their humans appreciate Daysha! Graymar is fortunate to have her on our team!
Kim Arnette - Trainer
Kim and L.A.
Kim has ridden hunter/jumpers locally in the Austin area for over 25 years. As an alumni of William Woods University, she specializes in Hunters, Show Jumping and Basic Dressage. William Woods University is a leader in the Equestrian Education Movement, providing both a strong theoretical foundation and practical hands-on experience. Kim graduated with top honors, Magna Cum Laude, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Equestrian Science. She also received the Distinguished Scholar Award of 2003 in Equestrian Studies. While at the University, Kim received instruction from nationally renowned faculty members, as well as top H/J industry professionals such as Olympic Level Clinician and Course Designer, Linda Allen, Frank Madden, and George Schneider. Kim also competed in the Jumper Divisons at Nationally Recognized Horse Shows, such as the American Royal Horse Show and the Saint Louis National Charity Horse Show.
Riding Lessons with Kim
Kim's main goal is to establish a solid foundation through basic horsemanship and equitation, no matter the level the rider is performing at. Positive reinforcement and encouragement are cornerstones of her training style, while focusing heavily on riding technique. When training horses, she believes in bringing them along slowly, moving ahead in their training when they are confident in the task they are being asked to perform. Her students and their horses compete in local Hunter/Jumper Shows, schooling and recognized Eventing Shows, and local Dressage Shows. Kim exclusively teaches lessons with clients who own their horses that are either boarded at Graymar or hauled in for regular lessons.
Melissa Jesurun - Trainer
Melissa has been riding and showing for the past 18 years. During her high school career she learned to train her own show horses, one of which she qualified for and competed on at the 2009 AQHYA World Show. She has also won countless all-around awards, circuit awards, and scholarships.
Outside of AQHA, she was an active 4-H Horse Club member. Throughout the years, she has worked closely with many successful AQHA and APHA trainers with a main focus on hunter under saddle, English equitation, horsemanship, showmanship, reining, and trail.
Melissa has embraced Western Dressage and its benefits to horses and their riders. In addition to the 'All Around' breed show events, Melissa also trains and competes in western dressage earning a Reserve Championship title at the WDAA World Show in 2018!
Lessons with Melissa
For the past seven years, Melissa has been training horses and coaching Graymar riders towards their individual goals. Her lessons range from absolute beginner to seasoned show competitor with an emphasis on confidence, riding posture, and a solid understanding of equine behavior. With only one lesson horse, Melissa's outside lessons are limited. She primarily teaches lessons with clients who own their horses that are either boarded at Graymar or hauled in for regular lessons.
Melissa has been riding and showing for the past 18 years. During her high school career she learned to train her own show horses, one of which she qualified for and competed on at the 2009 AQHYA World Show. She has also won countless all-around awards, circuit awards, and scholarships.
Outside of AQHA, she was an active 4-H Horse Club member. Throughout the years, she has worked closely with many successful AQHA and APHA trainers with a main focus on hunter under saddle, English equitation, horsemanship, showmanship, reining, and trail.
Melissa has embraced Western Dressage and its benefits to horses and their riders. In addition to the 'All Around' breed show events, Melissa also trains and competes in western dressage earning a Reserve Championship title at the WDAA World Show in 2018!
Lessons with Melissa
For the past seven years, Melissa has been training horses and coaching Graymar riders towards their individual goals. Her lessons range from absolute beginner to seasoned show competitor with an emphasis on confidence, riding posture, and a solid understanding of equine behavior. With only one lesson horse, Melissa's outside lessons are limited. She primarily teaches lessons with clients who own their horses that are either boarded at Graymar or hauled in for regular lessons.
Grayson Goff - the "Gray" of Graymar!
A former pro
paintball player has to ride a Paint!
Grayson works in the stock market and was a former professional paintball player. Grayson and his wife Ashley, along with their dogs, Steven & Walter frequently come to visit and hug their favorite horses. When he was a youth exhibitor, Grayson showed in 4-H, APHA, Pinto and Open Shows.
Grayson's work in the stock market is based out of Austin. He and Ashley live in Lakeway with their pups. Grayson is enjoying his dream job and we are fortunate that he doesn’t mind helping us with the “hard labor” and, occasionally, even finding time to saddle up for a ride.
Grayson's work in the stock market is based out of Austin. He and Ashley live in Lakeway with their pups. Grayson is enjoying his dream job and we are fortunate that he doesn’t mind helping us with the “hard labor” and, occasionally, even finding time to saddle up for a ride.
Margaret Madison (Madi) Goff - the "Mar" of Graymar!
Madi and Warren
Madi moved to Los Angeles in August 2010 to pursue her dream of becoming an actor and a writer. She works for Impro Studio, Impro Theatre and The Groundlings in L.A., teaching classes and performing weekly in shows, as well as writing screenplays and pilots. When she comes home to Texas, she loves helping with daily chores along with riding Graymar horses. As a youth, Madi showed in 4-H, APHA, AQHA, Pinto and Open Shows and loved riding the "youngsters" like Warren pictured here with Madi.
As a professional actor (check out her website at madigoff.com) one of Madi’s dream roles would be portraying a character that rides horses.
As a professional actor (check out her website at madigoff.com) one of Madi’s dream roles would be portraying a character that rides horses.
