English/Dressage
Western
Jumping
Meet the Staff
Our goal is to create a family-friendly environment where our students and staff all feel comfortable and safe around each other and welcome each other with open arms.
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"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's life." John 15:12-13
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We would love for you to get to know our staff!
Instructor
Laurey Griffin
Hello, my name is Laurey Griffin, and I am the head riding instructor here at Beracah Valley Farm. I studied at Meredith Manor International Equestrian Centre where I received my Riding Master certificate and Versatility Major in 1978. I have been teaching at Beracah for over six years. Before that, I was a self-employed riding instructor/coach from 2005 to 2015 in the Lake and Geauga Counties. I coached many English and Western championships in Lake County 4-H, the Ohio State Fair, and the All American Youth Horse Show. I instruct beginner through advanced riders using a centered riding approach in both English and Western disciplines. I love to use vivid analogies and fun, creative techniques to help riders understand riding position and communication with horses. I am very patient with children and allow them to develop at their own pace while encouraging them with a positive attitude to help develop rider confidence. I own a registered Quarter Horse “I’m Shocking Proof” also known as “Shocker” and a Paint Welsh Cross Pony “Paint me a Dream” also known as “Diego”. I am very blessed to be able to teach in a Christian environment where I can share my talent and passion for teaching others to ride, care for, and understand horses.
Bible Study Teachers
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Amy Shea
Hello, my name is Amy Shea, and I am a Christian art teacher. My children started riding at Beracah Valley Farm around 2002. I have the privilege of teaching the Thursday night Bible Study here at Beracah, and in the summers, I get to teach crafts for the horse camps. Beracah Valley has been a home away from home for my family for almost 20 years; we are truly blessed to be a part of it.
Trish Lewellyn
I am going to share my story about how following through on something changed my life and created continuing joy.
It all started with a decision to take up horseback riding lessons a year and a half ago.
All I wanted to do was take riding lessons. The thought of doing anything else at the barn never entered my mind. Until I started going there and meeting the people. I started to see and feel how healthy and safe an environment it was for people of all ages but especially for young people.
I started having these thoughts in the back of my mind, that I should become involved in the bible studies there at the farm. It was completely out of my comfort zone, so I kept trying to talk myself out of it. But the feeling kept getting stronger and stronger, so I finally went with it got permission from those I needed to and took over the Saturday bible study.
It was one of the best decisions I have ever made. The young ladies in my class are awesome. We have formed a strong bond over the past year and a half. We have fun in class, I let them be themselves. Learning, even learning the bible doesn’t mean you can’t have fun while doing it. I think they appreciate the fact I let them be who they are and let it be enjoyable while they learn.
The camaraderie between the girls is exceptional.
The feeling I get from doing this is beyond what most words can describe. I usually have my lesson plans worked out on Monday. I can’t wait for Saturdays. The combination of the horses and the bible study is beyond belief. The horses themselves are great therapy for the girls. For me as well.
Seeing how they interact with the horses is amazing. Watching how they have grown in the time I’ve known them is thrilling. Seeing how I have grown is something to behold. I’m not sure who has gotten the most out of this, the girls or myself!
The feeling I get looking forward to each Saturday is wonderful. The excitement and exhilaration I have every Saturday driving to and from the barn, well all I can say is it’s a natural high. It carries through the whole week.
The happiness and joy I got from making the decision to take riding lessons at that farm has led to so much more than just the joy of riding horses.
I became involved in teaching something important. I get to see young girls grow and mature in their lives. I get to help with the very foundation of their lives. I get to see the excitement on their faces when they have accomplished something, they didn’t think they could.
It all goes back to that one decision to take riding lessons at this particular farm! My, how it has changed my life and I couldn’t be happier.