Meet the Staff

Mackenzie learned to ride with Nancy and Twin Oaks from a young age, and returned after college to teach lessons and camps at Twin Oaks. In April 2015, she acquired the business from Nancy and has continued to provide quality lessons and camps and taking excellent care for the Twin Oaks horses.

Mackenzie continually improves upon her riding skills and adds to her equestrian experience by actively competing and training with talented trainers with her horse Mr. McGoey. Her experience includes:

• 15+ years teaching experience with children, teenagers, and adults
• Showing in Eventing at the Preliminary/CCI** Level
• Certification and experience working with children on the autism spectrum
• BS degree in Psychology from Brigham Young University

Mackenzie concentrates on teaching correct equitation and proper horsemanship to all her riders to create a well rounded equestrian education.

Katie became enchanted with horses with her first lesson in Upstate New York at age 5. Much of her early experience was with Pony Club, and she has achieved her C3 rating and competed at Pony Club Championships. She discovered what a joy it is to teach others and build confidence with beginner riders! Katie has competed up to the CCI** level in Eventing and has brought up young OTTBs. In addition to her equestrian endeavors, Katie is works as a Veterinary Technician for small animals and at the Equine Medical Center at Morven Park.

Nancy started riding as a child in Rochester, New York and competed in hunt seat equitation and show jumping through her high school years. Nancy completed two years in the Equestrian Studies program at William Woods College in Fulton, Missouri before transferring and finishing a degree in business management. Nancy started her first riding school in Kingwood, Texas that focused on beginner and intermediate English lessons and camps. This began a 30-year career of training riders in establishing a secure seat and sound fundamentals in safe and enjoyable horsemanship. Her husband’s work transfer in 2000 brought her to Northern Virginia where she founded Twin Oaks Riding Academy. Nancy sold the academy to Mackenzie in 2015 before moving to Texas for another job transfer. Nancy returned to Virginia in 2018 after her husband retired and she has been teaching at Twin Oaks ever since. Nancy is particularly effective at helping riders correct problems in their position and technique and is driven by a love of the sport and a desire to help riders enjoy it also. “Every time I walk into the arena, I am filled with a particular happiness that no other activity can provide”, she says.

Susan began riding at a young age and has been riding and working at Twin Oaks for over 15 years. She is an integral part of our Summer Camp program and serves as the head camp instructor. Susan is also a dog trainer with Sit Means Sit Training!