OUR TEAM
MEGHAN L SLAUGHTER, AA, BS, MK
HEAD TRAINER/CO-OWNER
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By the time she was 18 years old, Meghan Slaughter earned her USDF Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals for her proficiency in First Level through Grand Prix, the highest level in dressage. Meghan holds the record as the youngest rider, amongst a small handful of Grand Prix riders, in the State of Idaho to receive her USDF Gold Medal. She also received her USDF Bronze and Silver Bar in musical freestyle, having been the youngest rider in USDF history to have earned the Bronze Bar and National Second Level Musical Freestyle Champion. As a Junior/Young Rider, she competed at the North American Junior Young Rider Championships, representing the United States Region 6 Team, with our Grand Prix horse Spinnaker. She also won numerous USDF Region 6 championships including FEI Junior Champion.
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After completing her Associate of Arts in General Studies degree from Idaho State University while she was still in high school, she graduated with high honors from Cal Poly University at San Luis Obispo, CA with a Bachelor of Science in Animal/Veterinary Science degree. During her freshman year at Cal Poly, Meghan joined the Dressage Team and earned Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA) Region U Individual Champion and joined the rest of the Cal Poly Team at IDA Nationals where she won National Reserve Individual Champion.
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From assistant coach in her freshman year, Meghan became Head Coach and Dressage Trainer for Cal Poly for the remainder of her undergraduate years. She coached the Cal Poly Dressage Show Team (training both students and horses) to continue their streak as Regional Champions and has enjoyed guiding all of the club members through their dressage education. For her distinguished work at Cal Poly and continued dressage community service, Meghan was awarded the USDF Youth Volunteer of the Year Award.
Meghan has trained and continues to ride in clinics with FEI level trainers Ernst and Janet Herrmann and Heather Oleson. She started out developing her skills as an eventer with Ernst and Janet Herrmann before deciding to focus on dressage. As Meghan gained experience, she became a working student for Ernst and Janet for many years, primarily training young and inexperienced horses for recognized and schooling shows or for their school horse program. Meghan has also participated in clinics with other FEI level trainers such as “S” Judges Melonie Kessler and Barbi Breen-Gurley and Rider Pilates clinician Beth Glosten, MD.
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As part of the Whisper Creek Idaho team, Meghan is Head Trainer and Co-Owner, using her extensive experience to provide quality riding training and instruction. In her pursuit to continue her education in coaching and equine athletic training, Meghan received the Masters in Kinesiology (MK) degree (study of the mechanics/physiology of body movements and its applications) from Boise State University. With her degree focus on Biophysical Studies, Meghan conducted an independent study on the effects of exercise training on the equine suspensory ligament.
​​Meghan in national dressage news - click links below:
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https://www.psdressage.com/meghan-slaughter-named-2017-usdf-youth-volunteer-year/
MAY C SLAUGHTER, BS, BBA, MS Ed
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MANAGER & TRAINER/CO-OWNER
With her degrees in biochemistry (BS Stony Brook University, NY), business administration (Boise State University, ID) and exercise physiology/health education (MS Ed Baylor University, TX), May's past experience includes working as an American College of Sports Medicine certified Exercise Physiologist in both academic and hospital based health/wellness and athletic training programs. After moving to acreage in a rural horse community, she transitioned to working with both equine and human athletes.
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While working with as a licensed racehorse trainer/owner for almost a decade, May became involved in dressage as a show mom, supporting her daughter Meghan efforts from Training Level to Grand Prix. She has since become a USDF Bronze Medalist and has shown in Fourth Level and Prix St. George with their Trakehner gelding Spinnaker. With 20+ years of English riding and dressage experience, May has trained with FEI level trainers Ernst and Janet Herrmann and Heather Oleson. She has participated in clinics with other FEI level trainers such as “S” Judges Melonie Kessler and Barbi Breen-Gurley and Rider Pilates clinician Beth Glosten, MD.
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May’s other experiences extended to managing her small family farm sport horse and miniature cattle breeding program and working as the barn and horse care manager for a large equestrian facility.
She has been a Level I, II, III USEF Licensed/USDF Recognized Dressage Show Manager and has taken courses towards becoming a USEF Licensed Technical Delegate. May has also served as Board Member and Show Committee Chair in the local and state chapters of the Idaho Dressage and Eventing Association (IDEA).
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MARY RAE FULLER
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VISITING INSTRUCTOR
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Portland native Mary Rae (MR) Fuller is a multi-faceted hunter, jumper and equitation trainer. She has been established for over 35 years in Idaho's Treasure Valley. MR is available for lessons (board or haul-in) at Whisper Creek. For more information about MR, visit her website at http://www.prairiefoxfarm.com.
HEATHER OLESON
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VISITING INSTRUCTOR
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Heather is an International Grand Prix dressage rider, trainer, instructor and clinician, who was born and raised outside Portland, Oregon and now based in Boise, Idaho. Heather has been training and teaching dressage professionally for over 20 years and has helped many amateur, junior, and professional riders achieve their personal goals. Heather is available for lessons and training (board or haul-in) at Whisper Creek. For more information about Heather Oleson, visit her website at https://www.heather-oleson.com.
