Dale & Crew

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, and not for men. ." Colossians 3:23

About Dale and the Horse crew:

DALE grew up on a farm in Minnesota and has been riding horses since he was six years. He showed horses competitively as a hobby through the 1970’s and began working with draft horses in the early 1980’s. Dale has been the Farm Steward at Heifer International’s Overlook Farm in Rutland, MA since 1990. His horses help there with hay rides, gardening and other farm work.

His wife, Ann, grew up with horses in Pennsylvania . They live on a small farm in Rutland, MA . Ann helps with vaulting training, backstage during shows, and hosts the horse crew on countless occasions. Daughter, Elizabeth Tripp, assists with teaching riding to the novice members of the crew and performs as the lead trick rider. She is currently attending Mount Holyoke College and rides on the school equestrian team. Son, Sam Tripp, is the props manager for the show.

The rest of the horse crew consists of an evolving community of families and individuals of all ages that share an interest in horses. Many of those involved have had little experience with horses prior to joining the crew. These youth and families gain riding and horse handling experience in exchange for assisting in training, tack changes, drill team development and riding, as well as other support crew responsibilities. Entry level for most youth is vaulting and back-stage work and as they gain experience, skills, and confidence with horses and performing they move on to ride in the drill team or trick riding. Other individuals and families provide specific skills and support as opportunity and availability arises. The current crew consists of:

The Buck family of Roslindale, MA . Peter brings a professional touch as announcer for the show. Madalyn often runs the sound system during performances and helps backstage. Son Isaac, vaults and rides on the drill team. Daughter Brigid, helps with props.

Kate Calvert rides on the drill team, the bridle-less routine and during the Roman Riding race. Her mother, Therese Spaulding, helps back stage and instructs the novice members on best practice horse handling techniques.

Kaitlin Crowther, rides drill, the bridle-less routine, and the Roman Riding race. Her mother, Morgan, helps backstage.

The D’Aquila family of Holden , MA . Maribeth vaults and rides drill. Her father, Steve, is the team athletic trainer, especially for the vaulters. Marybeth’s mother, Amy, has horse experience and helps where needed.

Jocelyn Gramit, starts off the vaulting part of the show. Her father, Rev. Paul Gramit, provides support where needed.

Ginger Gray, vaults and rides drill team. Her parents, James and Devon, help where needed.

Judith Lindstedt has her own cable TV show, Talkin' Turkey on several Central MA stations and volunteers her time to groom the horses and videotapes some of the shows.

Becky Martin helps with training, vaults, and rides drill. She is now an Equine Science major at Lake Erie College in Ohio.

Abby Strilka, rides drill and helps with props while her sister, Grace vaults and rides drill. Parents Gary and Cheryl, help where needed.

Sinead O’Sullivan, rides drill and vaults. Her parents, Erika and Jono support where needed.

Kim and Al Peabody: Al manages the horse show website and Kim helps where needed.

The Smith family of Holden , MA . Daughter Maggie, trick rides, vaults, and rides drill. Her parents, Carleen and Jim, serve as back-up announcers, music and with props.

Rosalind Waltz-Peters, and younger sister, Miranda, each vault and ride drill. Their parents are Robert and Robin, help where needed.

Several dozen other youth and adults have served on the horse show crew over the years and a number have gone on to pursue careers in equine related fields. Past participants include Margot Boucher; Rachael and Rebecca Dudley, Myrna Kastner, Halley and Ruth Terry, Katie Elmes, Brett Cheney, and Jon Hillman.


	Abby	Maggie	Rose	Jim

Therese	Kate	Madalyn	Isaac	Kaitlin

Elizabeth	Jon & Brett	Sam	Becky	Trick Riders

Jocelyn	Maggie & Brigid	Peter	Margot	Isaac Maggie Liz

Maribeth	Sinead & Grace	Elizabeth	Miranda & Maribeth	Sinead & Ginger

Grace	Ginger	Maribeth	Sinead & Sam	Rose