Dale and Crew

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, and not for men." 1 Corinthians 10:31

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 served as the Farm Steward at Heifer International’s Overlook Farm in Rutland, MA from 1990 until early 2008. He now works full time at Mesa Farm.

His wife, Ann, grew up with horses in Pennsylvania . She helps with vaulting training, backstage during shows, and hosts the horse crew on countless occasions. Daughter, Elizabeth Tripp, is currently attending Mount Holyoke College and rides on the school equestrian team. She helps at Mesa when on school break and occasionally trick rides during shows. 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.

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, help where needed.

The D’Aquila family of Holden , MA . Maribeth vaults, rides drill, and is learning to trick ride. Her father, Steve, and mother, Amy, help where needed.

Jocelyn Gramit often does the western riding demo, vaults, and is learning drill team skills. Her father, Rev. Paul Gramit, provides support where needed as does her mother, Connie.

Ginger Gray vaults and rides drill team. Her sister, Eva, is learning to ride by vaulting. Their 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 massage and groom the horses and videotapes some of the shows.

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 Robert and Robin, help where needed.

Other folks volunteer at Mesa Farm and this often includes helping with horse training. Some of these include Leslie Kelly, Barbara Laborde, and Kara Gravel.

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. Many of these still help out from time to time as available. Past participants include Kate Calvert, Therese Spaulding, Kaitlyn Crowther, Morgan Crowther, Becky Martin, Margot Boucher; Rachael and Rebecca Dudley, Myrna Kastner, Halley and Ruth Terry, Katie Elmes, Brett Cheney, and Jon Hillman.


Dale	Abby	Abby on Jake	Maribeth & Bloopie	Jim

Therese	Dale & Judy	Madalyn	Dale Spinning Rope	Elizabeth on Sage

Pyramid	Minnesota Crew	Sinead, Jocelyn, Rose, Miranda & Maribeth	Minnesota Crew	Trick Riders

Jocelyn	Maggie & Brigid	Peter	Ginger and Sinead	Minnesota Crew

Ginger, Sinead & Miranda	Ginger Vaulting	Elizabeth	Jocelyn on Ginger	Jocelyn Vaulting

Maggie & Rose Bridle-less	Maribeth Hippodrome Stand	Miranda, Maggie & Sinead	Miranda	Pete and Jake