About Us
Tom Russell - Owner
Tom Russell is the owner of the Silver Eagle Stable. He's a retired Marine Corps Colonel and the son of an Army officer. Tom grew up on military installations in the country and started riding in 1973, at military base stables. His riding was interrupted - off and on with military maneuvers, college and then with deployments when he became a full time Marine. Upon retiring, Tom established a successful consulting company and has now decided to pursue something that he has enjoyed since his days in the 70's. Tom has shared his life and love of horses with his wife, Vicki Russell for 28 years - together they have three children and one granddaughter.
Tom looks forward to creating the perfect equestrian facility for people who have a love for horses, family, good company, and a desire to learn. He looks forward to the next chapter in the equestrian ring of life. He can be contacted via email at trussell@sestable.com or by calling 703-594-4328.
Chris & Tammy Noakes - Managers
Chris and Tammy are a co-managerial team who have an engineering and law enforcement background. Tammy has had a love of horses since an early age and is a proud Army Brat. Chris embraces the challenges of property management. They have been married for over 30 years and have many plans to keep improving Silver Eagle!
Instructors
Cleopatra Barr - Instructor
My name is Cleo Barr and I’ve been riding since I was 4 years old! I trained under Katie Dodson, another instructor at Silver Eagle, for nine years. Katie introduced me to my current lease horse, Whinny (pictured to the left). He and I have showed through first level dressage and are currently training second and third level movements. Additionally, I have been teaching riding lessons to young students since October 2020 at Whinny’s home barn, A Training Vision. In my lessons, I strive to not only better my client but also form a connection with them to make riding a more engaging experience! As an empath, it’s easy for me to gauge how a client is feeling, so I always ensure that they feel as comfortable and safe as possible.
Katie Dodson - Lead Instructor & Trainer
Katie Dodson is an avid FEI dressage rider and all-around teacher who mainly focuses on the bio-mechanics of both the horse and rider, and specifically how the rider’s body plays an important role in the effectiveness of the aids, gaits and movements. Taking an interest in kinesiology, she uses concepts of physio, sports therapy, bio-mechanics and therapy tools to help riders to perform to their potential in any discipline. At only 25 years old, Katie has successfully earned her USDF Bronze medal, competed in show jumping all around the East Coast, and schooled up to training level Eventing.
At a young age, Katie dove into the horse world when taking lessons at a competition barn in Middleburg, Virginia, and was thrown into many hunter jumper competitions. From that point on, she grew up with a well-rounded education in multiple disciplines at a local United States Pony Club Riding Center as a student and in 2013 became one of their main instructors. With the help of that riding center, Katie solidified her spot in the horse industry teaching various lessons beginner through advanced, managing many riding camps, and coaching at horse shows. In 2015, Katie purchased a beautiful Prix St Georges warmblood from the Netherlands, who opened her eyes to the world of dressage. Since then, she has had the pleasure of working with several international trainers and in notable FEI barns up and down the East Coast, and in turn sharing her accrued knowledge in many clinics.
In 2019, Katie branched out and spent three months in California re-starting race horses from Santa Anita Racetrack, unlocking their talents in various disciplines and helping them find homes. Most recently, she had the opportunity to train in Petit-Mars, France under some of the top dressage trainers in the South. She has experience starting and developing young horses in various disciplines and training "non-dressage" types, recently receiving multiple 2020 year-end awards on a Virginia bred Norwegian Fjord stallion. Her most notable success recently has been receiving her USDF Bronze Medal on a rescue mare from California. Katie seeks out every opportunity to continue her education from a number of notable mentors such as Alfredo Hernandez, Gwen Le Stunuff, Olivia LaGoy, and Boyd Martin. Now she is personally pursuing the upper levels of dressage and is excited to get back to her jumping roots at Silver Eagle Stables, helping the next generation of horses and riders learn a solid foundation in whatever discipline they choose. kdodson@sestable.com
Veronica Laughman - Riding Instructor
Veronica learned the power of the horse/human connection at a young age. The healing power of the horse is what led to her career as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. Veronica has over twenty years of experience teaching horseback riding and horsemanship in a variety of settings. Her passion for horses has led her down many different paths from therapeutic riding, to exercising polo ponies, to imprinting foals and everything in between. Veronica focuses on balanced seat, fundamentals, and horse-rider connection to allow riders to move into the discipline of their choice with ease.
Favorite Horse Quote: "There are only two emotions that belong in the saddle, one is a sense of humor and the other is patience." ~ John Lyons
Alyssa Marzilli - Riding Instructor & Trainer
Alyssa graduated from the University of Findlay with a bachelors degree in western equestrian studies and has worked for and trained with some of the top trainers in the AQHA industry. She specializes in western pleasure, horsemanship, and trail and also has experience in reining, barrels, and ranch riding. She loves sharing her passion and teaches intermediate to advanced western lessons in any of these areas.
Gianna Rofrano - Riding Instructor & Trainer
Gianna is an undergraduate student at UC Davis studying animal sciences with an equestrian specialization. She has been riding for a combined four years and has recently reignited her passion for riding. Gianna has experience of working with horses trained to play polo, and even briefly played herself. She is very goal-focused and strives to bring this practice into teaching.
Currently, Gianna is specializing in western riding but is just as happy to hop in an English saddle. She is currently training under Katie Dodson, focusing on biomechanics, the horse-human connection, and technical riding aspects. Gianna teaches western lessons and assists Katie in her lessons in an effort to become the best instructor possible.