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
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
Katrina Carroll - Riding Instructor and Trainer
Katrina grew up on horseback in upstate New York. She and her dynamite pony, Spotty, spent many happy years eventing. After college, Katrina moved south and began working and riding as much as she could. From barrel racing to cross-country, dressage to jumping, hunters to western pleasure, Katrina believes that an independent, balanced seat and soft hands are the key to riding well. She began teaching and training 15 years ago, and although she has dabbled in livestock and hay production, horses remain her #1 passion. Katrina also drives, has won several driving divisions at Morven Park and has driven 4 in hand, fancy carriages, and antiques in local Christmas parades. Her teaching style is relaxed and aims to build up the confidence of both horse and rider. Katrina has two horses, both paints: Hanoverian cross Stoli is happily retired, while pony Callie is up for anything as long as it includes treats.
"A good trainer can hear a horse speak to him. A great trainer can hear him whisper." Monty Roberts
Chelsea Clark - Trainer
Chelsea came to Silver Eagle after a career opportunity moved her and her two rescued dogs to Virginia in 2020. She’s a twelve year Air National Guard veteran and currently serves at the National Guard Bureau with plans to stay in the NOVA area. As a young girl’s dream, Chelsea was able to take 4-H lessons and work with horses, and has now been riding for more than 25 years. She grew up with her girls, Shyra & then Mocha, in the backyard, doing mostly trail and riding for fun. After basic training & college, she moved Mocha to a barn closer to home and met a trainer who took Chelsea under her wing. Angie Maple, owner of Blackrose Morgans in Colchester, Vermont, and Chelsea spent seasons working and starting young horses or problematic and difficult horses, helping them find their purpose. Having owned Morgans or Morgan-crosses her entire life, she fell in love with the breed and their personalities. Currently, she’s got a tall, dark, and handsome fella, Knight, who came from the Amish roads in Pennsylvania, and is happy on the trails with the SES team! She’s got two girls, Gwen & Mikayla, who are back in Vermont, in hopes of breeding for 2022 foals. Her youngest is going to start training in the winter as a coming three-year-old, Teddy, and he has hunter pony potential! Chelsea has competed in the A-circuit Morgan shows, riding saddleseat, and loves the speed and power that come with it! She’s also shown Western Pleasure and Flat Hunter and English. She has dabbled in the driving world as well, but wants to keep improving those skills. Chelsea is a believer in working on solid foundations and natural fundamentals to provide the framework to complete horsemanship. Horses are her passion and she’s also working on a certification in equine therapies and equine massage.
Erica Hilton - Riding Instructor
Erica has had a love of horses since the early age of 5 when she went for her first pony ride. She started lessons shortly thereafter, riding both English and western, and immediately became hooked. She started showing at home shows at her barns in Long Island, NY at a young age and the love of the competition grew. In her teens she balanced softball, volleyball and horseback riding all while still keeping her grades up and preparing for college. She then started college at LIU Post, Brookville NY majoring in Criminal Justice. While balancing working in law offices and college, she returned to the show ring in 2015 taking on hunters with her barn favorite, Sneakers. She and Sneakers excelled in the Hunter ring and were showing almost every other weekend through 2017. Erica graduated from LIU Post with her B.A. in Criminal Justice in 2016 and found her love for working in the legal field which led her to obtain her paralegal certificate in 2018. Fast forward to 2019 she met her now husband, Adam and her forever riding partner, Righ, a 9 yo bay OTTB gelding. With the support of her husband and countless hours spent at the barn Righ became her horse and she fulfilled a childhood dream of hers. In December 2020 Erica, Adam, Righ and their dog Nala moved down to Virginia. Erica and Righ are currently focusing on jumpers and have a new found love for dressage, training both disciplines under Katie Dodson. Erica and Righ continue to work hard to further improve their foundation under saddle and continue to strive to excel in both the dressage and jumper rings!
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.
Devon Sutherland - Riding Instructor & Trainer
Devon grew up riding in the Hunter/Jumpers and competed on an IEA hunt seat show team through high school that she captained for two years, as well as won the title of Region High Point rider. She was introduced to Eventing when she was 13 and got hooked. After high school she worked for Olympic Eventer Phyllis Dawson for a year. Devon has lots of experience and knowledge starting young horses/problem horses and bringing them up the levels. In working with lots of young horses, Devon has great focus on a riders basic foundation in aids and communication with the horse. She enjoys teaching new riders to have a great relationship with their horse and progress as a team. Devon is currently starting to compete her new 5 year old off the track thoroughbred “Mega Bucks”, her potential upper level horse.