JC Cutting Horses
Jann O’Leary Costa & Johnny Costa
Boyertown, PA
JCCutters2@aol.com

Jann O’Leary Costa, a former college professor, has been involved with alternative therapy for over 10 years.  She was a guest lecturer at 1999 Equitana, and she has been a featured speaker at the PA Horse Expo in 2001 and 2002.  She has been an avid horse person for over 25 years, and competes locally and nationally in cutting horse competition.  In 2005, she rode Magics My Dad, to championships in Pennsylvania and Area 19, and was named Top 100 in the World.  She combines the use of herbs with light and magnetic therapy to support the whole animal.  She has published articles in Equus, the Pedlar, the Equine Journal, and several other trade journals.  She recently completed a book, Tales From The Heart, which she hopes to publish this year.  She gives clinics and does farm calls, and is available as a lecturer.  She is married to cutting horse trainer and former bull rider, Johnny Costa.  They have incorporated therapy into the training program at JC CUTTING HORSES.  They feel that many training and behavioral problems have physical roots.  By applying principles of therapy to horses in their training program, they are more successful and have fewer injuries.  Jann has also had great success working with cats, dogs, pot bellied pigs, and support geriatric pets.  She established Critter Care, an alternative care facility, at her farm in Boyertown, to provide critical and long term care for seriously sick or injured pets.  Jann and John also provide foster care for rescue animals including cats, dogs, horses, and goats.

Johnny Costa, has been riding and showing horses since the time he could first walk.  Raised in the horse industry, John first gained notoriety as a successful full rider in the 60’s and 70’s.  He spent over 25 years at Willowbrook Farm in Catasaqua, where he broke and rode colts.  It was at Willowbrook where he first became interested in cutting horses, and showed Willowbrook’s stallion Docorona.  In the early 90’s he moved his training operation to Massachusetts, where he introduced many newcomers to the sport of cutting.  He moved back to Pennsylvania in 1996, and with his wife, Jann O’Leary Costa, he operates a full time cutting facility in Boyertown.  Although cutting is his first love, he trains and rides horses for team penning and stock horse, as well.  In 2000, he rode Magics My Dad, to several regional championships and Top Ten Honors at the Quarter Horse Congress.  That same year, Magic and John won the NCHA Area 19 Championships in the $10,000 Novice Horse and the $3,000 Novice Horse.  In 2001, they continued their success winning the Area 19 Open Championship, and finishing second in the $10,000 Novice Horse.  John believes in training the whole horse, and incorporates equine therapy into his training program.  He feels horses that are at their optimum best, will train better and be more successful in the show ring.  John also trains non-pro riders for cutting, John’s students have gone on to win both local and area honors, and will be going to national competitions too.

Jeanne Hamerly &
Jeanne Andrews
Performa Touch & Advanta-Touch
Orwigsburg, PA
www.equustherapy.com

Jeanne Hamerly is a registered nurse certified in neonatal intensive care and is a certified educator of infant massage.  She has had horses for  more than 26 years and has been assisting the 4-H members for the past 6 years by allowing her horses to be used for 4-H projects and helping them train as needed.  She is a graduate of the Advantassage School of Equine Studies, which is accredited by The Maryland Higher Education Commission and is certified in Equine Sports Massage Therapy and Stretching and Joint Release.  She has always taken instruction and continuing education to keep abreast of new developments in the horse world.  She does various styles of riding including sidesaddle and enjoys them all.  She is a member of the American Quarter Horse Association, the Lehigh Valley Dressage Association, the United States Dressage Federation, the International Side Saddle Organization, and the Victorian Ladies Aside.

Jeanne Andrews has been working with horses for more than 17 years.  She has been a 4-H Leader for the past 6 years allowing her horses to be used for 4-H projects and helping members to train as needed.  Last summer she completed a 2 year equine studies, which is accredited by the Maryland Higher Education Commission and she is certified in Equine Sports Massage Therapy and Stretching and Joint Release.  She continually takes instruction and continuing education to keep abreast of new developments in the horse world.  Jeanne does various styles of riding, including jumping and novice reining and she enjoys them all.  She is a member of the American Quarter Horse Association and the International Buckskin Horse Association.

Tara Jones-Povenski
"Training with Trust”
Certified Kenny Harlow Trainer
Cumberland, VA
www.kennyharlow.com

Tara’s response and respect training principles will help you to safely gain control of your horse while creating a systematic method to aid in solving complex training issues.  Learn how to effectively communicate with your horse in a safe, progressive manner.  As a graduate of Kenny Harlow’s year-long certification program, Tara and her horse Phantom, will demonstrate how to reach your riding and training goals.  No matter what your discipline or experience level, learn the proper techniques to become an effective partner.

Kenny is a certified John Lyons Trainer, having graduated from John’s very first certification program. He has also studied training and riding under Richard Shrake, as well as top trainers in the disciplines of dressage, eventing, and hunter/jumper.  Kenny’s “Training with Trust” methods allow he and his trainers to build a relationship with the horse in a way that encourages compliance.

Kenny’s talent and expertise in training is not limited to problem and unbroke horses but also includes his three-day conditioning/response riding clinic that is designed to allow both rider and horse to learn training techniques simultaneously. His clinics have become very popular and include participants that range from backyard horse owners to top trainers and Olympic riders. His apprenticeship program provides three-weeks of intensive training for both horse and rider that includes basic round pen techniques and leading, handling, and riding. During the program, participants are given the opportunity to learn and practice their newly acquired skills while riding on scenic mountain trails. His year-long certification program offers intensive training and instruction for individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in working with horses. Participants in his training programs claim that Kenny’s methods and instruction have improved their communication and relationship-building skills both with horses and people.

David Nemeroff
Masters of Aikido, Inc.
Whitehall, PA
www.aikido-dojo.com

David Nemeroff, NCTMB and owner of Modern Health Massage Therapy is a national board certified massage therapist formally trained at the Pennsylvania Institute of Massage Therapy in deep tissue and Swedish Massage. After graduating, he continued his education by learning medical Qigong (Chinese Energy Methods) and Craniosacral Therapy (specifically level 1 and 2, Somato-emotional Release and applying Accupuncture theory to Craniosacral Therapy).
Since that time he has worked at a Chronic pain office, therapeutic massage centers and on horses. Now David works in his private practice, focusing on Craniosacral Therapy because of the profound efficacy he has seen.

David Nemeroff also started his martial arts training at the age of twelve in the art of Aikido, bringing more than twenty-one years of martial arts experience. Since that time, he has trained constantly to improve his knowledge and skill, earning black belts in several martial arts including Tenshin-Ryu Aikido/Aiki-Jodo, Nihon Goshin Aikido, Fukasa-ryu Aikido, Aikijutsu, Jujutsu, Kempo, Iaijutsu and Kenjutsu (Samurai Sword Arts).

He is Asian certified from Japan and the U.S. and is also the U.S. Aikido Division head for Fukasa-Kai. He has supplemented his training with such arts as Kobudo, Medical
Yin-Yang Qigong, Tai chi, Judo, Bo-jutsu, Naginata-jutsu, and Yari-jutsu. He is also a lethal weapons training instructor certified by the Pennsylvania State Police under act 235. Shihan Nemeroff has also given seminars to several groups including horseback riding academies, other dojos, Army Reserve units, children's organizations like the Boys and Girls Club and Kid's Peace, and corporations such as Guardian Life Insurance, and Mack Truck.  Furthermore, he has a bachelors degree from Hofstra University.
His “UKEMI: Falling for Horseback riders” workshops have saved numerous people from a potentially painful situation.  This specialized curriculum was developed from more than two decades of martial arts falling experience.  

Karen Orloff-Yatsko
Peaceful Valley Equestrian Center
Harveys Lake, PA
www.pvec-pa.com

Karen’s horse career began in South Florida approximately 35 years ago.  She successfully showed horses in Western Pleasure and Hunt Seat divisions – excelling in Hunt Seat Equitation and Equitation over fences.  Karen has also trained with Nancy Baker, a FEI trainer and instructor.  She feels most of her success is owed to Nancy’s principles and methods of Dressage.  Under Nancy’s tutelage Karen and Double Take successfully reached their 4th level goals in Dressage.  

Karen received a Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Resources and Conservation at the University of Florida, specializing in Range Land Management.  And also has a Masters degree in Ophthalmic Technology from the University of Florida.  

Together Karen and her husband Harry B. Yatsko created Peaceful Valley Equestrian Center, Inc. in 1994.  Their mission was to make horses and horsemanship accessible to everyone; especially those who could not own their own mount.  Karen and Harry are also 4-H Leaders for the Club Blazing Spirits in Wyoming County, PA.

Today, Karen specializes in Dressage.  Karen has high hopes for her nationally known 7-year-old Warmblood Stallion, Indepen-Dance/*/*/ / / /.  Karen trains Indy in the Classical style of Dressage.  She believes that the in-hand* groundwork, which began when he was 2 years old, was the key to her success with him. Today under saddle she plans to advance Indy through the levels of Dressage.  Indy and Karen have already proven to be successful in demonstrations and clinics that they have done at events such as Equine Affaire 2001 in Springfield, MA, the state Farm
Show – Pleasure Horse Demonstration/Pa Equine Showcase in 2003-2005 in Harrisburg, PA and Horse World Expo 2003-2005 also in Harrisburg, PA.

For Horse World Arena, Karen will perform “Salute to America – a Musical Exposition.”

Karen is the PA State Director for the American Warmblood Society. She also is a member of the U.S. Dressage Federation, the USA Equestrian Association, National Reining Horse Association, American Quarter Horse Association, and the Pennsylvania Equine Council.

Scott Purdum
Fox Quarter Farm
Union Bridge, MD
www.advantagehorsemanship.com

Scott has owned, ridden and worked around horses all his life. His father was a professional farrier and his mother rode, showed and taught lessons for years. Sstarted riding at age 3 and immediately showed natural ability toward these animals. Shortly after he started riding, he became anxious to own his own horse and would not rest until he found one.

After a brief search, Scott helped pick out the horse he wanted and the rest is history. He began his show career a year or two later and has continued riding and showing hunters and pleasure horses since. He attended the University of MD as an Equine Management student where he became a student trainer very quickly. He worked as an intern under well known Quarter Horse trainer Ken Adkins in West Virginia. Scott has recently created and designed his own program, dedicating himself to bringing horses and people together through mutual respect and trust using easy to learn exercises.

Meg Roles
Beneficial Farms Newville, PA

Meg Roles has worked with horses all her life both riding and with draft horses.  Meg works with a natural approach and is actively promoting awareness and education of the North American Spotted Draft Horse and classes for the Breed in local horse shows.
Meg’s horses include:

Benchfield’s Boomer – a 5 year old stallion NASDHA (spotted draft registry) that was born and raised on her farm in Newville.  With a great personality, gentle, and kind, works well with the other horses, is working on riding both English and Western, driving single, and is also part of a team.  Boomer lives in a pasture fulltime with a gelding and has sired a beautiful spotted 2-year old filly.

Riverbend Rascal – an 8-year old NASDHA gelding was purchased with his partner Clyde to provide rides and entertainment for the public.  Rascal has provided rides at a local nursing home, performed in parades, and performed in the Equine Showcase at the Farm Show.  Rascal rides and is working on first level dressage.

Clydes Tiny Valley – a 7-year old NASDHA gelding was partnered with Rascal at an early age because of the similarities in their appearance.  Clyde and Rascal have performed in competitive driving contests at Brandywine Driving Club and other clubs.  Both geldings were featured on the cover of Driving Digest and have traveled all over the U.S. and Canada for exhibitions and training.  Once Boomer advances, Meg will work to drive all three in a Unicorn Hitch.

Bob has trained World Champions in Western Pleasure & Lunge line, Superior Western Pleasure winners, and several ROM & Futurity champions. He is a professional trainer, judge, and clinician who is devoted to helping his students understand versatile training techniques and riding methods. As a judge, he believes in evaluating the ability of the horse and rider as a "complete package.”

He is committed to working with all breeds of horses and all levels of riders. His clinics are full of energy and packed with information that focuses on helping each rider develop working relationship with their horse.