Culver's commitment to horsemanship is reflected in its staff, clinicians, and facilities. Our staff consists of: Ed Little (Director of Horsemanship), Elizabeth Relos, Sarah J. Haile, Robin Siems, and Paula Sturman. Our clinicians include: V. Courtlandt Smith II, Rachel Rubin, Chris Bye & Dez Payne, Tom Goodspeed, and Jerry Munns.

Ed Little, Director of Horsemanship

The program is directed by Ed Little, a former professional polo player. During his fifteen years at Culver, Ed has assembled a talented staff that is capable of teaching beginners as well as advanced students the finer points of riding.

[back to top]

Elizabeth Relos

Elizabeth Relos attended Ball State University. She did the show circuit with Quarter Horses in a variety of disciplines.  An Instructor of Horsemanship in 2001; is now senior Instructor and CGA Polo Coach.

[back to top]

Robin Siems

A certified instructor through the British Horse Society, and a former member of the “King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery,” a mounted ceremonial unit of the British Army, has joined the Horsemanship Department faculty.  He will approve and train all new horses, teach basic and advanced equine science , drill, and coach Rough Riding.

[back to top]

Amy Wisehart

[back to top]

V. Courtlandt Smith II, Cavalry Consultant

* Culver Black Horse Troop and Lancers '49
Trained under General Humberto Mariles and Capitan Perez
* Mexican Cavalry School, Mexico D.F.
* Riding Instructor Duke University
* Member Of the Club Campestre Polo team Cali, Colombia in the sixties
* Member of the Palm Beach Hounds Hunt
* Chairman of the Culver Committee of the Horse

[back to top]

Rachel Rubin, Nutritionist

I am the Equine Specialist for Purina Mills, serving portions of Indiana, as well as Northern Ohio. I have been with Purina Mills for 3 years.

I grew up with horses, and was in both Pony Club and 4-H. I competed in Dressage, and Evented unil I was 17. After high school, I found interest in Draft Horses, as well as Equine Reproduction. Prior to working for Purina Mills, I spent 4 years as a reproduction technician, managing large herds of broodmares, collecting stallions, and prepping yearlings for sales. I was part of the management team at Sahbra Farms, home of the renown Standardbred stallion, Striking Sahbra. The farm stood four studs, bred over 300 mares, and foaled and fitted over 125 babies a year.

After Sahbra Farms, I spent two years as breeding manager in NE Pennsylvania, before returning to Ohio, to manage RX Acres Belgians. I spent three years with the Belgians before accepting a position as Equine Specialist with Purina Mills. Amidst breeding horses, I earned a Bachelors of Arts degree from Kent State University, in Kent, Ohio.

I currently live in Holmes Co., Ohio, and enjoy spending time with all breeds, particularly drafts, on a small, quiet farm!

[back to top]

Chris Bye & Dez Payne, Household Cavalry

Mr. Jim Henderson, Chairman of the Culver Educational Foundation, met the Riding Master of the Household Cavalry, Captain Richard Waygood.  For the past two years,  Captain Waygood has sent his top-riding instructors to visit Culver as a consultant and clinician for the Black Horse Troop and the Horsemanship Department.  Captain Waygood views the trips as an opportunity for his riding instructors to sharpen their skills and to share Cavalry knowledge. The Household Cavalry not only escorts the Queen but is continually seeking to improve both equitation and drill.  They understand that Military pageantry is a large part of the Military ceremony.  This appeals to spectators and gives the participants a sense of pride. 

In September 2004, the Horsemanship Department was honored with Instructor Chris Bye and in October 2005, Instructor Dez Payne.  The British riding instructors participated in every aspect of the Department of Horsemanship; Equine Science Classes, Drill, Lancers and Equestrians, Rough Riding, Jumping, and Polo.  Culver is fortunate to have the services of these gentlemen. 

[back to top]

Tom Goodspeed, Polo Coach

Tom Goodspeed grew up in Milwaukee, WI where he received an early start both riding and showing horses at the age of 11. Tom paid for his early riding expenses by delivering the Milwaukee Sentinel and caring for horses. Tom studied riding under the guidance of Donald McCarrol who used cavalry drills and formations as a method of riding instruction. Tom continued onto the University of Connecticut where he was the Captain of the 1973 & 1974 National Intercollegiate Polo Champions. Tom received a Bachelor of Science degree for Animal Science. Following graduation, Tom was hired as the General Manager for the Ox
Ridge Hunt Club in Darien, Ct. Tom also worked with the Junior Riders during his time at Ox Ridge, as well as managing operations and assisting with both hunter/jumper and dressage shows. In 1985, Tom was hired as the Director of Equestrian Activities at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center. He was also the Captain of the Los Angeles Colts, which was a
professional polo team that had an annual 22 game season featuring the highest ranked players
in the world. Tom was voted the National Arena Player of the Year in 1995 and has played in four of the Legends Cups, featuring the highest handicapped games ever played in the history
of arena polo. For the past 14 years, Tom managed the San Diego Polo Club in California, which also was a host site for many youth athletic events, including the Surf soccer cup and a National Lacrosse tournament. Tom has a daughter at the University of San Diego and a son
at Torrey Pines H.S. in San Diego.

Click here to read Tom Goodspeed's bio.

[back to top]

Jerry Munns, Natural Horseman

Click here to read Jerry Munns' bio.

[back to top]

Kent Mullinex

Kent Mullinex has been working as a farrier since 1980, and his experience with horses is extensive. From owning 24 horses (10 different breeds) and taking care of numerous customers to shoeing the Royal Lipizzans, Kent has a wealth of experience that is hard to match. When he’s not working with his clients, he’s performed farrier services for Indiana Dressage Association shows, Indiana Arab Association shows as well as working on several State, Regional and National Champions.

Kent and his wife Debbie are the owners of Weatherstone Stable, located in Kokomo, IN. Weatherstone’s features include 28 12x12 box stalls, two 12x20 foaling stalls, two 4 acre pastures, one 2 acre pasture, one 1 acre pasture, indoor arena, outdoor arena, round pen, shower stall and heated observation area. Weatherstone provides boarding, lessons and stallion service.

Showing is another aspect of Kent’s experience. He was awarded a Bronze Medal from the Indiana Dressage Association in 1998. In addition, he has won Championships for the last three years showing In Hand their Arabian and Half Arabian Stallions. He’s also ridden Demonstration Horses and Stallions from Stallion Row for the Hoosier Horse Fair.

Kent also takes time to teach. He’s given lectures and clinics for:

            - Culver Academies Advanced Equine Science Program
            - Wabash County Horse & Pony Club
            - Miami County Horse & Pony Club
            - Riparian Farms Summer Camps

A Parent Member of the Indiana Junior Rodeo Association, he also has memberships in the Indiana Farrier’s Association of America and the Indiana Horse Council.

Kent serves the central and northern Indiana areas.

[back to top]