Team Members

Please welcome our Team Sterling Trainers!
Kellie Hinely, a Southern California native, began her journey with horses at a young age, despite not coming from a horse-centric family. Her dedication led her to numerous awards in AQHA youth competitions. Pursuing her passion, Kellie studied Animal Science at California Polytechnic State University, Pomona, and honed her skills with top AQHA professionals. In 1997, she founded Trendsetter Performance Horses, emphasizing an honest and enjoyable client experience.
Over the years, Kellie has ridden a range of exceptional horses, from futurity pleasure horses to senior pleasure drivers. Trendsetter Performance Horses is renowned for initiating young horses into show careers and developing national level competitors. Kellie's expertise is sought after, with many AQHA professionals and breeders entrusting her to sell their horses. Beyond her local impact, she has international connections, having visited Sweden to support the European AQHA community. Kellie is dedicated to her industry while she maintains an active role with local horse clubs and is an active PCQHA board member. 


​Beth Clemons, a native of Carlsbad, California, discovered her passion for horses at the tender age of seven. While her family was inclined towards hunter/jumpers and dressage, Beth was captivated by the allure of the Quarter Horse and the intricacies of western pleasure riding. She immersed herself in local open shows and AQHA events in Southern California, absorbing knowledge from every interaction. 
During her college years, Beth dedicated her free time to horses, training under the guidance of renowned professionals like Dana Hokana, Jason Martin, and Tonya Brown. This experience culminated in the establishment of Beth Clemons Performance Horses in 2013. Beth's philosophy revolves around respect for each horse, specializing in laying a robust western pleasure foundation. With patience and honesty at the core of her approach, she aims to instill relaxation, learning, and joy in both horse and rider.
​Melissa was born to horse trainer parents, Dick & Sybil Hardy, in Northern California. Sitting in a saddle before she could walk, her place in the horse industry was sealed from the very beginning. Her father trained reiners and cow horses while her mom specialized in all-around events. Growing up, Melissa showed in everything from hunt seat equitation to cutting, learning to start colts and instruct beginning riders along the way. Her father’s knack for evaluating and fostering a horse’s strengths and her mother’s supportive, encouraging coaching style shaped Melissa into the horsewoman she is today. 
Ask Melissa what her favorite event to compete in is and she’ll say “Whatever the horse is best at and happiest doing.” Ask her what class she likes to coach the most and she’ll say the same thing regarding her riders. 

Her resume includes serving on the PCQHA Board and several AQHA Task Force Committees as well as being honored as PCQHA Most Valuable Professional Horseman. Melissa and her husband Ron, own and operate Zanetti Performance Horses. Together with assistant trainer Jose Corona, they have produced AQHA, NSBA, APHA, and PHBA World Champions as well as All-American Quarter Horse Congress Champions.

​You’ll never know exactly what class Melissa will be showing in at any given moment at the horse show, but more often than not, she’ll be sitting happily in a Sterling Saddle.

​Anthony Leier Owner of Leier Performance Horses from Gordonville, Texas! Anthony Leier has trained and shown multiple World, Congress, NSBA and National Champions. He has had unparalleled success in the Yearling Lunge Line, Hunter In Hand and Hunter Under Saddle. Since 2010 his success grew to 100+ World, AQHA Congress, National, NSBA, Reichert and Reserve Champions. 
​The preparedness of the young horses that come out of Anthony's yearling program enables them to move on seamlessly into the under saddle events. Among the training program of fitting, training and selling yearlings, Anthony also owns and breeds about 15 broodmares! Producing AQHA, APHA and ApHC top futurity pleasure and hunter under saddle prospects!


​​Born and raised in Southern California, Katie has been in the saddle since she was 8. She went on to ride on the Fresno State Equestrian Team, and after college opened up a training and lesson business in the area. Deciding that there was more to learn and experiences to be had, Katie headed back down south to work for a few different AQHA trainers. 
Settling at Rutherford Ranch in Simi Valley, she opened Katie Wagner Show Horses in 2016. Nestled just below the Reagan Library at the old home of Jack and Linda Baker, Rutherford Ranch is a full service training barn that sits on 20 acres. With room for 46 horses, Katie stays busy maintaining a youth and amateur program with both APHA and AQHA All-Around horses and riders. 

Katie’s program offers start to finish on young horses, as well as specialized training for specific events, with an emphasis on Western Pleasure and Hunter Under Saddle.  Katie’s goal has always been to have happy clients and happy horses, and they are all even happier riding and showing in Sterling Custom Saddles and Kathy's Show Equipment! 
Dana Hokana is one of the top female trainers in the Quarter Horse industry. Dana has trained multiple Youth and Amateur Western Pleasure, Horsemanship, Western Riding, Trail and Reining champions at both the All American Quarter Horse Congress and the AQHA World Show, as well as many circuit and futurity champions. 

Dana also travels the world speaking at expos, equine affairs and clinics. She has been a clinician at the Mane Event in British Columbia and Alberta, Canada, and at the Equine Affaire in California, Massachusetts and Ohio. She has been a clinician at the Western States Horse Expo in Sacramento, California and was the featured speaker at the South Dakota Horse Faire. 
Dana has given clinics at Montana State University, the 320 Ranch in Montana, and also books many private clinics for ranches and trainers across the nation. Dana also writes training articles for some of the largest horse publications in the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada, including PleasureHorse.com, the California Horsetrader, Horse Circuit News, Bit and Bridle, Horses Magazine, Cowgirls in Style, Western Horse U.K., Saddle Up Magazine, as well as many articles in the Quarter Horse Journal.
In 1973 at 6 years old Liz Place rode with Sandy Arledge up until the sale of her farm in 2005. In 2006, Liz took over Sandy's business and created Liz Place Performance Horses Inc. Where she has trained quarter horses and coached youth and amateurs to many top placings. Currently in Rancho Santa Fe, CA. showing, training, and coaching. 
Amber owns and operates Double A Performance Horses just outside of Boise, Idaho, which focuses on open, amateur, and youth all-around Paint horses. She also owns, trains, and manages the Multiple World Champion, homozygous Tobiano APHA stallion, One And Only Asset aka “Marshall.”

Amber’s training business focuses primarily on training and showing Marshall’s offspring, affectionately dubbed “Marshmallows.” Amber’s program works to develop young prospects for the yearling all-around all the way up to the senior division, emphasizing the horse’s natural talent to set them up for success.​
Wheeler Performance Horses offers a full and part time training service for both the horse and rider. The multi-event program ranges in a wide variety of disciplines, creating a true all around training facility. Jenn & Justin choose to provide each client and horse with an individualized program best suited to their needs. While maintaining a competitive show team that competes at a statewide and national level, WPH also offers services for clients wanting to show on a smaller scale. 
The hard working yet fun atmosphere that WPH embodies has produced excellent results in the show pen, with many World and Reserve World championships, all around titles and circuits won by Jenn & Justin and their clients. 
​
The WPH lesson program has developed an outstanding reputation in the South Bay Area, producing talented riding students. Jenn & Justin offer lessons for first time beginners to more advanced riders wishing to further their skills.
Bobbie Emmons has been involved in the horse industry showing APHA & AQHA horses for over 35 years. Growing up in Malibu, California Bobbie spent time divided between showing horses and playing beach volleyball. 

Specializing in training and showing the All Around Horse, Bobbie enjoys making the most of a talented horse and pairing them with a youth or amateur that fits. 

​​Bobbie Emmons Show Horses is located in the beautiful foothills just southeast of Sacramento in the town of Plymouth, California.
Matt & Erin Henderson own and operate Turner Henderson Show Horses of Albany, Oregon. They show both Quarter & Paint Halter Horses. Together their program has won 23 World & Reserve World Titles.

"It is very important to have your show equipment properly fit your horse to accent your animal to its very best and still have the comfort to perform. I recommend Kathy's & Sterling Silver for all your show equipment needs. That is all we use at Turner Henderson Show Horses." - Matt Henderson
Limelite Show Horses is owned and operated by Brian Henry & John Zeldenthuis. We are located on the western slope Of Colorado in the small town of Loma. We have a 40 acre property with a large Show barn and indoor arena.

We train western pleasure all around horses and we have won over 300 World & Reserve World Titles and numerous World Show All Around Titles. We keep about 20 horses in training and we attend at least 1 Show a month. We also attend the larger shows including the Paint World Show in Ft. Worth, Pinto World Show in Tulsa, the Western National show in Las Vegas and more.
We also have a small breeding program with 3 stallions and 5-10 mares. As a hobby we train and run barrel horses in our free time. We attend races in our area as well as traveling to larger events around the western United States. Basically…. We eat and breathe the horse industry.
Picture
​
​Cooper Evans, a native of Wyoming, grew up on a ranch steeped in a rich heritage of horsemanship. His early years were shaped by diverse equestrian influences, from rodeo to cow horse and cutting. This foundation led him to earn a rodeo scholarship at NorthWest College and later, a pivotal experience at Highpoint Performance Horses in Texas. Here, he honed his skills under top professionals, including Charlie Cole and Jason Martin, laying the groundwork for his unique approach in the horse industry.
In 2011, Cooper established Star Performance Horses in Utah, marking a significant milestone in his career. Under his guidance, the facility has trained top youth and amateur competitors, securing nearly 400 world and reserve world titles in AQHA, APHA, Pinto, and Appaloosa events. Cooper's expertise extends to the breeding industry, with a focus on producing world champion colts and promoting acclaimed stallions like VS Total Heartthrob and The Lope Factor.
​
​Looking ahead, Cooper envisions continuing his legacy through his clients and the next generation, including his son, who shares his passion for horses. Together, they travel extensively, celebrating successes in the equestrian world and upholding the traditions that define Star Performance Horses.
Stacie Wight operates her business, SS Performance Horses, out of Hansen Dam Horse Park just outside of Los Angeles, in Southern California. 

Specializing in All-Around Pleasure horses, Reining and Ranch Riding from beginner to national levels. Stacie has cultivated her program to help clients strive to reach their greatest potential which is highlighted in the multi discipline training program, specializing as a western trainer but also caters to many clients whom wish to show and ride at their leisure. 
With 25 years in the horse industry, she is consistently trying to grow her knowledge and loves being able to share with others who want to improve in their horsemanship and riding abilities both in and out of the arena. 

In her off time, she is working hard towards her judges credentials in the APHA and AQHA industries, and  has spent the last 15 years judging at the local and state levels.  Along with furthering her education in the horse Industry you can find Stacie chauffeuring her daughter to competitive dance competitions and her son to his baseball games.  

We are blessed to be an ambassador for such quality products and for keeping us shining in the show ring.