Carousel Park Equestrian Center Staff
Carly Thompson
Equestrian Program Coordinator
Carly is our Equestrian Program Coordinator and you will no doubt come in contact with her whether you are a TRAC student, volunteer, or group lesson rider, as she is involved with everything at Carousel. Carly began riding at age 10 under the tutelage of Dawn McCuen at the KA Equestrian Center. Growing up, Carly was a member of the Gum Tree 4H group and competed on the Hunter Circuit. Carly started working at Carousel Park in 2001. In 2005-2006, she became a certified therapeutic riding instructor with PATH International and founded the TRAC program. Every fall, Carly organizes the Special Olympics DE Equestrian Event. During her time off, Carly likes to enjoy life on the farm with her horses, dogs, cat and ducks and competes in eventing with her TB/Percheron Cross, Edison.
Karen Kohlmorgen
Office Manager
Karen is our Office Manager so when you call the office, you will more than likely reach her there. She can answer all your questions regarding our riding program as she was once a riding instructor here.
Karen’s love of the equestrian sport started when she was a little girl and a friend asked her if she wanted to go for a trail ride at Carousel Park! Just one ride was all it took to start a life-long passion for everything equestrian. Karen has done everything from Fox Hunting, Paperchasing, Showing in the Hunter Ring and competing in Dressage. Karen’s broad range of employment has included Office Manager for Fasig-Tipton (thoroughbred race horse auction industry), Saddle Consultant for Dover Saddlery and Stubben and Riding Instructor.
Danielle Roher
Instructor
Danielle has had over 13 years experience in riding and training. She was born and raised in Lewisberry, Pa. She specializes in Hunter/Jumper. She is presently competing in U.S.E.F.- A rated shows winning many hunter, jumper and equitation championships. Danielle won Regional Championships and qualified Nationally in Hunter/Jumper open shows with her Half-Arabian gelding DJ. She has also won many Top 5's at Arabian 'AA' shows with her horse Xpreso.
Jackie Testa
Instructor
Jackie began riding at age nine at Carousel Park Equestrian Center. At age 16 Jackie purchased her first horse, Ginger, from Carousel. Jackie and Ginger enjoying showing in western pleasure and trail classes every show season.
Katie Kokoszka Instructor
At the age of 18 Katie became a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (PATH certified) and has been teaching therapeutic riding ever since. She loves her students and is known for decorating the horses for the horse shows and the Special Olympics Equestrian Event. Katie started volunteering at Carousel when she was 14-years old where she helped with barn work and pony rides. Katie’s students and the horses bring a smile to her face each and every day and have become her passion.
.Miranda Lee
Instructor
Horses have always been a big part of my life growing up. I started riding when I was 7 at Barley Mill Stables. I loved every minute of it, the riding as well as the cleaning stalls, veterinary care, etc. Many of my teenage years were spent at horse shows – local Eventing and Dressage shows as well as Pony Club events. I was a member of the Delaware Pony Club for a few years before I went to college. I have been teaching riding lessons for many years at various barns. I have been teaching TRAC lessons at Carousel for the past 5 years and have loved every minute of it! My students at Carousel were my inspiration for going back to school in 2010 to obtain my Master’s in Special Education at Wilmington University. Full time, I teach middle school math in inclusion classrooms at a local middle school. When I am not teaching, either full time or at Carousel, I am riding horses or spending time with my husband, Justin, and our two dogs, Kolby and Shelby.
