Biographies

Anikka Weinfeld, Equine Consultant and On-Air Talent Anikka Weinfeld, a Virginia native, is a lifelong horse lover and dedicated horse rider and trainer. Her study of Equine Sciences at Colorado State University (year 2001) in Fort Collins has prepared her for a career in the training of English saddle riders. In addition, Anikka is an accomplished actress and voice talent. Her role in All Things Horses demonstrates her skills to the utmost. Recently won Regional Champion of Colorado, Wyoming and New Mexico, Intercollegiate Horse Show Association: She is now competing for a spot at the National's in New York.

Christopher Donaghy & Laura Douglas, Executive Producers Laura Douglas and Christopher Donaghy, a team in marriage as well as business, are the Executive Producers of All Things Horses. Laura is an experienced Video Editor and owner of RedEye Professional Post in Old Town Alexandria ( www.redeyepost.tv) RedEye Post is a Television Production Company servicing the major networks in addition to the many talented independent producers in the greater Washington DC area and beyond. Her past work with The Kamber Group and Gannett along with a Journalism Degree from Emerson College in Boston strongly influenced her role of script writing, filming, and editing of this production. Chris' close ties to the production include script writing, camerawork, on-air talent?, voice overs, editing, and lyrics. Further, Chris has fully utilized an MBA degree from James Madison University to handle the business obligations of the video company. E-mail can be received at Contact@AllThingsHorses.com

Tom Schmidt, Photography & Art Direction

Tom Schmidt started in TV in 1980 as an intern at a station in Tampa, Florida and moved up through the ranks to become a producer/director. He developed and directed several children's shows, as well as other programs and commercials. He has won a number of Addys, Tellys and an Emmy. Tom moved to post-production in 1986 as an editor, and then into graphic design and 3-D animation at the post house. Moving to Washington, D.C. in 1987, he began work in the graphics department at Associated Press where he won more Tellys and a BDA design award. He was promoted to Supervisor in 1989. He co-supervised the development of an interactive graphic and archive service now used in over 200 television stations and networks. After leaving the AP in 1993, Tom became an independent art director. Current clients include AOL, Hartford Life and Canon. Tom has also created several well received children's videos during this time.
Tomdeco@bellatlantic.net

Mark Preston Edmondson, Music Director/Original Score

A classically trained pianist,Mark Preston Edmondson remembers "composing" on his parents' Hammond C3 organ as soon as he was tall enough to sit on the bench. He began piano lessons at age 7, focusing on traditional repertoire and technique until he heard Billy Joel years later. "From then on I was more interested in picking out tune from records and improvising than I was playing from printed scores." It wasn't long before Edmondson discovered what would become his passion---sound design and the broad sonic palette of the synthesizer. Inspired, he started assembling his own equipment and began creating his own compositions. He went on to study Music Composition/Theory and Applied Piano at West Virginia University. He released his first self-produced CD titled "Moon South" in 1993.

Today, Mark operates South Moon Productions Digital Audio Services, specializing in digital audio mastering, audio for video and industrial music composition, and publishes a Web page providing detailed information on digital audio concepts. As a DAW engineer, he has mastered well over 300 audio CD titles for independent artists, mastered audio for Cd-ROM titles including "In Full Bloom: The Great Gardens (Hearst NewMedia), "Pigs: Stomped-On Fairytales" and The Enchanted Tarot" (Enteractive), and mastered hundreds of hours of audio in the "Superstar Teachers" line of instructional tapes from The Teaching Company.

In the past year alone, he has composed, arranged and recorded over 3 hours of original music for CD-ROM titles including "Richie Sambora: Interactive", the Harvard Business School's Coaching" CD-ROMs, scored Phillips Interactive "Stickybear" series of children's learning videos. He has also produced numerous songwriter demos, and most importantly, composed the production of "All Things Horses".
SMPAudio@Pop.DN.Net

Chris Gantzer, Soundtrack Guitarist

Chris Gantzer has been performing professionally in the Washington, DC area and abroad for the past 15 years, establishing himself as an accomplished guitarist and vocalist.

In addition to maintaining a busy schedule of solo performances, Chris has proven himself a capable accompanist to many talented area vocalists and musicians.

With a large and varied repertoire, including classical music and his own originals, Chris is impressive in all styles.

Chris con be contacted at (703) 815-7958, 14710 Bentley Square, Centreville, Virginia 20120.

Boot Camp Farm, Horse Stable

Bootcamp Farm is a family owned and operated equestrian riding facility near Opal, Virginia in Fauquier County. Hunt Seat riding instruction is available for all ages with one of the top instructors in the state, having over 30 years of experience. There are a limited number of boarding stalls available, two outdoor rings (one with lights), and a round pen. There are also many horses and ponies in various sizes available for lessons for those of various sizes.

BootCamp Farm also breeds Jack Russells, Collies and Himalayan cats.

For additional information please feel free to contact us at 540-349-2790 or E-mail deist@citizen.infi.net

Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program

Northern Virginia TherapeuticRiding Program (NVTRP) provides therapeutic horseback riding services to physically, mentally, and emotionally challenged children. The inclusion of NVTRP in the All Things Horses video is an important stride in the development and public relations of the organization.

The NVTRP is on-site accredited and nationally recognized by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA). NARHA certified riding instructors, assisted by three volunteers per child, conduct the riding lessons in groups of two or three children. Private lessons are also available.

The rider participates in a challenging, physically active sport while also learning riding skills, and all while having fun riding a horse. This unique form fo physical therapy allows our students to achieve an enriched quality of life.

Chartered in 1980 as the Fairfax 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program, the organization has recently begun an ambitious expansion program to provide additional riding slots for up to 200 riders. The Program has recently signed an agreement to lease a 10 acre facility in Fairfax County with an option to buy it in one year.

For more information about the Northern Virginia Chapter, please email them at NVTRP@BellAtlantic.Net or visit their web site at http://members.bellatlantic.net/~nvtrp/

To receive information about riding programs in your area, please email the National Organization at NAHRA@NAHRA.Org or call 800.369.7433.

Giles Run Stables

At Giles Run Stables we want to share our love of riding and knowledge of horses with everyone, from beginners to active competitors, children and adults, the confident and not-so-confident. We believe riding is a wonderful family activity. We take those who think they can't and teach them that, yes, they can! Classes are offered at all levels, for all ages, and for all disciplines. Whether your interest is in English or Western style riding, the Giles Run instructors can teach you anything from the basics for comfortable, fun trail rides, to classical dressage movements, to cross-country and stadium jumping. The choice is yours!

Giles Run participates in many horse related activities including Summer Equestrian Programs, Horse Shows with an in-house Show Team, Riding Lessons, Carriage Rides, Birthday Parties, and even Sales and Lease of stock. Giles Run Stable is located in the Lorton area of Fairfax County.

Stop by the stable at 10418 Old Colchester Road in Mason Neck, Virginia or call 703.339.7560.

Edward Shelton, Farrier

Edward (Eddie) Shelton has been involved with horses for over 48 years, 30 as a farrier. A biology major in college, Eddie became interested in shoeing while in the Army stationed at Ft. Meyer in Arlington, Virginia. He has been married for 26 years to Becky, and practices his trade primarily in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. His participation in All Things Horses is appreciated.

Dawn Shepherd, Web Site Design and Creation

Dawn Shepherd has an eclectic background that spans everything from providing on-site catering at concerts for acts such as the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springstien and the like, to conducting epidemiological surveys in steel mills for the National Institutes of Occupational Safety and Health. Dawn first became involved with web design in 1995 when she and two friends started an Internet hosting business. Now a freelance web designer, her clients include The World Bank/Consultancy Group to Assist the Poor, Virginia State Bar Young Lawyers Conference, Satellite Users Interferance Reduction Group (SUIRG), Mason Neck Citizen's Association, and others . Contact Dawn via email at WebDesign@DawnShepherd.com or visit her web site, http://CodeCommanders.com

Click Here to Visit Other Horse-Related Web Sites