Jolene Galvin-Yerckie grew up in western Massachusetts, and started riding when she was two years old. She began showing Morgans at three, and through the years competed successfully on the New England Morgan show circuit in Saddle Seat Equitation and Pleasure Divisions.

Jolene attended the University of Massachusetts, where she earned degrees in equine management and sports management. She successfully rode for the University of Massachusetts Equestrian Team both over fences and on the flat. While attending college, she earned her instructor’s license and began teaching for the university. During the summer of 2002, she started the first Equine Clinic for the University of Massachusetts designed for both children and adults.

Currently, Jolene is a USEF Judge for the Morgan, Saddlebred, Hackney, Roadster and Equitation Divisions and a riding instructor for Matthew Roberts Stables, where she has started many of the stable’s top junior students. Her riders have gone on to earn top titles at the Morgan, Arabian and Saddlebred World Championships. She enjoys working with beginner riders and watching their transformation into successful equine competitors. Her goal as an instructor is to teach equine enthusiasts of all ages the core horsemanship skills both on and off the horse with an element of fun as an integral part of the program. 

Jolene is an active leader within the equine community. She serves on the American Morgan Horse Association Youth Committee, is vice president of the Arizona Saddlebred Horse Association, a committee member of the Arizona Morgan Horse Association, UPHA Chapter 1 President and committee member of the USEF Saddle Seat Equitation Committee.

She resides in Scottsdale, Ariz., with her husband, Dain, her son, Xavier, and her stepson, Xander. When she’s not at the barn, she enjoys spending time with her family.