TOM NAVARRO
Founder & Head Trainer
Riding Instructor & Equine Health – Dressage, Hunters, Eventing, Show Jumping, Equitation, and Western Disciplines
Core Competencies
– Equestrian Center Management — boarding, training, and facility operations
– Horse Training — starting young horses and retraining difficult horses
– Horsemanship Instruction — beginner through advanced; collegiate-level teaching. Dressage, Hunters, Eventing, Show Jumping, Equitation, and Western Disciplines.
– Equine Health, Veterinary Coordination & Emergency First Aid
– Client Relations & Equestrian Business Development
– Equestrian Event Planning, Advertising & Promotion
– Sponsorship Acquisition & Corporate Partnerships — SmartPak, CWD, Southern States
– Stable Management — staff hiring, training, and supervision
Professional Experience
Founder & Head Trainer — River Chase Farm LLC
Aldie, Virginia | 2006–Present
– Manages daily operations and care for 80+ horses, including hiring, training, and supervising barn staff.
– Oversees equine health, injury treatment, and veterinary coordination; direct client relations and farm marketing.
– Secured and retained corporate sponsorship across seven consecutive seasons with SmartPak, CWD, and Southern States.
– Organize and promoted annual VHSA show series, clinics, special events, and a sponsor-funded year-end program.
Professor of Horsemanship — George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia | 2010–2012
– Taught PRLS 122: Introduction to Horsemanship — mounted instruction and classroom study. Curriculum covered riding, health and care, stable management, nutrition, and equine anatomy and function; administered midterm and final examinations.
Owner & Manager — Whispers LLC
Waynesboro, Virginia | 2003–2006
– Managed a boarding and training facility of up to 56 horses across all breeds and disciplines.
– Specialized in starting young horses and retraining difficult horses.
– Organized and promoted horse shows, clinics, wild west shows, and themed seasonal events.
Equine Surgical Anesthesia & Veterinary Technician — New England Equine Practice
Brewster, New York | 2000–2003
– Administered anesthesia under veterinary supervision — induction, maintenance, and recovery of surgical patients.
– Monitored patient status and vital signs; administered IV, IM, and subcutaneous injections, oral medications, and IV fluid therapy.
– Placed catheters and suture extension sets, prepared horses for surgery, assisted in surgery and post-operative care, and bandaged a range of injuries and conditions.
– Performed blood and fecal lab work and developed standard and digital radiographs; provided ambulatory and off-site emergency care.
Manager — Gleneden Dressage (employed by Lendon Gray)
Bedford, New York | 1998–2000
– Built and managed the international working student program and clinic schedule.
– Hosted clinics with top international instructors including Michael Poulin and Conrad Schumacher.
– Supervised grooms and foreign working students in the care and training of up to 60 horses; maintained all health records and scheduled veterinary and farrier care.
– Prepared horses and staff for shows and clinics on and off the property; managed feed and supply ordering and client relations.
Horse Show Professional — United States & Europe
1993–1998
– Provided competition management and complete horse care at events for leading American professionals including Alice Debany Clero, Norman Dello Joio, Peter Leone, Barney Ward, Lainie Wimberly, Carol Maloney, Eric Hasbrouck, and George Morris.
– Worked with European professionals including Achaz von Buchwaldt, Lena Winter, and Ramon Hein.
– Provided competition grooming, stabling, and turnout support for United States show jumping competitors during the 1995 and 1996 seasons, including at the 1996 Games in Atlanta.
– Managed show-ground stabling set-up and breakdown, competition preparation, post-competition cool-down and finishing, and transport between venues.
Stable Manager & Riding Program Director — Multiple Facilities
New York & Pennsylvania | 1987–1993
– Brigadoon Farm (1991–1993, employed by Lainie Wimberly) — managed a 20-horse facility and a staff of five.
– River Run Farm, Brewster, NY (1990–1991, employed by Lucy and Reiner Niewisch) — managed a 48-horse facility and a staff of seven to eight.
– Triple C Stables at Tamiment Resort, Fernwood Stables at Fernwood Resort, and Saw Creek Equestrian Center, Bushkill, PA (1987–1990) — oversaw three resort facilities and a combined staff of 15; trained horses and riders and produced wild west shows, rodeos, and exhibitions for resort guests and surrounding communities.
Achievements
– Produced a VHSA show series of up to 12 shows per year for seven consecutive years, with returning national corporate sponsors.
– Assisted Lendon Gray in organizing, promoting, and securing sponsorship for the annual International Junior/Young Rider Championships.
– Organized and managed clinics and competitions featuring Lendon Gray, Conrad Schumacher, Michael Poulin, Joe Fargis, and Manuel Torres.
– Appointed Professor at George Mason University for PRLS 122: Introduction to Horsemanship.
– Taught clinics on jumping, starting horses, handling, trailer safety, and equine emergency first aid.
Education & Continuing Studies
– Continuing equine veterinary study with Dr. Charles Gandal, Pace University, Pleasantville, New York — 1990–1991.
– Continuing equine veterinary study with Dr. William Bradley, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York — 1992–1993.
