Meet The Tack Shop Team of Experts
The Tack Shop had its beginning at Cleveland Park Stables in 1967 when Glyn's mom, Mary Sandzen, opened with a few thousand dollars of inventory in cardboard boxes. In 1979, Glyn took over the operations of the store, while Mary left to follow her dream to build the first indoor equestrian facility in South Carolina, Carolina Horse Park.
Glyn has competed in and taught both saddleseat and hunter-jumper disciplines, organized and produced horse shows, and managed an indoor equestrian facility. She has also completed extensive training in methods of bitting and saddle fitting.
The Tack Shop staff represents many disciplines of riding, training and competition. In this way, the shop stays current with the latest styles and information. We proudly offer a wealth and depth of knowledge based on our collective education and life experience.
"Among all of us, someone will either have the answer to your question or know where to find it..." says Glyn. "Give us a chance to be your resource. We understand the volume of information can be overwhelming and we want to help!"
Hey everyone! My name is Kelly and I have been riding horses since I was 6 years old. My high school buddy in Ohio had a horse farm, and I guess it's safe to say she was my very first trainer. After moving to South Carolina , I started to ride at Grove Station Farms and Frances Steele was my trainer for the next 5 years. I fell in love with an Apploosa/Tenessee Walker cross, and thought my life was over when I “graduated” from the farm and had to move on.
After shuffling around from show barn to show barn in Tryon , NC , I finally found my niche at Stoney Knoll Farms in Columbus, NC. Betsy and Gerald Pack have got to be the most wonderful combination of talented trainers that I know. During my junior years, I heavily competed in the equitation classes and was successful every year I was with the Packs. My last year as a junior rider I competed in the ASPCA Maclay and rode in the PSJ Equitation Finals. In Fall 2008 I finally got my first horse, a Holsteiner/Irish Sport Cross colt named Diesel. I am looking forward to our future endeavors.
After 16 years of being involved in the horse world, I have learned that horse people are their own special breed of humans, and our love for the four-legged beast is unique and everlasting.
Jenny
Hey I’m Jenny! My parents own Berry Woods Farm, and I’ve been riding since I could walk. With growing up on a farm, I have been very fortunate to ride with many different trainers, and try out many different disciplines. From western pleasure to driving hackney ponies, you name it, I’ve done it! 
Currently, I have three horses that I spend most of my time and money with. Skyler, my grey, is a 2002 off the track thoroughbred, need I say more? I also have a quarter horse, Coty, who was born on my farm in 2003. I love my dead broke pony, and it’s a definite change from riding those “high strung” thoroughbreds. Finally we come to a compromise, the best of both worlds. This is none other than my 2005 appendix filly, Jessebelle, also born on my farm. She is my latest prospect for the hunter ring, and I’m looking forward to our journey together. Although I have taken a break from showing in the last couple of years, I am excited to get back in the ring with my new youngster.
Over the years, I’ve learned that despite the tremendous amount of power that a horse holds, they have a very delicate mindset, that’s something you just can’t get from a pet hamster! Their willingness to please sets them apart from any other creature. You just cant help but love ‘em!
My name is Jessica Hubbard and I’ve been a part of the Tack Shop team since June 2005. I enjoy working at the shop as it provides me the opportunity to meet and talk with so many different people who share a common love for the horse.
My own love affair with horses began when I was 12, learning to ride at a small farm in Northern Virginia. I cleaned stalls and took care of horses to help pay for my lessons and eventually had my first horse to lease, Jesse – he and I had lots of fun! In 1991 I moved to South Carolina to attend Clemson. Three years later I took a small sabbatical from school and moved to the Potomac Horse Center in Maryland where I lived and worked.....and worked some more! With 120 horses to take care of, I learned something new everyday! In 1995 I went back to Clemson to finish my degree and continued riding at the Heritage with Linda Symborski. After graduation I took my first introductory course in Equine Massage with a certificate from Equissage, Inc. I was so excited about the field and wanted to learn more! I found Mike Scott in Camden, SC and completed his Advanced Muscle Therapy course. Later I was able to attend an Equine Cadaver Lab held at Tufts Veterinary School – that was amazing! I’ve attended workshops held by John Sharkey, international equine neuro-muscular therapist and Jim Masterson, integrated equine massage therapist. I get a lot of satisfaction from my massage work with horses. My number one patient is my own dear chestnut QH gelding, Franklin. After knowing and admiring him for five years, I recently began an open lease with him. In the short time since I acquired him we’ve already been through a lot together and he is worth every single minute and cent spent!
Hi! My name is Cheryl King and I live in Greenville, SC. I began my riding career at age 10 and spent my childhood riding hunter/jumper in Illinois, California and Connecticut. Twelve years ago I discovered dressage, and fell in love with it. For those of you who aren’t familiar with this equestrian discipline, dressage is a French word that means ‘training’ and focuses on improving harmony and communication between horse and rider. I actively teach, train horses and show in dressage, as well as continue my own learning through regular lessons from an international level dressage trainer and USDF judge. This ensures that I can pass on the best knowledge and instruction to students and horses. I am also certified by the American Riding Instructor Association in Dressage Instruction and Stable Management.I specialize in introducing dressage and centered riding to horses and riders through kind and positive feedback. Throughout my career I have given literally hundreds of children and adults their start in the saddle, and really enjoy giving them a solid foundation of skills and knowledge.
I currently own a 13 year old Dutch Warmblood/Thoroughbred cross named Luke. He is a sweetheart, and is enjoying his new career as a dressage horse. I am very happy to be teaching at Eden Farms, and look forward to helping students achieve their riding goals!
Sarah
Hi my name is Sarah Whitten, and I have been riding since I was 6 years old. I grew up taking lessons at Riverbend from Jill Brookey and Tricia Arthur. They taught me all of the basics of dressage and some jumping. After 7 years of lessons, I finally purchased my own horse. Lady, who i still own and lease out today, is a large welsh cross. I competed in hunter shows with Lady, then joined Greenville Foothills Pony Club in 2006 and got into eventing. I eventually outgrew her and currently lease Lady to Pony Clubbers in Aiken, SC. Currently I am riding and boarding with Janna Ritacco in Peidmont, SC. I am leasing a paint cross named Maggie, and I am eventing her at novice level. I am also an active member in Greenville Foothills Pony Club, and have recently recieved my HB rating. Next year I will be attending the University of Kentucky to study equine science, and hopefully ride on their equestrain team. Horses have taught me so much already, and I am very excited to see what the future holds for me in the horse world.
Hey everyone, my name is Meredith Teeple and I currently live in Simpsonville! I started riding when I was 10 and my first horse was a 1 month old Tenessee Walking horse named Gizmo. Since he was so young, we basically borrowed his mother so that my family and I could ride her. Soon after, my mother decided to get me to take riding lessons probably in fear that I might one day injure myself. I bet she didn't know what one little lesson would soon turn into! When I was 12, we broke and trained Gizmo with the help of a neighbor. That was a really rewarding experience and made me realize how much I truly enjoy working with horses, even at such a young age! When I was 13, I got my first 'real' event horse named Copy. He showed me how simple yet difficult dressage can be, and even took me to training level in eventing. I competed in several Nationals in both dressage and eventing in Pony Club, and also competed in the first American Eventing Championships with him in Raeford, NC. I was also able to get my Pony Club C-3 rating on him, but soon after had to sadly retire him. I am currently riding a 14.2 hh project quarter horse that I got off of a whim at an auction named Oskar. He was a mess, but I have learned so much working with him. He has successfully competed at both training level dressage and novice eventing. I am also attending USC Upstate and majoring in Biology with a minor in Psychology. I plan on either attending PA school or working my way through a nursing track to become a CRNA. I am also married, and have a cat who is apparently the boss now.
I have learned so much with horses throughout the years. When I stop worrying about how I'm riding and just listen to what my horse is telling me, I have learned that the horse will be the best teacher you can have.
Lexi
This photo was taken of Lexi when she was just 3 months old at The Tack Shop. Just a couple of weeks before, as Glyn was leaving for work, she saw a car ahead of her pull over to the side of Alexander Rd, open the door, and shove a puppy out. Glyn followed her into the woods and brought her back, and she sat in her lap on the ride to The Tack Shop where she began her career as our Greeter.
Since then she has made 100's of friends, cleaned the faces of dozens of babies and entertained many young children, allowing parents to enjoy their shopping.
Click here to go to Lexi's Blog!