Karen Caristo:
I grew up on Long Island under the tutelage of my nationally known parents, Ralph and Holly Caristo, owners of Glen View Stables. I am very fortunate to have had a renowned horse trainer, top “A” Judge, emphasizer of sportsmanship and team spirit as my father and my guide. All of my accolades stem from his dedication to the equestrian world. He has been given many top honors, including: Inaugural Recipient of the Young Riders Caristo Cup, induction to the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame, USHJA Jane Marshall Dixon Award and USHJA Lifetime Achievement Award. All of this has inspired and guided me to follow in his footsteps. After graduating college and working as a financial analyst for a few years, it was time for me to come back to my true passion, horses. I worked for my parents teaching customers, horse showing, training and riding sale horses. After 8 years with Glen View Stables, I was employed at a private farm on Long Island for 19 years where I trained, lessoned and traveled to horse shows.
My many accomplishments include championships at: Winter Equestrian Festival Circuit Champion; Devon; Kentucky Incentive Championships – where I was the Inaugural winner in the Green 3’6” Division; Capitol Challenge; Pennsylvania National – where I won the Trainer Award; and Washington Horse Show.
I enjoy teaching all types of riders, setting goals and working with their horses. Creating a union and having fun at the same time is what I like doing.
Happiness also comes from exercising, bike riding, hiking, traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Rhyan Serres:
Rhyan started riding at a local Long Island stable at just four years old, by six she started competing and has been passionate about riding ever since.
“I started competing locally on my very green pony and when we won the short stirrups at the Hampton Classic in 2005, It wasn’t the blue ribbons, it was the feeling of everything coming together at the precise moment. Ever since then my goal is to have the horses I work with also learn to love that feeling of being successful and to form a partnership where the horse wants to perform their best for me. I want them to enjoy their job as much as I do.
Rhyan had a successful career as a junior, competing in the equitation and hunters on many different types of horses. Most of the horses were fresh from Europe and didn’t have a lot of show experience. As a working student, it was Rhyan’s job to start their showing careers in the United States. This opportunity helped develop a true talent for riding, training and showing young horses.
As a young professional, Rhyan was given many ex-show jumpers to ride and she was able to turn them into winning hunters, derby and/or equitation stars.
“Most of the horses I had the opportunity to ride and compete on in my 20’s had been given to me in order to find them a new job. Whether they were moving down from jumping Grand Prix’s, or just starting a new venture, I would find the ring that was best suited to each horse. At the time, my employer and trainer, Mario, would guide me along the way. He instilled his knowledge in me and I continue to use these methods to this day with my training. Most days I still hear him in the back of my mind telling me to add leg, or to stay tall at the base!”
Most recently, Rhyan has found a love for teaching at all levels. Rhyan has taken students from the leadline, to Zone Finals, Medal/Maclay championships, Indoors, and has had many successes with Junior/Amateurs at top venues.
“Getting students to learn and understand the feeling of making their horses and ponies go better, is the most rewarding part of my job! I am so excited to be given the opportunity to start a young child from scratch and have them find their passion. I am honored to be here at Silver Oak Stable and to be a part of this wonderful, family-like environment!”