Paul Proulx

Founder, and MIP (Most Important Person!), Paul has been a fixture at The Equestrian Shop since it began in the 1950's and was incorporated in 1957. An expert horseman, Paul realized his dream of staying involved with horses after developing severe asthma. No longer able to continue as a trainer & instructor, Paul made a name for himself in the retail industry. Now semi-retired, Paul stays active in the business, spending part of every day at The Equestrian Shop.

Monique Proulx

It's all in the family for Monique, whose father, Paul Proulx, founded The Equestrian Shop back in the 1950's. A horse lover from day one, Monique is now raising two horse-loving daughters of her own. Brianna (11) & Allysha (9) who enjoy spending time with their sweet pony, Plum. When she is not busy with her daughters, Monique can be found at the barn with her thoroughbred mare, Melody or on the soccer field scoring some serious goals. Melody has training in both jumping and dressage. Monique shares her home her daughters and her yellow Lab, Boscoe. Monique's beloved Chocolate Lab, Katie, went to Doggie Heaven on June 12, 2006.

Vicki Castaneda

Vicki is a familiar face at a new location. Re-hired 3 1/2 years ago to manage the Ipswich store, Vicki has been with the Equestrain Shop since Oct. 2000. Vicki grew up with horses and still rides, however, the demands of a working mom have limited her time to compete. Vicki owns Nelson, an 11 y.o. Belgian/TB cross who is battling a rare form of cancer, but at this time is still healthy and ride-able.

Vicki shares her home with her 4 1/2 year old son Christopher, husband Angel, and the most recent addition, Penny, a 3 year old female pit bull who was rescued from a shelter in February 2009. Penny and Gidget, an 18 month old calico cat are at the Ipswich store most days to meet, greet and entertain our customers.

Karen Rudolph

Karen grew up showing Quarter Horses. She passed down her love of horses to her daughters who have been successful on the AQHA circuit. Her daughters have been competitive, with wins at the East Coast Championship, Florida circuit and at the Quarter Horse Congress. The family's assortment of equines includes one token Quarter Horse & 5 Miniature Horses. Karen is a Second Degree Black Belt in Japanese Martial Arts. Karen lives in Hampstead, NH with her husband, Jon and four children. Son, David, 17, and three daughters, Lindsay, 21, Nicole, 19 and Kelsey, 18. They also share their home with 3 dogs, Kacie, Shelby & Forrest and cats, Milo & Buttercup.

Karen Panichelli

Karen and her new horse, Bart will soon be ready to make their debut on the APHA Paint Circuit. Bart is a two-year-old Paint gelding. Karen has been working with expert trainer Chuck Patti of Twin Oaks Farm in Merrimac, MA. They will make their showring debut in 2009. Looks like Karen found a real winner! Karen has loads of horse experience and is knowledgable in many equestrian fields. She can make even the most novice new rider feel comfortable. She's so good at fitting customers to boots that we jokingly call our boot room her "office"! Karen shares her home with her husband, John and daughter, Lauren (20), and 2 labs Morgan & Tillie. Karen has a special love for St. Bernards and Newfoundlands.

Vanessa Cottle

Vanessa comes to the Equestrian Shop North with a lifetime of experience in horses. Vanessa grew up in Quorn, England, riding jumpers and field hunters. She moved to the United States 21 years ago and worked as a polo groom in Ipswich,. From there, she went to work for Jim Stamets as his barn manager at Ledyard Farm and then Gathering Farm.

 Vanessa has 2 daughters, Melissa and Rebecca.

Susan Watson

Along with holding down a full time job in the city, Susan finds time to work at The Equestrian Shop many evenings and on weekends too! Having horses all her life, her expertise is indispensable. She currently trains with event rider, Amy Goodnow. Susan has a lovely Paint gelding, Isen, whom she plans to event this year. Susan enjoys drill team practice at Sons of The Wind, every Wednesday night. Susan shares her home with her long time companion, Chuck, two fun loving cats and feisty Blue Heeler, Roscoe.

Judy Arnold

Fresh from a career change from the finance world to a new career in the Insurance industry, Judy comes with years of equine knowledge to boast. Having owned horses for over twenty years, she has vast areas of experience. Having had off-the-track Thoroughbreds at home for years, Judy currently is the proud owner of a Lusitano stallion, Romeu and a Haflinger gelding, Julian. She also raises and shows Tibetan Mastifs. She currently owns four - Winston, Sophie, Griffon & Vayu. She also has a Caucasian Ovcharka named Assa. Her dogs are some of the winningest dogs of the breed and have competed and won at the biggest and best dog shows in the world. Along with her dogs, and cat (Moxie), Judy shares her home in Derry NH with her partner, Charles.

Martha Walsh

Martha Walsh lives in Marblehead, MA. She has taught elementary school in Newton for over 30 years. She spends much of her free time sailing and with her Andalusian/Quarterhorse, (Azteca), Heath, who has competed to Prix St. George level dressage. Martha & Heath currently enjoy trail riding both at the beach and state parks.

Karen Haley

Karen is our resident custom chap expert. She resides in Maine with her husband, Doug, two French Bulldogs, Porter and Bella, Claude the barn cat and Stanley the pony. Even though Karen is currently without a riding horse of her own, she still enjoy trail riding with friends on 'Traveller', a Rocky Mountain Gaited horse owned by her friend Julie. Stanley has stepped into his duties as the Grandchild's pony giving rides around the farm to Amelia and Caden. Karen started A Leg Up in 1983 to fill a demand for beautiful and durable custom riding chaps. Over 26 years later, A Leg Up still provides equestrians with custom chaps made with the finest materials and an artist's eye for detail. Karen's leatherwork has recently expanded to include the Stanley line of dog collars and leads as well as designer belts. Karen's beautiful and original product designs include off the rack and custom chaps, leather totes and stylish bags embellished with leather, designer belts, dog collars, leads & 1/2 chaps and More. www.alegupchaps.com

Mary Williams

If it ain't broke, don't fix it, but if it is, bring it to Mary! Mary can repair just about anything! From old saddlebags to broken halters, Mary is our resident tack-repair expert. Need your saddle cleaned and oiled? Mary does that too! Just bring in your items & leave them off for her, or give us a call and we can put you in touch with her directly. Mary has years of horse experience, from Morgans to Friesians to Arabians. Mary just recently purchased a new Equine - a lovely black registered Morgan mare, Jadzeeah. Congratulations are due to Mary - Jadzeeah had a colt in May 2006! A surprise to Mary as she did not know Jadz was expecting when she purchased her! When WE have questions about driving, we ask Mary! Her latest venture is jewelry making - come visit our store & see her custom creations!

Katie [who entered doggie heaven in June, 2006] & Kacie

Even before you enter The Equestrian Shop, you will see a "warning sign" that reads "PEOPLE FRIENDLY DOGS RESIDE INSIDE" That sign refers to our Labs who spend most every day at the Shop. Kacie is a 5 year old Black Lab who enjoys welcoming every customer. Of course she has many other helpers....

Other Canine Friends

On any given day, you may meet a number of our canine friends. Boscoe is a Golden/Lab cross who keeps customers amused with his crazy antics. Tillie is a Fun loving Yellow Lab. Forrest is the cutest little Tri-colored Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

We hope all our customers love dogs as much as we do. Don't worry - if you don't, we'd be happy to put them out back in our "Kitchen" with a bone while you shop!