Head Trainer:
ELIZABETH PORTER
Elizabeth was born in Baltimore, Maryland. At 5 years old she moved to Connecticut where she rode her first pony at the county fair. From that moment she was hooked! She kept yelling for the pony to “go faster, go faster” The owner however didn’t find it so funny considering the pony was on a carousel and was stuck at one speed. Shortly after that Liz and her family vacationed to North Carolina where her cousins had just purchased a pony named, Snowball. Liz was absolutely obsessed with the pony, it was all she could talk about. After that she knew she had to have a horse of her own! When they got back from vacation Liz’s parents signed her up for riding lessons once a week which quickly turned into twice a week. She was in love with riding horses. When she was twelve years old her family moved to Cincinnati where she continued with lessons and also worked at several barns in exchange for extra rides. In her freshman year of college she went to ride with a new friend where she met her first horse, Roman. After that she got her second horse, Mac (known by many as “Mac A Doo”). He was an incredible horse and friend to many. Liz graduated from the University of Cincinnati as a vet tech and was accepted into vet school in Raleigh, North Carolina. After working for 2 vets outside of Charlotte for a year she chose to pass on vet school. Instead she moved to Steam boat Springs with her ex-husband and best friends had several fun jobs and traveling adventures. In 1987 her ex-husband accepted a job at Cleveland Clinic so they moved to Cleveland, Ohio. In October of 1987 Liz started working at Maypine Farm, where she rode and trained for 11 years. July 7th of 1998 Liz started her own business “Wilde Fields” at White North Stables.
Assistant Trainer:
JADE STYBURSKI
Jade was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her love and passion for horses started at a very young age. It didn’t take long before she gained the “barn rat” title. After school and weekends were spent grooming and working at the barn to earn extra rides and lessons. Her teenage years were spent riding and showing, striving to gain as much experience as she could. She moved to Ohio in 2012 where she attended Lake Erie College school of equine where she was a Teacher/Trainer Major and graduated in 2016 with a bachelors of equine science. Through college she did several internships over her summers. She interned for Kim Barone, where she spent the summer grooming and showing through the midwest area. Jade spent the following summer traveling around Europe where she got the privilege to spend some time working and riding at a farm in Normandy, France. After college she accepted a job in Aiken, South Carolina at Bridlewood Farm. During this employment she was reconnected with her childhood trainer. She spent her days in Aiken exercising horses, traveling to shows, and managing the daily activities on the farm. South Carolina was an amazing experience for Jade, but after a while she became homesick and decided to move back to Ohio. Through mutual friends she was connected with Elizabeth and started her journey at White North. Jade has a passion for the jumpers but also enjoys the art and skill it takes to ride in the hunter ring. Currently Jade is working as the assistant trainer and running the White North Stables lesson Program.
Farm Manager:
JILL KLEPEIS-BRICK
Jill grew up on the East Coast, where she began her joy for horses and riding at a very young age. Continuing riding through high school, she graduated from college with a degree in Public Relations and History in 1992. After college she landed in north-east Ohio where she started her professional career with Karen and Kevin Lenehan . Her passion for grooming, riding, managing jumpers, hunters and equitation horses was based out of Chagrin Valley Farms. Learning from true horseman proved invaluable when Jill transitioned to barn management with a multi-Olympic medal winner in Wellington, Florida, and Frenchtown, New Jersey. Moving back to a smaller setting in Ohio, Jill managed the facility for an elite junior rider at her private farm in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Then expanding on her skills once again, she managed Maypine Farms’ extensive lesson and training program. Riding and training the show horses daily, at home and on the road. During this time Jill taught beginners through advanced skill levels. She later moved on to manage a multi-discipline farm in Auburn, Ohio. Where she rekindled her love for dressage ,working with a Pan American Gold medal winner and helping to foal out the farms Thoroughbreds. Jill’s commitment for the horses under her care and strong work ethic has made her a trusted member of North-East Ohio’s equestrian community. She is thrilled to be a part of White North farm’s family and is proud to be a part of its historic renovation.