• Dressage


• Hunter Jumper
  (all ages welcome)


• Western
  Riding, Horsemanship, Roping, Penning, Working cows, Events


• Regularly scheduled clinics
  year 'round

Kathy Merrifield

Kathy's professional career began in 1986 when she took over as the Hunter/Jumper trainer at Damoor's Stables in Northridge. Her experience at Damoor's led to a top training position at Brown's Canyon in Chatsworth, where she continued with Hunter/Jumpers and Medals.

In 2007 Kathy moved to beautiful Bishop, CA and arrived at Millpond where she continues to deliver her special brand of Hunter/Jumper and Medals training to children and adults. She is one of the kindest, most generous and helpful trainers at the ranch. She has brought a new vitality to Millpond Equestrian Center's Jumping arena.

Rebecca Evans (Bio coming soon)


Ryan Kitts

Ryan was raised on a cattle ranch in California, where his parents raised registered cattle. At a young age, Ryan started riding horses, and helping his parents with their show cattle. Ryan moved with his parents to Oregon, and then on to Susanville, where his Grandfather and Dad adopted a Mustang for Ryan. "Garrett" started Ryan in training horses.

After the family moved to Bishop, Ryan worked for 3 years for a cattle ranch in Dillon, Montana, where he worked cattle, and rode colts. He worked for a few months with a Cutting horse trainer in Paso Robles. Ryan returned to Bishop and worked for Rock Creek Pack Station, and other pack stations in the Sierra's.

He worked for several years with the Double L Ranch in Bishop, teaching students, and riding colts. Ryan found that he really enjoyed reining cow and cutting horses and with his background in cattle it was natural that he began to teach and show in those disciplines.

Ryan belongs to several club affiliates including NRCHA, NCHA and WNCHA. He enjoys showing horses as much as teaching. Some titles he has won in recent years include NRCHA Open Bridle Championships, NRCHA Open Hackamore Championship and NRCHA Open Hackamore Reserve Championship. Also among Ryans accomplishments are winning an Open Bridle Series Championship Saddle and the distinction of top five money-maker.

Ryans dedication to his students and horses is evident through his training and showing, bringing out his true passion for cow and cutting horses.


Janet Titus

Janet is an accomplished horse trainer/clinician, living and working in the Eastern Sierra for the past 30 years. She builds equine connections between people and their horses and operates her own business, Equine Connections, at Millpond Equestrian Center.

Janet teaches horsemanship and western riding to all levels and ages of riders. She especially loves sharing her passion with young riders and teaching them to ride on her miniature horse. But her biggest passion is training and owning mustangs! Her special love for mustangs began at age 18 when she adopted 2 mustangs and began riding them in the high country.

Janet can take you from handling your horse on the ground, to successfully and safely, riding western style out on the trails. She takes daily rides on the many beautiful miles of trails surrounding Millpond Equestrian Center with her students and her very own special mustang, Cheddar.

For western style event challenges, Janet's experience and support will get you prepared. She recently participated in the 2008 Western States Extreme Mustang Challenge (training a wild mustang in only 90 days), Lynn Palm's Supreme Horsewoman Freestyle Competition, and Craig Cameron's Extreme Cowboy Race. She was also a clinician at the 2009 Napa Mustang Days, and performed for the crowd, a thrilling bareback riding exhibition on her mustang. She is now preparing to compete in the annual 100 mile Tevis Cup Endurance ride.

Western riding is a fun and thrilling sport. Experience for yourself the love of horses and making your own special equine connection.

Berry Clanton

“The first time I was in Bishop,” says trainer Berry Clanton, “was about 1974 when I was showing a halter filly that ended up in the top five for the Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Association. Back then the Tri-County Fair had a big quarter horse show and while looking at the entry form I saw that they also offered several cow horse classes so I decided to bring a couple of horses, including the first horse that I had bought and trained myself. There were twenty or more entries in the snaffle bi division and my horse placed fifth. Cow Horse Hall-of-Famer, Smokey Pritchett won it. Needless to say I was very happy with that placing and still have that ribbon.”

From there Berry has trained and shown many more horses in a variety of places, including a short stay in Germany where he trained some great horses by Colonel Freckles, Genuine Doc and many others. He is a carded judge, judging National Reined Cow Horse events, national Stock Horse Association shows, open shows, fair shows, club cuttings and reinings. His background also includes administrative duties as past president of the Kern County Horse Association. He accomplished this while showing two horses to Reserve Champion, 3000 Novice Horse, two consecutive years. H also ran his own Clanton Ranch saddle series cuttings and managed the Kern County Fair team pennings and ranch horse events. In addition to training horses he also takes a few students. His current star is Brent Kirschenmann. Brent is the 2009 Reserve champion for Valley Cow Horse Association and at this writing is tied for Reserve Champion National Stock Horse Association in the Youth Limited. Brent accomplished this all in just his second year of showing cow horses.

In 2008 while judging the Tri-County Fair in Bishop, Berry found his own treasure in the Eastern Sierras, in the former Tammy Maddox. They were married in November of 2009. “I knew who Tammy was. While she was the stallion manager for Sliding J Ranch, she also started colts and fit sale horses for her uncle Jack Adams. I would see her when I had horses or clients at the Pacific Coast Cutting Futurity or the World Championship Snaffle Bit Futurity. Many of her horses were high sellers and I would notice but never had the chance to meet her until my trip to Bishop in 2008.”

Berry Clanton is now located at the Millpond Equestrian Center where he will be accepting horses for training and a limited number of serious students for 2010. Please feel free to stop by and visit.