Our Staff
We are just a group of normal crazy horse people living our dream of working with horses on a daily basis. While we may be crazy about horses, overall we are actually rather normal folks who are grateful for the opportunity to share our amazing horses and home with others.
Elaina manages the care of our ponies and farm animals and has directed Pony Critter Camp since 2017. Inspired by her passion for 4-H, she builds programming that teaches responsibility, horsemanship, and a genuine connection to animals.
She believes that learning to care for animals builds character, and she encourages every camper to take pride in the daily work that makes the farm run. Under her guidance, campers gain real skills while becoming part of the Piping Rock community.
Sylvie, or “Ms. Sylvie” as the children affectionately call her, has been welcoming our youngest riders to Pony Camp since 2022. She has a natural ability to make children feel comfortable, confident, and excited to try something new.
She focuses on creating a safe, supportive environment where each child can learn at their own pace while building a genuine connection with the ponies.
Kiara has called the Truckee/Tahoe area home since 2021, fully embracing the mountain lifestyle and everything that comes with it. Not long after settling in, she joined Piping Rock in 2022 — and has been an essential part of the operation ever since.
As Lead Wrangler, Kiara plays a vital role in keeping things running smoothly both in and out of the saddle. Her leadership, knowledge, and calm presence help create a safe and enjoyable experience for guests, horses, and fellow staff alike. She’s someone the whole team relies on — and someone guests quickly come to trust.
Stephanie is in her 7th season with Piping Rock, and she truly does it all—SRA, trail rides, summer camps, and wherever else she’s needed! If you’ve been around the barn, chances are you’ve seen Stephanie in action.
Her favorite part of the job is all about the horses and the kids. She loves watching the growth and connection that develops between them, especially in SRA, and enjoys meeting people from all over while sharing the experience of horseback riding through our beautiful terrain (and even a bit about the local flora and fauna along the way).
Jarod is originally from Sparks, Nevada and has been part of the Piping Rock family since 2024. Since then he’s become a valued member of the team, bringing great energy, enthusiasm, and a genuine love for horses to everything he does around the barn!
At Piping Rock, Jarod teaches Extreme Camp and Tahoe Horse Kids, and also leads trail rides. He enjoys helping riders try new things, build confidence, and create lasting memories with horses. Whether he’s working with kids in camp or guiding guests out on the trails, Jarod loves being able to share the experience of horses with others in a fun and supportive environment!
Originally from Alaska, Carolyn recently made the move to the beautiful Sierra Valley, where she’s quickly settled into mountain life and found her place at Piping Rock. Now in her second year with the team, she continues to make a lasting impact on both riders and horses alike.
Carolyn wears many hats at the ranch, coaching Western SRA, THK, and stepping into adult camps in the coming year. Whether she’s working with beginners or more experienced riders, she brings patience, encouragement, and a genuine passion for helping others grow in their horsemanship journey.
Avian grew up riding at Piping Rock and joined our team in 2023. This season, you will see her in Colt Camp and helping with aftercare and trail rides.
In addition to her work at the barn, Avian is a skilled farrier, bringing a deep understanding of horse care and soundness to everything she does.
Zoe has been working at Piping Rock since 2023! Piping Rock holds a special place in her heart since she has been riding there since she was 15. She loves being able to give back to others the same experiences that she had been blessed with.
Ella was born and raised in Truckee and has been part of the Piping Rock family since she was just 7 years old! From her very first ride to years spent growing up at the barn, Piping Rock has always held a special place in her heart—and now she’s coming back this summer to give back in a big way.
Ella will be leading the English program and is beyond excited to share her knowledge and passion with riders of all ages. She’ll be offering both adult and children’s private lessons, as well as working with client horses for tune-ups and training.
Grayson started working at Piping Rock in 2025.
This summer, you’ll find Grayson teaching our summer camps, helping riders build confidence, learn new skills, and most importantly have fun in the saddle. Her positive energy and encouraging attitude make her a favorite with campers of all ages.
Cheyenne was born in Reno, Nevada, but spent most of her life growing up in different towns across Utah. Her love for horses and the outdoors has followed her everywhere she’s lived, and this year she’s starting an exciting new chapter with us here at Piping Rock!
You’ll be seeing Cheyenne around the barn this season teaching our summer camps and leading trail rides through the beautiful local trails. She’s especially excited to share her love of horses and nature with riders of all ages.
Lyla is a current member of the Sierra Riding Academy at Piping Rock and has been working at Piping Rock since 2022. She loves working with children and she hopes to have the best time engaging children in fun activities.
Celia brings energy, passion, and a whole lot of horse love to the team wherever she goes!
This will be Celia’s second summer with us, and she’s so excited to be back for another amazing season. You’ll mostly find her teaching half-day camps—but don’t be surprised if she pops into full-day fun too.
Celia’s favorite part of the job is helping kids fall in love with horses just like she did. From getting to know each horse’s unique personality to building those special connections, she says every day brings something new and fun!
John made the move to the beautiful Tahoe area about four years ago, trading coastal views for mountain air and wide-open spaces. In the summer of 2024, he joined the Piping Rock team as a trail guide, and he’s been helping guests create unforgettable riding experiences ever since.
What John loves most about the job? It’s not just the stunning scenery or the time spent in the saddle — it’s the people. From local riders to visitors traveling from across the globe, he truly enjoys connecting with individuals from all walks of life and hearing their stories. For John, every trail ride is more than just a ride — it’s a shared experience.
Help wanted
Are you a normal crazy horse person who wants to pick up a part time job or summer gig? Shoot us an email or give us a call and let us know that you’re interested. We go from 10 staff in the off-season to 25 in the high-season so there are plenty of positions to fill! We need wranglers, horse back riding camp counselors, and preschool teachers who love nature and animals. We do well with collegiate equestrian teams and have had many employees repeat for the summer.
Needs for Summer 2026
Pony Camp Counselor - do you like kids and are comfortable around animals? Are you creative, fun and outgoing? You will be assisting Elaina Monday through Friday 8:30-12:30. You will have lots of helpers for a small student ratio. No horseback riding experience necessary.
Horse Summer Camp Counselors- are you a good rider and enjoy teaching children? Hours for all day are from 8-4pm, 8-5pm or half day 8-12:30pm or 12:00-4:30pm.
Wranglers- must have excellent horsemanship practices and safety procedures. Must have excellent customer service skills and be conscientious and caring with our dude string. Must be comfortable riding a variety of horses. Hours are flexible but ideal shifts work 2-4 days consistently in a row from 8-4pm.
Perks: include getting to ride horses, a chance to work on a project horse all summer and working with an awesome staff and bunch of horses. Salary is above area average for this line of work.