About Us

The Riders Up! program was created to help parents have an affordable option for activities for their children. As we were building our regular lesson program, it quickly became apparent that the cost of lessons was out of reach financially for many families. We created this program for the children who have a passion for horses, but not necessarily the means to pursue it, and the children who need a dependable friend and therapist in the form of a horse.

Lake Fork Stables is the only facility in northeast Texas offering the Horse Boy Method for children on the autism spectrum.

Our mission is to provide local children with the opportunity to learn not only how to ride, but horsemanship, horse care, and stable management, while providing off-the-track Thoroughbreds with careers after racing.

Meet the Team

Valerie Mellema

FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Valerie has a BS in Equine Business & Industry with a Minor in Animal Science from West Texas A&M University. She is certified to teach Horse Boy Inspired sessions and to teach Horse Powered Reading. Valerie has been riding since she was a small child and has been involved in horses for most all of her life. While she primarily focuses on dressage now, she is an experienced Western and English rider and trainer.
Allysha Carroll

ASSISTANT TRAINER & INSTRUCTOR
Allysha hs been riding and showing Quarter Horses since she was 7 years old. She was the Supreme Champion in 2017. Allysha grew up in the Rio Grand Valley and moved to East Texas in 2022. She was a working student for Lake Fork Stables in the summer of 2022 and has been an integral part of the team ever since helping to keep horses in shape and trained for our students.
Troy Mellema

BOARD MEMBER
Marea Breedlove

BOARD MEMBER
Jennifer Schneider

BOARD MEMBER