CHERYL MANAHAN - OWNER
Cheryl Manahan has owned and operated Wichita Riding Academy since it was founded in 1982. Cheryl Manahan attended William Woods University Equestrian Science program. Cheryl has instructed and trained many state and national champion riders and horses. Cheryl is a USEF Licensed Saddlebred, Morgan and Saddle Seat Equitation Judge. Cheryl is a Boy Scout Merit Badge Counselor for Horsemanship. She is also a certified 4-H Judge and is an Examiner for the AMHA Horsemastership Achievement Program. In April of 2006, Cheryl was granted Level III certification from the American Riding Instructors Association (ARIA).
SHERYLL MARKS -
BARN MANAGER/INSTRUCTOR
Sheryll Marks has 30+ years experience in the horse world, and 20+ years showing, judging, conducting clinics and providing riding instruction.
Sheryll trains all around horses for competition in Halter, Showmanship, Hunt Seat Pleasure, Hunt Seat Equitation, Western Pleasure, Stock Seat Equitation and Trail. She has shown various stock type breeds, has had multiple Grand and Reserve Halter Champions and Futurity winners in Halter and Western Pleasure, Reserve World Championships in Hunt Seat Pleasure, as well as numerous top 7 placings at the Pinto World show in Halter, Hunt Seat Pleasure and Western Pleasure. Students have taken several top honors in Pinto, Arabian and KSHA. In addition, she has had a student earn the Kansas Pinto Sweetheart title, two Youth Sportsmanship Award winners, and coached the current Ms. Pinto of America.
SARAH WISHALL - STAFF
Sara has always loved horses. She began taking lessons at Wichita Riding Academy when she moved to Kansas in 1996. Sarah graduated from Wichita State University and was married in 2008. Her favorite past time is working with and showing her Morgan Horse, Prowler.
ALLIE TOWNSLEY - STAFF
Allie Townsley has been riding at Wichita Riding Academy for about 11 years and showing sucessfully for about 7 years. She first started working at WRA through volunteer programs, like Hands On and Work-To- Ride, and eventually to helping conduct the Summer Sessions.
With a specialty in Saddle Seat, Allie teaches Summer Sessions part-time, and currently is involved in her 2nd year of college at the University of Kansas.
RON HALPERN - STAFF
Ron is a Riding Instructor at the Wichita Riding Academy, and has been part of the staff since 2006. He is a former educator, and College Football Coach. His passion for horses dates back to his days as a youth.
Ron has shown horses in Open and AQHA shows in the disciplines of Western Pleasure and Western Horsemanship. He’s retired and is currently riding and schooling his own horses, but can help you out with your Western Pleasure and Horsemanship skills.
TAYLOR LONG - STAFF
Taylor Long has been riding and showing with Wichita Riding Academy for several years. Currently she and her sister own a black Morgan gelding that they both show successfully on the Regional, as well as National and World levels.
Taylor studied under Cheryl Manahan, and has worked her way up through the ranks, starting with the Hands On and Work-To-Ride programs. She now teaches the Work-To-Ride classes, and is an Instructor for the Holiday, Spring Break, and Summer Sessions. She also teaches private and semi-private lessons with a specialty in Saddleseat, but also teaches Hunt Seat and Western.
Taylor currently attends Heights High School and her future plans include attending William Woods University.
