Aldie, VA – NOVA Equestrian Center (NEC) management has named local upper-level eventer and trainer Lisa Apted as Director of the Equestrian Training Center.

Lisa will manage the day-to-day operations including creating and implementing training programs based on horse and rider needs, abilities, and goals. She will offer private lessons for training boarders as well as ship-in customers and she will serve as the team leader for daily and on-going horse health, nutrition, and turn-out programs coupled with facility management. Additionally, she will oversee the launch of the NOVA Equine Fitness Center and further build-out of the property.

She aims to create a training facility dedicated to supporting active athletes of varied disciplines and levels. Her multidisciplinary approach and dedication to further developing rider and horse pairs provides the basis of this unique program. Underscoring the program's belief in advancing any athlete, look for regular guest trainers, outside clinicians, and other industry experts to augment the athlete's training program.

Lisa brings an impressive resume to the team, having worked with many top riders and trainers including Olympic Gold Medalist Leslie Law, Lainey Ashker, and Donna Gatchell. She’s managed several upper-level show barns and is fully committed to providing a positive and supportive learning experience and atmosphere to the new NOVA Equestrian Training Center at NEC.

NEC owner Paula Joyce said recently, “We are so fortunate to have Lisa join our staff and serve as its inaugural Director. She’s an amazing equestrian with an impressive background. She is without a doubt the perfect fit for launching our training and fitness centers. Best of all, she's super friendly, likable, approachable, and professional. We know that she will take exemplary care of the horses and riders. We’re excited to have her and her expertise at the lead.”
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Located at the former StoneGate Stables property, NOVA Equestrian Center (NEC) has been undergoing necessary and extensive renovations since the change of ownership in May 2021. NEC is a world class facility for top riders and horses, and home to both the NOVA Equestrian Training Center and NOVA Equine Fitness Center. Opening in December 2021, NEC will soon be a premier Northern Virginia destination for all things equestrian.

Aldie, VA -- NOVA Equine Fitness Center (NEFC) management is proud to announce and welcome Colleen McKitrick and Brooke Fletcher as the company’s first Fitness Technicians. Both ladies will be responsible for the day-to-day fitness center operations including the safety and comfort of the horses, handling horses on and off the equipment, client communications, facilitating ancillary veterinary and rehab services as needed, and managing the soon to be released Trainer Incentive Program (TIP).

Colleen McKitrick joins the NEFC team with more than 10 years of professional horse experience in Northern Virginia. A lifetime competitor, progressing up the levels of the U.S. Pony Club and then on to upper level three-day-eventing, Colleen has worked for several top eventing and dressage professionals as well as several Olympic event riders. With a passion for horses and dedication to promoting the wellness of all equine athletes, Colleen is specifically interested in equine therapies and sports medicine.

Brooke Fletcher also joins the NEFC team with an impressive background and exemplary horsemanship skills. Having grown up in the Northern Virginia equine community and horse industry, her resume includes competitive barrel racing, ranch sorting and team penning. Since 2015, she has apprenticed under AQHA Professional Horseman/Trainer, Petey Wright, to further develop her skills. Brooke is dedicated to providing superior care to all horses and states “creating sound, healthy, happy horses is my passion.”

NEFC supervising veterinarian Dr. Jay Joyce said “the positive energy and dedicated focus of these two experienced equestrians will be true assets to NEFC as we prepare to open the doors next month.” While industry-wide construction and material shortages have caused slight delays in opening, the regional-first equestrian fitness center is ready to start training staff and will soon begin working with several volunteer equine athletes to fine tune the customizable fitness programs available to benefit EVERY RIDDEN HORSE.

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NOVA Equine Fitness Center is a regional-first equine fitness and rehab facility, built for every ridden horse to benefit. Located within the NOVA Equestrian Center in Aldie, Virginia, the facility fills an important void in the region’s equine facilities and offers a variety of customizable fitness programs utilizing a suite of complementary equipment including a water treadmill, infrared solarium, and 3D vibration plate. For additional information about NOVA Equine Fitness Center please visit www.NovaEQC.com

When StoneGate Stables, located on US Hwy 15 in Aldie, Virginia, sold to new owners in May 2021, extensive facility upgrades and renovations began immediately. While several industry-wide building delays resulted in causing a few modifications to projected timelines and opening dates, today the owners of this picturesque equestrian property announced they have officially named the new facility the NOVA Equestrian Center (NEC).

The new name encompasses the expanded purpose and mission of the facility, as it will soon become home to the NOVA Equestrian Training Center (NETC) and the region's first NOVA Equine Fitness Center (NEFC). A phased opening of the various NEC-branded components will allow local and traveling equestrians to enjoy a modern, clean, and safe multi-purpose facility. From community and equestrian events, expert training, lessons, and full care board to on-site fitness and rehab services, the property will have something for everyone.

"We are really excited to bring the first public-use water treadmill and fitness center to the area. This equipments' well-documented effects on increasing horse speed, musculature, topline, and cardiovascular system are unmatched. In conjunction with NEFC, we completely overhauled our huge indoor arena from top to bottom- the entire space steam power washed twice and sterilized, the beams and purlins freshly painted grey, the rider guard replaced, and brand new show-ready fiber/sand footing installed. It's amazing, and we are super excited to offer it to NOVA area equestrians of all disciplines" says owner Paula Joyce.
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As construction and renovations continue in preparation for a November opening, the NEC management team has launched a new website www.NOVAEqC.com for the public to learn more about the new NOVA Equestrian Center and all it has to offer.