Quicksilver Farms, LLC

We are an active farm specializing in breeding/training registered Section B Welsh ponies and half-Welsh ponies for the "A" circuit hunter ring. Our ponies are handled daily, have wonderful dispositions and are competitive in the Welsh and hunter competitions. They are selected for their conformation, temperament, movement and excellent pedigrees.
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We have been breeding and training Welsh ponies since 2001, but our experience in the equine world has spanned over 4 decades. Melinda Zalesky, owner and trainer, grew up on a Quarter Horse farm in Mississippi and competed across the United States for many years. She later trained and rode for a Quarter Horse ranch in Argentina and then began concentrating on riding hunt seat while living in Mexico City. Upon returning to the United States in 1997, she began training ponies and teaching riding lessons at the family's farm in Kingsport, TN. In January of 2003, Melinda and her family moved to Chardon, OH where they lived until July 2012. The farm was relocated then to the beautiful Charleston, SC area and all the ponies and people are loving the new place. They also maintain a second farm in Jonesborough, TN.
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Quicksilver Farms, LLC is owned and operated by Alex and Melinda Zalesky. Melinda handles the day to day operations of the farm and oversees the training and breeding activities. She is assisted by Sarah DuRant, Head Trainer and Farm Manager and Tatiana Eagles, Assistant Trainer and Director of Riding Instruction.
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Sarah Vann DuRant grew up in Bluffton, SC with a passionate love for horses instilled by her mother. From an early age, she has had the great opportunity of riding and training with many highly respected professionals such as Judy Young, Roberto Teran, Liza Towell, Bobby Braswell, Lincoln Russell and Andrea King. Their instruction in both riding and horsemanship remains with Sarah today.
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Sarah has competed on the A and AA rated circuits through High Junior Amateur/Grand Prix Jumper level with much success. She has always been passionate about developing young horses and ponies and her training has a traditional approach, with emphasis on flatwork and dressage. Sarah attended College of Charleston where she majored in Economics. She is thrilled to be pursuing a career training horses, ponies and students at Quicksilver Farms.
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Tatiana (Tati) Eagles grew up in Iowa where she began riding and showing horses at the age of 5. She competed from Short Stirrup through the Junior Jumpers as well as qualified for several national finals including USET and Marshall and Sterling.
Throughout high school and college she spent each summer being a working student for different trainers across the US as well as a summer abroad in the Netherlands training and showing sales horses.
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She has participated in clinics with many top trainers including George Morris, Joe Fargis, Todd Minikus, Archie Cox, Bobby Brown, Kim Barone, and many others.
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Tati graduated from Lake Erie College with a B.S. in Equine Studies in 2016 She majored in Equestrian Teacher/Trainer which has a heavy focus on the correct ways to teach riders of all ages, levels of experience, and confidence. During college she was Captain of the Intercollegiate Hunter/Jumper team for two years. She also represented Lake Erie and the entire Zone 6 Region 1 at the Intercollegiate (IHSA) National Championships as the Cacchione Cup rider in 2015 and 2016.
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Tati is excited to be a part of the team at Quicksilver Farms where she feels the knowledge and experience she has gained through the years has prepared her to share her skills with young riders and their ponies.
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Suzanne Catanzarite also assists in our young rider lesson program and our young pony development program. Suzanne has worked with children for many years instructing and in therapeutic riding. She is also trained in handling techniques having studied with several top instructors.
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At our farm location in Huger, SC, we offer a select lesson program for hunter/jumper riders of all ages and sizes from beginner to advanced riding levels. Our students lesson on current or retired show horses and ponies. We are also accepting a few outside ponies in for training.
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Our pony breeding/training business is based on the premise that a proven pedigree helps to provide a solid base for future success. We strive to breed top quality hunter ponies from breeding stock with excellent proven hunter pony pedigrees.
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Visitors are always welcome, but we do request that you call for an appointment prior to stopping by.
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