Barbara Ellison
In 1989, Barbara Ellison established Wild Turkey Farm in the lush, pristine hills of Woodside, California. Her lifelong love of horses and sport horse competition led to the acquisition of her first Holsteiner stallion in 1996, superstar Liocalyon. Today, the California native has expanded the farm into a world-class breeding operation, now located in Wilsonville, Oregon, that boasts six extraordinary stallions, twenty-three broodmares, multiple young offspring and dozens of competive shows horses. Barb is actively involved in every aspect of the farm from the day-to-day training of the youngsters to meticulously planning every detail of Wild Turkey Farm’s new 220-acre facility in Wilsonville, Oregon. She is fueled by her strong passion for horses and a commitment to producing quality athletes with especially great minds.
Soehnke Theymann
Wild Turkey Farm enthusiastically announces Soehnke Theymann as our head trainer. Originally from Germany, Soehnke began his education at his family's successful breeding and training farm in Dortmund, and later studied Farm Management from one of the top agricultural schools in Germany - Fachhochschule Sudost Westfalen. He's trained and competed all over Europe and the U.S. and has become recognized as a talent for his ability to develop horses of all levels.
Kelli Johnston
Kelli Johnston is a wonderful rider and a dedicated professional with a wealth of experience in all areas - training young horses, horse care and stable and equine management. Since joining Wild Turkey Farm in 2002, she can always be counted on to keep things running smoothly and she is excellent with our young horses. Kelli has worked with several well-run programs including Willow Tree Farm (Butch and Lu Thomas), Calvacade Farm (Mr. and Mrs. David Watson) and Excalibur Farms (Mr. Robert McNeil).
Darlene Mardock
Darlene received a B.S. from Oregon State University in 1992 with a major in Exercise Physiology and a minor in Animal Science. A very experienced horsewoman, she's worked as an assistant to the well-known race horse trainer, Bob Baffert. She was the assistant breeding manager of Bryant Ranch in Yamhill, Oregon and most recently was the breeding/stable manager at Quailhurst USA in Sherwood, Oregon. In addition, she has worked with Dr. Lisa Metcalf at her Sherwood, Oregon, equine reproduction facility "Honahlee" since it's opening in 1993. A former collegiate athlete (hurdles), interests include dressage, ballroom dancing, travel, scuba diving and culinary adventures. Darlene has also bred and raised Holsteiner horses for 17 years.
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Colts Unlimited: Hilary and Charlie Carrel
Hilary and Charlie Carrel, owners of Wyoming-based Colts Unlimited, bring a lifetime of colt starting knowledge to the Wild Turkey Farm program. Their team has established solid foundations on literally thousands of horses for top riders in all disciplines ranging from Grand Prix jumpers, dressage, hunters, polo, driving, professional rodeo and the AQHA and APHA show circuit. They operate with the belief that that good horses come from quality miles, a relaxed frame of mind and confidence in knowing their job.
The Colts Unlimited team takes our youngsters as two-year-olds (almost ready to turn three) and spends the next year teaching them the basics from how to stand in the cross-ties to being backed for the first time. They do a phenomenal job in making sure that they return to us as confident, good-minded horses ready to continue on with their education. Visit Colts Unlimited at www.coltsunlimited.com
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Columbia Equine: Scott W Hansen, DVM, Kelleyerin Clabaugh, DVM, Clarissa Zuver, DVM
Scott W Hansen, DVM
Dr. Hansen has been interested in horses since his teens. He first pursued a career as a farrier in Nebraska after attending Oklahoma Farrier College. After being exposed to the equine veterinary medicine world while working for a year, Scott decided to become a veterinarian. He continued to work as a farrier while attending Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine until he graduated in 1980. He then moved to the Gresham area and opened a solo equine-only ambulatory practice in 1983, focusing primarily on race horses. Scott’s interest in lameness and surgery grew while working at the track. He opened his current hospital in 1985 with a surgical facility to be able to provide a higher quality of care for his patients. His practice has grown much larger than he had ever imagined with its emphasis shifting from racetrack work in the mid 1990’s to sporthorse and companion animal medicine and surgery. Scott has remained intrigued by equine medicine by staying up-to-date with the latest technologies and advances in the field. Throughout his practice life, Scott has found the most rewarding aspect has been the people he has met and the horses he gets to work with everyday. Dr. Hansen’s main interests have been lameness, surgery, farrier science and diagnostic imaging.
Kelleyerin Clabaugh, DVM
Dr. Kelleyerin Clabaugh grew up showing Hunter/Jumpers on the East Coast. In high school, she received a crash course on veterinary medicine with her first horse Cochise who made it to the ripe old age of 42. Kelleyerin competed on the Equestrian Team and the Varsity Crew Team while completing her undergraduate studies at the University of Virginia. She then spent a year herding cattle and plucking camel wool while traveling Australia with Willing Workers on Organic Farms. Upon her return, Kelleyerin commenced veterinary school at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. During vet school, she traveled to South Africa where she ultrasounded rhinoceros for pregnancy in Kruger National Park and completed a research project on a contraceptive vaccination for elephants. After graduation, Dr. Clabaugh served the Florida Panhandle’s performance horse community until she decided to relocate to the Pacific Northwest in May of 2006. When not kayaking or snowboarding, Kelleyerin divides her free-time between riding her Thoroughbred Willie and her 750cc Ducati Monster. Although she enjoys the variety offered in general practice, Kelleyerin’s focus throughout her career has been reproduction and geriatric medicine.
Clarissa Zuver, DVM
Dr. Clarissa Zuver grew up around working cow horses in Northern Nevada. She competed in intercollegiate western pleasure at The University of Nevada Reno while completing her undergrad degree. Once accepted into Oregon State’s Veterinary program, Dr. Zuver and her husband moved to Corvallis, Oregon and quickly fell in love with the Great Northwest. After graduating from OSU in 2006, she commenced an equine internship at Littleton Large Animal Clinic outside of Denver, Colorado. Her internship focused on emergency/ critical care, medicine and surgery. Dr. Zuver and her husband were eager to move back to the Northwest and were excited to accept a position at Columbia Equine Hospital. Dr. Zuver enjoys the diversity of general practice, but she harbors a special interest in equine internal medicine. Clarissa and her husband enjoy horseback riding, camping, kayaking and fishing.
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Ross Cleland, DVM
Dr. Ross Cleland has been part of the Carlton Vet Hospital veterinary team for over 10 years. He is equine exclusive and has extensive experience in equine reproduction. Kansas State University is where Dr. Cleland graduated from in 1990 and he is an active member of the AAEP, AVMA, NEPA, OVMA, and the Society for Theriogenology. At home, Dr. Ross is owned by 1 dog, 2 cats and a few or more horses. He spends his free time watching sports, gardening, cooking, and home/farm repairs, which he says never seem to end.
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Jason Smith
Jason started shoeing horses in 1988 and soon after graduated from Oklahoma State Horseshoeing School in 1989. He apprenticed under Emil Carre' starting in 1992 until 1995 while simultaneously developing a business in northern California. He achieved Certified Journeyman Farrier status, as recognized by the American Farriers Association, in 1996. He's also successfully competed in national and international farrier contests on the American Farriers Team. He especially enjoys the challenges of shoeing performance horses as well as therapeutic cases. Jason lives in Portland ,Oregon, with his wife Kelly and daughter Avery.
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Mini
Our team page would not be complete without including Mini. As Barb's constant and ever faithful companion, Mini travels everywhere and always captures the hearts of everyone she meets.
