Carolina Country Acres instructors are known for their patience and practical experience, when instructing their students and training horses. Kids and adults of all ages and skill levels feel comfortable and enjoy their lessons.
Alicia Wilkinson
Horses have always been Alicia Wilkinson’s passion. She began riding lessons at the age of six, and started training and showing competitively by the age of nine. She was successful on the “A” circuit, and started competing in the Juniors and Medal/ Maclays at the age of twelve. She consistently ranked within the top 5, every year, as a Junior in the Pennsylvania Horse Show Association, which is part of the United States Equestrian Federation (formerly known as the American Horse Show Association). Despite being told she was never going to make a living working with horses, she never questioned what she was going to do with her life. But, she recognized that she needed to be able to run a business as well as ride professionally. While attending college at Virginia Intermont (VI), located in Bristol, Virginia, she graduated Cum Laude with two degrees (a B.A. in Equine Studies and a B.A. in Business Management). During those years, she competed on the interscholastic Horse Show Association team for four years in the Open Division, often as the point rider. She represented the American National Riding Commission, traveling nationally and internationally. At graduation, she was named “Horseperson of the Year” out of 150 riders at VI, and immediately accepted an offer to relocate to the Charlotte area where she has been teaching for the past eleven years. She purchased Carolina Country Acres in Monroe, North Carolina six years ago and is excited to now call the Waxhaw/Marvin area her home.
Emily Jay - Trainer
Emily Jay is also a graduate of Meredith Manor International Equestrian Center. At Meredith Manor, Emily acquired a Riding Master V certification, Teaching Level Certification, and Equine Message Therapy Certification. While at Meredith Manor, Emily's ambition and dedication to horses, earned her the privilege of training horses with the head of the dressage department, before and after classes. 
After graduation, Emily rode and groomed for Seven Pines Farm, a hunter barn located in Wellington, Florida. The following winter, she returned to Wellington to ride for a woman who competed in the amateur jumper divisions. Emily also spent some time at home in Pennsylvania, where she had several horses in training and a small group of lesson students. She started at Hidden Valley in mid September, and is extremely excited to be able to work with such an amazing group of people. She says, “The students here come in ready to learn, work hard, and become better riders. The staff is, by far, the strongest group of individuals I’ve ever worked with. The way we all come together as a team is just awesome.” She expects great things to come from Hidden Valley Stables and is very honored to be a part of this great facility.
- Lynn Morgan Barn Manager/Assistant Trainer
Lynn is a North Carolina native and attended college at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a degree in social work. Lynn started riding at the age of nine when Santa brought her her first pony. She has continued to own and love horses. Lynn has been Alicia’s barn manager for the past two years, and continues to love working with the children and horses. Lynn and Alicia work very well together and are commonly mistaken to be sisters! Her ten year old daughter, Avery, shares the love. Avery started riding at Carolina Country Acres at the age of five, in summer camp. She now shows her pony, Mikey, in the pony division at local shows.
Tori Sells
Tori Sells has been riding since the age of 6 and is a valuable asset as an instructor to Carolina Country Acres. Tori grew up showing in New York and New Jersey in Juniors, Medal McClays and Open Jumpers. She has valuable experience as she was taught by renowned trainers George Morris and Ronnie Mutch. She moved to Monroe, NC in the late 1970’s and brings much enthusiasm and energy to the lesson program at CCA.
Gail Earle - Assistant Trainer
Gail Earle moved to Charlotte at the age of four, when her family transferred from Maryland to North Carolina. One of the first places where she started riding is located where Raintree Country Club is now located. She began teaching there as a requirement to help new kids that came there to ride. She then taught at the original Cedar Hill Farm, owned by Nora Cook. Gail actively showed horses through the years, at local and "A" shows, from Junior to Amateur, Green, and Working Hunter, and also showed in the Jumper Divisions for a while. Also, she Fox hunted for several years with Mecklenburg Hounds, Camden, Greensboro, and Southern Pines. 
Gail grew up with, and belonged to, the U.S. Pony Clubs, and rode in many rallies (3 Day Eventing). She achieved a "B" rating, but aged out before achieving an "A" rating. She became more involved in teaching as the years went by. She went to college at UNC, Greensboro, and graduated with a BFA in Art Education. She went to work in the corporate world for many years, while continuing to ride and teach. She moved to a couple of other barns along the way, one being Chancelot Stables, before eventually moving back to Cedar Hill Farm. It was there that she taught, showed, and helped run the barn. She stayed for another eighteen years after the ownership change. Gail also started her own clipping and grooming business in 1992. Gail has been riding for over forty-five years, and she has over thirty-five years of teaching experience. She has been teaching at HVS since 2007, helps with Summer Camp, and is a very valuable part of the HVS staff.