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.
- 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.
Chelsea Dressler - Trainer
Carolina Country Acres is pleased to welcome our new trainer, Chelsea Dressler. Chelsea started her riding career at the age of 8 at Vineyard Farm in Millboro, VA under the Hunter/Equitation trainer, Sarah Davis. Chelsea grew up showing on the SWVHJA show circuit. In high school, she spend her summers working at McDonogh Farm with Streett Moore teaching summer camp. She also taught lessons and did camp at Vineyard Farm for several years. After high school, Chelsea went to Virginia Intermont College in Bristol, Virginia and was extremely active on the IHSA (Intercollegiate Horse Show Association) for 4 years and on the IDA (Intercollegiate Dressage Association) team for 2 years. She went to Nationals on the IHSA Team in 2008, 2009, 2010. She also went to the IDA Nationals in 2010 and was on the 2010 IDA National Championship Team. Chelsea has a Bachelor of Science in Equine Studies with a minor in Business Management. She graduated from the Honors Program at VI magna cum laude in 2010. Chelsea also worked at Dream Hill Farm breaking and training Warmbloods while in college and after began working under Elizabeth Solter, renowned Hunter Trainer.
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.