Jill McGrady
Owner and Trainer
Jill was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. She began riding at the age of 7 with Don and Kathy Kerron at Sunwood Farms and then Vicki Zacharias at Rain Creek Farms. Her passion for horses led her to compete in the AA Show Circuit from California to Canada as a junior and into her adult years. She won numerous awards, locally and nationally in the Children's Hunter and Equitation Divisions. She later transitioned to the jumper ring and learned the ins and outs of the jumpers competition.
Jill took a brief hiatus from the hunter/jumper world to get married and have a beautiful daughter. As her daughter developed the same passion for the sport, she realized that she was meant to teach. Since founding the Quiet Rein Riding School in 2008, Jill has coached her green riders through their first local shows and her more seasoned riders through rated shows with great success. Her students have won numerous awards in both local, regional, and open level of shows, including the Oregon Hunter Jumper Association Medal Finals. Jill obtained her Level I United States Hunter Jumper Association ("USHJA") certification in 2010.
Besides teaching and running her own riding program, Jill is also highly involved in the hunter/jumper community and is committed to the development of the sport. She serves on the Oregon Horse Council Board as well as the USHJA Riding Academy Task Force. She also organizes USHJA Outreach Shows and has worked directly with USHJA to help develop and expand the Outreach Program. She also coaches the Quiet Rein Riding School Interscholastic Equestrian Association team.
Robin Rothe
Assistant Trainer / IEA Coach & Captain
Robin was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona and began riding at 8 years old. She first competed in the hunters and equitation before transitioning into the jumpers. Robin trained with Debbi Long of Long Farms and Ashley Stannard of Ashbrook Farms in Tucson. As a trainer, Robin understands that there is always more to learn and has had the opportunity to ride with many great clinicians such as; Greg Best, Julie Winkel, Jeff Cook, and Nick Karazissis Jr. As of 2019, she is now a Certified Trainer through the USHJA Trainer Certification Program.
Robin moved to the Pacific Northwest for school and in 2012 she graduated with a BA in Psychology from the University of Portland. As horses have always been her main passion she is thrilled to be able to make them her career. Since turning professional, Robin has found a true passion for developing young horses; from their first moments under saddle to their success in the show ring.
Robin coaches the Interscholastic Equestrian Association team for Quiet Rein. Our IEA team was able to take riders all the way to national finals in Harrisburg, PA during the team’s inaugural season.
Robin was elected to the board of the Oregon Hunter Jumper Association in 2017 and after being re-elected for a second term in 2020 became OHJA President. As a board member, Robin has been instrumental in advocating for safe local shows so that our sport can continue to grow on a grassroots level. She also serves as the committee chair for the OHJA academic scholarship program which gives back to deserving members.
Tracey Whelan
Riding School Director
Hello, my name is Tracey Whelan. I've worked as an instructor, trainer and barn manager for over 25 years. I have extensive experience in all aspects of training, instruction and horse show preparation.
As a Southern California native, I spent my junior riding career as a working student for various trainers such as Mark Watring and Susie Hutchinson. Becoming a professional was a natural transition, starting as a riding instructor for Devon Gibson at Seahorse Riding Club. In 2003, I became an assistant trainer for Heidi Misrahy at Flintridge Riding Club, where I worked for over 15 years. Flintridge gave me great insight into the complexities of training, instruction and management of a competitive show barn.
Over the years, I have developed many types of riders and horses. I have the instructional flexibility to coach beginning through advanced riders. I work primarily with hunters and equitation, specializing in preparation for local and national medals. Many of my students have qualified and competed in year-end finals.
I work well with students of all skill levels. My philosophy is that it's important for new riders to understand all aspects of horse care and horsemanship from the ground up.
For myself, I believe one of the most important pieces of the equestrian industry is continued education. Mixing traditional riding practices with new and innovative techniques is a part of teaching and training that I truly enjoy. Karen Healy, Anne Kursinski, Linda Allen and Jeff Cooke are just a few of the clinicians I have been fortunate to work with throughout my career. Through personal and educational resources, along with additional trainer certification, I can confidently meet the needs of an industry that consistently reinvents itself.
Outside of work, my husband and I have two teenage daughters. When I'm not spending time with them, I'm exploring the hiking trails of Oregon with my dogs or taking yoga classes.
Kaylyn McGrady
Working Student
Kaylyn McGrady is a Senior at West Linn High School. She has been riding for 13 years and competing up and down the West Coast, from California to Canada. She started her riding career competing in the Pony Hunter Divisions and qualified for Pony Finals each year. She had numerous successes moving up from the 2’6 to the 3’6 Hunter divisions. Currently, she is competing in the 1.20-1.30 jumpers, and the 3’6 equitation and medals divisions. She consistently placed in the top 10 at the Zone 9 Maclay Regionals for the past two years and had many successes in the Mini Prix at various shows.
Just like her mother, Kaylyn has developed a passion for teaching. Recently, she discovered an interest in developing young horses and has enjoyed taking them from their first local shows to competitive divisions at rated shows. In 2018, she helped develop a handful of young horses and successfully guided them to OHJA Year-End Championships.
She has trained with Jeff and Shelley Campf and Dustin Goodwin at OZ Incorporated for the last 5 years. She has also had the opportunity to clinic with many top professionals such as Jeff Cook, Nick Karazissis Jr., and Julie Winkel. With all of this experience, Kaylyn hopes to, one day, take over her mother's business and dedicate her time to training horses and coaching riders of all levels.