Our Staff

Holly Parks Robinson, Trainer, Instructor, IEA Coach

Pictured below is Holly and her daughter Holly Donielle Wybel and Holly's Thoroughbred   mare, Jinara.

Holly's history and success is largely due to the influence of her father's (Edwin Don Parks) extensive and unique background coupled with the team work and behind the scenes support of her mother (Marjorie Bronson Parks). Holly also studied under many top instructors in the equestrian field throughout her career (see Holly education). Holly's father served in the last mounted United States (124th) Cavalry during WWII.

Upon completing extensive training at the historical United States Army Equestrian Facility in Fort Riley Kansas under renown instructor Major Gordon Wright, Mr. Parks was shipped over seas with the 124th and rode and marched with other great soldiers such as William Steinkraus, (our first Equestrian Olympic Gold Medalist) in excess of 2000 miles to aid in the success of conquering the Japanese. Her Father’s training encompassed cross country, stadium jumping and dressage, out of which was born our present 3 day eventing competitions. This was the best offered in the United States and is the foundation and classical training presently used by the United States Equestrian Team. That was the USET in 1942, all military. After the end of WWII the U.S. Equestrian  became civilian for the first time and remains so. Mr. Parks’ specific job in the cavalry was veterinary medicine, which he had been studying at Oberlin and Iowa State College.

Holly remembers, "I was raised with the discipline, toughness and the passion of a six foot four military master horseman and I just thought every horse person was brought up the same way. I didn’t realize until I was much older his incredible background and experience”. " It could be pouring down rain as we were loading up for a show, (of which many horsemen would cancel) however Dad would say, “You don’t cancel your plans for some rain. We used to ride all day in the pouring rain, in the Army and thought nothing of it,…any way let’s get going, the sun will be out just in time for your class.” “Sure enough it was.”

Holly continues...“ I also remember this big arm (my safety net) reaching over as we were galloping full out and taking a hold of my horse's cheek piece of the bridle and slowing my horse for me! I was on a runaway horse and little did I know, as I was six and having the time of my life! My Dad started us so young that I don’t remember learning to ride. It was like I always knew. The jumps never seemed to get any higher as he would raise them only an inch at a time so my horse and I were never overwhelmed. To this day the most comfortable place for me in this world is on the back of a horse! Dad was quiet, gentle and loving with our horses. When they needed discipline, he was quick, decisive and consistent. If you were a horse around my Dad, you felt his unconditional love and at the same time wouldn’t think of stepping out of line and that went for his kids too! He had all our horses loading by throwing the lead line over their back and pointing to the entrance of the trailer. He was the original “Horse Whisperer.” Holly stated when interviewed about her father.

"My Father has been the greatest influence in my life and I have tried  to uphold his standards, principles and teachings. I hope that I am able to give back to my students these precious gifts. My Father passed away, March 7,2007. He was 86 years old. His loss makes the lessons I am to teach so incredibly more important, as now I am relying solely on my memory to relay his teachings.

Educational Background

In addition to her Father’s tutelage Holly studied under or worked with the following instructors and trainers:

Mrs. Bunny St. Charles
Saddleseat Equitation,
St. Charles Stables
Newbury, Ohio

Mr. Lonnie Lavery
American Saddlebred Training and Showing
Richlon Farms, Wadsworth, Ohio

Mr. Laddy Andahazy
Dressage
Cleveland, Ohio

Mr.Francia Gabor Kiss
Hunter / Jumpers
Ridgewood Stables
Wadsworth, Ohio

Ms. Francis Hatcher
Instructor's Degree Program
Sullins College, Bristol, Virginia.

Ms. Touchstone
U.S.E.T. Independent Study Program
Sullins College
Bristol, Virginia

Mr. Hugh Wiley-
U.S.E.T. Independent Study Program II
Sullins College
Bristol, Virginia

Mr. Bruce Davidson
U.S.E.T.
Three Day Event Clinics
Hinckley, Ohio

Holly attained her English/pre-vet and Equestrian Instructor's Degree from; Sullins College, in Bristol Virginia, 1972. 1972-73 Holly transferred to pursue pre-vet/English undergraduate degree from Kent State. Holly returned to Kent State in 1988 for pre/vet studies and in 1991, Holly was engaged research for the KSU Biology Department, in avian neurosurgery at The University of Leiden, The Netherlands.