Head Trainer/Owner- Stevie McCarron Wigley
Stevie grew up in California as the daughter of famous Hall of Fame jockey, Chris McCarron. It was not uncommon for Stevie and her sisters to be at the race tracks every weekend routing on her dad. Her favorite part was going to the backside to visit the horses. Her dad Chris, quickly realized her love for the horses and encouraged her to get a pony. That was a safer path than that of a jockey! :)
She started showing seriously in the pony hunters from age 8 to 14 and then moved to horses. She then showed in the Junior Jumpers and Equitation her last few years as a junior and competed at the finals in both equitation and on the Junior Jumper Zone 10 team in Harrisburg, Washington and Madison Square Garden. Stevie placed 8th in the Maclay finals in 1997 and won the silver on the Zone 10 team as well at Harrisburg.
In 1998, Stevie continued with her trainer Karen Healey and started working professionally for her in the industry. Since starting her professional career, she has worked for several top barns including Butch, Lu and Guy Thomas of Willow Tree Farm, Barbara Ellison of Wild Turkey Farm, Candice King, and lastly Anne Kursisnki.
In 2005, Stevie decided to move to Kentucky and start her own business! Since then she has been establishing and growing her business more and more each year. Cloud Nine is focused mostly on AA rated shows throughout the country and developing riders of all ages as well as training horses from green hunters and ponies to the Grand Prix jumper level. The program is very focused on creating and striving for goals all while enjoying the process as well as the horses.
Cara Meade- Assistant Trainer/Rider
Cara grew up riding at a local farm in Fredericksburg Va called Hezelwild Farm. She did local and AA shows. She went to Sweet Briar College where she rode on the IHSA and ANRC teams. Her senior year, her ANRC team was reserve and she was reserve high point rider. After college, she worked for some professionals such as Todd Wisegarver, Daniel Geitner, Todd Minikus and then Havens Schatt.
After 11 years with Havens, she took an assistant managing/riding position with John and Stephanie Ingram and helped their team under the training of Tom Wright to two Derby Finals wins. She free-lanced for a year or so helping Boggs Hill, Riverside, Horseshoe Bend, Bluemont Stables, and Sara Mechlin Duhon. For the last 3 years she has been back with Havens. In her time with Havens, she has been to every major horse show on the east coast, Devon, Cap Challenge, PNHS, WIHS, NHS numerous times with countless wins and championships with her and her customers.
Cara has joined the Cloud Nine team as of September of 2023 and we could not be more thrilled. Cara’s knowledge and likemindedness in her horsemanship is such an asset to everyone at Cloud Nine.
Meet Our Staff
Allison and Alex all make up our team that keep the farm running smoothly and have our horses and ponies looking incredible.
Allison Snapp is one of our instructors. Allison grew up in the heart of horse country Paris, Kentucky. At seven, she persuaded her parents to allow her to take horseback riding lessons. She worked weekends in high-school at Paddlestone Equestrian Center in order to lease her first couple of horses and after graduating, she was finally gifted her first horse, Koho, who is still one of her best confidantes. She pursued her career in horses straight after high-school and spent some time being a working student as well as a barn manager. She knew, however, that her heart lay in teaching and so she started working at Cloud Nine Farm. She is so excited to bring the joy of horses to her students. Allison has been a part of the team since May 2022.
Alex Hernandez is our head groom and accompanies us to all the horse shows. Alex has been a show groom in the US for several years working for a number of top show jumpers all throughout several states including Florida and Kentucky. Alex is an integral part of Cloud 9 and takes so much pride in every horse and pony he cares for. Alex has been at Cloud Nine Farm since winter of 2020.
“Have been riding and boarding at Cloud Nine for 9 years, love the care given to my horse and Stevie is by far the best instructor I have ever ridden with! Friendly and knowledgeable staff give me peace of mind about the welfare of my horse. All the other clients are great - there’s a real feeling of family at Cloud Nine!”
“It’s difficult to find words that express what an awesome job that Stevie and crew do at this barn. Professionalism and fun at its finest. We love this place.”