Trainers
Christine Hambaugh- de Rama
Christine de Rama is the owner and trainer of Stonebridge Equestrian Center. She has been riding for over 25 years, and teaching for 18 years. She started this business in 1999 after having worked at many training facilities throughout Naperville, Plainfield, and in Dekalb. She has extensive experience working with riders of all abilities, and horses of all ages. She has raised and started many horses over the past 16 years. She bred Denali herself, in the hope that she will become a talented jumper!
She has shown Hunters and Jumpers over the years. Her future goals are to return to the Jumper ring to compete. She also plans to do some eventing in the next few years. Christine has taken some time away from the show ring to start a family of her own. She has a 4 year old son named Tyler, who loves to ride his pony Sampson!
Kristin Kucala
Kristin started riding Hunters/Jumpers when she was 13 years old. She worked, rode, and taught summer camps until she graduated high school. She took a break from riding until she found Christine de Rama. Kristin has been training with Christine for 7 years, and teaching for Stonebridge for over 4 years. She enjoys every minute of riding and teaching!
Kristin purchased Autumn, an 11 year old appendix TB in the spring of 2008. She is shown in the picture to the left showing Autumn in the hunter ring.
Kristin graduated from NIU in 2003 with a bachelors in Corporate Communications, and a minor in Art. In her spare time, when not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Autumn, her 2 cats, and her 2 dogs...... and in no particular order!
Sarah Scheen
Sarah was born and raised in South East Michigan, and moved to Dekalb to attend NIU in 2000. She originally studied music performance, but eventually realized that was not the path for her. She aimed for a life and career that would be less demanding and stressful..... so she became a Special Education teacher instead! Her time outside of school is largely spent at the barn riding, teaching, and with her socially limited dog.
Sarah began riding at the age of 6, and continued well into high school. Her riding days were cut short however, when the barn that she was riding at was sold. She then turned her focus onto her musical studies. Upon changing majors she retured to her first love..... horses!
The love of her life is her 7 year old Oldenburg mare, Passion. Sarah purchased her as a yearling, and has watched her grow and mature for the past six years. With Christine's assistance she has laid the ground work for her future as a powerhouse in the jumper ring. She has been riding with Christine for almost 9 years now, and teaching for 5 years. In her time at Stonebridge she feels that she has learned a great deal about horses, but most importantly she feels that she has also learned a lot about herself.
Kristin with her horse Autumn
Chris with Jennifer Walter showing Piper at Lamplight, in 2002
Sarah warming up over 3ft 6in oxer.