Kristyn Hooper

Kristyn grew up doing equitation and  hunters, catch riding any horses she could. competed for Marist College during her first year of college, before transitioning to the jumpers where she competed through the 1.20m. She has been Eventing under Whitney's tutelage for the past eight years. 

Kristyn is a USDF bronze medalist and has competed through Preliminary Eventing and Third Level Dressage. She has guided her students to many local and state awards in eventing, dressage, and hunters. She herself has won multiple local and NC year end Eventing and Dressage titles (such as: 2017 NCDCTA Horse of the Year 6th place Training Eventing, 2018 NCDCTA Horse of the Year 3rd Place Novice Eventing, 2019 HRF Open Eventing season Champion, 2019 Warhorse Championships Novice Eventing Reserve Champion, 2019 NCDCTA Horse of the Year Champion Novice Eventing, 2020 NCDCTA Horse of the Year Training level 7th place, 2021 NCDCTA Horse of the Year 4th place Second Level Dressage, 2021 NCDCTA Horse of the Year Champion Beginner Novice Eventing, 2021 NCDCTA Horse of the Year Champion Novice Eventing, 2022 Middle Tennessee Horse of the Year 3rd place Training Eventing), as well as multiple national awards (such as: 2021 TIP National Reserve Champion Eventing Horse, 2021 TIP National Novice Eventing Reserve Champion East, 2021 TIP National Beginner Novice Eventing Reserve Champion East, 2021 TIP National 6th place Overall Green OTTB, 2021 TIP National Reserve Champion Green OTTB Dressage) in the Thoroughbred Incentive Program after purchasing her horse Sirius in 2021.

Naomi Chambers

Naomi started her riding career at a young age in New England as an avid pony clubber.  She competed heavily throughout the USPC climbing up the ratings into becoming an active upper level competitor and mentor for the younger pony clubbers teaching mounted/unmounted weekly lessons.  Additionally, she heavily competed in equitation, medals, and show jumping.  She successfully completed many working student programs under upper level riders in show jumping, eventing, and dressage- giving her a volume of education and experience between a variety of disciplines.  Naomi built a very successful lesson program in Wilmington, NC bringing up many young riders and adults through the ranks of eventing, dressage, and show jumping.  She continues to have a positive relationship with all of her former students whether it be guiding them through their first working student position or their new horse.  Naomi started working for Whitney in 2014 and currently works as her barn manager and assistant trainer.  She feels that a positive, but correct approach to guiding riders is key for successful development.

Kyla Roeber

Kyla is originally from New York and has been riding since age 7. She is known for her kind, fun, and informative approach to learning.

Kyla's junior years went from competing ponies to Equitation finals, also competing in the Hunters, Jumpers and Eventing. 

, She has trained under Olympians Anne Kursinski, Neal and Elisa Shapiro, Mike Plumb, and even Harriet Deleyer who is daughter to the famous Harry and Snowman. She has also trained with Grand Prix rider Harold Chopping and currently trains with Grand Prix rider Maryann Charles, and brings everything she learns home to her students at Valkyrie. Kyla's mindset is setting horses and riders up  for success. This is obtained through positive, fun experiences, with a priority on a solid foundation to instill confidence. 

Andrew Diemer

Andrew grew up riding in Eventing and Polocross, eventually competing internationally for the United States. He has a masters in education and teaches grade school during the week, while teaching our riders on the weekend