Will Baker
Will Baker’s lifelong passion for horses began at the age of three. He started as a working student for Sulu Rose-Reed and Derek Reed at Reed Training and Sales in Mechanicsville, VA. During his three years there, he moved up from being a working student to head groom and eventually manager.
In order to pursue his goal of riding at the top of the sport, Will moved to Europe to expand his knowledgebase. He traveled first to Switzerland to work for Irish team member, Niall Talbot and then moved to Germany to learn about breeding and the proper development of young horses.
Photo by Noah Dachis Photography
Upon his return to the United States, he started working at Parkwood Equestrian in Idaho Falls, Idaho where he began giving many students their first riding lessons and coaching others to success in the show ring.
He then went on to be the head rider at Kirin Farm in Kansas City, Kansas under the tutelage of Kris Cheyne. While there, he was able to focus on developing his skills as a Grand Prix rider. Coaching and competing throughout the Midwest and wintering in Florida, he had numerous top ten Grand Prix finishes.
During the 2017 and 2018 show season Will worked at Hunter Holloway Stables in Topeka, Kansas as a trainer and rider. Will then worked closely with Brian and Jolene Cash at Hidden Acres Farm in West Milford, New Jersey. This is where Coast to Coast Equestrian began.
Will finally realized his dream of starting his own business when he opened Coast To Coast Equestrian in April 2018. He has continued to have success in both the hunter and jumper disciplines with top finishes in Grand Prix and hunter derbies while simultaneously helping his students qualify for pony, junior hunter and equitation finals each year.
Saralyn Darmstatter
We are very excited to welcome Saralyn Darmstatter to the team!
Saralyn grew up riding in NJ and she is very happy to be back in home territory riding with Coast to Coast! Saralyn’s junior career consisted of both the equitation and jumpers before heading off to Cazenovia College. She had a very successful college riding career finishing her senior year as Region II Zone II Cacchione Cup Champion.
Before graduating she interned with RC Horses APS out of Sindal, Denmark. While living abroad she gained invaluable experience working, riding, and making long lasting connections. Saralyn left Cazenovia with a BPS in Management specializing in Equine Business, as well as a minor in Marketing.
After college, she worked for Audrey Robison out of Wellington, Fl for just over 3 years grooming, riding, and competing up to the 1.20m. We are very excited for the level of experience Saralyn brings to the C2C program!