Team | Seahorse Stables

Meet the Team

Teamwork Makes the Dreamwork

Owners/Managers

Alison & Mark Gordon

Alison and Mark met in Wilmington in1995, were married in 2003, and have 3 incredible daughters who are the light of their life.

Alison attended UNC-Wilmington where she received her bachelor's degree in Environmental Science. Her connection with nature began early, enjoying farm life, hiking the Blue Ridge Mountains and exploring the shoreline of the coastal Carolinas.

Born and raised in the foothills, Alison grew up on her family's farmland in Monroe, NC. She was fortunate to spend time with horses from a very young age. Mucking stalls in exchange for lessons taught her the value of hard work and dedication when working with her life passions - equines and environmental education.

Alison has worked in the field of environmental education for over 20 years. She worked as a conservation educator, grant coordinator, and education department manager during her tenure at Brevard Zoo, a naturalist for the Environmental Learning Center, development associate for Wildlands Network, and most recently co-director for Nature Connect NC. Alison is also a certified master naturalist.

Firm in her belief that caring for wildlife and wilderness begins with our youngest minds, Alison is now the Director of Farm School by the Sea, instructs riding lessons, and manages all operations at Seahorse Stables. Her passion for conservation education and stewardship is the foundation for nurturing little ones and cultivating strong community relations.

Mark has worked in the IT industry for over 25 years as a graphic designer and software engineer. His career allows many opportunities for travel and his first passion - surfing. With the mind of an engineer, Mark is capable of finding a solution for any issue that requires fixing on the farm.

Katherine Mitchell

Stable Hand

Katherine is an equestrian with 25+ years of experience since falling in love with horses during riding camp at age 7. She helped to train and show horses during high school and college on the Tri-County Show Circuit, specializing in hunt-seat equitation. She has always had a passion in caring for people and animals, with dual certifications in dental assisting and massage therapy. When she isn't at the barn, she enjoys cooking, paddleboarding, and spending time outdoors with her husband and two kids.

Rebecca Wyatt

Farrier

Rebecca Wyatt of Natures Path Hoofcare has been working to improve performance, rehabilitate lameness, and promote longevity for nearly 20 years, and has successfully helped horses, mules, and donkeys recover from laminitis, founder, navicular, physical imbalances, and “mystery” lameness. Rebecca also works with performance equines to help them feel their best so that they can comfortably and happily meet the demands of their jobs.

She enjoys trail riding, training, and spending time with her Appaloosa (Nellie) and Paso Fino (Rocketman), visual art, and playing the cello. Rebecca is also a breast cancer survivor, which allows her a unique perspective on the physical and emotional aspects of recovery.

Britt Carpenter

Farm School Teacher

Britt is a Wilmington native who grew up in the Scotts Hill area exploring the woods, marshes and beaches near her home, and at nearby Topsail Island. She has been facilitating outdoor programming for ages 3-12 since 2016, is a certified educator through the Eastern Region Association of Forest and Nature Schools, and has attended immersive nature connection training with The Art of Mentoring at Vermont Wilderness School.

She has been working at Seahorse Stables since 2020, and has enjoyed expanding her love of the natural world to include caring for horses and other farm animals. She is eager to pass along her love of nature to future generations, especially since welcoming her daughter to the world in 2018. In her free time she enjoys cooking, making music, bike rides, paddleboarding, camping, outdoor time with her family and hanging out with her dog and six backyard chickens. She is also a facilitator for the Wilmington chapter of Turning The Wheel and is currently pursuing a masters in social work at UNC-Wilmington.

Oana Duma

Farm School Teacher

Oana was born and raised in Romania and grew up exploring the beautiful mountains, forests, rivers and coast. She moved to the United States in 2013 with her husband and two boys.

Oana is a certified outdoor educator and has been facilitating outdoor programs for over 5 years. As a nature-loving enthusiast, she believes that one of the greatest gifts we can give to the world is to dedicate time and energy to provide meaningful experiences in nature, where adults and children can learn together. Her passion for outdoor education is based on the belief that those who spend time in, and connect with the natural world will gain a deeper connection to others and a deeper understanding of themselves.

Sarah Brintle

Farm School Teacher

Sarah grew up in the Piedmont of North Carolina. She enjoyed adventures in the mountains and at the coast of NC while on family vacations.

Sarah graduated from UNC Wilmington in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in Special Education. She has been an educator ever since in a variety of settings. Sarah lives seaside with her two children. She finds nature and our youth to be the greatest of teachers. Sarah connected her love for mindfulness & movement and those with special needs with the creation of her small business, Flow & Grow Wellness. Her offerings are inclusive and playful for youth and families. She has been with Seahorse Stables since 2021.