OWNER & TRAINER

Glenn Johnson began riding at Switch Willo in 1965. Early in his career he rode Cricket—an ex-bucking horse—to numerous Grand Prix wins at The American Gold Cup, American Invitational, and Winter Equestrian Festival (Wellington, FL). He won Puissance classes on Cricket and The Deputy clearing close to 7’ in these high jump matches. Qualifying as an alternate for the United States Equestrian Team for the Pan American Games in 1973 aboard Simple Simon, a client-owned gelding, he was dominant in national and international jumper divisions. He and Simon were Champion at every show they attended including indoor shows at Harrisburg, Washington, D.C. and Madison Square Garden. A highlight of Glenn’s career was being featured in Sports Illustrated with Cricket and The Deputy as a “rising star” in the hunter jumper world. Glenn has ridden, trained, and shown continuously since those early days with countless wins for himself and for his students in the hunter, jumper, and equitation ring.

Glenn married Phoebe in 1973 and together they have built Switch Willo from a single barn to a nationally known hunter jumper show and training facility. They have met and ridden with leading professionals all over the country. Glenn continues to ride professionally for Switch Willo clients and when at home he handles numerous training duties and boarder schooling. He is proud of the exceptionally high quality of horse care and training that results in tricolors and year end awards for Switch Willo riders at the local, state, and national levels.

FOUNDER, OWNER & TRAINER

A lifelong love of horses and the hunter jumper sport inspires Phoebe Johnson to provide exceptional training for Switch Willo riders and horses. After she started riding at age 12 at local barn Hobby Horse, her father bought two horses for Phoebe and her sister and purchased the first seven acre parcel of Switch Willo land. With few instructors available in Austin, Phoebe’s father brought in his former instructor from West Point to teach the girls. In addition, they attended clinics and sought training from leading professionals, including George Morris. Excelling in all three rings--hunter, jumper, and equitation--Phoebe earned multiple year-end THJA Champion honors on her mare Cha Cha. She also rode The Deputy and Frogs Have Wings to many wins in the Junior and Jumper rings, respectively. One of the highlights of her show career was traveling to Gladstone, New Jersey to try out for the Olympic team and being named an alternate to the team.

Phoebe manages the business at Switch Willo and is involved with training, buying and selling horses, and overseeing the lesson program. She has judged local shows and given clinics and particularly enjoys developing green horses.

TRAINER

Kirk Berlin has been involved with horses for over 40 years. When he moved to Austin to attend college, he rode at Switch Willo as an amateur. Upon completing his education he chose to stay on at SWS and turn professional.

Competitive in the hunter as well as the jumper ring, he has won numerous awards both locally and nationally aboard the horses selected for clients by Phoebe and Glenn Johnson. Kirk continues his education by attending and conducting clinics.

Kirk also judges many local shows and is working towards getting his big “R” judges license. Come out and watch a lesson during one of our scheduled lessons. He would love to meet you and answer any questions you might have.

TRAINER, LESSON DIRECTOR & HEAD IEA COACH

Lindsey started riding right here in Austin, TX. During her Junior years she showed locally and nationally and won numerous year end awards aboard her ponies; Justa Nother Love and Petey Cruiser, even qualifying 4 years in a row for National Pony Finals.

Lindsey then was recruited through the NCAA to ride for Texas A&M where she rode for the Aggies. After two years she then transferred to Texas Tech and continued to ride for the Red Raiders and competed at IHSA Nationals. Lindsey then graduated from Tech with a degree in Architecture History in 2010.

Since graduating, Lindsey has guided her riders from cross rails to national shows, with numerous year end wards for her riders. Lindsey believes in a strong equitation foundation and in having as much fun as possible!!

TRAINER

Michelle has been riding for 37 years, beginning at Bay Ridge Equestrian Center in Loudoun County, Virginia. She then moved to San Antonio where she trained at Russell Equestrian Center before making the move to Austin and joining the team at Switch Willo Stables. Michelle has a special knack for the ponies and can be found at the shows making sure all our horses are well cared for along with being ringside. Michelle earned a degree in Chemical Engineering from UT.

TRAINER

Beverly Manroe began her long career at age nine in Houston at a hunter/jumper barn called Parish Stables. She took lessons there for several years and became good enough so that when Mr. Parish left town, he’d put her in charge of teaching as well. She ventured to Austin as a University of Texas student and began riding at Hobby Horse stables in the university-sponsored Canter Club. Hobby Horse’s Jane Burr greatly influenced Manroe’s teaching style. To earn money for club fees, Manroe was also allowed to teach at Hobby Horse. Other major influences on her teaching are the internationally famous George Morris and, of course, the large amount of literature written on the subject. Beverly prefers group lessons as she has found groups are more supportive and empathetic to the individual rider and she lives for the A-HA moments of her students. She has been with Switch Willo since 1975 and earned an academic honors degree from U.T. in the Plan II Liberal Arts Program.

TRAINER & IEA COACH

Kylie Wiggins first entered Switch Willo Stables when she was only 5 years old. Little did she know that this would soon become her home away from home. She began competing at the local shows when she turned 6 and by the time she was in her teens was competing at the 3 foot level.

She has owned and leased various horses and knows that no two horses are alike but each one has different things that they will teach a rider.

In 2018, after training with Glenn, Phoebe, and Kirk for years, Kylie became a welcomed part of the staff.

Kylie loves to work with the kiddo's and makes each lesson fun. She also coaches the Switch Willo IEA team, Capital City Equestrian.

A fun fact to know about Kylie is that her very first horse show ever she was aboard Joe Millionaire. Yes, our beloved pony and the winner of any popularity contest: JOE!

TRAINER

Natalie Pape was born in Austin and has been riding for 25 plus years. She started her riding career with Rio Vista Farm and won many yearend Centex Champions while competing as a junior rider. Upon completing high school at Austin High she attended the University of Findlay in Ohio. Natalie graduated with a degree in equine studies and participated on their Varsity IHSA team. After moving back to Austin she finished her bachelors degree in Psychology at St Edwards University.

Natalie has spent the last 5 years in Houston where she was able to train, compete and teach students of all levels at Fort Bend Equestrian Center. Natalie loves to share her passion for horses with all of her students but especially those new to the sport. Natalie focuses on building strong basics in equitation and horsemanship while maintaining a positive learning environment.

INSTRUCTOR

Carol enjoys riding and teaching students of any age: children, teens, and adults! She has been teaching at Switch Willo Stables since 1993 after joineing the SWS family in 1984 as a rider. Along with her love for horses, she also has a fond place in her heart for dogs and cats. Carol earned degrees in Urban Planning and Economics from the University of Illinois.

TRAINER

Bailey began riding horses at the age of four years old. She grew up competing in eventing and graduated from USPC with her B rating.

Bailey spent eight years in the military as a flight medic and combat medic before returning to horses and civilian life in healthcare.

Bailey has held many roles in the horse world; including managing a barn, wrangling for a private ranch and training horses from birth to competition levels in English and Western disciplines.

Upon moving with her husband and children to the Austin area, Bailey began riding at Switch Willo.

In her spare time, Bailey builds and repairs horse tack, trains her dogs and spends time with her family.

BARN MANAGER

Cindi Wallace has been riding horses for the past 25 years and joined the Switch Willo family in 2008 as a boarder with her horse Pendleton. In 2013 she joined the staff part time and then in 2016 became the full time barn manager. Cindi is responsible for being sure all the horses are well cared for, healthy, and well fed. She works very closely with Austin Equine to ensure our horses have the best care available. She also is mom to Kiara and Darcy who have ridden with SWS for years!!

GENERAL MANAGER/LESSON DIRECTOR

Holly Mortimer is new to the staff of Switch Willow Stables, just starting in 2021; but has been involved in the hunter/jumper world for at least 25 years, managing show offices of many of the Centex and Greater Houston shows.

Holly loves planning social events for Switch Willo Stables, is the co-director of the Riding Academy, oversees social media, and assists with Switch Willo Camp. For several years, she has also served as the treasurer for the Central Texas Hunter Jumper Association.

SWITCH WILLO CAMP DIRECTOR/TRAINER

Wendy grew up with horses and competed in 4-H and local shows in southern Michigan. At Ball State University she joined the IHSA equestrian team under Coach Mindy McMinn (later Darst) and had a blast rolling around central Indiana and Ohio in the team’s elderly RV. When her daughter Elise requested horseback riding at age five, Wendy found a neighborhood hunter jumper barn. Since then she's been immersed in the sport as mom of a competitive pony and horse rider and as owner of several wonderful horses through the years. Wendy loves the community of friendly, fun, and immensely supportive adult riders at Switch Willo, as well as the exceptionally skilled and patient training team!

Wendy joined Camp Switch Willo’s counselor team in 2021 and loves all things camp, having attended camp as a kid and worked as a counselor for horse camp while in college. She is thrilled to work with a program that has won “Best Of” community awards for numerous years and has a well-earned reputation for providing a safe, fun experience.

FACILITIES MANAGER

Maurice is a highly valued and longstanding member of our team! He can be found everywhere on our property keeping things running. He is skilled at plumbing, all things electrical, and can repair just about anything. He also drives for us, so he is often on the road trailering horses to hunter jumper shows.

If you see Maurice, be sure you say hello! No matter what he’s doing, he always has a big smile and friendly word for all.

GROOMS

We are thankful to have an amazing team to assist us in all aspects of horse care. Many of our grooms have been with us for over 20 years - they are truly a dedicated and beloved part of our Switch Willo family.

*Not pictured: Juan, Santos and Federico