Whether you are boarding your horse or investigating the Collegiate Equestrienne Residence program, we feel it is important to know something about the people who will be in day-to-day contact with your horse and possibly your child.  So read on to get to know the dynamic husband/wife team who are the heart and soul of SPS.

About Carl Summers

Carl is a retired captain in the U.S. Marine Corps.  He served three tours of duty in Vietnam.  His military career was distinguished and he received numerous medals including the Navy Cross, 2 Silver Stars, the Navy and Marine Corp Medal for Heroism and 3 Purple Hearts.  Carl was also a great classroom teacher and was selected as Teacher of the Year in California, Georgia, and Pennsylvania.  Last, but not least, he was an exceptional high school coach working with athletes in football, wrestling, weightlifting and powerlifting.  Many of these athletes achieved World Champion recognition.

Though retired from teaching and semi-retired from coaching, Carl brings 23 years of experience to bear in managing the day-to-day operations of SPS Farm.  The immaculate facilities and happy horses are due in large measure to his diligent care and genuine love for the "babies".  Carl takes time to build relationships with the horses in his charge and has a superb eye for the smallest changes in their behavior that might indicate a problem.  

In 2006, he decided to take on the challenge of learning to ride rather than cheering from the sidelines.  With his customary dedication and commitment, Carl progressed rapidly with his equine partner, Reino, and six months after starting, took first place in his class at his very first dressage show - a USEF/USDF recognized event at FENCE in Tryon.  He is now training hard for the upcoming show season. 

About Francine Pole

With a doctorate in education and over 30 years experience in teaching and administration, Fran is a committed educator and believes that education is one of the greatest gifts to mankind.  Currently, she is a teacher and chemistry department chair at Carolina High School and Academy.  Additionally, she has served on the school board for Northeastern School District in Florida along with chairing numerous SACS evaluations at various Florida High Schools.

Francine's experience with horses began at the age of 9 when she received her first horse.  She was active in 4-H and rode Western, English and bareback.  In high school, she worked for an equine veterinarian in all aspects of equine care including breeding and mare/foal care.  Her undergraduate work was in Animal Science (Pre-Vet Med).  She continued to work for large and small animal vets through school as well as schooling for members of the local hunt.  Later on in her riding career, she began focusing on Saddleseat competed throughout the Southeast.  While living in Florida, she rescued two fillies and nursed them back to health before starting them under saddle.  Wildfire, the daughter of one of these youngsters, still lives at SPS Farm.  Fran has also worked with gentling and training wild mustangs and has worked with training young stallions.  In 1999, she made the switch to dressage and is now training and competing with her former Saddleseat partner, Music Machine at First Level.  Fran is also working with Music Machine's half brother, Agape's Oboe at training level.