Darlene Kemper, M.A.Ed.
Head Instructor at Kemper Knoll, Darlene has been riding and competing since 1978. Her teaching career began in 1981, after graduating from James Madison University with a Masters Degree in Education. She now teaches students of a variety of ages and in a variety of skill levels, from beginner to advanced.

Darlene served two years as the President of the Southwest Virginia Hunter Jumper Association, a member of the Association's Board of Directors for four terms, and Past President of the Glenmore Hunt Club.

Darlene (in red coat) with students

 

Darlene also serves as a Professor of Equine Studies at Bridgewater College in Bridgewater, Virginia. This college program offers a minor in Equine Studies. Darlene teaches such courses as Farm and Stable Management, Lameness and Disease, Equine Development and Behanior, Theories of Riding and Equine Economics.

 

Having well educated horsemen and horsewomen contributes to the well-being of each horse in particular and to the betterment of the horse community in general.

 

Darlene's students have competed locally, regionally and nationally, including shows at Culpeper, WIHS, Roanoke Valley, Ocala and Upperville.

One of her passions is raising and training young pony and hunter prospects for the show ring.

She began the Great Beginnings Horse Show Series fourteen years ago and these shows have now grown to include 6 shows per season with other area farms joining the series. These shows provide a forum for young horses and riders to begin their competition years in a user-friendly environment.

 

Brooke and Darlene Kemper

Darlene runs Kemper Knoll as a multi-faceted horse facility, where she supervises the care, training and nutrition for a variety of equines. Boarders, school horses, show horses, brood mares and foals, training horses, retirees, pleasure horses and lay-ups are all individually supervised to maintain optimum condition.
An active sales program, both for personal investment and client use, is part of the Kemper Knoll Program and Darlene has great interest and talent for creating favorable horse and rider partnerships, as evidenced by the show record of her students. The obvious enjoyment of their horses by students and clients is also valuable and positive testament to horse and rider suitability. 

 John Almarode of Draft Feed presents Darlene and Brooke a picture of Brooke and Thanks for the Memories on Blue Seal Feeds
Effective communication between horses and people can add so much to the quality of life, for both equine and human. All disciplines of riding and horse interaction are enhanced by such understanding. And that is the Kemper Knoll mission.