About Orchardview Stables
Our mission is to nurture body, mind and spirit through God and horses.
Orchardview Stables Staff Members
Mary Kay Soergel
Facilities Director, Riding Instructor
Mary Kay has been fortunate to own, show, train and enjoy horses most of her life. She has participated in many clinics and apprenticeships emphasizing natural horsemanship and the bond that forms between horse and rider. She practiced as a registered nurse in a variety of settings for 40 years. In addition to working as a nurse, she raised 4 kids and worked with her husband, Richard in the greenhouses they had on their farm where she started all the vegetable plants their family grew from seed. In 2023 Mary Kay and Richard built a new greenhouse so Mary Kay can get back to her love of growing flowers and herbs and planting a cutting garden. She is excited to share her green thumb and love of growing herbs, flowers and vegetables with the participants at OVS.
Mary Kay attended Mercy School of Nursing, has been certified as a riding instructor through CHA (Certified Horsemanship Association) and is a member of AQHA (American Quarter Horse Association).
Tessa Maxwell
Executive Director, CTRI, Equine Professional
Tessa earned a bachelor’s degree in education at Slippery Rock University, with certifications in Elementary and Special Education. She worked as a special education teacher at Linton Middle School in the Penn Hills School District for 2 years until she moved to Suffolk, Virginia with her husband, Bill. Bill worked as a police officer and K9 handler for the city of Suffolk and Tessa worked as a special education teacher at E.W. Chittum Elementary School, Chesapeake Public Schools. After their two daughters were born, Bill and Tessa decided to move back home to Wexford to be closer to family.
After moving home, Tessa worked for her family’s business managing a retail department and also assisting with marketing and event planning. She started helping Mary Kay with teaching lessons because she was knowledgeable about horses and riding and could use her teaching experience to help others. In 2015 Tessa became a PATH Int. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and professional member. She is grateful for a calling where she can share her love for the farm that she grew up on with her educational background to make a difference in the lives of others.