Photographer: Lindsey Long
ABOUT
Granite Bay Farm is boutique competition-based show stable based in Thousand Oaks, CA that specializes in hunters, jumpers and equitation. Run by trainers Katie Hauss + Lindsay Stefanko, their collaborative approach to teaching and training allows each client and horse to receive a specific program designed for individual success.
Katie and Lindsay met while working for Archie Cox at Brookway Stables in 2018 and immediately had a close working relationship. Their like-mindedness to teaching, training and horse care made them a perfect fit, so in 2021, they decided to launch Granite Bay Farm.
Both Lindsay and Katie come from successful junior careers with an equitation background and have trained with many of the top equitation trainers in the country including Karen Healey, Archie Cox and Kip Rosenthal.
Photographer: Lindsey Long
KATIE HAUSS
Katie Hauss was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. Her love for horses began when she started taking lessons at the age of 9. Throughout her junior years, Katie continued to ride and compete locally all while learning to groom and care for her own horses. She finished out her high school years with many wins in the equitation and jumper rings under the guidance of trainer Archie Cox, and ended her junior career by competing in the 2004 ASPCA Maclay Finals in New York City.
Katie attended college at Syracuse University in New York where she joined the school’s equestrian team. As a freshman, Katie won every single class in the IHSA’s open division for her team during their regular season. She went on to win both Regionals and Zone finals that year and became the first undergraduate rider for SU to advance to Nationals in two different individual classes. After graduating college, Katie moved back to California to be closer to her family. In 2008, she became a professional and started working as an assistant to Julie Winkel.
Since that time, Katie has dedicated much hard work and many hours to furthering her knowledge as a professional, and has gained experience working for some of Southern California’s top trainers and programs.
LINDSAY STEFANKO
Lindsay Stefanko (formerly McLean) was born and raised in Vancouver Canada and got an early start to her career, sitting on her first pony at the age of 5. She was immediately hooked and began showing locally in the Pacific Northwest under the tutelage of Lindy Townley.
As she moved on to horses and into the equitation ring, she spent much of the year in Southern California showing with Karen Healey, while her jumpers and hunters remained under the care and training of Morgan Thomas. Lindsay rounded out her junior career with a top 25 finish in the Pessoa Medal at Harrisburg and was Spruce Meadows Xerox junior of the year which earned her an invitation to the coveted Masters tournament at Spruce Meadows.
The following year she won both the individual and team gold medal at the NAYRC championships and won several Grand Prix’s. In 2001, she put horses on pause to go back to school to study business and spent 15 years in the corporate world before returning back to her love for show jumping.
ALEX DIRICKSON
Alex Dirickson was born and raised in Newbury park, CA. The horse bug hit her at the age of six, where she started taking lessons at Foxfield riding school. As she became more interested in competing in a higher level she started riding with trainer Jim Hagman where she showed in the Jr. Jumpers.
Alex Graduated from Fresno state where she was a member of the D1 equestrian team. Alex received multiple outstanding player awards throughout her college career in the fences as well as the flat. Her senior year she earned a spot on the UEC all conference team on the flat. She ended the year as Fresno State’s overall top scorer for both fences and the flat.
After college she began working as a professional for top trainers in California. She has brought many young horses through the ranks in the show jumping and hunter rings. Alex continues to further her knowledge for horses and everything involved in the sport.