Team | Seahorse Stables

Meet the Team

Teamwork Makes the Dreamwork

Owners/Managers

Alison & Mark Gordon

Alison and Mark met in Wilmington in1995, were married in 2003, and have 3 incredible daughters who are the light of their life.

Alison attended UNC-Wilmington where she received her bachelor's degree in Environmental Science. Her connection with nature began early, enjoying farm life, hiking the Blue Ridge Mountains and exploring the shoreline of the coastal Carolinas.

Born and raised in the foothills, Alison grew up on her family's farmland in Monroe, NC. She was fortunate to spend time with horses from a very young age. Mucking stalls in exchange for lessons taught her the value of hard work and dedication when working with her life passions - equines and environmental education.

Alison has worked in the field of environmental education for over 20 years. She worked as a conservation educator, grant coordinator, and education department manager during her tenure at Brevard Zoo, a naturalist for the Environmental Learning Center, development associate for Wildlands Network, and most recently co-director for Nature Connect NC. Alison is also a certified master naturalist.

Firm in her belief that caring for wildlife and wilderness begins with our youngest minds, Alison is now the Director of Farm School by the Sea, instructs riding lessons, and manages all operations at Seahorse Stables. Her passion for conservation education and stewardship is the foundation for nurturing little ones and cultivating strong community relations.

Mark has worked in the IT industry for over 25 years as a graphic designer and software engineer. His career allows many opportunities for travel and his first passion - surfing. With the mind of an engineer, Mark is capable of finding a solution for any issue that requires fixing on the farm.

Lauren Cryan

Equine Communication Educator

Lauren Cryan is an Equine Communication Educator and has been co-teaches with Mrs. Alison this at Seahorse Stables. Lauren help with groundwork & foundational beginner riding lessons.

Lauren has worked as a PreK-8th grade teacher and holds certifications from EAGALA and Equine Om. She is most passionate about being a guide in learning the horses' natural code of conduct and encouraging students to build the horse-human bond. Her greatest influence is Carolyn Resnick's Liberty Horsemanship Method, in which she is an instructor-in-training. Lauren is the owner of local Seabreeze Horse Connection. Her inspiration for it all is her heart horse, Colonel Mac.

Oana Duma

Farm School Teacher

Oana was born and raised in Romania and grew up exploring the beautiful mountains, forests, rivers and coast. She moved to the United States in 2013 with her husband and two boys.

Oana is a certified outdoor educator and has been facilitating outdoor programs for over 5 years. As a nature-loving enthusiast, she believes that one of the greatest gifts we can give to the world is to dedicate time and energy to provide meaningful experiences in nature, where adults and children can learn together. Her passion for outdoor education is based on the belief that those who spend time in, and connect with the natural world will gain a deeper connection to others and a deeper understanding of themselves.

Sarah Brintle

Farm School Teacher

Sarah grew up in the Piedmont of North Carolina. She enjoyed adventures in the mountains and at the coast of NC while on family vacations.

Sarah graduated from UNC Wilmington in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in Special Education. She has been an educator ever since in a variety of settings. Sarah lives seaside with her two children. She finds nature and our youth to be the greatest of teachers. Sarah connected her love for mindfulness & movement and those with special needs with the creation of her small business, Flow & Grow Wellness. Her offerings are inclusive and playful for youth and families. She has been with Seahorse Stables since 2021.

Angie Foster

Farm School Teacher

Angie grew up in the upstate of South Carolina. She graduated from Furman University with a degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education.

Angie has taught 2 - year-old preschool through 5th grade in South Carolina, Alabama and North Carolina. She came to Wilmington from Chicago in 2002 and has lived in Carolina Beach since. Angie and her husband have a teenage daughter and son along with 2 dogs, fish and a house rabbit. Farm School speaks to Angie because of her love of watching children learn and discover through exploration and open-ended materials. She also spends a lot of time at the farm with her daughter who rides and works at the stables.