Denize Borges, Owner and Trainer
Denize started her riding career at age 10 in a summer camp in Carmel Valley, where she was born and raised. After much success in all athletic endevours throughout grade school, middle school, and high school, Denize thrived on the challenge of learning to ride a horse. 'It is the hardest sport I have ever attempted to master.'
As a junior, Denize competed heavily in the hunters, jumpers,
and equitation. She showed exstensively throughout California, Arizona, and Canada. From 1983 through 1986 she qualified for all the medals and won many championships in the Junior Hunters and Junior Jumpers. She was often given horses to ride as her reputation for catch riding was well known. Denize was a fierce and successful competitor in the medal finals throughout her junior years with many wins.
The day after graduating from Carmel High School she went to work for renowned jumper rider and trainer Duncan McFarlane in Novato, CA. Denize continued as assistant trainer at Windfall Farms, Inc. when the McFarlanes married.
In 1988, at age 19, Denize went out on her own to operate Crystal Image Farms in the Oakland hills. After leasing a number of facilities in the East Bay, Denize moved to her present location in 1999 and bought the farm where Crystal Image Farms is now located.
Denize has been a long-standing member of the following organizations: USEF, USHJA, NORCAL, PCHA, ASPCA, CPHA and SAHJA. She has been a Norcal board member for nine years and the President of the organization for the past five years. She enjoys judging horse shows and has also consulted for other facilities in the bay area. Denize feels she shines in the industry because of her extensive knowledge of all aspects of running a thriving, succesful operation. She feels she and her staff at Crystal Image Farms are teaching far more than just riding skills, they are teaching life skills.
Erin Garnett, Assistant Trainer
Growing up in Sonoma County, Erin Garnett was surrounded by horses due to her mother's love of equines. She began taking formal Hunter/Jumper riding lessons with Sarah Horsley at the age of eight, which birthed a lifelong passion. Erin quickly fell in love the thrill, challenge and endless education of the show ring. In the mid-nineties she was Champion and/or Reserve at every A-rated show she attended in Northern California in the Hunters and Equitation, earning numerous Year End Awards. She also qualified for and earned many top Medal Finals ribbons.
At the age of fourteen Erin began teaching "beginner" lessons, soon becoming Horsley's Assistant Trainer. In the following years she guided many horses and students to multiple successes in the Hunter, Equitation and Jumper arenas. Erin quickly became known for her abilities to attentively and patiently work with green, and seasoned, horses and riders of all ages, by using a positive approach. She loves to cultivate, nurture and expand each horse and rider's individual and collective growth, finding that there is nothing more fulfilling than witnessing and aiding in the small and large breakthroughs of each team.
When Erin was fifteen the esteemed trainer Bitsy Shields approached her asking her to be a part-time Exercise Rider while concurrently working for Horsley. Honored, Erin accepted and formed a long-time professional and personal relationship with the incredible horsewoman. Over the past 30 years Erin has strived to expand her horse knowledge by working as a Groom, Braider and Ranch Hand, and by assisting countless Farriers, Veterinarians and Barn Managers.
Erin proudly became a part of the Crystal Image Farms team in November of 2010.
Ernesto Hererra
Ernesto
is Crystal Image Farms’ premier horse show groom. He exemplifies hard work, honesty, integrity and dedication to his job. He has been with Crystal Image Farms since 1997 and has never missed a horse show.
Ernesto comes from a family of horsemen. He and his three brothers have worked as head grooms for many big name trainers like John French, John Bragg, Dusty Blackwood, and Denize Borges. They are responsible for the horses 24 hours a day at the show and are ever-diligent about the horses’ care.
His careful attention to detail makes him a fabulous addition to the Crystal Image Farms show team. Beyond simply getting the horses ready for their riders, Ernesto’s responsibilities include feeding, cleaning stalls, caring for all the horses’ equipment, lunging horses, wrapping the horses, bathing, hand walking, and much more. He checks the horses constantly and knows each one’s routine and needs. Ernesto can tell immediately when something is off and come to a colicky horse’s rescue. His early and decisive action has stopped many possibly tragic situations.
Many of Crystal Image Farms’ employees at the home barn have also been trained by Ernesto. Ernesto personally makes sure the home grooms know exactly what they need to watch for in the horses and how to correctly go about handling and caring for them. Because of his thorough teachings, our fantastic home grooms groom, lead, turn out, wrap, and lunge horses properly. Ernesto’s hard work has helped make Crystal Image Farms the horsey haven it is.
Pioneer Equine Hospital, Veterinary Services
Crystal Image Farms has a very special relationship with Pioneer Equine Hospital. We are very fortunate to have the talented and highly qualified doctors and staff at our service. Dr. Brad Jackman and his colleagues do all of the veterinary work at Crystal Image Farms. Pioneer Equine Hospital recently opened a new state-of-the-art hospital in Oakdale, CA. They are our hospital of choice for routine and emergency medical care.
Ben Koertje, Dentist
Ben Koertje, MCEqD started practicing equine dentistry in 1982. He apprenticed with his uncle Larry Mitchell, and for the first eight years worked on racetracks in northern California. Ben got involved in cutting horses and started working at major barns in California, Texas, Oregon, Nevada, and Hawaii. He works with a number of renowned horsemen throughout the cutting and racehorse industries. After 13 years of practicing equine dentistry, he met an Academy of Equine Dentistry student and decided to attend the program. He has been a big part of the school ever since and serves on the Board of Directors. He is very considerate and his calm, quiet manner is loved by horses and people alike.
Grady Mykrantz, Farrier
Nathan Mott, Farrier
Nancy Elliott, Chiropractor & Acupuncturist
Nancy Elliot, DVM, a licensed horse veterinarian, switched from a traditional practice to treating horses with a combination of acupuncture and chiropractic techniques 20 years ago and never looked back. She concedes that her speciality may seem unusual to nonhorse people — she’s the only veterinarian on the Peninsula exclusively devoted to both methods — but horse owners swear by her touch.
back to top
