Despite her young age, Jasmin Stair’s riding resume reads like a who’s who of West Coast trainers. Jasmin was bitten by the riding bug early after her uncle gave her a horse on a visit to Canada. She was devastated when she wasn’t able to take the gelding, Moby Dick, home with her. But upon her return home, Jasmin eagerly began taking regular riding lessons with Benson Carroll.

“I’ve been fascinated with horses my entire life,” explains Jasmin. “They are such inquisitive creatures and such good judges of character. They are so much smarter than most people give them credit for. I believe they’re more in tune with how we are feeling on a particular day than we are ourselves. I think that’s why I love working with them so much. For me it’s impossible to just have a working business relationship with a horse, it’s always personal with me. To be able to educate a horse, help a rider on that horse, and then to see them become successful in their goals is such a wonderful feeling.”
As Jasmin grew and her skills progressed she had the opportunity to train with Chance Arakelian and eventually caught the eye of well-known trainer, Karen Healey. At Karen Healey’s stables Jasmin had the chance to train and show in hunters, jumpers and equitation. By the time she was 14 she was taking regular 5:30 a.m. lessons with Karen.
At the age of 15 she was given the unique opportunity to be a working student on the East Coast for Gary Zook and Ken Berkley, and to take her two horses along. “For two years I was lucky enough to be able to ride and show so many different kinds of horses, while continuing my general education through a home tutor. While I lived on the farm I was responsible not only for my two horses, but other horses at the barn as well. This was such a unique experience for me as I learned so much not only about how to properly and exceptionally care for horses, but how the business end of it works as well.”
Together, Jasmin, Ken and Gary traveled up and down the East Coast attending horse shows such as Lake Placid, The Hampton Classic, Vermont, Gladstone, Old Salem, Devon, Capital Challenge, Indoors, and the Palm Beach circuit, where Jasmin was able to train with Missy Clark.
“My time back East helped me figure out that training horses and students was for sure what I wanted to do with my life professionally. I still find myself looking up to all of the exceptional trainers I had in the past. Each of them has taught me something unique and valuable. I continue to learn from them everyday.”

From Student to Trainer
Though Jasmin won the Zone 10 Maclay Regionals as a junior rider, she feels her accomplishments outside the show ring are just as important as those in the winner’s circle. One of the personal highlights of her young career was the first time she taught a riding lesson. As a junior she knew she had a passion for horses, but she wasn’t sure if that passion would transfer into teaching. From the moment she started her first lesson, she had no doubt about what she wanted to do professionally; she wanted to be a trainer and riding instructor.
“It has always been a goal of mine to start my own business,” says Jasmin. “I remember when I was competing as a junior that Carleton Brooks always had a very successful business that was very impressive. So when Carleton approached me about starting a business together, I thought it would be great. I thought it would be a wonderful collaboration with someone who already had a successful business venture and was a good horseman.”
Jasmin believes that their combined knowledge and passion will offer clients an incredible, well-rounded program at UpHill Farm, Inc., located in San Diego. Carleton has already been extremely successful in the hunters, and Jasmin thrived in the equitation and jumper rings as a junior and young professional. Together they hope to create a well balanced, top quality program that is competitive in and out of the show ring.
“I believe Carleton and I complement each other,” says Jasmin. “We both agree that riders and trainers can’t get very far without having happy, healthy, well cared for horses that have a strong foundation. We want to offer our clients a rewarding experience both at home as well as in the show ring.”
For more information about Jasmin Stair at Uphill Farm Inc. call 619-992-0689.