Welcome to White Harvest Farms
303-280-0777
Full-Service Horse Boarding - English & Western Riding Lessons - Roping Lessons - Breeding Program
White Harvest Farms has been changing rider’s and horse’s lives for over 30 years. White Harvest Farms is owned and operated by Karen and Marc Banister in Brighton Colorado. They have dedicated their lives to make sure all their riders and horses reach their dreams.
We are a full-service boarding and training facility. Specializing in English (Hunter & Jumper) and Western Riding.
The White Harvest Farms Team
Karen Banister and Grindle
Karen Banister - Owner Trainer/Instructor - 2022 APHA Professional Horseman of the Year
Karen graduated with a BA in Agricultural Business from Colorado State University with a 2 year special study emphasis in equine reproductive physiology.
Karen and her husband Marc as well as their children, Beth and Marcus, operate White Harvest Farms. This diverse horse facility is a breeding, training business as well as a riding academy.
She is a Carded Professional Judge with the NSBA, AQHA, APHA, ApHC, and PtHC. Her passion is raising and training exceptional equestrian athletes and developing their riders. She has judged throughout the US, Canada, Italy, Germany, Fance and Holland including the German, Italian and European Quarter Horse Championships
Karen has developed and shown multiple Champions in the NSBA, AQHA, APHA, ApHC, USEF/USHJA, Congress, National Pony Finals, and PRCA. She has trained nearly 60 World Class Champion horses and riders including Sacred Indian, Sacred Moments, Sacred Seven, Sacredhopesndreams, Successful Indian, Classy’s Sacred Ticket, and Indivisible. World class ponies include Elation, winner of the 2010 small division at the National Pony Finals, GF Primrose and Burgundy Shannon Rose.
Karen’s favorite pastime is working with her Rottweiler and German Shepard Schutzhund dogs.
Marc Banister
Marc Banister - Owner Trainer/Instructor
Marc graduated from Colorado State University with a BA in Agricultural Business and an emphasis on Education.
Marc began training horses and preparing rope horses for clients in 1993 so that clients could practice and successfully compete. He is a member of numerous rodeo associations including USTRC, ACTRA. Marc’s personal passion is passed on to students today who continue to participate in national rodeo competitions. Marc’s intuitive nature with animals transcends to his teaching and coaching of all his students.
Beth Brewer
Beth Banister - Associate Trainer/Instructor
Elizabeth Brewer grew up riding and competing around the United States in multiple disciplines with her parents Marc and Karen Banister. Elizabeth received a regional medal finals championship and multiple world and reserve world championships before obtaining an Equestrian scholarship to Baylor University. Upon receiving her Bachelor’s degree and teaching license Elizabeth taught as an elementary school teacher in the public school system for three years. After getting married and starting a family Elizabeth earned her Master’s degree in Curriculum Instruction and Design.
Elizabeth has worked as an instructor and horse trainer at White Harvest Farms for the past seven years. She enjoys bringing her education background and equestrian knowledge and experience to her students. Elizabeth loves working along with her family to seeing her students achieve their goals. In the last few years she has seen students receive equestrian scholarships to universities as well as obtaining regional and national awards in the Colorado Hunter Jumper Association, CoWN Stock Horse Association, United States Hunter Jumper Association, American Paint Horse Association and the American Quarter Horse Association. Elizabeth actively competes in the professional divisions in many equestrian organizations. In 2020 she won a Reserve World Championship in the progressive working hunter at the AQHA world show.
Marcus Banister - Associate Trainer/Instructor
As a son of Marc and Karen, Marcus has been riding from his early days and has been drawn to the roping arena most of his life. Competing in High school and later college rodeos for the University of Wyoming, he has always enjoyed competitive environments and the lasting friendships that stem from them. Today he is interested in the development of young rope horses and western performance horses, as well as the growth of the riders who have shared pursuits.
Júlia Ódor- Assistant Trainer/Instructor
Júlia is a certified riding instructor as well as a therapeutic riding and vaulting instructor from Hungary, Europe. She studied at the West Hungarian University where she received her first degree in social education and the second one as a special teacher. She earned her riding instructor certifications through the Hungarian Equine Sport Federation along with the Hungarian Equine Therapy Federation.
Júlia has also received training in both dressage and show jumping; she earned the German Riding Badge in both disciplines in the level of DRA 4 and DRA 3.
Júlia believes strongly in the positive mental, physical and psychological effects of horseback riding and equine activities can have for her clients. Her goal is the riders not just learn how to ride, but in fact can learn responsibility, self-confidence, success, empathy, empowerment and social skills to name a few.
Lisa Strother - Assistant Trainer/Instructor
Lisa has been part of the White Harvest Farms family for over ten years. During that time, she completed a lifelong dream of becoming a therapeutic riding instructor through PATH International, has worked towards her Advanced Certification, and completed her certification as a PATH Mentor. She enjoys applying the knowledge she has acquired over the years to teach beginner and intermediate hunter jumper students. Rider biomechanics is a subject she likes to 'geek out' on and loves sharing her ideas with riders of all ages. Lisa is thankful for the opportunity to be part of such an inclusive barn family that promotes safety and a positive relationship between horse and rider.
Arielle Gerke - Assistant Trainer/Instructor
Arielle was born and raised in Colorado and has been riding horses competitively since she was 6 years old. She has competed in both the CHJA and USHJA circuits in the western region. Arielle had top placing for several years at the CHJA medal finals as a young rider as well as a lengthy record competing in the open jumpers as a junior. Not only has Arielle worked for several of the top trainers in Colorado, she also comes from a family with a long history of horsemen. She has extensive experience working with young horses and currently specializes in retraining and selling off the track Thoroughbreds, along with teaching riding lessons. Her passion is now found in teaching students of all ages good horsemanship as well as sharing her love for the sport for both the competitive and non competitive riders.