ABOUT
Trainers
Cha Cha Levinson
Hunter/Jumper
Kathy Megla
Hunter/Jumper
Alex Chasen
Hunter/Jumper
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Traci Brooks
Hunter/Jumper
Nicole Husky
Hunter/Jumper
Jodi Spurgeon
Hunter/Jumper
Frederico Bernardino
Dressage/Working Equitation
Michael Anderson
Jumper/Dressage
Alyce Bittar
Hunter/Jumper
I grew up riding at Will Rogers State Historic Park, where I developed a lifelong love for the sport and a deep respect for working with animals. Riding taught me responsibility, resilience, and the importance of building trust between horse and rider – lessons that continue to shape how I teach. I hold a master’s degree in education from USC and have over 25 years of professional experience teaching riders of all ages and levels.
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My teaching emphasizes correct fundamentals, thoughtful horsemanship, and clear communication. Lessons are tailored to each rider with a focus on steady progress and a supportive learning environment.
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Sullivan Canyon is a close-knit community with long-standing traditions, including Halloween playdates, summer camp, and community service. Riders build lasting friendships, older students naturally mentor younger ones, and many return year after year.
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For riders interested in competition, I prepare students for horse shows ranging from IEL school competitions to nationally A-rated events. The goal is a well-rounded preparation for the show ring and a positive, confidence building experience.
Kathy Megla
With over forty years experience in the equestrian world, Kathy is a dedicated hunter-jumper trainer passionate about developing riders of all ages and skill levels. Her focus is on fostering strong foundations, building confidence and cultivating excellence both in and out of the saddle.
Whether working with beginners or advanced competitors, she is committed to helping each student achieve their personal riding goals through tailored instruction and a supportive learning environment.
Alex Chasen
With over 30 years of experience, Alex offers hunter/jumper instruction for riders of all ages, grounded in classical horsemanship, confidence-building, and strong foundational skills. Her program is thoughtfully designed to support riders at every stage — whether riding for personal enjoyment or pursuing competitive goals in the show ring.
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At the core of Alex’s approach is a deep respect for the horse and a belief that exceptional training begins with partnership. By cultivating trust, clear communication, and mutual understanding, she helps horse and rider develop confidence, harmony, and long-term success in a calm, supportive environment.
Traci Brooks
Traci Brooks develops riders and horses for success at the highest levels of the sport. As co-founder of Balmoral, she leads a respected, results-driven program that has produced national champions and winners at many of North America’s most prestigious competitions, including The Devon Horse Show, The National Horse Show, Washington International Horse Show, Pennsylvania National Horse Show, Capital Challenge, USEF Pony Finals, and the North American Youth Championships, as well as multiple USEF Horse of the Year titles.​
The Balmoral program is grounded in exceptional horsemanship, meticulous horse care, and a thoughtful approach to matching horses and riders for long-term success. With more than three decades of experience in training, horse care and development, and high-level competition, Traci is equally committed to developing young riders—guiding students from their first lessons through national championship competition, while fostering confidence, responsibility, and personal growth both in and out of the ring.​
Balmoral’s success is defined not only by results, but by its process. Each horse-and-rider partnership is developed with intention, emphasizing correct training, individualized coaching, and strategic show planning that supports sustainable performance and lifelong horsemanship.​Beyond training, Traci is actively involved in leadership, advocacy and education within the sport. She serves as Chair of the USHJA National Hunter Derby Task Force, Vice President of the Athletes for Equity Resource Center and is a Board Member of the Youth Showjumping Foundation. She is also a sought-after clinician, including at USEF Pony Finals, and co-author of With Purpose: The Balmoral Standard.
Nicole Husky
Nikki Husky grew up in Pacific Palisades, California. In addition to the equestrian world she is very dedicated to education. Nikki graduated Pepperdine University in 2010 with her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. She is grateful for the teaching skills she honed and applies them to her Husky Stables Program. The Husky Stables motto is Dedication and Horsemanship.
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Nikki enjoys helping riders become well rounded and encourages them to learn from other professionals like veterinarians, farriers and more. She grew up riding in Sullivan Canyon and worked her way up the show ranks to compete nationally and internationally. Her riding accolades include Top 20 ASPCA Maclay Nationals, multiple Medal Final wins, and multiple years placing in the USET Talent Search Finals West.
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She believes her students appreciate that she has competed at all levels and can guide them through their equestrian path. Nikki has helped many students throughout her career and finds it incredibly rewarding to watch her students accomplish their goals whether it be trotting off the lunge line for the first time or competing in national shows. Nikki’s students have earned many medal final wins and top ribbons at indoors. Nikki is also a proud mother to two wonderful daughters.
Jodi Spurgeon
Growing up in Central Oregon, Jodi developed a lifelong love of horses while riding on her grandparents’ cattle ranch. She started out riding western but once she discovered hunter/jumpers, she knew she had found her passion. Her early foundation was shaped as a working student at Henley Farms in Bend, Oregon under Gary Henley, where she learned the value of horsemanship from the ground up. As a teenager, Jodi continued to refine her riding under Nicole Cobb at Mountain View Stables, earning success in the jumper ring and developing the competitive instincts that would guide her career.
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Entering the industry as a young professional, Jodi gained experience working for several respected training programs, including Pine Desert Ranch with Don and Kathy Kerron, and later West Country with Steve and Jenny Nowell. These opportunities allowed her to specialize in developing young horses, cultivating patience, feel and a deep understanding of individualized training.
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In 2011 Jodi moved to Los Angeles and joined the Meadowgrove team. Today Jodi spends most of her time as head trainer at Meadowgrove’s west side facility in Sullivan Canyon. She brings her diverse background, strong foundation in horsemanship and thoughtful approach to her training.
Frederico Bernardino
Fred’s training philosophy is deeply rooted in the Portuguese Classical Dressage, emphasizing clear communication, patience, and sensitivity, knowing the horse is always listening. His approach prioritizes natural balance, forwardness, and connection, helping each horse reach its full potential.
Fred enjoys working with horses of all breeds and skill levels, from young prospects to seasoned athletes, with a special passion for Lusitanos. Fred dedicates his days to developing client horses across Southern California and is nationally a top competitor in Working Equitation, and provides training to horses and dedicated riders right here in Sullivan Canyon.
His personalized training approach ensures both horse and rider receive exceptional guidance, fostering meaningful progress and excellence in every session.
Michael Anderson
Michael Søe Andersen is an international trainer from Denmark specializing in classical dressage and the correct development of sport horses.
With over 25 years of experience, he focuses on building balance, suppleness, and rideability through a systematic training approach based on proven European principles. His work is centered on improving the horse’s way of going, developing strength, and creating a correct foundation for long-term soundness and performance.
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In addition to his dressage expertise, Michael has competed internationally up to 1.50m level and has extensive experience in developing sport horses. Michael has trained riders and horses to higher levels of competition and is known for his precise, structured, and effective training methods.
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Now based in California, he brings a professional and classical approach to dressage training to the SCPA equestrian community.
Alyce Bittar
With over two decades of experience, Alyce Bittar is a Grand Prix rider who has competed and trained internationally, bringing a distinguished record of achievement, equestrian training and equine management expertise. Her global success is grounded in a career shaped by training with over two dozen Olympic riders and other elite performance experts, giving her a deep, nuanced understanding of training from beginners up to the highest level of sport.
