Our Team
Our Founders
The Westbrook Family
Westbrook Horse Farm is truly a family place. More than 20 years ago, while building his career as a Philadelphia Eagles running back, Brian Westbrook purchased the original 25-acre farm in Upper Marlboro. Over the years, the property grew to approximately 50 acres and became a place where Brian's love of horses, family, and community could come together.
Brian is also the founder of The Brian Westbrook Foundation, created to give young people opportunities to learn, grow, and build confidence. The farm has become an important part of that vision and a place where the Westbrook family can share their love of horses and the outdoors with others.
Brian and his wife, Abby, along with their children Bria, Brian Jr., and Brielle, are very much a part of life at Westbrook Horse Farm. Brian's dad, Ron, is a daily fixture at the farm and the man behind much of the work that keeps the grounds looking beautiful.
At the heart of the Westbrook family will always be Brian's mom, Zelda. For years, Zelda quietly watched over the business side of the farm and helped build it into what it is today. Her passing in March 2026 left an emptiness that can never be filled, but her presence is still very much a part of Westbrook. She believed deeply in family and was, in so many ways, the reason family became the foundation for everything built here.
For the Westbrooks, this farm has never been just a property or a business. It is part of their family story, built by generations, shaped by the people they love, and now shared with every rider, family, and visitor who comes through the gate.
Our Staff
Meet the dedicated team behind every lesson, every event, and every great ride at Westbrook Horse Farm.
Riding Instructor
Kristen Johnson
Kristen Johnson is an avid equestrian with 30 years of riding experience across multiple disciplines, including hunters, jumpers, equitation, dressage, and barrel racing. Having competed extensively in the hunter/jumpers and trained through the 1.20m jumpers, she brings a well-rounded perspective to rider development. Over the past six years, Kristen has focused on dressage, further deepening her understanding of balance, biomechanics, and effective communication between horse and rider.
Passionate about equestrian education, Kristen is dedicated to helping riders build strong fundamentals, confidence, and sound horsemanship skills in a safe and supportive environment. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes correct position, clear communication, and partnership with the horse, creating a strong foundation for success both in and out of the show ring.
Riding Instructor
Janet Hayes
Janet Hayes is a lifelong equestrian with over 30 years dedicated to horses. Specializing in natural horsemanship and dressage, she has experience owning and riding hunters, jumpers, and dressage horses. Her most recent equestrian accomplishments include training her mare from green broke to competing at 2nd level dressage, and in 2'3" jumper classes. She also competes in nationally rated shows such as HITS Culpeper.
Her passion for equines began in her childhood in Philadelphia — riding the trails of Fairmount Park and the streets around Northwest Philadelphia. She graduated from Saul High School's for Agriculture Sciences, where she studied Large Animal Science and served as FFA Chapter President. At Temple University, Janet earned a BA in Public Speaking while she honed her caretaking skills working as an Equine Veterinary Assistant and barn manager — experiences that cemented her belief in the valuable life lessons horses can teach.
Outside of the barn, Janet is a dynamic medical device sales leader known for driving revenue growth and managing strategic hospital systems. Her career with GE Healthcare brings cutting-edge neonatal ICU technologies to hospitals in DC, Maryland, and Delaware. She is also an active member of the National Sales Network (NSN), a leadership development organization dedicated to the advancement of Black Professionals in pharma and medical device professions.
This unique combination of skills and experience uniquely positions Janet to provide equestrian training, horsemanship skill development, equine science, and leadership development training at Westbrook Farm. Janet lives with her husband Lance, their son Julian, 3 dogs, and backyard chickens in Fort Washington, MD, and is a current MBA student at Johns Hopkins University's Carey School of Business.
Equine Operations Assistant
Nicola Gell
Horses have been a part of Nicola's life for as long as she can remember. Growing up in a family rooted in show jumping and dressage, she began riding at just three years old and has now spent more than 35 years learning, riding, caring for, and working hands-on with horses.
Her early years were grounded in dressage, where she developed a strong foundation in horsemanship, communication, discipline, and understanding the horse beneath the rider. As her journey evolved, she transitioned from the arena to trail riding, where she found a different kind of connection with horses and a deeper appreciation for simply enjoying them in their natural environment.
At 40, horses remain an important part of Nicola's everyday life. Decades of experience have taught her that true horsemanship goes far beyond riding — it is built through patience, trust, consistency, proper care, and respect for each horse as an individual. Her passion has grown from a childhood surrounded by horses into a lifelong commitment to their care, well-being, and the special connection between horse and human.
Questions? Give us a call at (240) 525-7954.
Back to HomeTrainers • Lesson Horses • Part-Time Feeder
Join the Westbrook Horse Farm Team
Westbrook Horse Farm is growing, and we're always interested in connecting with great people and horses who may be a good fit for our farm. We are looking for experienced English and Western riding instructors to teach riders of all ages and levels, safe and reliable lesson horses, and a dependable part-time feeder.
We're a relaxed, welcoming farm where good horsemanship, teamwork and excellent care of our horses come first. If you're interested, send us a message with a little about your experience, availability and what you're looking for. If you have a lesson horse that may be a good fit for our farm, we'd love to hear about them too.