The 7 Oaks Team

Owner / Treat Trainer

An entrepreneurial spirit. A love for building meaningful things. A vision for bringing people together.

Robert has spent much of his career in technology and entrepreneurship, where problem-solving, creativity, and turning big ideas into reality have always been part of the journey. But building 7 Oaks Stables alongside his wife, Tessa, gave him the opportunity to create something a little different: a place rooted in family, community, and a shared love of horses.

While Tessa's passion for barrel racing and horse training sparked the vision for 7 Oaks, Robert saw an opportunity to bring that dream to life. Together, they set out to create something special in the heart of metro Atlanta—a peaceful escape where horses could thrive and people could experience the unique connection that comes from being around them.

For Robert, the project was about more than building a beautiful facility. It was about creating a welcoming place where families could make memories, riders could discover new passions, and a community could grow.

Today, he takes pride in seeing that vision come to life and watching 7 Oaks evolve into a place where people come together, friendships form, and experiences extend far beyond the saddle.

For Robert, the greatest reward is knowing that something they dreamed up together has become a place where others can create memories of their own.

Owner- Lead Barrel Trainer

A lifelong love of horses. A passion for chasing big goals. A dream of bringing people and horses together.

Tessa's story with horses began growing up on a ranch in western Nebraska, where horses were more than a hobby—they were a way of life. After stepping away from horses for nearly 20 years, she found her way back to the saddle, rediscovering a passion that would quickly become a driving force in her life.

With a natural determination and a deep appreciation for the horse, Tessa immersed herself in the world of barrel racing. In just a few short years, she went from returning rider to training young horses, competing in rodeos, and developing futurity prospects. Her experience working with young horses has shaped her belief that success comes from patience, feel, and understanding each horse as an individual.

That same passion inspired the creation of 7 Oaks Stables. Alongside her husband, Robert, Tessa envisioned a place where people could experience the joy of horses, develop their skills, and build meaningful connections in a welcoming environment.

Today, her focus extends beyond competition and training. Through lessons, leasing, and community experiences, she hopes to make the horse world more accessible to others, whether they're discovering horses for the first time or finding their way back to something they once loved.

For Tessa, 7 Oaks is about more than riding. It's about confidence, connection, personal growth, and creating a place where people can discover just how much horses can bring to their lives.

Lesson Instructor / Assistant Trainer

Leilani has been riding for over 10 years and loves helping others discover the same joy she found in horses. With a background in both English and Western riding, she brings a well-rounded perspective to her lessons and a genuine enthusiasm for helping riders grow.

Through her experience working at summer camps and with riders of all ages and skill levels, Leilani discovered how much she loves teaching. Her favorite moments are the ones when something finally clicks, and she gets to see a rider's confidence shine.

Leilani believes learning to ride should be both rewarding and fun. She combines strong fundamentals with patience, encouragement, and a supportive approach that helps every student feel successful.

Her goal is simple: to have every rider leave the barn smiling, feeling more confident, and excited to come back for their next ride.

Lesson Instructor

With 31 years of riding experience and 20 years of professional training, Madison brings a lifetime of horse knowledge and a passion for helping others develop their skills. Growing up in the AQHA competition world, she spent years showing high-level American Quarter Horses and developed a strong foundation in English on the flat and all-around events.

Today, Madison loves sharing that experience with riders at every stage of their journey. Whether someone is stepping into the saddle for the first time or looking to refine their technique, she meets each student where they are and helps them build confidence, develop strong fundamentals, and deepen their connection with their horse.

Her teaching style combines patience, precision, and encouragement, creating an environment where riders feel supported while continuing to challenge themselves.

Madison is excited to be part of the 7 Oaks community and looks forward to helping students grow, discover their potential, and enjoy every step of the journey.

Lesson Instructor

Maya is a lifelong equestrian with a background in hunter/jumpers and dressage and a passion for helping riders discover what they're capable of. She believes riding is about so much more than what happens in the saddle. It's an opportunity to develop confidence, leadership, communication, and trust—skills that carry far beyond the barn.

Her experience also includes starting and training young horses using a horsemanship-based approach that considers each horse's individual personality, needs, and well-being. Maya believes that a happy, healthy horse is at the heart of a successful partnership and brings that philosophy into her teaching.

As an instructor, Maya enjoys challenging students to grow while creating a supportive environment where they can feel confident taking the next step. She is also excited to continue expanding her knowledge of Western riding and learning alongside the 7 Oaks community.

Maya looks forward to helping riders strengthen their skills, build meaningful connections with their horses, and discover just how much they can accomplish.

Events Manager

Jenn brings a love of people, animals, and creating memorable experiences to her role as Event Manager at 7 Oaks Stables. With more than 20 years of experience in hospitality, she has built her career around bringing people together through thoughtful details, creativity, and exceptional service.

Her journey began in the kitchen, working as a chef in top-tier restaurants, luxury catering, and private events. She later expanded into the business side of hospitality, including her work with Valrhona, a globally recognized luxury chocolate brand, where she developed her expertise in partnerships, event curation, and creating elevated experiences.

Outside of hospitality, Jenn has a deep love for animals and has dedicated years to animal welfare through fostering, volunteering, and advocacy. Her involvement with Angels Among Us Pet Rescue, Save the Horses, and Best Friends Animal Sanctuary has helped dozens of dogs and cats find loving homes.

At 7 Oaks, Jenn gets to bring together the things she loves most: meaningful connections, beautiful experiences, and a setting that invites people to slow down and enjoy something special. She looks forward to creating gatherings and events that leave guests with lasting memories.