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 Many young riders aspire to reach the top levels of competition, some make it a career choice, and some actually make their dreams come true. CTP Equestrian is the result of years of motivation to do just that.  

 

Passion turned to goals. Goals turned to lifestyle.

USDF Bronze Medal Holder  

USEA Blue Ribbon Award Training Level

Coached Through Modified Level Eventing

Produced Area 2 Jr Training Champion & Top 10 AEC rider
 

Carla's teaching is holistic, focused on horsemanship both in and out of the saddle, and she emphasizes training and riding out of the ring to develop well-rounded horses and riders. She is unfailingly constructive and kind in her feedback, and she provides clear explanations for how and why you should perform exercises or make adjustments. In training sessions, she always has a plan, but she is equally skilled at flexibility adjusting (often on the fly!) to meet your needs and your horse's needs. Whatever effort you put in, Carla will give you ten times back. She is the instructor you have been looking for!!

-Morgan Hamill
Student of CTPE and owner of Lionel WF
 

"Horses have been deep in my soul my entire life. I was incredibly obsessed with all things horses as a child, and it just never went away. My family was not a horse family, however my parents fostered my obsession by arranging lessons and providing all sorts of horse books and toys. My Mom even took over being the DC of my pony club, just so the club would continue on so I could keep participating in it. They let me walk to the barn, stay until dark, then come and drag me home. Without their support, I would have missed so much of what has made me the horsewoman I am today."

 

Carla's Equestrian Journey

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"I grew up in this area and I loved every minute of it. The woman who taught me my first riding lesson, Amy Romaniec, still lives right down the street from my parents. She would let me take my favorite pony home all the time, and my parents let me string some twine as temporary fence in the back yard. That saint of a pony would just hang out there and eat grass. I would gaze at him for hours in my back yard and dream of the day I would have my own farm, and many more ponies on it. 

When I finished college at Penn State, I knew I needed to go somewhere I could immerse myself into sporthorse riding on a professional level, eventing in particular. I didn't have my own horse growing up, so the most exposure I had was tagging along with friend's horses at Pony Club rallies. While they were always educational, I wanted to get into eventing beyond Pony Club. I needed to learn and grow as a rider, and always had goals of being a professional in the industry.  I moved to Maryland with my now husband, JP. In the heart of USEA Area II, resources are abundant. With access to top facilities and trainers, I took advantage of every opportunity available to improve myself. I've ridden with a long list of top trainers in eventing and dressage. I spent most of my time working under Mogie Bearden- Muller of Fox Hill Eventing as everything from student, working student, to barn manager. I still consider her my mentor and will always be a student of hers. I also spent a year under Valerie Vizcarrondo of Blue Clover Eventing, where we were on the go constantly. Her program allowed me to be hands on with several upper-level horses at home and at all the best East Coast horse trials.  

I spent my twenties and early thirties traveling Area 2, running my small training program of Adult Amateurs and producing several nice horses and ponies along the way. Fast forward to 2025, I have a three year old son and magically, traveling every weekend just isn't exciting as it used to be! I shifted my goals to this property over a training and boarding business. We are so excited with the progress and are loving having people come out and use the facility. I am still checking my own riding boxes, teaching haul in lessons, and aim to get showing again in the near future. Right now,  we are just embracing this property and life we've been building for years. Coming back home was always part of the plan. I believe there are plenty of skilled riders here in Centre County who are hungry for more eventing. There are top competitions just a few hours away, but it can feel like another universe if you don't have the resources to get there. My goal is to bridge that gap with our facility in Centre Hall. The property allows horses and riders to practice all three phases. I'm happy to offer lessons on the course or in the ring as well and can provide good insight to competing throughout Area 2. 

-Carla Tussey Peno

 

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