Local Equestrians Remember Joan Mitchell

Equestrians from across Fairfax County are mourning the loss of co-owner Joan Mitchell.

Mitchell, 70, . Those in the community who have worked closely with her over the last few years remember her caring spirit and the lessons she taught.

Meadowood Stables manager Allison Mills called Mitchell a "pillar" in the equestrian community.

"I do know she's a pillar of a woman who loved the horses that she had and the programs she ran, and she did an exceptional job at it," Mills recalled.

"" co-founder Shelley Castle worked closely with Joan Mitchell for 32 years.

"Joan Mitchell will be greatly missed by the many lives she has touched in the community. She’s played an instrumental role in developing the character and confidence in thousands of young people’s lives in the past three generations," Castle said. "Joan believed every child should have access to horses and be able to learn to ride; she always found a way to make sure a willing student could pursue their equestrian dreams, no matter what walk of life they may have come from.

"To her students, Joan was more than just the stable’s owner, but for many, a mother figure, a wise equestrian mentor, and a strong and successful business woman willing to pass on her knowledge and teach her students the rewards of hard work," Castle noted. "The many equestrians in Northern Virginia and those that moved on to other states will always be grateful for Joan’s kindness and her giving us a love for a sport will always remain in our hearts, a safe place to ride, and the many life lessons that can only be learned on a working horse farm."

Mount Vernon resident Linda MacDonald met Joan when her daughter began taking riding lessons at Woodlawn Stables. When MacDonald's daughter went away to college, she bought her a horse and boarded him at Woodlawn Stables. Shortly afterward, MacDonald got a job working at the stables and worked closely with Joan for three years.

She was always fair and generous to all the children. "She was very good to them," MacDonald recalled. "She was always pleasant. We just enjoyed her company immensely. She would talk about the trips she would take in the spring, to Turkey, to South Africa. She was a joy to know. She was quite a lady. She touched a lot of lives."

Linda Lautenschlager of Mount Vernon worked at Woodlawn Stables for nine years and has many fond memories of working with Joan.

"Everything I learned about a horse, I learned from Joan," Lautenschlager remarked. "She taught me everything."

Lautenschlager learned about taking care of the horses and basic upkeep of the stables. When she was looking for a horse of her own, Joan offered her a school horse, named Nick. Lautenschlager had Nick for 12 years, until he passed away last September at 29 years of age. Joan also helped her get her next horse, Ben.

"If I hadn't known Joan, I wouldn't have had Nick or Ben," she said. "It was a treasured time at Woodlawn."

There will be a casual gathering in memory of Joan Mitchell at Woodlawn Stables tonight (Thursday) at 7 p.m.