Pennsylvania trainer Lora Knelly Thomas says it’s taken a long time for her to get there but she’s finally at the point where she trusts her instincts.

“As everyone knows there are lots of variables in life and work and many times you can over think things, that’s when your instincts are the most important,” she says.

Knelly grew up in the horse industry. The daughter of Dale and Jane Knelly, she says she got her love of horses from her mom.

“My mom has always ridden,” she explains. “She got my brother and I involved from the time we were little. She actually picked out our first pony before I was born.”

Like many Knelly got her start showing in 4-H and open shows before getting involved in the American Quarter Horse Association. Her brother showed Reining and Thomas started out in Walk-Trot and progressed up through the ranks but it wasn’t always easy.

“As a youth I was competing in a Showmanship class in the mud,” she recalls. “I went up and executed my pattern and returned back through the lineup (back when everyone lined up on the rail). I was so pumped about my pattern! Then while doing the 180-degree turn I fell down but I jumped back up and kept showing. The other horses in line hid my fumble. When they announced I won the class the judge was totally confused to see my whole right side was covered in mud.”

That perseverance has served Knelly well. As a youth, growing up in Berwick, Pennsylvania, she showed under the guidance of Pierre Briere and eventually went to work for the New Jersey trainer. She also worked for Rhonda Replogle in Maryland before moving back to Pennsylvania in 1998.

“After returning to Berwick I went back to school (at Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania) and got a ‘real job’ but all I wanted to do was ride, so I came home one day having decided to either go back to work for someone or start a business of my own.”

Knelly opted to build her own facility on land owned by her parents, just 3 miles from where she grew up and worked for Kim and Renee Myers while the new operation was being completed.

“Thanks to the help of my family we made the place exactly what I wanted,” Knelly says. “Once the shell was built we spent a lot of time building stalls, cutting mats, etc., and filled the stalls as they were being built.”

Today the Lora Knelly Quarter Horses includes a 16-stall main barn with an attached indoor riding arena, spacious pastures with individual run-in sheds and individual turnout areas, an outdoor riding pad, and a hot walker all situated on 55 acres conveniently located off Interstate 80.

“It’s really dedicated to the health and care of all our animals,” Knelly says.

In 2008 she married Bradley Thomas and in 2010 they welcomed a daughter, Kenidee. Knelly is also step-mother to Thomas’ two daughters: Erica, 17; and Brittany, 21.

Knelly’s training operation focuses on the preparation of the all-around competitor. She trains and coaches for Showmanship, Hunter Under Saddle, Equitation, Western Pleasure, Horsemanship and Western Riding. Over the years she has had the opportunity to start, train or coach such decorated show competitors as: Got Alota Notice, Air Ride Equipped; Last Lifeline; She Gets The Blues; A Star In The Sky; Swinging My Assets and Royal Floozie.

She says her favorite part of the job is watching clients achieve things they didn’t think were possible no matter how big or small the achievement.

When she’s not in the barn or at a show, Knelly enjoys snowmobiling with her husband, family and friends.

“I love being the pre-school mom and baking with my daughter,” Knelly says. “Our daughter never stops amazing me. I couldn’t do what I do without the support of my husband and family.”

You can reach Knelly at (570) 204-3694 or visit her on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/Lora-Knelly-Quarter-Horses-160662973954315/timeline.