Who We Are

Stacey Halloran is the founder and President of Equidae Insurance, Inc., bringing over 25 years of expertise in both forensic accounting and the equine industry. With a passion for American Saddlebreds, which she has been an exhibitor, admirer, and owner of for the last 35 years, Stacey has recently expanded her interests to the American Hackney breed.

Stacey holds a B.S. in Accounting from Marshall University and a Master of Forensic Accounting from the University of Charleston, where she also served as a former instructor. Her career began as a forensic analyst and COO at Rufus & Rufus Accounting Corporation, where she specialized in civil and criminal litigation support. In 2000, Stacey established Advantage Accounting, Inc., a consulting and accounting firm that served small businesses in the equine and insurance sectors.

Her proudest accomplishment is the formation of Equidae Insurance, where she applies her wealth of experience to advocate for clients through education and personalized support. Believing that industry involvement is vital to growing equine businesses, Stacey is an active board member and guest speaker, donating her time to help educate the equine community. Equidae Insurance has long supported horse shows, reflecting her commitment to the growth and success of the industry.

With over 37 years of experience in corporate management, Tom Halloran brings a wealth of expertise to Equidae Insurance. Before joining the team at Equidae, Tom was the President of Aqua-Clear, Inc., where he led operations in the oil and gas industry for nearly four decades. He often humorously notes that he was “married into the horse business” through his wife and daughter, but over time, his passion for the equine industry has grown exponentially.

Holding a BA from Colorado State University, Tom utilizes his extensive executive and management background to help drive Equidae’s growth and innovation within the equine insurance sector. His focus is on aligning operational efficiency with the company’s mission, optimizing processes, and implementing sustainable practices that ultimately provide exceptional value to clients.

In his free time, Tom enjoys fishing and skiing.

Heather Pyles has worked in the insurance industry for over ten years, specializing in both benefits and property & casualty for carriers such as Westfield, Travelers, and Encova. She has earned two property & casualty designations: Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist (CLCS) and Management Liability Insurance Specialist (MLIS). Working alongside Equidae agents, Heather’s expertise ensures farm clients receive top-tier care and attention.

Heather moved back to West Virginia to be close to family after her husband's active-duty Army service. She was introduced to the world of Saddlebreds when her niece began riding and has enjoyed learning more about the industry over the past ten years. Like all Equidae agents and employees, Heather is an animal lover. She shares her home with a lovable Golden Retriever, a sassy mixed-breed dog who thinks she’s in charge, and a cat who knows he is.

Billy Jarrell brings over 30 years of experience in the equine industry, starting with a childhood passion for riding and advancing to compete at top horse shows nationwide. With 16 years as a professional trainer, he built winning teams and safeguarded clients' most valuable assets.

Today, as an insurance agent, Billy’s focus remains the same -- protecting what matters most to his clients. His commitment to understanding individual needs ensures tailored solutions. He is also a certified Agribusiness and Farm Insurance Specialist, a prestigious designation from the International Risk Management Institute, which reflects his expertise in agribusiness, farm insurance, and risk management.

Billy's diverse background in the equine world—ranging from professional trainer to veterinary technician and thoroughbred farm manager—equips him with a comprehensive understanding of the industry. This depth of experience allows him to serve clients from all corners of the equine community with knowledge and insight.

A dedicated supporter of the horse industry, Billy frequently donates his time to organizations like the United Professional Horse Association and the American Saddlebred Horse Association. He’s a familiar face at horse shows and sales across the country, always eager to engage with clients, trainers, and industry professionals about the latest trends and needs.

Suzy Shiflet has been in the horse industry for more than 30 years and is experienced in hunter/jumper eventing as well as saddleseat disciplines. As a trainer for over 25 years, Suzy has worked with many breeds, including; American Saddlebreds, Morgans, Hackneys, Dutch Harness, Standardbreds, Arabians, National Show Horses, Warmbloods and Thoroughbreds. Suzy also breeds and raises American Saddlebreds for clients and herself.

In addition to horse training, Suzy is officially licensed to judge saddleseat equitation as well as show performances by American Saddlebreds, Roadsters, Hackneys, and Morgans. Suzy was an official Saddleseat Equitation judge at The Morgan Grand National Horse Show in 2016, the equitation medal finals at the American Royal in 2017 as well as judging all divisions at the American Royal in 2020.

Connor was raised on a large, successful Morgan training farm in Central Ohio and fell in love with all things horse-related at a very young age. He spent his childhood attending top Morgan and Saddlebred horse shows and knew early on that he would like to pursue a career in some aspect of the horse industry.

While employed as Farm Manager at Grove Pointe Stables, Connor oversees and manages staff and daily operations, in addition to preparing horses for success in the show ring. Connor’s father and brother enjoy the training and showing side of the horse industry, while he prefers working with people, offering a more personal, one-on-one experience for their clients.

Connor’s outgoing personality, coupled with his lifelong background, knowledge and experience in the horse industry makes him an asset to the horse insurance business and Team Equidae.

Born into the equine industry and a successful competitor and trainer from a young age through adulthood, Katie Garland brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the horse insurance business. She followed in her grandfather’s and father's footsteps as a third-generation horse trainer for over 10 years and has been extremely successful at the national level in multiple disciplines.

By growing up on the family farm and working with several Arabian horse farms, Katie has seen up close the ins and outs of the horse industry and has accrued invaluable experience as well as a sincere love for the equine profession and its animals. Katie’s in-depth perspective and genuine desire to assist her clients’ needs enables her to represent Equidae customers with top-level professionalism and care.

Stephanie Hackney spent a substantial portion of her professional life working as a stenographer. She is a certified Realtime Reporting Instructor and has taught at Huntington Junior College, as well as online to students throughout the United States, and has held board seats for the National Court Reporters Association. Stephanie brings that diligence and respect for privacy learned in the legal field to her support of all Equidae agents’ equine accounts.

Stephanie’s connection to the horse world hits close to home. Her youngest daughter, Alexis, has trained and competed on Saddlebreds from an early age, enjoying both World’s and National championships in the equitation division. You know the old saying, ‘if you can't beat them, join them?’  Stephanie has taken that adage to heart, not only signing up with the Equidae team, but also serving as a board member for the Kanawha Valley Horsemen’s Association.

Holly’s lifelong passion for horses has shaped her successful career in the equine industry. Growing up in a small town in Maine, she developed a deep appreciation for horse care and management, which led her to earn a bachelor's degree in Animal and Veterinary Sciences from the University of Maine. In 2017, she relocated to Kentucky to further her career in the heart of the horse industry.

Her professional experience includes a pivotal internship with the Kentucky Equine Management Internship program, management roles on leading equine reproduction farms, and work as a veterinary technician. With a comprehensive understanding of horse care, breeding, and performance management, Holly now applies her expertise to equine insurance, helping owners protect their valuable investments.

Beyond her role as an insurance agent, Holly remains actively involved in the equine community. She has competed in local hunter/jumper shows and continues to stay engaged in the sport. Additionally, she has been involved in the thoroughbred industry through pinhooking and is currently a thoroughbred broodmare owner alongside friends.

With firsthand experience as both a horse owner and industry professional, Holly understands the risks and challenges equestrians face. She is committed to providing tailored insurance solutions to help clients safeguard their horses, businesses, and livelihoods.

Born and raised in Watertown, Wisconsin, Maddie grew up in the world of 4h and rodeo. From an early age, a passion for horses shaped both her personal and professional journey. Maddie attended William Woods University, and pursued a Bachelor of Science degree followed by a Master’s in Education, while competing in Track and Field, a true passion of hers. This provided a strong foundation for a career dedicated to both learning and leadership in the equine industry.

While in Missouri, Maddie worked for Equine Medical Services gaining valuable experience in reproduction and management. This hands-on role laid the groundwork for an expanding career in the equine industry. In 2018, she moved to Kentucky to work for Dr. John Cummins, where she truly embraced the Saddlebred, Standardbred, and Thoroughbred world. The experience provided invaluable exposure to the nuances of the equine industry in the horse capital of the world.

With a diverse background that bridges equine veterinary practices and breed-specific knowledge, Maddie brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to every project and collaboration. Her commitment to the equine industry is evident in her continuing journey of education, growth, and advocacy for better practices within the field.