Nayel Nassar
PROFESSIONAL EQUESTRIAN
Born in Chicago, Illinois in 1991, Nayel competes internationally for Egypt. Raised in Kuwait by Egyptian parents, Nayel has represented his country at the FEI World Cup Finals in 2013, 2014 and 2017 and the FEI World Equestrian Games in 2014, picking up several Grand Prix victories along the way.
In addition to numerous 5* Grand Prix wins at some of the most prestigious events in the world, Nayel and Igor van de Wittemoere competed at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games after helping to qualify Team Egypt for the first time in 60 years.
Nayel currently competes on the international circuit with the goal of competing individually for Egypt in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. To learn more about Nayel, visit NayelNassar.com.
Harrie Smolders
EQUESTRIAN TRAINER
Formerly the top-ranked show jumper in the world, Dutch rider Harrie Smolders has consistently been one of the top 25 athletes in the world for over 10 years.
Harrie competed in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, and made history by becoming the first rider to earn the Champion of Champions title on the Longines Global Champions Tour in 2017, followed by silver in 2018. He has competed in numerous World Championships, most recently winning Silver at the European Championships in Gothenburg.
Harrie has also represented his country, and anchored the win on numerous occasions as part of the Nations Cup team events. In 2017 and 2018, Harrie was awarded Dutch rider of the year, as well as National Sportsman of the Year in The Netherlands, and in 2023, Harrie won the LGCT Individual Championship.
Jenn Gates Nassar
FOUNDER
Jenn has a true passion for horses. She has been riding since the age of 6, when she and her best friend decided to take lessons together. A few years later, she was introduced to the hunter/jumper world and decided to pursue a more serious path. Jenn quickly progressed in the jumper ring, helping to secure the team silver medal at the 2016 North American Junior/Young Rider Championships and winning the 2017 USEF U25 Series Championship. Jenn went on to represent the United States on Nations Cup teams in 2017 and 2018, and is currently competing in Grand Prix events at the top equestrian sporting events in the world.
In 2019, Jenn earned multiple top 10 placings at prestigious 5* events such as Spruce Meadows and the Longines Global Champions Tour. Looking forward, she hopes to have the opportunity to once again represent Team USA at Nations' Cup events, and qualify for World Cup Finals. Beyond competing on the global circuit, Jenn and the Evergate Stables team plan to develop quality young horses in the future.
Jenn graduated from Stanford University in June 2018, and is currently attending medical school at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai, with a focus on pediatric care. While she plans to pursue a career in medicine, horses will always be a part of her life.
Chris Howard
EQUESTRIAN OPERATIONS MANAGER
Chris Howard, Evergate Stables Equestrian Operations Manager, joined the Evergate Stables team in 2012 and has been a key contributor to the success of the team ever since.
Originally from Toronto, Canada, Chris has 20+
years of equestrian experience with show jumpers and race horses.
In his spare time, Chris enjoys running as well as playing golf and poker.
Lucas Luz
ASST EQUINE OPS. MANAGER & RIDER
Originally from the southern region of Brazil, Lucas had a successful Young Rider career and completed his studies in Business and Economics before pursuing equestrian sports as a professional. At the age of 22, he relocated to Belgium to train with some of the top professional equestrians in the world before joining the Evergate Stables team in 2018.
Lucas is passionate about all facets of equestrianism, from training and competition to breeding and scouting. When he is not immersed in the world of equestrian sport, Lucas enjoys travel and maintaining a healthy lifestyle through exercise.
Philip McGuane
RIDER
Philip joined Evergate Stables in 2022 as an experienced rider and trainer. Originally from Ireland, Philip spent many years producing and competing young horses before moving to the US in 2019 as a professional. Philip continues to be an avid student of the sport, watching and studying show jumping horses around the world.
Philip also enjoys F1 racing, traveling, and spending time with friends.
Max Manzardo
EXERCISE RIDER
Max joined Evergate Stables in 2024. Originally from a small town in the Italian Alps, he spent many years producing and competing young horses in Europe before moving to the US in 2019. Max has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to sourcing and developing young horses with a strong foundation in dressage. In his free time he enjoys exploring new places and cultures, spending time with family or reading a good book. Max is fluent in English, Italian, German and French.
Jimmy Arteaga
ASSISTANT BARN MANAGER
Luis Macias
ASSISTANT BARN MANAGER
Jose Felipe
ASSISTANT BARN MANAGER
Jesus “Chuy” Escalera
GROOM
Santiago Peralta-Cruz
GROOM
Eric Marquez
GROOM
Abelardo “Javi” Flores
GROOM
Tamiles Pezzim
GROOM
Hugo Santana
GROOM
Jose “Oso” Serna
GROOM