Savoye Named New Trainer at Merryland Farm

Mike and Josh Pons, owners of Merryland Farm in Hydes, Md., announce the hiring of 28-year-old horsewoman Jackie Savoye to take over as farm trainer for Matt McCarron, who has returned to the steeplechase world as an assistant for Doug Fout's Middleburg, Va.-based operation.

"Matt did a terrific job for us," said Mike Pons. "He was a great steeplechase jockey, and his heart's in the jumping game. We understand that. We're happy to have a smooth transition from Matt to Jackie."

Savoye, former assistant to veteran Maryland trainer Mary Eppler, as well as to Dale and Gary Capuano, brings her skills with young horses to Merryland's storied history as a training center. Back-to-back 2-year-old champions Process Shot (1968, juvenile filly) and Silent Screen (1969, juvenile male) were broken and trained at Merryland for David A. Werblin's Elberon Stable.  

"Jackie breaks yearlings, gallops racehorses, and communicates well with owners through social media," said Pons. "That's an excellent skill-set to benefit our clients."

The resurgent Maryland horse industry has revitalized horse farming in Maryland. Merryland was founded in 1939, and the training center complements the Pons' breeding farm nearby, Country Life, established in 1933.  

"We'll be busy in 2017 with the addition of new stallion Mosler to Country Life," said Christy Holden, general manager of both Country Life and Merryland, "and I'm excited to have such a good horsewoman as Jackie in charge of the young horses at Merryland."