Allison Kroff
Head Trainer
Allison’s equestrian journey began at age 7 in Mesa, Arizona, where she quickly progressed from the hunter ring to the jumper ring. At 15, she competed in her first Grand Prix in Scottsdale on an imported mount, igniting her passion to excel at the highest levels of the sport.
By 16, Allison was a regular at the Zone 8 North American Young Riders Championships, competing across the US and Canada for six years and earning a team silver medal in 2005. After high school, she trained in Germany, refining her skills with top horses. Back in the US, Allison achieved six Grand Prix wins with Omar Shariff, including the $60,000 Grand Prix of Denver.
In 2007, Allison and Nomograaf earned the alternate spot for the US at the World Cup Finals in Las Vegas, NV, where she competed in the Grand Prix. That fall, they won the $50,000 World Cup Qualifier in Las Vegas. With over 50 Grand Prix victories on various horses, Allison’s record speaks for itself.
In 2010, Allison deepened her expertise as an Assistant Trainer at Windfall Farm in Green Valley, CA, learning the art of running an elite show barn under Gry McFarlane. In 2013, she returned to Arizona and, with her husband, James Girolamo, founded Kroff Stables at Sandspur Ranch in Scottsdale. Together, they’ve built an elite program, competing at the West Coast’s premier shows and helping riders of all levels—from pony ring to Grand Prix—achieve their dreams.
Visit Kroff Stables off the 101 & Cactus to train with Allison and experience our vibrant, goal-driven community!
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Michelle Slim
Assistant trainer
Michelle Slim – Assistant Trainer
We are thrilled to introduce Michelle Slim as our Assistant Trainer. Michelle brings a lifetime of experience in the equestrian world, having grown up as a trainer’s daughter and immersing herself in all aspects of horsemanship from an early age. She spent her junior years successfully competing in the equitation, hunter, and jumper divisions, developing a well-rounded foundation in the sport.
As a young professional, Michelle worked closely with an investor, developing and preparing young horses for the American market. Her passion for teaching and training led her to establish her own business in Flagstaff, where she guided riders from their first lessons all the way to national-level jumper and equitation championships.
Most recently, Michelle has been based in Ocala, Florida, where she served as a personal horse trainer and stable manager. She also continued to gain valuable competitive experience, successfully campaigning her own horse in the 1.30–1.40m jumper divisions. Michelle’s depth of knowledge, dedication to horse and rider development, and calm, confident approach make her a fantastic addition to our team.
Thomas Schillebeeckx
Assistant Trainer
We are excited to welcome Thomas Schillebeeckx to our team as Assistant Trainer. With a deep-rooted passion for equestrian sports, Thomas began his journey in the horse industry at just 14 years old. Since then, he has built a well-rounded foundation in the sport, competing in a range of divisions—from Rated Pony competitions and Big Eq Finals to both the Hunter and Jumper rings.
Thomas has had the opportunity to work for and train alongside top professionals on both the East and West Coasts, allowing him to refine his skills and absorb invaluable knowledge from some of the best in the field. This hands-on experience has shaped his philosophy as both a rider and a coach: a commitment to excellence, consistency, and continual growth.
Whether in the ring or behind the scenes in the barn, Thomas brings a high level of dedication and professionalism to every aspect of his work. He is passionate about helping clients and their horses achieve their full potential, while continuing to pursue his goals of competing at Derby Finals and WCHR Finals. Thomas is dedicated to elevating his riding and coaching career which makes him a great addition to our team.
