Olson’s Tack Shop is proud to have the area’s most experienced and friendly sales team available to assist our customers. The Olson’s Team is composed of accomplished riders of all disciplines and interests. This talented team of individuals combine to provide Olson’s customers with outstanding customer service experience–fun, friendly, and experienced sales associates with a wealth of knowledge who are devoted to helping you find what you need every time you visit Olson’s Tack Shop!
Our Team
Mike Akers
Olson’s Tack Shop owner, Michael Akers, has been an avid horse-enthusiast since his early childhood. Growing up in Northern Idaho, Mike began riding at a young age. From his early beginnings as a dedicated Pony Club rider to his adult riding career in dressage, Mike has always had a deep devotion to the equestrian sport. Mike joined Olson’s Tack Shop as a sales employee in the mid-1990’s and was quickly promoted to store manager. In 2003, Mike purchased Olson’s Tack Shop from long time owner, Joyce Gilpin. Several years later, in 2006, Mike purchased Bellevue-area tack store Mills Horse and Tack. Olson’s and Mills were merged in 2007, to create the Northwest’s largest English tack store! Outside of Olson’s, Mike enjoys spending time with his partner, Jason, and their three Weimaraners, Polo, Bailey, and Oscar; he also takes time out of his week to ride, enjoying both dressage and jumping.
Jason Weatherholz
Jason Weatherholtz joined the Olson’s Tack Shop team in 2003. His degree in Computer Science helps him manage the computer network at Olson’s as well as many of the accounting responsibilities. In his spare time he enjoys gardening, playing the piano, and spending time with friends. Mike and Jason love to spend time with their three Weimaraners and take them to work each day.
Polo
Polo is a loving Weimaraner that Mike and Jason rescued in 2006. He loves coming to work everyday and greeting customers and their pets. Polo enjoys being a part of Olson’s monthly meetings and tries to join the discussion by hopping on a chair. At home he can either be found asleep in a pile of pillows, or out in the field chasing squirrels.
Bailey
Bailey is a playful Weimaraner who loves life and plays hard! He can typically be found under Jason’s desk while at work, however at home he is never far from the pond or the field chasing anything that runs. Bailey is enjoying teaching the newest member of the family, Oscar, the ways of life. They love to run and play around the property at home.
Oscar
Oscar is a fun-loving Weimaraner who recently joined Mike and Jason’s two other Weimaraners. Oscar loves spending his days at the store and charms everyone with his personality. His sweet character captures everyone’s heart! At home, he loves to run laps around the property and get nice and dirty. Oscar has fit perfectly into the family with Polo and Bailey.
Heather Courtney
Heather Courtney has been working with Olson’s Tack Shop since 2001. Having spent her childhood riding and competing in Hunters and Equitation, Heather brings a well rounded understanding of equestrian sport and horsemanship to her work at Olson’s. In recent years, Heather has added Jumper competitions to her Hunter and Equitation riding. Her passion for the importance of sustaining and promoting area equestrian competitions and organizations has contributed to her love for working at Olson’s. As the Olson’s Store Director, Heather enjoys finding fun and creative ways for Olson’s Tack Shop to work with individual customers, training barns, grass roots organizations, and area competitions to support Equestrian activities throughout the Northwest.
Hannah Lehner
Since starting her riding career at the age of four, Hannah Lehner has been a devoted equestrian. Her career in equestrian retail began more than 11 years ago at Christensen’s Saddlery, where Hannah worked as an Assistant Store Manager. Several years ago she relocated to the Portland, Oregon-area and worked as the Sales Floor Manager at Gallops Saddlery. In June of 2010, Hannah was welcomed onto the Olson’s team as our Store Manager. Hannah has brought with her a diverse equine-background; with riding experience from 4-H and competitive Western Pleasure and Cutting to Dressage, Hannah has a wealth of personal experience from the equestrian arena! Olson’s Tack Shop is proud to include such an experienced and knowledgeable member on our expert sales team.
Caitlyn Cushman
Caitlyn Cushman joined Olson’s in 2006, and has progressed from a talented sales associate to our Assistant Store Manager! She provides exceptional customer service to our valued customers and is an integral part of the Olson’s Team. Caitlyn rode in the Northwest throughout her junior and young rider career. Before joining Olson’s, Caitlyn was one of our customers! For more than 12-years, Caitlyn has been training and competing in dressage. She and her Hanoverian gelding, Caruso, are currently working towards qualifying for the Brentina Cup. Olson’s is proud to have such a talented individual as a member of our team!
Taryn Briones
Olson’s Tack Shop was proud to welcome Taryn Briones to our team during the summer of 2010. Taryn’s experience and knowledge of competitive dressage has made her an enormous asset to our customers. For more than 12 years, Taryn has been participating in competitive dressage in Northwest and National-level competitions. Training under the guidance of Jeremy Steinberg, Taryn has campaigned her Hanoverian-mare, Ghita, through the levels up to Intermediare-1. Over the last few years, Taryn has participated in several National Competitions, including the NAJYRC Championships and USEF National Dressage Championships, where Taryn and Ghita were the National FEI Dressage Reserve Champions!
Diane Lane
Diane Lane has been a part of the Olson’s team for more than five years! Diane came to Olson’s after a lengthy career in retail sales and merchandising for National retailers. As a valued member of Olson’s team, Diane coordinates our sales floor product merchandising as well as providing excellent customer service. She is a classically trained dressage rider and is currently bringing her Dutch-gelding, Wi Degro, through the levels. When she’s not riding her horse, Diane enjoys mountain biking and spending time with her family. Diane’s wealth of experience and passion for horses combine to help her provide outstanding customer service!
Ann Sherman
Ann Sherman has been a valued member of Olson’s team for more than 10 years! As a child, Ann was always in love with horses but started her riding career as a teenager. Ann’s riding background involved extensive Hunter/Jumper training and took her to numerous Northwest-area competitions throughout the years. With her Thoroughbred-gelding, Dugan, Ann competed in both hunters and jumpers. Olson’s is also proud to showcase Ann’s impressive collection of artwork. A noted portraitist, Ann’s artwork has been featured in area art shows as well on the cover of the 2010 Evergreen Classic Show Program!
Heather Manuel
Heather has been an avid horse person since the age of 10. She has been involved in hunter/jumpers, eventing, dressage, and enjoys trail riding her horse, Chase.Heather is also a certified and licensed large and small animal massage practitioner.Heather has been an Olson’s Team member for over 10 years; she enjoys helping customers get outfitted for their first riding lesson, as well as spiffing them out head to toe for the show ring. She loves hearing customer’s stories about their horses and helping them find the correct merchandise that will suit their needs.
Katie Wecker
Katie has been riding since she was six years old, beginning her career in a dressage barn in Germany. After moving to the Northwest when she was twelve, Katie started training as a hunter/jumper rider before returning to dressage. She has studied under multiple trainers and traveled across the country to be a working student in 2010. Katie is now studying to become a therapeutic riding instructor, specifically focusing on working with kids with autism.
Cyd Cooke
After two decades of working in the stock brokerage industry and then becoming a step mom to four kids, Cyd was finally able to fulfill her dream of buying a horse and learning to ride dressage. Although starting late in life, Cyd has embraced the horse world with gusto and even hit the show circuit recently. She is excited to move up the levels with her new dressage prospect. When not riding or working at the store, she also enjoys photography, fine wine, and travel.
Jaime Butler
Jamie Butler is a newer edition to the Olson’s team. She has been riding hunter/jumpers over the years, but took some time off to raise her family. She is thankful to have the opportunity to now be training with her Rhinelander gelding named Eddie, and they are looking forward to eventing this spring. She enjoys helping customers that are just starting in the equestrian field, or assisting the pros who have been around for awhile. When Jamie’s not at the barn, she enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.
