Paula Fackelman Pierce

Director, Equestrian Center

Email: ppierce@mtholyoke.edu

Paula Fackelman Pierce has been the director of the MHC Equestrian Center since 2004. She is an MHC alumna, class of 1994, and was assistant coach of the equitation team from 1996 to 1998 while completing her M.B.A. at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Paula manages all aspects of Equestrian Center operations, working with staff, students, and other parts of the Mount Holyoke community to provide a challenging learning environment that fosters a true interest in what is best for each individual horse in their training.

Paula started her riding career riding hunters and equitation and finished her junior years competing in the Medal, Maclay, and USET classes. Her equitation horse at the time had a background in dressage so Paula began to focus on this discipline as a working student for Michael Poulin. She continued her training with Meri Straz and eventually competed this same horse at Prix St. Georges. Paula subsequently began working with Roel Theunissen at Wadsworth Farm in Danvers, Massachusetts, when her business background led her to a career in insurance management in Boston.

In 2002, Paula and her husband Kenny purchased a farm in western Massachusetts, and she has been running Constellation Farm, a boarding and training facility, since then. She currently schools and competes several horses at 4th level and Prix St. Georges.