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Trainer Bios


Paulette Bodnar  has been involved in horses her entire life as a third-generation horse lover. As a youth, she competed successfully in showing and jumping with her Morgan horses. Her family started Merriehill Farm, Inc. in 1960, and they moved to Marengo in 1971, where she has lived ever since.



Some of her favorite horses were: Sue C, Curtain Call (Merriehill Hooligan’s dam), and Merriehill Radiance (Merriehill Isabeau’s dam). With the growth of the farm, Paulette now prefers to manage the business and breeding operation, as well as keep the rest of the family in line. Her hobbies include antiquing, reading, and spending time with the 6 dogs in the house.

UVM Alliance, Jessica Cavanaugh, and Sarah Shapiro-
Prairie State Classic, June 2007. Reserve Champion,
Academy Equitation 14-17

“Jessie Cavanaugh was born to teach.
Ever patient and always upbeat, any
rider would be lucky to have her as
an instructor.”    
                       --Sarah’s mom  


Stan Bodnar has been working with horses his entire life as well. Growing up in his native Canada, he showed Quarter Horses until his late teens, when he moved to the United States and met Paulette.

Stan has been training Morgans for the last 30 years, with some of his favorites being Merriehill Chicagoan, Merriehill Isabeau, Merriehill Home Town Hero, Merriehill Hooligan, Futurity’s Miss Munitions and Futurity Chicago WhiteSox, her son Merriehill Home Stretch and the 2009 World Pleasure Driving Champion Fox Hollow Talk About Me.

His hobbies include antiquing and landscaping, but he is most happy when he’s in the barn with a promising young horse.
Whitney Bodnar grew up in the horse business and has always wanted to train horses. He’s been showing for most of his life, with some of his most memorable horses being Medomak King Cobra, Montbelle Skywalker, Merriehill Tiz Me, Cingate Revelations and Merriehill Black Betty

Current favorites include Cingate Starry Night and Unapologetic . Whit’s hobbies include fishing, hunting and ATV riding when he is not in the barn.

Jessica Cavanaugh Bodnar is a third-generation horse trainer, who grew up working with her mother, Susan Martin, then for Sandy Sessink at Old Orchard farm. Jessie has taken top prizes at both the Morgan Grand National and the Saddlebred World Championships at the Kentucky State Fair.

Some of her favorite horses have been Cyderbay Sassafras, Plum Haven Gunrunner,Eponas Perrier Jouet and Merriehill Major League. Current favorites include Wish List, LLL Tzar Alexander and Merriehill Roxie Hart. Jessie also heads up the rapidly growing lesson program at Merriehill and enjoys bringing new teams along. Her hobbies include reading, shopping, and working out.








Mark Bodnar has been in the horse business his whole life. Mark grew up showing notable horses such as Merriehill Hooligan, Brentwood Command, Montebelle Skywalker and Medomak King Cobra. He assists in all facets of the business, focusing on the Sales and Marketing of the many fine horses at Merriehill and assisting in the continued development of the lesson and academy programs. Mark won the 2010 ASR Futurity Of Kentucky with I'm First Born in 2010. Mark is also a large R Morgan judge.