Melissa started her career with horses at a very young age growing up on a show & working cow horse ranch in Prosser, Washington.  As a child she competed horses in the show ring riding Western, English Pleasure and Equitation. In addition, she had experience in hunter jumper competitions. Melissa learned horsemanship and technique in the cutting and reining world. She spent a year with a renowned reining and cutting horse trainer in Eastern Washington where she furthered her skills in that discipline.

She recounts starting her first horse under saddle when she was 10 years old and soon thereafter took on outside clients as a way to earn money while she was growing up. In 2007 she helped a family friend start the training process for race horse babies and was asked to go to Emerald Downs to continue to help with the race horses. Working at Emerald Downs, Melissa was a groom and exercise rider where she was able to expand her knowledge base in the race horse industry learning from trainers, veterinarians and farriers alike. Melissa’s career at Pegasus began in 2010 and has is our head trainer at the facility and at Emerald Downs during the racing season.

Brooke was born and raised in the Northwest. She began riding at the age of 12, and met the love of her life, a Paint horse named Disney, at the age of 14. They grew up showing English and Western Pleasure, and have been together ever since. She is a graduate of the University of Washington, where she earned her B.A. in Communication and Culture. She worked as a Bartender and Server for nearly 11.5 years. She has a tremendous love for travel and a passion for music. She joined the Pegasus family in February of 2017 as a Videographer, and became the Office Manager in July. Although new to the world of horse racing, she is enthusiastic and driven to fulfill her new role at such a world class facility! 

Brennan grew up in Columbia, South Carolina, and began riding and showing hunters at the age of five. She started her competitive career in the pony divisions before advancing to the small juniors, where she achieved success at many of the East Coast’s premier shows under the guidance of Danny Robertshaw. She later transitioned to the jumper ring, training with renowned horseman Aaron Vale.

Driven by a lifelong passion for Thoroughbreds and racing, Brennan earned her degree in Communications from Washington State University and went on to begin her racetrack career at Emerald Downs, galloping for Aubrey Villyard. Together with Aubrey’s wife, Sue, and Tweedy’s husband, Ben, she helped campaign eventual California Champion Two-Year-Old Colt Pirate’s Deputy. Brennan also galloped for notable trainers including Mike Chambers, Hall of Fame inductees Frank Lucarelli and Jim Penney, and later continued her work here at Pegasus.

Outside the barn, Brennan enjoys time with her husband Ben, their son Jack, and their dogs. She remains active in the jumper ring aboard her OTTB, Jebrica, with whom she shares a special six-year partnership from his racing career.

Kyle was born and raised in the Seattle area and has been working at Pegasus since 2006.  He brings with him extensive knowledge of landscaping and building maintenance.  He has worked in the industry since 1994.  His knowledge and expertise allows him and his staff to keep our facility looking beautiful and running smoothly and safely.

Kyle resides with his family at Pegasus’ Woods Creek facility in Monroe, Washington.

Dr. Bryant is a 1995 graduate of the University of California- Davis. After graduation he completed a one year internship in large animal medicine and surgery at Texas A&M University followed by a residency in large animal surgery at the University of Florida. Dr. Bryant became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2000. Following his residency he was on clinical faculty at both the University of Florida and Kansas State University as well as working in a private practice in Ocala Florida. In 2003 Dr. Bryant returned home to the Northwest and has been on staff at Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital for the last 12+ years as a staff surgeon, lameness clinician and a partner.  Dr. Bryant has served as the USEF assistant and team veterinarian for the sport of endurance and participated with the team at 2 World Equestrian Games. Dr. Bryant has focused the last 10 years of his career on sports medicine, lameness evaluations and orthopedic surgery.

In 2006 Dr. Bryant began working with Pegasus Training and Equine Rehabilitation Center as an on-site veterinarian. Involved in the daily veterinary care of both training and horses in the rehabilitation program allows for the continued advancement of the care of sport horses in active training and rehabilitation environment.

Byron Rodriguez Cruz is from Barbarena, Santa Rosa, Guatemala. 

He began galloping race horses in 2006, and loves the sport of horse racing. He also loves being a part of the Pegasus family,and to be able to work with such beautiful and talented horses!

He lives with his wife Brenda and their three beautiful children Luis, Joanne, and Genesis. After the horses, his sport and entertainment of choice is Soccer.