Coaches
Kelcie Mills
Founder & Head Coach
The third generation to manage Erin Valley Riding Stables & Doug Mills youngest daughter, my passion for teaching started at a young age. I spent my childhood years very involved in rodeo and became an ambassador for the sport itself. I witnessed huge changes throughout my rodeo years growing up, not only in myself, but the people around me. Learning to put your faith in an animal, work together to train and practice and become responsible for the health of an another can be life changing. Horses have never been just an animal to me but a best friend and a partner. Rodeo taught me to work hard, stay positive, have faith in the unknown, support my peers, how to win and most importantly how to loose.
With the sport being such a powerful part of my life... why not share it with others! I began focusing my lessons on Rodeo & hauling students to local rodeos on my horses in 2012. I quickly realized that this was my true passion and purpose. As my program grew larger I could no longer accommodate all my students hauling to off site races. I knew that it was impossible to create a rodeo competitor with only once a week riding for one hour. So created the Erin Valley Rodeo Academy in 2023! This was designed to teach students the most important factors of becoming a rodeo competitor using the Training Thru Trust Method and my seasoned rodeo horses. On year two we are up to 45 students from age 5-60!
As this is truly my passion, I would never want something like money to stop someone from following their dream and joining my academy. So I started accepting Sponsored Riders! We accepted 10 passionate students of all ages into our program this year 100% for free and our hope is to continue to grow each year with the help from outside sponsors.
I am so blessed to be surrounded by an incredible team of people who are just as passionate about this as I am.
SYDNEY DELEY
Head Coach
Sydney Deley is a valued coach at Erin Valley Riding Stables and Erin Valley Rodeo Academy and has been an integral part of the program for over 10 years.
Sydney has developed her horsemanship and rodeo skills entirely within the Erin Valley system, training all of her own horses using the Training Thru Trust Method. This long-term, hands-on experience has given her a deep understanding of correct horse development, communication, and consistency—making her highly effective at teaching these same fundamentals to students.
Throughout her time at Erin Valley, Sydney has worked with a wide variety of horses and riders, gaining extensive experience in horsemanship training, barrel racing, pole bending, and overall horse care. She understands the importance of building confident, willing horses and capable, knowledgeable riders from the ground up.
As a coach, Sydney is known for her calm, encouraging teaching style and her ability to meet riders where they are at. She places a strong emphasis on safety, clear communication, and helping students develop confidence and responsibility both in and out of the saddle. Her instruction follows the same principles, expectations, and standards that define the Erin Valley program.
Sydney is especially passionate about working with younger riders and beginners, helping them build strong foundations in horsemanship, respect for the horse, and pride in their progress. Her depth of experience within the Training Thru Trust method makes her a trusted mentor for students learning correct, long-term horsemanship skills.
Sydney is proud to be part of the Erin Valley team and remains committed to upholding the values of quality instruction, teamwork, and positive sportsmanship that Erin Valley Riding Stables and Erin Valley Rodeo Academy are known for.
Kaylee Walden
Supporting Coach
Kaylee’s passion is teaching people and horses how to gain confidence and achieve their goals using the Training Thru Trust Method. She started competing in Little Britches Rodeo at the age of four years old from where she continued on to High School Rodeo. At the age of nine she trained her first colt, Henry.
Using her love for horse training Kaylee is no stranger to the Trainers Challenge scene. She was 2012 Siblings Rivalry Trainers Challenge Champion, as well as European Junior Trainer Challenge Champion. Some of Kaylee's most valued achievements were in her High School Rodeo years as Breakaway Roping Champion, as well as qualifying to National High School Rodeo Finals several times in Barrel Racing, Pole Bending, Breakaway Roping and Goat Tying.
Kyle Mills
Supporting Coach
With over 20 years of experience in training, teaching, and competing, Kyle has developed a deep understanding of horses and the clear communication required to create successful partnerships. As the eldest of the Mills family, he grew up surrounded by horses and quickly became immersed in the world of rodeo and ranch work.
Kyle’s training philosophy is rooted in his father, Doug Mills’ renowned "Training Thru Trust" method. Through this method, Kyle has successfully trained horses across all breeds and disciplines, guiding riders to achieve remarkable results without resorting to force or intimidation.
Throughout his career, Kyle has earned multiple titles across the country in both ends of Team Roping, proving his versatility and skill in the arena. He has also participated in numerous trainer challenges, where his innovative approach to problem-solving and his ability to read and respond to the needs of each horse have set him apart as a true master of his craft.
Whether working with young horses or seasoned competitors, Kyle’s approach remains consistent: building trust, establishing clear boundaries, and fostering a strong connection between horse and rider. This philosophy has made him not only a successful trainer but also a sought-after clinician, known for his ability to break down complex horsemanship concepts into easy-to-understand steps.
In addition to his competitive success, Kyle has spent countless hours teaching riders of all skill levels, from beginners to professionals. His patience, clear communication, and passion for the craft have made him a respected mentor and educator.
This year, we are incredibly excited to have Kyle join us at the Rodeo Academy. With his extensive experience and his dedication to "Training Thru Trust," Kyle is sure to inspire, challenge, and help all participants deepen their understanding of horsemanship, building stronger, more trusting relationships with their horses.
