Bios
Michael W. Dickinson,
Owner/Trainer
Tapeta™ Farm
Michael was born in England, where he was Champion Amateur Steeplechase Jockey and a Champion Steeplechase Trainer on three occasions. He began training in the United States in 1987 and Tapeta™ Farm in 1998. In addition to the accomplishments listed in his role of laurels, Michael's U.S. runners have captured over 80 stakes races and eight Grade 1 races.
Tapeta™ Farm
Michael was born in England, where he was Champion Amateur Steeplechase Jockey and a Champion Steeplechase Trainer on three occasions. He began training in the United States in 1987 and Tapeta™ Farm in 1998. In addition to the accomplishments listed in his role of laurels, Michael's U.S. runners have captured over 80 stakes races and eight Grade 1 races.
Joan Wakefield, Vice-President
Tapeta™ Footings, Inc.
Joan has spent a lifetime with horses and comes from a horse family. Like her sister, Joan was a successful show jumping rider in Great Britain, winning at The Royal Show and Hickstead. As an assistant trainer for 15 years and exercise rider, she has been integral to the success of 80 stakes winners.
As our vice president, Joan has been involved with the development of the Tapeta™ synthetic surface since the beginning and now is owner of Tapeta Footings, Inc., along with Michael.
Tapeta™ Footings, Inc.
Joan has spent a lifetime with horses and comes from a horse family. Like her sister, Joan was a successful show jumping rider in Great Britain, winning at The Royal Show and Hickstead. As an assistant trainer for 15 years and exercise rider, she has been integral to the success of 80 stakes winners.
As our vice president, Joan has been involved with the development of the Tapeta™ synthetic surface since the beginning and now is owner of Tapeta Footings, Inc., along with Michael.
Andrea Caraballo, General
Manager
Tapeta™ Footings, Inc.
Andrea comes from a racing family. Her step-father is a trainer, her mother is an exercise rider and her sister is a jockey at Philadelphia Park. Andrea was also an exercise rider for 5 years at numerous racetracks.
She attended Wilmington College on a collegiate soccer scholarship and also completed culinary school at the Art Institute of Philadelphia. Andrea was a Dean's List student with a 3.8 GPA. Her interests and hobbies include horses, soccer and volunteer work, as an active participant in the Christiana River Clean-Up.
In her childhood and teen years, Andrea spent much of her time participating in show jumping and western pleasure riding. In high school, she wrestled on the boys wrestling team. She has also ridden bulls in a rodeo.
At Tapeta™ Footings, Andrea is our general manager. In addition to those duties, she is part of the research and development team and head of the purchasing department.
Tapeta™ Footings, Inc.
Andrea comes from a racing family. Her step-father is a trainer, her mother is an exercise rider and her sister is a jockey at Philadelphia Park. Andrea was also an exercise rider for 5 years at numerous racetracks.
She attended Wilmington College on a collegiate soccer scholarship and also completed culinary school at the Art Institute of Philadelphia. Andrea was a Dean's List student with a 3.8 GPA. Her interests and hobbies include horses, soccer and volunteer work, as an active participant in the Christiana River Clean-Up.
In her childhood and teen years, Andrea spent much of her time participating in show jumping and western pleasure riding. In high school, she wrestled on the boys wrestling team. She has also ridden bulls in a rodeo.
At Tapeta™ Footings, Andrea is our general manager. In addition to those duties, she is part of the research and development team and head of the purchasing department.
Elvin Caraballo, Quality Control
Officer
Tapeta™ Footings, Inc.
A native of Puerto Rico, the bi-lingual Elvin also comes from a racing background. He spent 20 years riding at numerous racetracks across the United States as an exercise rider. His brother, Jose Caraballo, is a jockey based in the mid-Atlantic region.
At Tapeta™ Footings, Elvin is our quality control officer. He is machine oriented and specializes in hydraulics.
Tapeta™ Footings, Inc.
A native of Puerto Rico, the bi-lingual Elvin also comes from a racing background. He spent 20 years riding at numerous racetracks across the United States as an exercise rider. His brother, Jose Caraballo, is a jockey based in the mid-Atlantic region.
At Tapeta™ Footings, Elvin is our quality control officer. He is machine oriented and specializes in hydraulics.
Robert Weber, Farm Manager
Tapeta™ Footings, Inc.
Robert Weber is our Farm Manager and the best synthetic track superintendent in the world. He has been here at Tapeta™ Farm for 9 years. He has kept the horses in training on the Tapeta™ Surface through temperature changes, good weather and bad. He has maintained the track in top performance shape with 12 inches of rain in an hour through Hurricanes, cold temperatures and extreme 110 degree heat.
Robert is available to answer any questions or offer advice on the best way to care and maintain a Tapeta™ Footings surface.
Tapeta™ Footings, Inc.
Robert Weber is our Farm Manager and the best synthetic track superintendent in the world. He has been here at Tapeta™ Farm for 9 years. He has kept the horses in training on the Tapeta™ Surface through temperature changes, good weather and bad. He has maintained the track in top performance shape with 12 inches of rain in an hour through Hurricanes, cold temperatures and extreme 110 degree heat.
Robert is available to answer any questions or offer advice on the best way to care and maintain a Tapeta™ Footings surface.
Image coming soon...