Talented Troopers Create Happy Trails
September 10th, 2026
They say the sum is greater than its parts and these photos from various festivals seem to bear that out. When suited up and assembled, our mounted patrol units make an impressive gathering of public safety officials. As A&O is the only private mounted patrol company in the nation, no other security detail can be captured in photos like these. Although this group of riders makes for a media-worthy photo, it is the individual Troopers and support staff that have made A&O a success over the years.
Individual Excellence and Teamwork
Colonel Michael Jubie, an A&O veteran from Day 1, is one of the many retired police officers working for the company. His law enforcement background, equestrian skills, and security commitment took him from patrol work to training to leading A&O Troopers at all the big festivals throughout the country. Michael was instrumental in getting the first contracts with Woodstock 94 and World Cup Soccer. Fun Fact: Michael is founder and operator of Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Houses in Hudson Valley, New York. Headless Horseman is located on 65 acres of a 250 year old farm. It consistently shows up on the “Top Haunts of America.”
Mike Norris. Mike Norris is a jack-of-all-trades in the A&O family. As Senior Operations Director his duties cover festival operations, mall equipment and Trooper training, and general assistance to Frank. He leads units at festivals (See photo at left of Mike at Coachella 2014.) Mike is a certified police officer.
He also handles the operation of Global K9 Systems, a companion company to A&O. Global K9 Systems provides highly trained detection dogs that sniff out and locate concealed firearms, ammunition, narcotics, and explosives. They also can detect gunpowder, gunpowder residue, cleaning solvents, and oils. They are often utilized at airports, schools, indoor and outdoor sporting events and other venues to maintain public safety.
Cyndi Gibson. As Administrative Sergeant for A&O/West Coast, Cyndi and her horse Monty have an impressive history with A&O. Joining the company in 2009 at the urging of her best friend, Cyndi has risen to command the West Coast. In addition to riding on patrol, her duties include tracking California Troopers for license and performing all administrative functions for California. These include coordinating all needs for onsite concerts, budgets, and communication. In addition, she interviews new applicants and handles the selection and ordering of uniforms and giveaways for the West Coast riders.
Like many Troopers, Cyndi started riding young. At age 5 she learned to ride at a summer camp for “junior dudes” in Santa Rosa, California. She began riding professionally in 1982 in the quarter horse world; then 1986 rode three-day eventing and dressage for 20 years before joining her local posse. In 2009 she joined A&O. Her favorite thing about her work is the family atmosphere of the California team. United by their common love for horses, the group often assembles for various social gatherings. Sometimes that happens at the Gibson ranch in Northern California surrounded by the property’s all weather arena 150 palm trees! (Cyndi and Monty at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in San Francisco in 2018)
Family Ties
Smiths. Longevity reigns in the A&O Trooper family. Kathy Smith, wife of late operations vice president Bruce Smith, and their daughter Michelle Smith Castoe patrolled at all but one Bonnaroo festival from 2002 to 2023. Micelle continues to be a part of the management team at the regional office in Conroe, Texas. She coordinates the Trooper Field Support Staff, oversees maintenance issues at the Rough House (office), and rides shifts at The Woodlands and at nearby Westwood Magnolia Parkway Improvement District.
The Kellers, Founding Family. Family units like the Smiths show up often in the A&O history. Frank started the company with the support and employment of his father and mother, John and Nancy Keller, and his brother John. Perhaps that set the tone. Also, horse lovers usually come from a family of horse lovers, so the talent pool emerges from the family farm or ranch.
The Terrells. Husband and wife team, Suzanne and Eric Terrell, started riding with A&O in 2017 on the seasonal festival side of the business. They now are permanent riders at both Houston area properties, The Woodlands and the Westwood Magnolia Parkway Improvement District (WMPID). Eric also works with the Conroe regional office and is a liaison with the management team at WMPID and several retail security managers. He publishes a monthly blotter for WMPID to keep the client up to date on security issues at the property. He includes statistics for various kinds of incidents, a summary of trends, photos of the Troopers, and other details.
The Frayer Four. Maybe the largest family unit in A&O history, the Frayer family, contributes four expert riders to the A&O force. Dad John was followed into the business by sons Randy, Mike, and Tim. John, who started roping at 19, passed the passion for riding along to his sons. Mike, the middle son, has been riding since his childhood days in Houston and is also a calf roper. Sergeant Randy Frayer is the oldest and began his days as a Trooper in 1995 on his beloved horse Skunk. Tim, the youngest, rides Geronimo and is a noted rodeo champion. He intends to pass along the tradition and outfitted his son chase in a Junior Trooper uniform.
The Higgins Twins. Perhaps the most unusual story of family connected Troopers is that of the 6-year old Higgins twins who grew up to be A&O Troopers. When the girls were young, they frequently came to The Woodlands Mall with their mother and grandmother, mainly to ride the carousel and see the horses. They, like most of the kids, wanted to pet the horses and have a photo taken. Already accomplished riders from age 8, the girls got their own horses in their teens. Kendall got Phoenix who later became her highly trained mounted patrol horse.
For Haley and most other Troopers, horses are a prominent part of their lives. Haley has been on many riding teams including the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Junior Mounted Posse and Lone Star Cowgirls. She is a member of the Tarleton Stock Horse Team with her A&O mount and the Tarleton Equestrian Team. She calls Renegade “Ren”, her A&O mount, her best friend and partner, “not just at my job but in everything I do.” (Left: As children, and just prior to posting the colors at Woodlands July 4th Parade.
Building the Team
In 35 years, the recruiting of Troopers has been fine tuned into a professional search for the best riders in the nation. In the beginning years, much of getting the right people depended on referrals from friends and business associates coupled with a little luck. But quality was never compromised.
George Richards. George exemplifies that. He was one of the original squad of riders who rode at Woodstock 94 and guarded the Dallas mall properties in the 90s. He has been in Trooper units at Bonnaroo, Coachella, and other major festivals. George, now retired, became a beloved colleague to many A&O riders over the years. Fun fact: He is a master vegetable gardener and makes no secret for his love of his mom!
Jennifer Gardner Clifton. Finding all these great equestrians now falls on the shoulders of Jennifer Gardner Clifton. Jennifer spent many years as a rider, pursued other interests, then returned in 2024 first as manager then as recruiter. Jennifer has strong social media, special event planning, and public relations skills. She helps organize the many Kids Club activities and promotes events as well as employment opportunities via her various social media platforms. Jennifer recently arranged for a Kids Club type event for senior citizens who were delighted with a visit from Troopers to their village. She is a member of several horse and trail riding organizations where she is always on the lookout for potential Troopers. (Jennifer, right, and standing on right below)
Dot Moreno. Another consistent performer over the years is Dot Moreno. Dot has celebrated several A&O milestone anniversaries from 2013 to now. In her 23 years as a Trooper at The Woodlands and the Westwood Magnolia Parkway Improvement District (WMPID), she has seen it all. Dot’s professionalism and horse skills have helped her handle all varieties of emergencies from lost children to loss of life.
Celebrating and Giving Back
Troopers are a fun-loving sort and never pass up the opportunity to have some seasonal fun. They always include their horses in the revelry, often with colorful costumes and/or adornments. Peak holidays for merry making are Easter, Independence Day, Halloween and Christmas. During July 4 festivities in 2018 Troopers Chrystal Chandler on Ace, Angela Elkin on Helen, and Barbara Ward on Tucker (left) showed their patriotism.
On Halloween 2018 it was Maggie Collie on Summer, Chelsea Mickleson on Boyfriend, Kaylee Chandler on ET, and Chrystal Chandler on Ace (right) promoting their spirit.
Most of the Troopers join in during the Christmas holidays when hordes of shoppers frequent the malls. Hooves jingle, reins sparkle, and ears become antlers when Santa is coming to town. Easter brings out the egg garlands, cotton tails and bunny ears.
Renee Dykeman. When Renee joined A&O as Administrative Assistant/Bookkeeper in 2009, she never imagined the scope of her duties to include scooping up horse droppings on the grounds of a music festival. That is exactly what came to be at Coachella in 2014. Operations Vice President Bruce Smith decided Renee should learn ALL the aspects of festival management and assigned her the job of clean-up. A&O always tries to maintain tidiness at sites so that fans and shoppers are not inconvenienced. A dedicated Support Staff gets the job, and Renee willingly joined the team to get the full A&O experience. When not scooping horse poop, Renee assisted Frank in all aspects of the business including bookkeeping, payroll, budgeting, presentation packages, Trooper communication and other duties until her retirement in 2023. Still, she acts as a consultant to train new hires and handles other projects as needed.
Sally Smith. Sally Smith was destined to become the Human Resources/Office Manager for the Houston office of Alpha & Omega in 2023. She had prayed to be guided to a job that fit her skills and that she could enjoy. When Renee called her with an offer to interview and she heard the name Alpha & Omega, the irony was not lost that it was a message from above. At that time, she did not even know that Frank’s father had come up with the company name after hearing a sermon on the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.
But she knew that this job was meant to be. Sally believes that if you love what you do, it’s not a job but a calling. She admits that although she rode a horse as a child, she is a bit shy about getting on one today. The team has a plan to put her on one, but she insists that a paramedic must be close by! Still, she has learned a lot about horses and is most amazed by the unique character of each one and how amusing they can be.
Legendary Riders from Woodstock 94 to Bonnaroo
So many riders from Woodstock to Bonnaroo have become legends on the happy trails of festival work. Bob Zimmerman, sheriff of Jackson Hole, Wyoming (center below). Ron Renzo (right below). Jim Weisbeck of Cheyenne, Wyoming. Grady George. Earl Stokes. Many problems were solved, stories shared, and fishing lies sworn to over bales of hay and campfires during the festival weeks. Work came first but camaraderie and horseplay were never far behind. That’s where much of the history of A&O resides and will remain.
