Our Team

Josh graduated from the University of Virginia in 1976 with a B. A. in English. He worked as a full-time reporter for The Blood-Horse from 1976 through 1979, then continued on a part-time basis for the next three years as he attended the University of Kentucky School of Law. Prior to graduation in 1982, Josh earned the first of his two Eclipse Awards for journalism. He returned from Kentucky in 1982 to take the reins of Country Life in partnership with his younger brother Mike.

Co-Owner with his brother Josh Pons of both Country Life and Merryland, Mike is a 3rd-generation Maryland horseman. He is a 1979 Graduate of the University of Virginia, and in 1984, he received his Master’s in Business Administration from Loyola College in Baltimore. Mike is a Past-President of the Maryland Horse Breeders Association and the Maryland Million, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Breeders’ Cup and the Maryland Million.

Christy started working at Country Life in 1985 as a teenager. Growing up she also showed hunters and jumpers, retrained and sold horses and taught riding lessons. She earned a full tuition scholarship to Villa Julie College and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. Returning to Country Life full time in 2004 as Office Administrator, she handled Stallion Contracts and Partnership Administration before becoming Broodmare Manager in 2010. After handling just about every possible office and farm duty, she was named General Manager of Country Life and Merryland in 2015. A former vice-president of the Maryland Horse Breeders Association, she was re-elected to the board in June of 2025.

A Certified Public Accountant, Greg joined our management team in 2016. He is responsible for all accounting, finance and tax activities for Merryland and Country Life Farms, as well as for our Limited Liability horse partnerships. Greg’s experience includes 10 years as Chief Financial and Accounting Officer for Applied Visual Sciences, Inc., a public software development company based in Virginia. He has also held positions as Chief Financial Officer and Comptroller for private and publicly held companies in Baltimore and Washington, D. C. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from the University of Baltimore, and an Executive MBA from the Sellinger School of Business of Loyola University in Maryland.

Jerry was born in Zamora, Mexico and moved to the U.S. when he was a teenager. He came to us in 2002 and his quiet demeanor around the horses led him to working with the stallions shortly thereafter. Jerry earned his U.S. Citizenship in 2008 and has 7 family members currently working at Country Life as well (his brother, 2 brothers-in-law and 4 nephews). He’s been our Stallion Manager since 2005, and is our go-to guy for everything on the farm.

Sallyellen has been involved with horses since the age of 10, showing ponies on the “A” Circuit and earning a “Horseman’s Degree” working at legendary trainer Mikey Smithwick’s farm. She has been a Showperson and Shedrow Foreman for prominent bloodstock agent Marshall Silverman at major horse sales since 1998. Sallyellen also boards and foals mares at her own “boutique” farm a short drive from Merryland and Country Life. Prior to joining our staff as Office Manager in 2017, she worked in a small-animal veterinary hospital as bookkeeper and surgical assistant.

Sonja, who received her Trainer’s License in 2010, was born in Serbia and started going to the race track there when she was 10-years-old. After coming to the United States in 2005, she graduated from Towson University with a Bachelor’s’ Degree in Biology. She worked at Laurel for 11 years as Assistant Trainer for Ann Merryman and Catherine Robinson, as well as exercising young racehorses at Merryland Farm. She is also a Certified Equine Massage Therapist, with a client list including trainers Mike Trombetta, Hamilton Smith, and Ann Merryman. Sonja is married to Merryland’s longtime head of breaking, rider Milan Milosevic.

Ellen is a Professional photographer who captures incredible moments on the farms. She graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts with a Bachelors Degree in Communication Arts and Design and a Minor in Illustration. Married to Josh Pons, she collaborates with him on his writings in the Blood Horse magazine and has provided all the pictures and illustrations for his 3 books. She expertly captures the characters of both animals and humans in her photographs, creating memorable records for our clients and enlightening the public about life on a farm.

Lisa is a retired Special Educator who taught in the Harford County School System for 31 years.  She has a Bachelor of Science in Education Degree from James Madison University and a Master’s Degree as a Reading Specialist from Loyola University of Maryland. Lisa is married to Mike Pons and has helped Country Life Farm for several years with the catering and preparation for our annual stallion show at Country Life Farm, Autumn Day Party at Merryland Farm and our Dinner on the Porch event for partners.