Sarah Holden
Riding lessons (western, english flat work ONLY), training (western,english flat work ONLY), hacking, ground work, camps/group activities.
Sarah has been teaching riding lessons for over ten years. She started riding at the age of 8 and actively competed in 4H and AQHA shows. She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a B.A in equine training and instruction where she rode up to the advanced level in both western and english disciplines. After completing her degree, Sarah managed a dressage farm and then later an equine therapy barn where she earned her PATH certification and taught therapeutic horseback riding lessons to students with physical and/or cognitive disabilities. In recent years she has continued teaching horseback riding lessons and has been a volunteer for several 4H clubs.
Sarah believes in a theory-based approach to both teaching and training that is rooted in patience, practice, and proven methods. As an instructor, she emphasizes the importance of horsemanship that extends beyond the saddle and teaches her students all aspects of the discipline including grooming, handling, etc…
Beyond the basics, Sarah believes in an individual approach to teaching and works closely with her students to determine their riding goals. From there, she creates lessons that help students achieve those goals.
Sarah prefers to work with new or beginning riders or adult amateurs who have been out of the saddle for many years.
Anna Toomey
A Equine Science
USDF Bronze Medalist
USDF L Grad
I love helping people create a safer, calmer, clear relationship with their horse. I aim to provide an environment where everyone feels equal and valued. I want to build a network of trainers and mentors that create pathways of education for the local community.
Anna Toomey has spent the past twenty years running her own training/lesson/boarding business. With a focus on adult amateurs and young riders she has developed the skills to help all levels of rider and horses achieve their goals.
By focusing on creating a centered strong balanced rider that communicates in clear, calm aids, to a quiet accepting horse, she creates a successful combination of horse and rider. Her students have had results on a local and national level.
By following the training scale while incorporating techniques from all disciplines she creates well rounded riders that understand theory while enjoying their relationship with horses.
Currently pursuing her USDF Silver Medal, and managing Davis Ranch in Leicester, NC. She is excited to be able to build a program that focuses on happy horses and providing educational opportunities to the local community.
Elexa Moyers
Riding Instructor/Horse Trainer at Davis Ranch
I have been riding and training horses for 11 years, I worked as a vet tech and worked under a few farriers in between. My passion for horses has always driven me to improve and learn wherever I can.
I primarily teach english riding to people of all ages and train problematic horses. My first horse was a blind mare named Diamond, she was barely halter broken and I didn't know what I was doing but we learned and grew together. Her and I went all over barrel racing and doing some local shows then a tendon injury took her out of barrel racing, now she is teaching my new students how to ride.
I started show jumping on another horse to try and learn something new, and then I started dressage lessons and fell in love with eventing. I've worked for many barns and trainedunder a lot of amazing equestrians and I wouldn't be where I am today without my trainers.
I want to spread that knowledge to anyone who wants to learn, teaching people of all ages how to ride, training horses, and teaching the all around method: horse anatomy, saddle fitting, tacking, grooming and horse nutrition so that my students are well rounded enough to have a horse of their own in the future.
Amanda Justice
Riding Instructor at Davis Ranch
Everyone starts somewhere! Amanda is happy to start teaching beginner students out of Davis Ranch, Leicester. Justice Equestrian focuses on beginner riders, helping them feel confident not just on the horse, but with the daily horsemanship that is involved in caring for horses.
By creating fun learning exercises in a controlled and safe environment, Amanda has created a program all students will feel accomplished in and begin to understand horse theory.
Amanda has grown up in Asheville, NC influenced by love for all nature, she adopted her pony "The Ace of Ivan's" four years ago. She ahs taken a once neglected stallion and turned him into a trusting, accomplished riding partner. With years of work in veterinary medicine Amanda brings an in depth knowledge and understanding of animal welfare to her program.
Lessons consist of groundwork, grooming, and handling in the barn to gain comfort around horses. Riders will then move to mounted exercises using games and obstacles to gain steering skills.
Katrena Pace
She is the Barn Manager at our Mills River Location Katrena is a lifelong horse lover and owner.
Her 21 years of Horse management experience includes 10 year of western pleasure showing, at National and world level, and 4 years as a Riding Instructor and Barn Manager with Champ Rockmont.
As an experienced horsewoman, and long term local resident, Katrena is happy to share her extensive knowledge of local equine service providers to assist newcomers to the area.
A longtime member of the ApHC, Katrena’s beautiful Appy Scarlett is a resident at Mills River and loves to welcome new arrivals! Certified by CHA (Camp Horse Association)