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.
Meghan Robertson
Riding Instructor/Horse Trainer at Davis Ranch
Meghan Robertson is a distinguished equestrian professional with an impressive 30 + year background in training and coaching across various disciplines, including eventing at beginner to intermediate levels, western dressage, hunter/jumper, and classical dressage.
Beyond her expertise in riding and horsemanship, Meghan specializes in the vital realm of mental coaching and sports psychology. Throughout her extensive journey, she has honed her ability to foster not only the physical skills but also the mental resilience of riders and their equine partners.
With a deep understanding of the psychological aspects of equestrian sports, Meghan expertly guides her students through the intricacies of each discipline, building confidence, focus, and determination.
Join Meghan on an exhilarating journey where riders refine their skills, develop a strong mindset, and forge a shared devotion to the equestrian industry.
Leslie Holden
Leslie Holden is a Equine Canada certified instructor with over 20 years of teaching experience.
As a founding member of the Thompson Valley pony club, She completed the pony club ranks, national quiz and continued to support the pony club through testing, horsemanship lessons, and rallies.
Leslie began riding in the mid 80’s the back country mountains of British Columbia with her father. By the Age 12 she spent a year in Mexico riding horses in different disciplines including side saddle and the Mexican rodeo style performances. upon returning she began formal lessons in hunter/jumper and joined pony club as a founding member.
In 1992 she began competing and by 2001 she was completing certification as an instructor under equine Canada‘s apprenticeship/testing procedure. She has been working student under Canadian Olympic dressage rider and competed in Canada/USA in hunter/jumper and Dressage competition.
Leslie believes that before sport comes the relationship and the understanding of horsemanship and thrives to seek a therapeutic and healing relationship between horse and rider that benefits all.
As a mother of four, she is now specializing in offering lessons for the youngest of riders. Lessons are focused on foundations of proper horsemanship and equitation, using the English style of riding, students have their choice of 6 school horses ranging from 32”-16.2hh.
Leslie also has a thriving local show schedule, introducing beginners to the world of horse shows, and supporting more advanced riders and horses further development of their competitive career.
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)