Etowah Riding Club

El began her equestrian career in Texas in a western saddle and when she made the move to NC, she also made the move to an English saddle and the world of dressage! She started and helped run the Asheville Highriders 4H group for nearly a decade. El now enjoys keeping ERC a pillar of the community and trail riding her chunky pony every chance she gets. 

Dana's love of horses began at age 10 at a therapeutic riding facility where she learned about the healing connection between horses and humans. Over the years, she has ridden and competed in a variety of western disciplines. Her current four-legged love is a goofy thoroughbred named Goose that she shares with her daughter, Kasey, who is also a horse lover and ERC member!

Bonnie is a dedicated health care worker who has been an avid equestrian for 40 years. She also owns White Squirrel Farm in Horse Shoe, NC, with her husband, which boasts the cutest little Airbnb as well! Bonnie began showing at ERC in middle school and has been a devoted part of the club for years!

Kris spent most years of her equestrian life in competitive pleasure carriage driving while living in NY and PA, but has also enjoyed other experiences such as polo lessons, fine harness, riding Peruvian Pasos, and Saddleseat. Over a period of 30 years, Kris has been a secretary, board member, or manager of equestrian organizations, driving clubs, and horse shows, big and small. Sine moving to Mills River, she's looking forward to being a part of ERC!

Phoebe developed a love of horses at age 6, like most little girls, and decided to make a career out of them. After various ventures around the US into every discipline from endurance to driving to vaulting to ranch riding, she founded Helms Hill Farms-Harkey Horsemanship in Ellenboro, NC with her husband and now focuses on vaquero style classic natural horsemanship. This is her second year with ERC!

Terry has been overseeing the ERC grounds for the past 5 years, with countless hours logged on his tractor. He's worked as a biomedical technician for the last 30 years and can fix just about anything. In his free time, he enjoys fishing and restoring old vehicles. Terry and his wife also own White Squirrel Farm in Horse Shoe, NC.