Our Instructors

Heather has extensive experience in hunters, jumpers, dressage, combined training, and eventing. She also is skilled in carriage driving, Saddle Seat, and western styles of riding. 

As a trainer, she has had students and horses compete at all levels. Heather shows regularly in local and statewide competitions, including rated shows, hunter, driving paces and futurity events. She is a member of many local and national equine organizations including: US Equestrian Federation, US Eventing Association, US Dressage Federation, and North Carolina Dressage and Combined Training Association.

She has a BS degree in Animal Science (concentration in Equine Science) from NC State University, as well as a minor in Nutrition. While in school she participated in many equine activities. 

Heather's passion is sharing her love of horses with anyone and everyone who wants to learn more about these wonderful animals. Whether that is at home teaching beginner kids and adults the basics of grooming and riding, or at competitions helping her students reach their goals, Heather just enjoys talking your ear off about horses! 

Riding horses became a staple of her childhood, and there was a good chance if she wasn't on a horse she was cleaning a stall or hanging out in the hayloft. Growing up in New Jersey, Danielle was taught in pony club and 4H standards and carries these lessons with her to this day.

She competed in hunter/jumpers and on the A circuit with Arabian horses (her favorite breed!). As an adult, Danielle took a break from horses to have a family and pursue other career paths. Despite having 4 beautiful children and a good job, she always knew what was missing. In 2018, Danielle found Castle Farm and started riding weekly. It didn't take long before horses again became a huge part of her world. In 2020, she purchased her first ever horse, Ali, and began competing in Eventing. They are slowly (but steadily) working as a team to move upwards in the sport!

Danielle loves to teach students of all levels, abilities, ages, and goals. She firmly believes in the mantra of Castle Farm that horses are for all people and has no expectations of what that looks like for an individual. She can be found teaching anyone around her, even if they aren't in a lesson! Danielle is a huge supporter of creating good horse people and creating a strong foundation rooted in safety for both horse and rider. 

Amanda was Heather’s working student, show groom, summer camp counselor, and eventually assistant barn manager from 2007-2015 before taking a step back to focus on her own riding.  She's been a member of our Drill Team since it was formed in 2014, and her true passion is designing and riding musical freestyles.  Amanda is currently competing at First Level and her ultimate goal is to achieve a USDF Bronze Medal.  She is particularly fond of Thoroughbreds and "spicy" red-headed mares.

Amanda officially joined our team of instructors in 2022 and has experience teaching riders of all ages and levels in hunters, jumpers, eventing, dressage, and driving. She loves helping students learn and achieve their goals with a heavy focus on safety, horsemanship, and having fun!  In addition to teaching lessons, Amanda also enjoys offering clinics both on and off the horse.  She is a big believer in a strong and solid foundation for both the horse and rider, and loves watching her students grow and succeed!

One of her favorite things about being an equestrian is seeing how the lessons learned when riding can carry over into one’s daily personal life. Katie views Castle Farm as her “safe place” and wants others to also find peace, fun, and community among horses and friends.

You’ll most often find her riding Patti, and her most memorable riding experience was galloping along the beach in Iceland on Icelandic horses!

Katie works with our beginner and younger riders, helping them build a solid foundation at Castle Farm.

Gwen has competed up to the Beginner Novice level and enjoys the welcoming eventing show atmosphere.

Throughout her riding career, Gwen spent every second she could at Castle Farm, volunteering and working with the horses. She continues to attend eventing shows to support her students and friends. In 2016, she began working as a farm hand, learning how to care for the property and create a safe environment for the ponies. In 2019, she started teaching lessons, helping riders grow their skills while sharing her own experiences and insights from riding. Gwen enjoys teaching students of all ages and skill levels. Gwen now attends Appalachian State University, but returns to Raleigh to teach. She loves coming back to Castle Farm to see the students, her friends, and all the horses!