Don grew up in an equestrian family on horse farms, raising, training, fox hunting, and competing for over 50 years. He has built and operated four farms over the years and lives on his horse farm in the heart of horse county with his 2- and 4-legged family in Southern Pines, NC. Farming has always been a passion, and he has worked on dairy, hog, and row crop farms as well.
He has a BS from East Carolina University and MS from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
His professional experience spans over 40 years include all aspects of operations in the oil, chemical, bio-based fertilizer and crop protection businesses. Don has served in numerous roles responsible for engineering, safety, environmental compliance, supply chain, distribution, manufacturing and senior management he has also completed several overseas assignments.
His mission is to drive sustainable growth at the Carolina Horse Park building on its past success to benefit the future of all equestrian sports in the Carolinas.
Joan began riding at age 6 in IL. She later moved with her family to their beef cattle ranch in AR, where she & her twin were active in western riding disciplines & later switched to Hunter/Jumper.
After graduating from Cal Poly, she taught Vet Tech/Bio in MA, NY, OK, TX, NC for 40 yrs, also living abroad in France & UK. She, along with her 3 children, began eventing 40 years ago in TX. She & Gil, currently own a farm near Carolina Horse Park where they have 3 competition horses & 5 rescue dogs.
Tori has been actively involved with CHP since 2010 as a volunteer and contracted service provider, and in 2025 was appointed to the Board of Directors, asked to co-chair the Education and Safety Committee, as well as offered a seat at the table for several other CHP committees. Having owned horses all her life, yet never competed, combined with a career spanning more than twenty years in human emergency services and certifications in various aspects of emergency management, she is dedicated and passionate about the safety and welfare of the equine athletes as well as competitors and spectators alike.
Tori and her husband, Justin, own and operate 4Hooves Large Animal Services which specializes in emergency and non-emergency equine and livestock services. For years, they have provided equine ambulance services, human first aid and medical response services, and since fall of 2024 held the role of USEF / USEA Safety Coordinator and safety consultant at various equestrian events and venues, primarily CHP.
Julia was born in South Africa and started riding at 6 years old at Glenfox Stables in Kyalami (close to Johannesburg). As a junior, she represented her province on the equitation team, and as a teenager, she competed in the 1.2m class in the jumpers. Her family immigrated to the USA when she was 15, and she took a 17-year break from all things equestrian. Following the completion of her professional education, Julia returned to riding as an adult amateur, tried eventing and got hooked. Julia’s first rated show in the USA was at the Carolina Horse Park in 2013.
Outside of riding, Julia is a board-certified Orthopedic Surgeon with OrthoCarolina. She completed her medical school at the Brody School of Medicine (ECU), her orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Louisville, and her Pediatric Orthopedic fellowship at Baylor. She lives with her husband and the menagerie at their farm in Hoke County.
Julia joined the board of the Carolina Horse Park in 2025 and is an active member of the Safety and Education committee.
Since 2013, Lei Ryan has been a dedicated volunteer at the Carolina Horse Park, earning recognition as Volunteer Competitor of the Year (2015), Cross‑Country Volunteer of the Year (2020), and a 2024 inductee into the Volunteer Hall of Fame. She continues to compete at the Park and remains committed to supporting its programs, volunteers, and the broader eventing community.
Lei is a United States Military Academy graduate and former Army officer whose lifelong involvement in eventing includes producing several horses to the Intermediate level. She developed one horse from the very beginning to CCI3*, and another from scratch to Intermediate eventing and Prix St. Georges dressage with the long‑term goal of reaching Grand Prix. In addition to her competitive background, Lei has served on the boards of MCTA and CDCTA, mentors a small number of riders and horse owners, and manages her farm in North Carolina with the same discipline, stewardship, and systems‑thinking that shaped her military career.
A third generation equestrian, Cassidy grew up on the back of a horse in her hometown of Cobden, Illinois. After college, she moved East to pursue her riding pursuits. She has operated C-Horse Equestrian since 2010, where she has competed thru Fourth Level dressage, Intermediate Level eventing, international hunter derbies, and Level 3 western dressage.
In 2017, she co-purchased Sporting Services Dressage, a show management company where she produces 25+ shows a year, and she has recently achieved her FEI Eventing Stewards License. Passionate about both education, and helping people see the little victories with their horses, she hosts several educational events every year, and has founded Dumpster Fire Dressage – a company that not only informs, but allows everyone to see their successes and failures with a side of humor. She also uses horses as her artistic inspiration for The Clever Beast Studio.
Cassidy currently resides in Mamers with her husband, son, and four-legged children.
Susan has been a fixture of the North Carolina eventing community for over four decades. Alongside her husband Charlie, she operates CDP Stables in Vass, where their “horse-first” approach to training has helped generations of riders and horses find their footing in the sport. As a 5-star eventing veteran and finisher of the Kentucky Three-Day Event, her true passion lies in the daily work of horsemanship and the long-term health and prosperity of the equestrian industry.
As a CHP board member, Susan is focused on sustainable growth, athlete safety and the highest competitive standards. With decades of experience maintaining training surfaces, she offers a critical eye on the footing and infrastructure required to keep the Park a safe, top-tier venue. Living and working in the Sandhills gives Susan a direct line to the community, business owners and competitors who utilize the Park daily, serving as a bridge between the board’s strategic goals and the practical needs of the people on the ground. She is also dedicated to ensuring CHP remains an accessible educational resource for riders of all levels, from grassroots competitors to the international elite. By blending her competitive history with a deep-rooted commitment to the Sandhills’ diverse communities, Susan is focused on preserving the Park’s legacy while ensuring it remains a premier destination for the next generation of equestrians.
More info coming soon…
More info coming soon…
More info coming soon…
More info coming soon…
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