top of page
Meet the Team
Management Team!
Tina Adams
Owner
***
Casey Benkendorfer
Director
***
Emily Sweet
Administrative Manager
***
Alice Apple
Ranch Coordinator
***
Gage Moore
Ranch Coordinator
***
Instructor Team!
Deidre (Dede) Beck
Instructor
Deirdre, known to her students as Dede, is a dedicated riding instructor who specializes in English riding, working with students from beginner through advanced levels. She also offers instruction in Western-style riding for beginners.
With more than a decade of personal riding experience, Dede has competed extensively in Pony Club, dressage, and show jumping, earning a C-2 certification through Pony Club before transitioning into casual riding. Alongside her personal achievements, she brings over 10 years of instructional experience. She has taught at summer camps and has been with Lone Star Riding Club for the past year.
As an instructor, Dede is passionate about helping students develop both skill and independence. She strives to ensure riders feel confident in every aspect of horsemanship—from tacking up and mounting, to adjusting equipment and self-critiquing with minimal assistance. Her ultimate goal is to cultivate capable, self-assured equestrians who find joy and pride in their growth.
Donna Drake
Instructor
Donna is a passionate and welcoming riding instructor who loves helping students discover confidence, skill, and joy in the saddle. She specializes in English riding for beginner to intermediate riders and also offers beginner instruction in Western-style riding.
With a strong background as a competitor in Eventing at Training Level, Dressage at First Level, and Hunters up to 3’, Donna brings a versatile foundation to her teaching. Backed by over 10 years of instructional experience, she knows how to adapt her lessons to meet each rider where they are.
Donna’s goals for her students is simple: balance and fun. Her goal is to guide students toward becoming capable, independent equestrians while ensuring every lesson leaves them smiling and excited to come back for more.
Ella Meacham
Instructor
With over 16 years of riding experience and more than 6 years of teaching, Ella is a skilled instructor specializing in teaching English-style riding for all experience levels. She has earned a strong foundation in a plethora of English-style riding events: hunters, jumpers, equitation, cross-country, eventing, and dressage.
Ella’s competitive background includes bringing horses to championship titles, earning year-end awards at major East Coast show circuits, and personally competing in Grand Prixs and hunter medals. She now channels that same expertise and passion into her teaching, offering students the opportunity to learn from real show-ring experience.
With a personalized approach to every lesson, Ella is committed to helping riders not only advance their skills but also build confidence and a true partnership with their horse. Her goal is to make each student’s journey both rewarding and successful—whether in the show ring or simply finding joy in the ride.
Jennifer Quinlan
Instructor
Jennifer is a highly accomplished rider with more than 40 years of equestrian experience. Over the course of her career, she has competed in halter classes, show jumping, English and Western pleasure classes, and speed events, as well as completing multiple long-distance trail-riding excursions. These achievements represent just a glimpse of her remarkable experience and dedication to the sport.
Jennifer specializes in teaching English-style riding for all experience levels and is also a skilled Western-style instructor for beginner to intermediate students.
Jennifer’s ultimate goal as an instructor is to help students gain a true sense of horsemanship as they grow into skillful equestrians. She hopes to inspire not only technical proficiency, but a deep connection with horses- one that grows towards a more profound sense of joy through a gracious dynamic.
Jessica Kehrer
Instructor
***
Lauren Cruz
Instructor
***
Marcella Herleny
Instructor
Marcella’s lifelong love of horses shines through in every lesson she teaches. Passionate and approachable, she brings enthusiasm to the arena each day, eager to share her knowledge and help students grow. With a background in English riding and experience competing in both jumper classes and cross-country events, Marcella offers her students a strong foundation in technical skills as well as true horsemanship.
She specializes in English riding for beginner to intermediate riders, while also offering beginner instruction in Western riding. By tailoring her approach to each student, Marcella ensures lessons are engaging, educational, and confidence-building.
Her ultimate goal is to create a safe, supportive, and fun environment where riders not only develop their skills but also form lasting connections with their horses. For Marcella, the joy of riding comes from both progress in the saddle and the unique bond between horse and rider—something she hopes to inspire in every student.
Nadia Aslam
Instructor
With 28 years of riding experience, Nadia is a three-time National Champion, former Team GB World Cup squad selectee, and coach of World and Reserve World Champions. Moreover, Nadia has bred and produced her own horses. She has built a strong foundation in natural horsemanship and groundwork; which she believes is the key to creating a true partnership.
Nadia has extensive experience in instructing. She was even the Assistant Coach to the Norwegian World Cup team! Despite her love for competitive riding, Nadia supports both competitive and non-competitive riders with the same dedication. She specializes in Western-riding for all experience levels, but she is also incredibly experienced in instructing English-style lessons for beginner to intermediate riders! Nadia’s ultimate goal as an instructor is to help riders put the horse first- develop feel, timing, harmony.
Nadia not only teaches strong technical riding skills but also empowers her students to develop adaptability and confidence as they work toward their goals. Whether in riding, horsemanship, or personal growth, Nadia is dedicated to guiding each student on their journey toward success.
Olivia Collins
Instructor
Olivia has been riding all her life; she’s competed all around the Northern Nevada and Southern California area. She has earned many Champions and Reserved Champions from riding in national hunter derbies and equitation classics on the west coast. Given her experience as an accomplished rider, she specializes in training intermediate to advanced English-style riders in Hunter, Jumper, and Equitation. In addition, she offers instruction in Western-style riding for beginner to intermediate students.
Olivia is dedicated to fostering her students’ growth and confidence across every aspect of horsemanship—including catching, grooming, tacking, and riding—while also growing a strong sense of self-assurance in every student. She strives to create a positive and joyful experience for every student at Lone Star Riding Club, continually promoting a love of learning and tailoring her instructional approach to support each rider’s unique goals and aspirations.
Samantha Goldblum
Instructor
Samantha has been riding for 18 years and brings both passion and dedication to her role as an instructor. She grew up as a hunter-jumper rider and advanced her skills to the point that she was invited to work with her college’s equestrian team, where she warmed up horses for the athletes. Beyond the arena, she has volunteered at a horse sanctuary, further deepening her understanding and love for horses.
Her teaching experience spans over a decade, including instructing at two long-term summer camps—one focused on Western riding and the other on English. It is here that she significantly grew her adaptability skills as an instructor. For nearly a year, she has been an instructor at Lone Star Riding Club, specializing in English riding for intermediate to advanced students while also enjoying teaching foundational Western skills to beginners.
Samantha’s goal is to inspire her students to fall in love with riding just as she has. She places equal importance on riding ability and horsemanship, encouraging her students to become competent, confident riders who respect and appreciate the horses that teach them.
bottom of page