Our Staff
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SARAH HENDERSON
Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor Happy Hooves and Eden Farms I started riding as a child and have been involved with horses off and on ever since. I have always ridden dressage but really fell in love with the beauty and disciple of the sport while leasing an FEI level dressage horse. It is my goal is to train my own horse up through the levels. I was first introduced to therapeutic riding when I volunteered at Wheatland Farm near the college I attended in VA. I knew then that I wanted to become PATH certified and now almost ten years later I am blessed to have achieved that goal. I volunteered with Happy Hooves for several years and am thrilled to be teaching here now. |
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HELEN GRABEN
Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor Happy Hooves and Eden Farms I’ve been an animal lover all my life, but it wasn’t until my daughter started riding at Eden Farms that I became a horse lover and eventually a rider. Over the years, I began to volunteer with Happy Hooves and joined the board because I wanted to support this great organization. As our wonderful senior instructor began to plan her retirement in 2020, I realized that I wanted to expand my involvement and become a PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor myself. I also earned my certification as an Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning. I’m grateful to be able to work with our students in many ways and to help coordinate the growth of Happy Hooves and its mission. |
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NICOLE McWHORTER
Therapeutic Riding Instructor Happy Hooves and Eden Farms I have been at Eden Farms since 2014. I started bringing my girls out for arena rides in 2013, shortly after we moved to the area, in hopes that they would fall in love with horses just like I did! Not long after, I started volunteering and very soon after that I was asked to fill a spot on the Eden Farms staff. I had the pleasure of leading Tonka during one of our events, Christmas at the Barn. I had heard about Helen and her story during my time at Eden Farms and had helped with numerous therapy lessons and programs, but it was during that Christmas at the Barn that I got to meet Helen’s family and hear their story. That is where my journey as a therapeutic riding instructor began. (Helen’s Hugs is a non-profit organization established in memory of Helen Corontzes who died tragically in March 2006. All funds generated provide opportunities for special children to participate in therapeutic equestrian programs. Tonka was Helen’s beloved horse, who now resides at Eden Farms.) I am married and have two wonderful children. I have lived in the Upstate most of my life and just moved to this area five years ago. I started riding as a young girl, and one of the horses we had was an Arabian named Niko. He was my first horse love and will forever hold a special place in my heart! I enjoy teaching lessons every week and meeting new students. I look forward to seeing my regular students weekly, and I hope to continue to instruct here at Eden Farms and Happy Hooves for a long time! |
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BECKY SWEENEY
Equine Specialist and Barn Manager Eden Farms, Proud Home of Happy Hooves I help riders of all ages and abilities enjoy and improve their lives through equine related programs and therapies. It’s exciting to know that God's magnificent horses can be used to run fast, jump high, and hit the trail, but deep down I felt they could do even more and have greater purpose. In therapy lessons, I see people's perspectives changed, hope restored, and healing begin when they interact with horses. This isn't just a rare peek every once in a while: we see it all the time at Eden Farms. Every time you work with the horses it is like a blank slate: no judgments or presuppositions. Like with Christ, horses do not judge and accept you where you are. Everyday is different (and busy!). I love working with my family, being outside with the horses, and knowing that I am making a difference in the lives of others right here in the Upstate. When I graduated college, I was sure I wanted to live overseas as a missionary, but now I know this is my mission field. Since Happy Hooves was started in 2005, the more I see the effects of equine therapies, the less I truly understand as to what is really happening with the healing and growth-taking place. I believe that God has a special plan and purpose for every person (and horse!) that comes through our barn gates. My job is to give them the best horse experience I can with the resources I have available to me. I am an EAGALA Certified Equine Specialist, and wear many hats at Happy Hooves. I am happily married and mother of three great children, I co-lead two different Girl Scout troops, am a class mom for First Presbyterian Academy, as well as active in my church. |
