Our Staff
BECKY SWEENEY
EAGALA Certified 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.
EAGALA Certified 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.
NICOLE McWHORTER
Therapeutic Riding Instructor, Professional PATH Member
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 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!
Therapeutic Riding Instructor, Professional PATH Member
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 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!
KYM KLAPPERICH
Therapeutic Riding Instructor, Professional PATH Member
I grew up in suburban Chicago and didn’t have much opportunity to enjoy horses. So, when I moved to Upstate, South Carolina in 1998, I took advantage of the opportunity to learn to ride, focusing much of my training in dressage while working and riding at Riverbend Equestrian Center in Greenville.
I first came to Eden Farms as a guest at a birthday party in 2004 when my daughter was only 4 years old. I immediately fell in love with the barn and the equine therapeutic riding program, Happy Hooves! Since that time, I have taught lessons to Eden Farms, recently I've spent most of my teaching time at Eden Farms Summer Camps. I also currently sit on the Happy Hooves Board of Directors.
In addition to training in dressage, I have had training in Centered Riding and have completed the Centered Riding Instructor Level 1. I believe that Centered Riding’s core principles of breathing, soft eyes, centering, building blocks and grounding play an important role in all riding disciplines, including therapeutic riding and are beneficial to both riders and horses. I approach all my lessons prioritizing the safety of rider and horse, bringing fun and joy into lessons, and encouraging independence and self- confidence in my students.
Therapeutic Riding Instructor, Professional PATH Member
I grew up in suburban Chicago and didn’t have much opportunity to enjoy horses. So, when I moved to Upstate, South Carolina in 1998, I took advantage of the opportunity to learn to ride, focusing much of my training in dressage while working and riding at Riverbend Equestrian Center in Greenville.
I first came to Eden Farms as a guest at a birthday party in 2004 when my daughter was only 4 years old. I immediately fell in love with the barn and the equine therapeutic riding program, Happy Hooves! Since that time, I have taught lessons to Eden Farms, recently I've spent most of my teaching time at Eden Farms Summer Camps. I also currently sit on the Happy Hooves Board of Directors.
In addition to training in dressage, I have had training in Centered Riding and have completed the Centered Riding Instructor Level 1. I believe that Centered Riding’s core principles of breathing, soft eyes, centering, building blocks and grounding play an important role in all riding disciplines, including therapeutic riding and are beneficial to both riders and horses. I approach all my lessons prioritizing the safety of rider and horse, bringing fun and joy into lessons, and encouraging independence and self- confidence in my students.
KAT BIEN, MSW
Therapeutic Riding Instructor, Social Worker
I first discovered Eden Farms after bringing therapy clients out for horsemanship, and later returned as a master’s in social work intern, where I completed over 500 hours. While I have only been with Eden Farms since August 2023, I have always been fascinated with horses. Their emotional intuition and vulnerability led me to dream about combining my passion for social work with the healing power of animals. Luckily here I have been able to do just that.
I currently live in downtown Greenville with my wonderful husband and our two dogs. In my free time I love to explore local cuisine, spend time in nature, and engage in a myriad of different hobbies.
My favorite part of working here is helping kiddos from all backgrounds realize their horsey dreams and seeing them develop trust and confidence in themselves and their horses. I have a wide range of vocational experience, from being a crisis EMT to a YMCA summer camp counselor, and my hope is that the clients I work with here leave feeling loved, inspired, and empowered.
Therapeutic Riding Instructor, Social Worker
I first discovered Eden Farms after bringing therapy clients out for horsemanship, and later returned as a master’s in social work intern, where I completed over 500 hours. While I have only been with Eden Farms since August 2023, I have always been fascinated with horses. Their emotional intuition and vulnerability led me to dream about combining my passion for social work with the healing power of animals. Luckily here I have been able to do just that.
I currently live in downtown Greenville with my wonderful husband and our two dogs. In my free time I love to explore local cuisine, spend time in nature, and engage in a myriad of different hobbies.
My favorite part of working here is helping kiddos from all backgrounds realize their horsey dreams and seeing them develop trust and confidence in themselves and their horses. I have a wide range of vocational experience, from being a crisis EMT to a YMCA summer camp counselor, and my hope is that the clients I work with here leave feeling loved, inspired, and empowered.
JEAN CALZAVARA-UHLMANN
Therapeutic Riding Instructor
I've spent nearly my entire life with horses and after a 20-year hiatus, in the summer of 2023, I felt it was time to give back, with these incredible four-legged creatures and their innate ability to bring joy.
I’ve never doubted the impact horses have on humans. That impact is immeasurable for someone who has extraordinary physical and mental challenges. Enter therapeutic riding programs as the conduit between those who need and those who give.
I came to Happy Hooves at Eden Farms to volunteer and spend time doing anything “in the barn”. I was mentored and encouraged by our amazing staff to use my teaching skills to take on students of my own and I can honestly say I’m not sure who gets more joy out of their accomplishments, me or my students.
There’s been many fancy horses in my life, but none compare to the very special therapy horses we have at Happy Hooves. I’ve always gone to the barn for Horsehair Therapy and I am honored to share my passion with others.
Therapeutic Riding Instructor
I've spent nearly my entire life with horses and after a 20-year hiatus, in the summer of 2023, I felt it was time to give back, with these incredible four-legged creatures and their innate ability to bring joy.
I’ve never doubted the impact horses have on humans. That impact is immeasurable for someone who has extraordinary physical and mental challenges. Enter therapeutic riding programs as the conduit between those who need and those who give.
I came to Happy Hooves at Eden Farms to volunteer and spend time doing anything “in the barn”. I was mentored and encouraged by our amazing staff to use my teaching skills to take on students of my own and I can honestly say I’m not sure who gets more joy out of their accomplishments, me or my students.
There’s been many fancy horses in my life, but none compare to the very special therapy horses we have at Happy Hooves. I’ve always gone to the barn for Horsehair Therapy and I am honored to share my passion with others.
