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Heather Swope - Owner-Instructor-Trainer Diane Torti - Instructor Olivia Thoma - Assistant Instructor
Heather Swope opened Legends Equestrian Center in 2004 Decatur, Arkansas. Before moving to NW Arkansas, Heather was owner and head instructor at Windmill Stables, a premier Hunter/Jumper facility serving the Dallas/Fort Worth area. During the first four years, Windmill had filled its 30 stalls, and Heather established a comprehensive lesson program that managed over 60 students, enabling Windmill to quickly become a very competitive barn on the North Texas Hunter Jumper circuit. While in Dallas/Fort Worth, Heather was a leading influence in establishing High Rise Pony Club. High Rise is a unique PC because of the partnership with Windmill Stables. Windmill allows the use of their lesson horses to lower level PC members which affords these children to compete in the mounted and unmounted rally's without owning their own horse. Heather has been instructing students since September of 1998, and has taken her riders to a variety of schooling, open and rated Hunter Jumper shows. Heather’s show background consists of riding in competitions since 1988, in New Mexico and Texas. In the fall of 2001, Heather became certified by the American Riding Instructors Association (ARIA). She is a Level II Hunt Seat certified instructor, attending yearly conferences offered by ARIA to remain updated on teaching techniques and the standards of the sport. Heather takes pride in teaching her students valuable skills they can use throughout their lives. To that end, she requires that each student give their best, always emphasizing the importance of a caring, respectful approach to their horses, family, fellow riders, and instructor. Heather was elected President of Northwest Arkansas Hunter Jumper Association (NWAHJA) in January 2006, and remained in that position for an unprecedented 4 years.
Diane Torti Diane Torti has been a riding instructor with LEC since the fall of 2006. She relocated from the Greater Chicago area with her husband and two daughters. Diane teaches the new beginner riders that come to LEC, helping each student build their confidence around horses - both in the saddle, as well as on the ground. Diane offers her students what is needed to enable them to become well rounded horse people. Once the students progress to the show arena, Diane coaches her students through their competitions. Diane has been around horses most of her life, growing up with a tremendous passion for horses! She competed through her teenage years as a Hunter/Jumper on the Arabian Horse Circuit in Ocala, Florida and competed in local schooling shows in and around Central Florida. Diane wears several more hats in addition to being a riding instructor! Diane is currently employed by the Bentonville Public Schools as a Secretary for one of the middle schools. She recently held the position of Secretary for our local horse club, NWAHJA, for the past 3 years(2007-2009), is the mother of two girls who are both active competitors in NWAHJA with the LEC Show Team, as well as competing herself on her Sport Horse, Mikey. Together she and Mikey enjoy Fox Hunting, Hunter Paces, competition, and trail riding. Diane also enjoys attending clinics, which offer her continued learning opportunities for her to pass along to her students. |
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