OUR TEAM
KIm
KIM EICHORN (Miner)
Owner/ Saddle Fitter/Massage Therapist/ Head Trainer/Instructor
ARIANA POYNOR
Saddle Fitter/ Intermediate Instructor
Kim started riding horses at the young age of 2 years old. Daughter to a successful Dressage and Jumper rider from Germany (who came to America to train horses and become a farrier), Kim always knew she would be happiest helping riders and their horses develop and maintain lasting partnerships. She spent her early childhood participating in many disciplines and enjoyed learning as much as possible about all the "different worlds" of the equine community. She showed Western Pleasure, Games, Hunter/jumper, and even worked as an assistant trainer in a Reining barn for a short time in high school. As a young teenager, Kim joined the United States Pony Club and became serious about competing in Dressage and Eventing. Kim started training young horses and giving lessons under her mother at the young age of just 13. As a young adult, she became a working student and FEI groom under a prestigious Canadian Eventer and competed her own self-made horses through Training Level before taking over and expanding her mother's training business. In 2015, Kim discovered her adoration for German Classical Dressage and the principles of training from the German Calvary system -- classical methods of training that produce calm, relaxed, correct horses while using pure science of the anatomy and no artificial training "gadgets" to cause a position or result. This quickly led to the world of Equine Rehabilitation, where Kim was able to see how posture (correct or incorrect) effects all sorts of things throughout the body. In early 2019, she became a Certified English Saddle Fitter, realizing that without correctly fitting tack, horses simply couldn't use their bodies, and it wasn't anyone's fault. Finally, in 2023, Kim became a Certified Equine Massage Therapist, specializing on an array of techniques.
Kim is passionate about equine anatomy and not only helping horses achieve optimal mobility and performance possibilities, but also helping bodies heal and find comfort and balance in function. She looks forward to working with you and your equine partner.
Kim is a Certified Peter Horobin Saddlery Fitter for the Southeast of the USA, a Certified Independent Saddle Fitter through the SaddleGuy School; a Certified Equine Myofascial Sports Massage Therapist through the SaddleGuy School; a Certified Level 4 English Riding Instructor (first ride-to- professionals) and a Certified Level 1 Western Riding Instructor (beginners) through Certified Horsemanship Association; a certification in Equine Bio-mechanics with Equitopia. She is working on obtaining a Bit and Bridle Fitting Certification and starting to study hooves in 2024!
Kim Covers NC and SC daily. She also makes trips on 3months rotations to Florida, Georgia, and Virginia.
Ariana began riding horses at the age of 8 years old. During the first few years of her riding journey, she rode anything and everything at local Eventing, Dressage, and Hunter/Jumper barns- obtaining a good foundation with various trainers, and learning from everyone she could.
At the age of 13 she met Kim Miner, who was the team coach for the Interscholastic Equestrian Association, where Ariana showed Hunter/Jumpers and Equitation. After showing Hunter/Jumpers and Equitation for three years, she realized she wanted to go after her dream of Dressage and Eventing. Ariana began seriously dedicating herself and learning the history and methods of German Classical Dressage and the German Calvary System, while also competing in Eventing, still coached, more directly, by Kim Eichorn. Ariana quickly became fascinated with learning how to ride, train, and rehab horses based on these principles of using the anatomy of the individual horse to correct and improve ailments and lamenesses. With the help of Kim, Ariana was given her first personal horse, Libby who continues to prove to her that correctly fitting tack and correct riding can completely transform a horse. Libby inspired Ariana’s interest in saddle fitting and equine massage.
Ariana’s goal is to allow your equine partner to be as free and comfortable as possible, utilizing equine biomechanics, emotion, and anatomy to guide and produce the best results. Ariana is certified in English Saddle Fit and Flocking through the SaddleGuy School. She is currently working on her needed certifications in Equine Biomechanics, Riding Instruction, and Equine Sports Massage.
Ariana covers NC & SC daily for Saddle Fitting and the Charlotte Area for lessons and horse training. She is also accepting students with their own horse and training horses at our locations in Gold Hill, NC.
ALLISON MARES
Beginner/Intermediate Instructor, Assistant Trainer, Kim's Assistant
Allison has been horse-crazy her entire life. She began riding lessons at 6 years old and leased until she could finally purchase her first pony at 11years old. Originally, she was introduced to horses through an Arabian show barn and eventually discovered and fell in love with the sport of Eventing. At only 13 yrs old, she was the assistant manager of the same show barn she originally took lessons in and eventually went on to board and train at Happy Day Horse Farm, under Kim Eichorn. Allison was always fascinated by equine anatomy and behavior and always enjoyed helping start the young horses under saddle, as well as staying a little obsessed with producing her own horses up the levels correctly and consistently. Allison was able to shadow Kim closely in her training and Saddle Fitting for many years now, as well as assist in multiple equine rehabilitation projects. She is now learning more about farrier work and colt starting, as well as being Kim's personal assistant, and taking over Beginner- Intermediate Riding lessons at Happy Day Horse Farm. She is currently finishing up High School (we know, she's a rare breed) but also accepting training horses of various backgrounds, and new students with their own horses.
TAMARA EICHORN
Farrier/ Owner of Happy Day Horse Farm
Tamara was born and raised in Germany, where she began riding at the age of 7. She rode and trained, mainly warmbloods, under many top trainers, as a young rider, and also competed to a high level in Jumpers and Dressage with her personal horse, 'Happy Day'. While still in Germany, she was able to train and learn the craft of trimming and shoeing hooves from a respected farrier in her hometown- a craft she has continued with throughout her life.
Tamara moved to the US when in her early 20s and promptly began her own business starting horses for all disciplines and gaining an outstanding reputation as a Farrier. With over 25 years of experience and hundreds of hours of continued education as a farrier, and over 35 years of experience as a trainer, there are few problems she is not familiar with. She is a valuable resource and we are lucky to use her facility nextdoor, Happy Day Horse Farm.
Tamara spends her leisure time trail riding or working on Dressage with her personal horses or working with her German Shephards, Kira and Z.
