Amy Brumbach
Vice President

My name is Amy Brumbach. I am proud to serve as vice-president of NCDCTA. I am also a horse trainer/instructor in Hillsborough, NC focusing on eventing and dressage, so I have a strong tie to the NCDCTA community. What brings me the most joy is to watch my students develop a strong partnership with their horses, not only under saddle, but on the ground as well. Outside the barn, I enjoy cooking, spending time with my beautiful nieces, and playing the piano. I am lucky enough to have 3 beautiful horses: Redinagh Ragtime (Quinn) - my current dressage partner, GWS Chicago - my 3yr old German Riding Pony gelding that is my future dressage partner, and Journey - my wonderful lesson horse schoolmaster.

I love to learn, so I am always seeking new information and continuing to better myself, as a trainer, but really overall as a human being. This desire to learn and passion for education is how I feel I serve NCDCTA best. Email: vp@ncdcta.org

 Anita Quinn
  Treasurer

  Anita has been involved with horses her entire life, from exercising racehorses in Chicago to competing     Hunters in college before relocating to North Carolina in 2000. She spent her early years here training with  Nanci Lindroth and Lynn Leath while developing OTTBs for eventing. She operated her own training business in Fuquay Varina until a career‑ending injury to her primary mount led to a brief retirement.

Five years later, Anita returned to riding, establishing a new farm and training business in Butner while continuing her education with Holly Hudspeth and later, Keni Kerin. Now focused solely on dressage, she is a USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist, an active USDF “L” Program participant, and competes at PSG with her KWPN gelding Diablo Newpeat while bringing along her young horse, Pablo Picasso.

Anita is a familiar presence at shows—competing, scribing, supporting 4Hooves Large Animal Rescue with her husband Bryan, or connecting with her Brookside Farm community.

Email: treasurer@ncdcta.org

Jordan McKenzie-Solis
Recording Secretary

Jordan’s equestrian journey began in the saddle seat world, riding Saddlebreds, before she temporarily traded riding boots for cleats to play collegiate soccer. After graduation, she dove back into the horse world by purchasing her first horse, Rick, as a 1.5-year-old. Since then, Jordan has been dedicated to learning and training in dressage under the guidance of Helen Ingersoll at Frog Pond Farm. Based in Durham, NC, Jordan has been an enthusiastic member of the NCDCTA and a dressage competitor since 2019. Her passion for horses extends far beyond competition—Jordan is deeply committed to holistic care, focusing on equine biology and biomechanics to ensure her horses receive the best possible care. When she’s not in the dressage ring, Jordan loves chasing new adventures, whether it’s exploring the mountains and beaches, racing through hunter paces, or galloping along local trails. Email: secretary@ncdcta.org.

Charlotte Meli
Member at Large (Volunteers)

Charlotte Meli has been serving on the NCDCTA board as a member at large since 2022. During her time in this role, she has focused on increasing volunteer opportunities within the organization.  Charlotte and her mare, Secret, train with Susan Wiedman of Encore Sporthorse with hopes of achieving a bronze medal. When not working with the NCDCTA, Charlotte is a professor in the Animal Science department at NCSU where she earned her PhD in 2019. Email: memberatlarge1@ncdcta.org.

Heather Boyer
Member at Large (Sponsorship)

Heather Hamilton Boyer has been an NCDCTA member for many years. She and her students have earned HOY Awards and she uses HOY to give herself and students a direction for the year. She is excited to be a new member of the board and hopes to provide versatile viewpoints and help keep the NCDCTA members full and inspired. She is always working towards furthering her education and believes knowledge and growth is open ended and we are only limited by our imagination and willingness to work for what we want. She is currently an l Graduate with Distinction working towards her USEF "r" in Traditional Dressage. Her exam is in July of 2025. She is also currently a USEF "r" Western Dressage judge working towards her USEF "R" in Western Dressage. Horses have always been in her life and there have been some special ones to help her achieve riding goals such as earning her USDF Bronze and Silver medals with and without distinction.These special horses have taught her many lessons and were more than just a means to an end, but a part of shaping her into the horse woman and dressage judge she is today. She also helps her mom run Heather Ridge Farm and is an advocate for trying to keep our sport and horses in general accessible to all. Email: memberatlarge2@ncdcta.org.

Ellie Balakrishnan
Member at Large (Gala)

Ellie Balakrishnan recently graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a bachelor’s degree in Biostatistics. She’s been riding since middle school and recently purchased her first horse after leasing him for over three years. She competes and trains in both dressage and eventing with Amy Brumbach at Gaitway Stables. Ellie is newly involved with the NCDCTA as Member at Large/Gala Chair and is super excited to be working with a nonprofit organization that she is so passionate about! Email: gala@ncdcta.org.

Sarah Bookner
Communication Chair

Based in Raeford, she is an active eventer and jumper; currently navigating a new partnership with a young Thoroughbred Real Time. Sarah has previously served on the NCDCTA Board of Directors in other roles, and has enjoyed giving back to an organization that has supported so many riders across the state. She is passionate about the North Carolina equestrian community and believes in promoting opportunities that encourage education, sportsmanship, and participation at every level. Whether competing, volunteering, or supporting fellow riders, Sarah is committed to helping our equestrian community continue to grow and thrive. Outside of riding, she is nearing completion on her MBA from Fayetteville State University, is a member of the National Society for Leadership and Success (NSLS), and is in a mentoring program with Women in Leadership and Management in Animal Health (WILMAH).

  Email: media@ncdcta.org.

Katherine Thornton
Eventing Chair

Growing up in Washington DC, Katherine competed extensively as a junior rider in the hunter and equitation disciplines. In college she discovered polo and after college began a successful sporthorse import and sales business in Delaplane, VA.  While staying involved with her husband's training and sales business, Katherine received her MBA from Wake Forest University, and pursued both a corporate career, and leadership opportunities with 501(c)3 organizations.  Returning to competition in 2015, she began eventing with her husband Bob, and their personal competition horses which they imported from Ireland.  Continuing to mentor up-and-coming young professionals and sustaining an active working student program has been an important part of their Chesterfield Equestrian, in Salisbury, NC.   Carlingford Castle (Paddy) and Katherine were the USEA Area 2 Master Amateur Rider of the Year in 2022 and NCDCTA Horse of the Year at the Training Level in both 2022 and 2023, receiving Honorable Mention at the same level in 2024. Katherine and Bob are devoted to their horses, dogs and their farm, and remain active eventing competitors at national and state-wide recognized horse trials.

Email: eventing@ncdcta.org.

Amanda (Mandi) Martyn
Junior/Young Rider Chair

A Canadian native, Amanda (Mandi) Martyn currently resides in Burlington, NC with her husband Steve, children Logan and Jane and two dogs, Rocket and Maple. Owner of ACM Dressage, LLC, Mandi is a professional Grand Prix dressage rider, USDF gold, silver and bronze medalist and USDF gold freestyle bar awardee  on her self-made lusitano mare, DEM Luna, free-lance trainer and coach. Mandi has been the Jr/YR chair on the NCDCTA Board since late 2024. Email: jryr@ncdcta.org.

Ali LaTorre

Dressage Chair

Ali Perkins LaTorre is a USDF gold medalist and certified instructor. She runs a dressage training business in Hillsborough, NC. She also has an equine-assisted after school reading program called Rearing2Read. Ali is currently working on a Masters in Education at Elon University. Ali is excited to organize some educational opportunities for NCDCTA members in 2023! Email: dressage@ncdcta.org.