Complete Horsemanship Instruction
Foothills Horsemanship Academy
At Foothills Horsemanship Academy, we provide top-notch horseback riding instruction tailored to riders of all ages and skill levels. Our certified instructors prioritize safety and success, offering both English and Western riding lessons. Whether you're interested in learning on your own horse or ours, our welcoming environment is perfect for enhancing your riding skills.
Meet Our Professional Instructors ---
Dana Leigh Dewey
ARIA and Centered Riding (r) certified instructor
The owner of Foothills Horsemanship Academy has been an ARIA Advanced certified instructor for over 30 years and is a certified Centered Riding® Instructor. She has been a full-time professional in the horse industry since 1978. Her teaching includes hunt seat, jumping, cross country, stock seat (western), colt starting, dressage principles and a thoughtful, humane approach to safe and harmonious training concepts. Her teaching focus is on rider position and balance to achieve effective communication. She coaches competing students at all levels and in many disciplines from beginners though advanced.
Contact Dana at 828-381-0473.
Amy Autrey Pope
Centered riding (r) certified instructor
Amy Pope is a Charlotte, NC native who fell in love with horses at a young age, and that passion has stayed with her ever since.
She is a certified Centered Riding® instructor with over six years of teaching experience, and she loves helping beginners learn horsemanship and riding in a relaxed, encouraging environment. Amy believes riding is about more than just learning skills—it’s about building confidence, connection, and trust with the horse.
A true animal lover, Amy has two horses, four cats, and two beloved “granddogs.” Her love and respect for animals are at the heart of everything she does.
Outside of the barn, Amy is a loving wife to her husband, Jason, and a proud mom of three children. She brings that same care and heart into every lesson, helping each rider feel supported and confident.
Leah B. Metz
Leah Metz is a lifelong equestrian originally from Martinsville Virginia. Raised on her family's 1200 acre ranch, she also spent more than 25 years running her own stable and lesson program. She brings a broad and practical background to our teaching team. Her experience includes both amateur and professional involvement in multiple breed associations, and 30 years of teaching in programs such as 4-H, the YMCA and for the United Methodist Church. She has also served as a certified judge with several organizations.
Leah has certified through the Certified Horsemanship Association and the American Riding Instructor Association. Her certification in Centered Riding (r) is in the works.
She loves to share her knowledge and experience with students of all levels through horsemanship, horse training, games and pattern work providing effective and enjoyable learning. Contact Leah at (276) 226-0766
Leah has certified through the Certified Horsemanship Association and the American Riding Instructor Association. Her certification in Centered Riding (r) is in the works.
She loves to share her knowledge and experience with students of all levels through horsemanship, horse training, games and pattern work providing effective and enjoyable learning. Contact Leah at (276) 226-0766
Dr. Katie has been an avid rider since grade school and has competed in Hunt Seat, Eventing, and Dressage. During college, she was an active member of both the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) Hunt Seat team and the Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA) team. While competing with IDA, she qualified for Nationals twice—earning both team and individual honors, including an individual championship title. Along with her extensive competition background, Katie has coached collegiate IHSA Hunt Seat and IDA teams and currently serves as the Coach for Lees-McRae College’s IHSA Hunt Seat team. She is a part-time instructor at Foothills Horsemanship Academy and a practicing veterinarian (DVM) when she’s not at the farm.