Instructors

KATE BROWN

BARN MANAGER & HEAD TRAINER

Kate Brown, a Philadelphia native, comes to Northwestern with over 20 years of horse experience. She learned to ride at Northwestern as a teenager, and advanced to camp instructor before leaving for Cazenovia College in NY, where she studied Equine Business Management. As part of her training, she returned to Northwestern as Assistant Barn Manager in 2008-2009. Kate eventually bought her own horse farm in upstate NY, overseeing a stable of 30 horses, a lesson program, and a successful equestrian team.  Kate is a professional instructor and trainer in the equitation, hunter and jumper disciplines. Northwestern was pleased to welcome Kate back to her “home” barn in February 2017. Kate led the creation of Northwestern Stable’s Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA program. She coaches both the JV and Varsity Teams.

DANA EPPS

ASSISTANT BARN MANAGER & INSTRUCTOR

Dana grew up nearby, and early on found her way to NWS. She began taking beginner lessons with then Head Trainer, Kathy Kerneckel, becoming a floor worker several years later, cleaning stalls throughout her high school years, and working as a NWS summer camp counselor. Dana began riding and showing Oxford, and she remembers him being such a pleasure and so much fun to show.  Dana and Oxford even competed at the Devon Classic, which was a great personal accomplishment as an adult rider.  Dana has taught hunter-style lessons at NWS to children and adults at all riding levels.  She has always enjoyed teaching and watching her students’ progress and smiles, helping them reach those “aha” moments when horse and rider click.  Aside from her time at NWS, Dana has also worked at a horse farm in Virginia, assisted with an intercollegiate riding team there, and showed in the Adult Hunter Division. Dana became Assistant Barn Manager in September 2017. She currently assistant Head Coach of the IEA team and Head Coach for the University of Pennsylvania IHSA Equestrian Team.