Meet Our Team at DRA
Our instructors are trained through Ed Dabney's methods of Gentle Horsemanship and are well equipped to take riders to the next level, or be a patient teacher for beginners and children. Our incredible team of instructors truly are the heart of Dabney Riding Academy. Their dedication, passion and talent keep students invested in the learning process. Take a look below to learn more about the team!
Ed Dabney
Owner of Ed Dabney Gentle Horsemanship www.EdDabney.com
Ed Dabney (owner) is an internationally acclaimed clinician, presenting horsemanship and riding clinics all over the US and in Europe. Ed's blending of natural horsemanship and classical equitation has made an indelible mark with students all across the United States and now also in Europe, drawing the attention of serious riders searching for the lightest touch and the deepest connection with their horses irrespective of breed or discipline.
Caroline Butler
Instructor
Coach - AllStar team
Elizabeth Dabney
Owner/Trainer/Senior Instructor
Head Coach - Elite, Rusty Spurs, Legacy, Classical Skills and Pro teams
Elizabeth Dabney carries on the family legacy of training with gentle horsemanship methods through her riding lessons and horse training. As the daughter of Ed Dabney, she learned under his instruction while also assisting with training and clinics in Ed Dabney's US and European tours. Coaching three mounted drill teams, Elizabeth's communication skills with horses and humans have won her teams multiple state championships, two National Championships and booked rodeos all over the south. Elizabeth is a member of the Screen Actors Guild and has performed as a stunt rider in the film industry.
Ashley Claville
Instructor
Head Coach - Varsity
Assistant Coach- Elite
Caroline Butler has had a deep love for horses since she was a little girl. Her riding career began at age 9 when she started taking weekly lessons at Dabney Riding Academy. Caroline has been a part of the DRA family since 2015. She participated on our competition level Drill teams for 5 years and is now a member of our Professional Diamond D Cowgirls drill Team. Caroline enjoys any time she gets to spend with her two horses, Stetson and Jet. One of her favorite things to do is traveling around the country with the Pro team and performing on Stetson! Caroline began her coaching career by assisting with Pre-JV, JV, Allstar and Varsity for a collection of seasons. Caroline is one of our head instructors for Summer Camps at Dabney Riding Academy.
Caroline is the head coach for the Allstar drill team and instructs private and group youth and adult lessons.
Ashley Claville has been passionate about horses from an early age. She began formal riding lessons at the age of 12 and has been at Dabney Riding Academy for private lessons and mounted drill team for the past five years under the coaching and instruction of Elizabeth Dabney. Although her favorite place to be is in the saddle, Ashley has gained valuable experience in the care and maintenance of horses by working for the Dabney farm for the past 3 years. Her initial experience instructing young riders began during DRA’s Summer Riding Camps. She has been assisting and instructing at summer camps for the past four years. Ashley has assisted coaching with both the Diamond D JV and Varsity teams for 5 seasons as well as performing on the Diamond D Elite team.
Jordyn Caines has had a love for horses her whole life. She began her riding career at the age of 11 with formal lessons and has continued to grow and study under Elizabeth Dabney’s instruction and coaching for the last 5 years. Jordyn has been riding drill on the Varsity level for 3 years both with her personal horse, Red, and a variety of Dabney drill horses. Jordyn has gained valuable experience in the care and maintenance of horses by working for the Dabney farm for the past 3 years. Jordyn has gained experience teaching youth riders through DRA’s Summer Camps the last 3 years. She has also assisted coaching the Diamond D JV teams for 4 seasons and will begin her second season as head coach for our Pre-JV team this fall.
Haylee Goolsby became enthralled with horses at a very young age and has continued to pursue her passion of training and teaching horsemanship riding skills. She has been working and training under the instruction of Ed Dabney for 3 years. Haylee enjoys teaching both horses and riders alike, and watching them progress in gaining fundamental skills. Haylee has a gentle and encouraging nature when it comes to teaching young riders. Haylee loves any opportunity she has to take her personal horses, Dixie and Star, on weekend camping and trail riding adventures. She has been riding drill for the last 3 years and is a current member of the Diamond D Cowgirls Pro team.