The Working Students are an extremely important part of the Windchase team.  As well as training and competing their own horses, they are responsible for doing the barn work and caring for all the horses.  They help with the preparation, exercise and conditioning of the event horses, and make sure the boarders are well looked after.  The hard work and dedication of the Working Students help to keep the farm running smoothly and efficiently.

     Kenny Popkins:  Kenny is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep at Windchase.   He mows, weeds, repairs fences and barns, builds jumps, helps with stable chores, and does whatever else needs to be done around the farm.  Maintaining a large farm like Windchase is a lot of hard work, and Kenny does a great job keeping the place in shape.

Steve Mayer

     Steve Mayer is the farrier at Windchase.  He shoes all of the Event horses, as well as the young horses in training and most of the boarders' horses.  Keeping the horses feet in good shape when they are working hard is difficult and vital, and Steve gives them the utmost in care.  Steve is an excellent farrier, and an important part of the Windchase team.

     Dr. Sean Bowman, of the Piedmont Equine Practice, is Windchase's barn veterinarian.  He takes care of Phyllis' Event horses, as well as most of the horses living on the farm.  Between routine maintenance, evaluating soundness, treating problems and dealing with emergencies, Dr. Bowman is responsible for doing everything possible to ensure the soundness and good health of the Windchase horses.  We are lucky to have such exceptional veterinary care.


     The Boarders: Windchase has a super group of boarders who are great fun to be around.  From pleasure riders to serious competitors, they all take the greatest interest in their horses welfare, and are always willing to help out when needed.  (Hopefully we won't have to ask them to shovel the snow off the indoor arena roof too often!)  Having a friendly group of people who love horses is what Windchase is all about. 

     Bruce and Nancy Mountz:  Bruce and Nancy are Phyllis' next door neighbors and good friends. The Mountzs contribute to the Windchase team in many ways.  They have often hauled horses for Phyllis all over the country when needed, groomed at competitions, and supplied moral support and assistance to less the experienced riders at competitions.  And Bruce with his snowplow is a great help when we have winter storms!

     Grace Dawson is Phyllis' mother.  She is an inspiration to all who know her.  She helped Phyllis get Windchase started back in 1986, and over the years  she has been a terrific jump builder, lawn mower, problem solver, troubleshooter, barn builder, tractor repairer, seamstress, cook and ground hog slayer!  Whatever needs to be done, Grace seems to know how to do it.  She is always a source of help, advice and motivation around Windchase.