Frequently asked questions
Meg Bower - Head Trainer HC Campus
Meg grew up like many horse-crazy girls – dreaming of horses all the time and working around the barn in exchange for additional riding time. Her first formal riding education was in the hunter/jumper world and continued into college where she rode for and was captain of Georgia Tech’s IHSA Team. Upon graduation, Meg began a career in Investment Banking and began riding with Halliea Milner of Go With It Farm. Halliea introduced Meg to the sport of Eventing and Meg has been hooked ever since!
In 2013, Meg left her career in finance to pursue a career working with horses full time. She then relocated to Charleston, SC for several years where she spent time working for USDF Silver Medalist, Michelle Folden and managing an Eventing riding academy at Middleton Place Equestrian Center. Meg is thrilled to be back in Georgia and re-join Go With It Farm as an instructor!
Meg aspires to be a life long student and has had the opportunity to ride with some fabulous teachers including George Morris, Doug Payne, Sinead Halpin, Allison Springer, Dom Schramm, and Kim Walnes. Meg is an upbeat and encouraging instructor – she loves helping her students refine their skills both in the saddle and in the barn to become strong and effective equestrians. Meg has experience working with students of all ages and experience levels. Her love of all things horse is contagious and she aims to create an atmosphere where anyone who loves horses can thrive.
Sarah Fick - Head Trainer JC Campus
Sarah’s first significant experience with horses began in high school when she would volunteer with a therapeutic riding center grooming and caring for the horses during the school year, and spending her summers in Wyoming where she could immerse herself in ranch life and western riding. Her first formal riding education and opportunity to compete was as a member of her college IHSA team at Drexel University. Sarah started with GWIF as a client and after several years working as a professional engineer and riding on the weekends she became inspired to compete in 3-phase eventing. She began dabbling in coaching, before ultimately deciding to seize an opportunity to join the equestrian industry full-time as a Barn Manager and Riding Instructor for Go With It Farm.
Personally, Sarah is chasing down every opportunity to grow as an Eventer as well as in classical dressage. She loves bringing that education back to her students of all levels to help them reach their goals – whether that is competing or simply enjoying horses and having fun! There is nothing quite like a proud trainer moment of seeing your students excel at something for the first time, problem-solve on their own, conquer a fear, or just be out riding with their buddies and laughing in the sunshine!
Madison Benicky - Riding Instructor
Madison is a passionate instructor and trainer with an eye for detail and a strong focus in quality horsemanship; both in and out of the saddle. She feels that this focus builds both a solid foundation and competitive edge.
Madison has been trained in classical dressage that facilitates a harmonious partnership between horse and rider. Whether you’re just starting out riding or looking to further your skills. She believes that training is not a one size fits all process and tailors her instruction to suit the individual horse and rider. One of the key points in her method of teaching is guiding students to develop body and energetic awareness in themselves and how that translates to the horse. She feels this awareness is crucial to building a powerful partnership with each unique horse. Though teaching in a Dressage format, her teaching can be applied to any riding activity.
Madison has 10+ years of experience working with all types, breeds, and ages of horses. She has many years of show experience at recognized breed specific and USDF/USEA competitions at the local, Regional, and National levels.
Personally, Madison has a promising young horse with the long term goal of developing him through to Grand Prix. She works full time with Chris Erbskorn to continue growing and developing her skills as a horsewoman. She also has worked with notable trainers such as; Gwen Poulin, Kassandra Barteau, Kim Barteau, and Robin Ginn. She also spent the summer of 2016 working for Al-Marah Arabians in Clermont, FL.
Zoe Slagle - Beginner Instructor
As a child Zoe tried every single sport you could think of, but after she attend a week of horse camp one summer when she was 8 years old, she knew she was hooked for life! She begged her parents to let her take riding lessons and she continued to ride as a hunter until she was 13. Due to life getting in the way, she had to take a break until college.
Zoe went to Utah State University and Majored in Equine Science and Ranch Management. She also joined USU’s English IHSA team. Every summer in college she taught lessons and ran the horse summer camp for Another Way Montessori School in Park City, Utah.
After college Zoe moved back home and continued to teach beginner and intermediate lessons in English barns. Zoe has a passion for teaching beginners. She loves to watch riders go from learning the basics of how to hold their reins, steer and stop, to being confident in their trots and canters. Zoe remembers the people who first showed her the wonderful ways horses have improved her life, and takes great joy in being that person for the next generation of horse lovers!
Before coming to GWIF Zoe had never considered Eventing as a step in her riding career, but now that she’s started, she never wants to go back! Zoe is passionate about improving her skills as a trainer, by improving her own riding, and GWIF has been an integral part of Zoe’s development as a rider and teacher and is excited to bring all of her students into the GWIF team!
Leslie Wanner - Pike 13 Coordinator/ Book Keeper
Have a billing question or need help with Pike13? Leslie is your go-to gal. She has been our resident bookkeeper for 5 years and knows the ins and outs of how GWIF billing works. Not only is she our bookkeeper but also a riding student as well. And when Leslie isn't at the barn riding or working on bookkeeping stuff, she is enjoys jewelry making, playing with her 3 dogs and working out.
The Horses
At GWIF, the horses are the real MVPs. We love our horses and their endless patience and knowledge they give us. Our lesson horses come to us from all walks of life - some are Halliea’s and Sidnee’s previous competition horses, some are kill pen rescues, some are retired Grand Prix Jumpers or Upper Level Eventers, some were deemed throw aways or “unmanageable” by others. Each has their own special gift to give - some are patient walk/trot teachers, some teach you how to ride fence defensively, some teach you how to use your leg, some teach you how to use your weight aids, the list is endless. With our star string of lesson horses, you can be sure you will have a great partner to learn just what you need to learn at the time.
Leaha Artalona - Beginner Instructor
At the age of thirteen, Leaha knew she was home the moment she took her first riding lesson. The transition to ‘barn rat’ was almost instantaneous, and she spent endless hours trying to soak in all aspects of horse management and training. No chore was too hard or horse too green if it meant she got to spend more time at the barn! Her riding career began in the barrel racing world on a variety of inexperienced horses, and Leaha credits her determination and interest in a challenge to this start! After college Leaha dabbled in the Hunters, but her first formal Eventing instruction began at Go With It Farms. Once she went cross-country for the first time, there was no doubt in her mind that Eventing was the sport for her!
Leaha currently rides under the regular instruction of Meg Bowers and Halliea Milner, but has also been given the opportunity to participate in clinics with Olympian, Phillip Dutton; five-star eventer, Werner Geven; and USDF Silver Medalist, Cynthia Thaxton. She is passionate about her continued riding education and is constantly looking for more opportunities to learn and grow. Leaha loves working with new riders that are just starting out on their equestrian journey, helping them gain confidence both in and out of the saddle. With a strong focus on correct and effective riding, Leaha’s goal is to provide her riders the building blocks they need to progress in their riding careers in a fun, safe, but always challenging environment!
