Candy Cook approaches horse training and the competition world with the same enthusiasm and professionalism she exhibits in every area of her life. Her inquisitive mind and dedication have helped her achieve success in fulfilling her life-long goal of training and riding horses. Says Candy, “Even at an early stage of life, I knew what I wanted – to spend my life training and riding horses.”
Originally from Shreveport, Louisiana, Candy started riding at the age of four. When she was twelve years old, she began training under the watchful eye of renowned trainer Bea Griffith. Soon, Candy was competing 3’6” Hunters and retraining thoroughbred racehorses for Eventing. She also joined Pony Club during this time of her life. At the age of twenty-one, Candy relocated to Little Rock, Arkansas, where she was encouraged by riders and horse owners to seek out local legend Marty Hopkins. Candy did so and with Marty coaching her, resumed her training. Their working relationship flourished and continues to date.
In 1999, Candy moved to Farmington, Kentucky, where she presently trains horses and gives lessons on her farm. She further serves the local horse community by organizing riding clinics with high-quality instructors and dressage shows with rated judges at nearby Murray State University’s Equestrian Center, as well as by volunteering her time to assist with Murray State’s Equestrian Team and the local Pony Club.
Candy has personally trained her own horses to Third Level dressage and Preliminary level eventing, and has successfully competed through Training level in eventing and at Second Level Dressage. She is dedicated to always improving herself and becoming the best rider, teacher and trainer possible, therefore she believes in continuing her own education by participating in clinics with such notable names as Marty Hopkins, Kim Severson, Stephen Bradley, Pamela Fowler-Grace and a host of others. She is currently attending the USEA Instructor Certification Program for Level II.
Gay Anderson has a history of over 30 years in dressage and hunters, working with many top notch instructors from all around the world. From a young age, Gay became engrossed in horses and loves to share her knowledge with others. More information about Gay can be found here.
Vicki Kepple, like many young girls, fell in love with horses at an early age. None of her family members shared or understood that passion, but she continued to dream that "some day" she would have a horse of her own. Vicky finally owned her first horse in her early thirties, and was soon hooked on dressage and she and her husband became very active in Centerline Dressage serving as President and Vice-President. She bought her dream horse "Gulf Prince" as a 6 year old (he is now retired at 21) and in 2002 "Sir Lancelot", a 15 year old schoolmaster. She and her husband own Kevilar Farm, located in Stonefort, Illinois, which was established in 2003 and consists of a 5-stall barn and attached indoor riding arena. Vicky is an ardent Pat Parelli student currently working on her Level II certification and has hosted several horse activities at Kevilar Farm. She is the newest edition to the LEDA board and serves as Southern Illinois regional coordinator.
Jean McPherson started riding later in life, like so many of our members. Her current horse partner is the Flying Dutchman or Dutch, a 15 year old grey Trakehner gelding that Jean has had since he was 6 years old. Dutch is a very gentle horse with a laid back attitude and gentleman like manners. Jeans goal was always to have fun with the horses, enjoy the companionship and learn how to communicate with them. Jean served as CLD South Chapter Secretary and later Treasurer for many years and has been the LEDA treasurer since our inception in 2007.
Katharina Nowotny-Boles is a native of Austria who moved to the US in 1999. She currently owns four horses which she is training herself under the tutelage of Pam Bullington and Ed Rothkranz of Adolphus, KY. Klaus is her main competition horse, a 17 year old 17.3 Rhinelander gelding. Her two talented youngsters are Grassias and Debussey, both Hanoverians. She has started both horses and hopes to be competing at training level in 2010. Katharina works as a Supply Chain Manager in Shelbyville, TN. She is married to Michael Boles and together they run K&M Pferdehof.
Heather Hill is the LEDA Junior/Young Rider Representative. Heather is a 21 year old student attending Murray State University, in Murray, Kentucky, majoring in Agriculture Education. Originally from Marion, Illinois, Heather has been riding since she was old enough to walk. She has dabbled in the Western and English worlds, in everything from cutting horses to dressage. Currently, Heather and her Mom (LEDA Secretary, Penny Murden) have four horses in rural Marion, Illinois. Whether you are a "youth" or not, feel free to contact Heather with any LEDA or other horse questions!
Penny Murden is the LEDA Secretary. She was introduced into the horse world in the 6th grade. Unlike her daughter (LEDA Youth Rep., Heather Hill), Penny has always riden English. She has competed in eventing and dressage, and enjoyed fox hunting, as well. However, in recent years, she has also been introduced into the cutting horse world.
Candy Cook approaches horse training and the competition world with the same enthusiasm and professionalism she exhibits in every area of her life. Her inquisitive mind and dedication have helped her achieve success in fulfilling her life-long goal of training and riding horses. Says Candy, “Even at an early stage of life, I knew what I wanted – to spend my life training and riding horses.”
Gay Anderson has a history of over 30 years in dressage and hunters, working with many top notch instructors from all around the world. From a young age, Gay became engrossed in horses and loves to share her knowledge with others. More information about Gay can be found 
Vicki Kepple, like many young girls, fell in love with horses at an early age. None of her family members shared or understood that passion, but she continued to dream that "some day" she would have a horse of her own. Vicky finally owned her first horse in her early thirties, and was soon hooked on dressage and she and her husband became very active in Centerline Dressage serving as President and Vice-President. She bought her dream horse "Gulf Prince" as a 6 year old (he is now retired at 21) and in 2002 "Sir Lancelot", a 15 year old schoolmaster. She and her husband own Kevilar Farm, located in Stonefort, Illinois, which was established in 2003 and consists of a 5-stall barn and attached indoor riding arena. Vicky is an ardent Pat Parelli student currently working on her Level II certification and has hosted several horse activities at Kevilar Farm. She is the newest edition to the LEDA board and serves as Southern Illinois regional coordinator.
Jean McPherson started riding later in life, like so many of our members. Her current horse partner is the Flying Dutchman or Dutch, a 15 year old grey Trakehner gelding that Jean has had since he was 6 years old. Dutch is a very gentle horse with a laid back attitude and gentleman like manners. Jeans goal was always to have fun with the horses, enjoy the companionship and learn how to communicate with them. Jean served as CLD South Chapter Secretary and later Treasurer for many years and has been the LEDA treasurer since our inception in 2007.
Katharina Nowotny-Boles is a native of Austria who moved to the US in 1999. She currently owns four horses which she is training herself under the tutelage of Pam Bullington and Ed Rothkranz of Adolphus, KY. Klaus is her main competition horse, a 17 year old 17.3 Rhinelander gelding. Her two talented youngsters are Grassias and Debussey, both Hanoverians. She has started both horses and hopes to be competing at training level in 2010. Katharina works as a Supply Chain Manager in Shelbyville, TN. She is married to Michael Boles and together they run K&M Pferdehof. 
Heather Hill is the LEDA Junior/Young Rider Representative. Heather is a 21 year old student attending Murray State University, in Murray, Kentucky, majoring in Agriculture Education. Originally from Marion, Illinois, Heather has been riding since she was old enough to walk. She has dabbled in the Western and English worlds, in everything from cutting horses to dressage. Currently, Heather and her Mom (LEDA Secretary, Penny Murden) have four horses in rural Marion, Illinois. Whether you are a "youth" or not, feel free to contact Heather with any LEDA or other horse questions!
Penny Murden is the LEDA Secretary. She was introduced into the horse world in the 6th grade. Unlike her daughter (LEDA Youth Rep., Heather Hill), Penny has always riden English. She has competed in eventing and dressage, and enjoyed fox hunting, as well. However, in recent years, she has also been introduced into the cutting horse world.