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Meet our dedicated staff
Lesley Mahaffey, Owner & Head Instructor
Erÿk Mahaffey, Asst Instructor & Farm Manager
Erÿk Mahaffey, Asst Instructor & Farm Manager
Long before she ever owned a horse, Lesley was claimed by one.
At six years old, a neighbor’s mischievous Shetland pony captured her imagination — and quietly set the trajectory for her life. From that moment on, horses were not a hobby; they were an obsession. She sketched them endlessly, painted them from memory, and created hand-drawn
Long before she ever owned a horse, Lesley was claimed by one.
At six years old, a neighbor’s mischievous Shetland pony captured her imagination — and quietly set the trajectory for her life. From that moment on, horses were not a hobby; they were an obsession. She sketched them endlessly, painted them from memory, and created hand-drawn flashcards to study conformation. She built makeshift show rings in the yard, set up imaginary jump courses, and asked for one thing — and only one thing — every birthday: a horse of her own.
At twelve, her wish came true.
Scarlett, a fiery half-Arabian chestnut mare, became her first partner. But owning a horse came with a lesson in responsibility. Lesley was required to pay for half of Scarlett’s upkeep — so she did whatever it took. Babysitting. Mowing lawns. Washing cars. Saving every dollar. She couldn’t afford a saddle and often borrowed one when she could, so riding bareback became second nature. Determination, not convenience, defined those early years.
That determination followed her to the University of Maryland, where she rode on the university’s equestrian team. After graduation, she stepped into professional horsemanship at Woodland Horse Center in Silver Spring, Maryland, apprenticing under Mike Smith, author of Getting the Most From Riding Lessons. There, as horse center manager, she learned not only how to teach — specializing in beginner riders — but how to run a thriving, large-scale equestrian program. She developed a working student program, built a competition team, and earned certification through the American Riding Instructors Association.
Life as a military spouse meant frequent moves, but wherever she went, horses remained constant. She continued teaching, riding, and helping other facilities build and strengthen their lesson programs — carrying both experience and passion from state to state.
Lesley’s competitive background spans hunt seat, eventing, dressage, endurance, western speed events, games, and even fox hunting. Yet beyond ribbons and disciplines, her true focus lies in partnership. She is deeply committed to groundwork and in-hand work, drawing inspiration from horsemen such as Ryan Rose, Steve Young, and Warwick Schiller. She studies the subtle language between horse and human, always seeking softness, clarity, and trust in the connection.
After many relocations, Lesley has finally put down roots just outside Warrenton, Virginia. There, on her own farm, she continues the journey that began with a spirited Shetland pony — dedicated to developing confident riders, thoughtful horsemen, and true partnerships built from the ground up.
Erÿk Mahaffey, Asst Instructor & Farm Manager
Erÿk Mahaffey, Asst Instructor & Farm Manager
Erÿk Mahaffey, Asst Instructor & Farm Manager
Some people discover horses. Others rise to meet them.
Erÿk is an Army veteran and attorney from New England whose path to the saddle began in 2008, after relocating to Frederick County, Virginia. What started as a new chapter quickly became a calling. A dedicated western rider, he immersed himself in the discipline, competing in amateur
Some people discover horses. Others rise to meet them.
Erÿk is an Army veteran and attorney from New England whose path to the saddle began in 2008, after relocating to Frederick County, Virginia. What started as a new chapter quickly became a calling. A dedicated western rider, he immersed himself in the discipline, competing in amateur events and continually pushing himself to learn more. Today, he is expanding his skill set into mounted shooting and mounted archery — pursuits that demand precision, grit, and trust between horse and rider.
He shares that journey with Malecoda, the farm’s striking Friewalker — a Friesian x Tennessee Walking Horse whose presence turns heads and whose partnership reflects Erÿk’s steady determination.
But his horsemanship came with a test.
When he met Lesley, she wasn’t about to take his riding claims at face value. So she challenged him — and the proving ground was the windswept shoreline of Hatteras, North Carolina. Racing down the beach aboard a former barrel racer, Erÿk demonstrated he could do more than talk the talk. He could ride.
His devotion to animals extends far beyond the barn. Erÿk has fostered more than two dozen large and giant breed dogs, raised a puppy for Guiding Eyes for the Blind, and shared his life with a Great Dane — a breed he especially loves. His current gentle giant, Lita, continues that tradition. Whether horse or hound, he gravitates toward the bold, the powerful, and the loyal.
At home, his hands are rarely still. An accomplished gardener, he cultivates a thriving landscape of berries, fruit trees, and raised vegetable beds. Chickens roam the property, providing fresh eggs and serving as natural insect control. The land is not simply lived on — it is stewarded.
In 2019, Erÿk undertook a complete renovation of the family home, rebuilding it from the inside out. He continues to expand and improve the property, driven by a shared vision. Moving from Winchester to Warrenton was not just a relocation — it was a commitment to Lesley’s dream of building a horse center. Every fence mended, every arena drag, every project completed reflects that dedication.
And when the barn work pauses and the garden tools are set aside, Erÿk steps into his other calling — practicing law from his home office with the same discipline and focus he brings to the saddle.
Soldier. Horseman. Advocate. Builder. Steward.
Erÿk is the quiet force behind the scenes — steady, capable, and always moving the vision forward.