Instructors & Staff

His family’s love of horses, a philanthropic spirit, and a curiosity about life’s next ventures, turned out to be the fate-filled formula that triggered Harry to investigate therapeutic riding programs. But it was witnessing the transformation when placing a friend’s seven year old disabled daughter onto a horse that propelled the Swimmers to convert their family farm into Mitey Riders. After a successful insurance career, Harry returned to his alma mater, Penn State, to undergo training in therapeutic riding. He also served on PATH Intl’s [previously named NARHA] national board as VP for 6 years.

Joy Simon, the program director of Mitey Riders for all sixteen years, was born and raised in Charlotte where she developed her background in education as well as veterinary and horsemanship. Her special bond with the riders and unending enthusiasm is apparent to all those around her. Joy continues to be the driving force in the operations, creativity and therapeutic results of the Misty Meadows Mitey Riders program.

A New Jersey native, Tracy grew up riding and caring for her own horses. Years after moving to Charlotte, Tracy began volunteering with Mitey Riders in 2005. She joined the staff as Assistant Program Director in 2006 and earned her certification as a NARHA Instructor the following spring. After an early career as a paralegal, and then a full time mom, Tracy feels it is no surprise that she has come full circle back to a life with horses. In the early morning you can find her with her horse, Maggie, out in the fields of Misty Meadows. Tracy’s passions in life are children and horses, and she feels thoroughly blessed to have combined the two through equine therapy at Mitey Riders.

Erica has been working in Equine Therapy programs since high school, and grew up riding and showing. After she began with Mitey Riders as a volunteer feeder on the weekends, she transitioned to a NARHA certified instructor and Marketing Director. Erica also runs a Junior Equestrian Program at Misty Meadows, offering English-style instruction to young riders. Erica’s other titles in life include Photographer, Designer, and Animal Lover; as well as Volunteer to drumSTRONG, American Cancer Society, Vizsla Rescue, and the Special Olympics.

An avid animal lover who believes our lives are enriched by our bond with animals, Amanda jumped at the opportunity to join the Mitey Riders team. When she’s not working with Mitey Riders, Amanda fills her time as a freelance writer and helps with fundraising for Make-A-Wish and the Humane Society. If you asked her what she thinks heaven might be like, she thinks it probably has lots of happy children on horses.

Neal Brandt, an airline pilot and NARHA Certified Instructor, has been working with Mitey Riders since 1998. Neal says, “The program has had a profound impact on my life — it has taught me to be more patient and, most importantly, it has shown me that I can make a difference in someone’s life.” Neal volunteers his time on Saturdays.

Sharon spent her teens and early 20’s coming up through 4-H, Pony Club, Hunter/Jumper shows, Eventing and Dressage, culminating with a 6 month stay in England obtaining her BHSAI. Certain that her future was with horses, she discovered that life interfered! Determined that her life include the company of horses, Sharon volunteered with Mitey Riders and was ultimately brought on as a tack coordinator. Sharon stays busy off the farm with two children, two dogs, and a full time career in real estate marketing. She considers herself honored to be apart of the Mitey Rider family – a place that, to Sharon, feels like home.

Monique began her journey with Mitey Riders as the Saturday Volunteer Coordinator in 2007, and continues today as the Saturday Tack Coordinator — making the switch from preparing volunteers for their shift to preparing the horses for the lessons. Her dream of owning a horse came true at the age of nine, and she has been captivated by them ever since.

Diana had her first riding lesson at age 10, and went on to learn both English and Western styles. She got involved with the Mitey Riders program after moving to NC from New York, where she had volunteered for a similar program. She truly enjoys working with the kids and the horses, and finds her evening feeding time with the horses very peaceful.