Meet the Team
We're passionate about building community and helping people reach their goals!
Linda Bird
Program & Development Director
Certified Riding Instructor
PATH-CTRI, Path-ESMHL
CHA Certified Riding Instructor
BS-Equine Science
Physical Therapist Assistant
Linda brings a rare combination of equine experience, competitive riding, education, and physical therapy knowledge to her work at Ridin’ High.
She holds a B.S. in Equine Science, a Master’s Degree in Education, and a degree/certification as a Physical Therapist Assistant. She is also PATH International certified as both a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) and an Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL).
Linda’s professional horse career began long before Ridin’ High. As an undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin, she was a member of both the Show Jumping and Horse Judging Teams. Her horse judging skills earned her first place nationally, placing her at the top of a field of approximately 800 college competitors.
She competed successfully for many years throughout the Midwest and East Coast in hunter/jumper shows, dressage, and eventing. Concurrently, she spent several years as a professional riding instructor in the Equestrian Programs at Averett College and Chatham Hall Preparatory School in Virginia, where she taught advanced riding, equine lameness and disease, and horse training techniques. In addition, she coached competitive teams in dressage, show hunters, and eventing.
Linda’s horse experience extends well beyond competition and teaching. She has bred, raised, and trained sporthorses and continues to ride and train her own horses. She currently competes with Mocha, her personal horse, in Western Dressage and has qualified for the World Show for the past three years. Along the way, she has earned numerous year-end awards, including 2025 Reserve Champion in the USA in Western Equitation.
At Ridin’ High, Linda brings all of these experiences together. Her background in competitive riding gives her a deep understanding of training and performance; her education in equine science and physical therapy gives her a strong foundation for understanding both horses and human movement; and her years as an educator have taught her how to turn that knowledge into effective instruction.
Kayla Hudson
Barn Manager
Certified Riding Instructor
PATH-CTRI
CHA Certified Riding Instructor
Kayla has been an important part of Ridin’ High for more than ten years. Over that time, she has grown from a dedicated volunteer into an essential member of the Ridin’ High team, bringing an exceptional work ethic, practical horsemanship skills, and a genuine commitment to the well-being of our horses and riders.
As Barn Manager, Kayla is responsible for the day-to-day care of our horses and plays an important role in understanding what each horse needs to remain healthy, comfortable, and successful in their work. She helps develop individualized health care, nutritional, and training programs for each horse and pays close attention to the details that can make a big difference in their well-being and performance.
Kayla is also an experienced and effective riding instructor. She combines a strong knowledge of horses and riding with a teaching style that is encouraging, upbeat, and fun. She has a natural ability to break skills down into manageable steps and knows how to help riders progress without pushing them beyond what they are ready to do. Safety is always at the heart of her instruction, but Kayla also understands that learning should be enjoyable!
Importantly, Kayla is a PATH International Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) and has also earned national certification as a riding instructor through the Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA). She has completed the Master Horse Course at the University of Tennessee and continues to actively expand her knowledge of horses and horsemanship.
In fact, learning about horses is an ongoing part of Kayla's life. She regularly seeks out courses, educational opportunities, and information from other equine professionals, always looking for something new that can make her a better horsewoman, instructor, and Equine Manager. She believes that working with horses is a lifelong education—there is always more to learn, and every horse has something to teach you.
When she's not working at Ridin’ High, Kayla can usually be found riding Khaleesi, her own horse, caring for her many animals, or taking another course to further her equine knowledge. She also loves to teach line dancing!
Lily Samler
Assistant Barn Manager
Certified Riding Instructor
CHA Certified Riding Instructor
Lily brings a lifelong passion for horses and riding to Ridin’ High, with a strong background in riding, particularly in dressage. Before moving to Tennessee, she taught riding in another state and developed a solid foundation of horsemanship skills.
Lily has also been a dedicated Ridin’ High volunteer, spending countless hours helping in lessons, horse management, and equine training.
A dedicated learner, Lily works at continually expanding her knowledge of horses. She regularly attends equine-related conferences and courses and seeks opportunities to learn from other professionals, including veterinarians, farriers, saddle fitters, and experienced equine educators.
Lily is currently completing the final classes for her Associate’s Degree in Animal Science. She is also CHA-certified and is working toward her PATH International riding instructor certification.
Nancy Eversole Bible
Founder & Board Member
Nancy represents the heart and soul of Ridin' High. Her passion for serving those with disabilities has led to 30 years of selflessly pouring herself into the development of Ridin' High. She is the driving force behind developing the program from using 2 horses on her personal farm into the vibrant and established program it is today. She continues to serve Ridin' High on the Board of Directors and helps with projects, fundraising, and grants.
Ridin' High is provided guidance and direction through an active board. Members of Ridin' High's board represent diverse skill sets and come from all walks of life! Members are business owners, attorneys, physical therapist assistants, accountants, horse behavioral specialists, and riding instructors (just to name a few). What they all have in common is a desire to help Ridin' High participants experience success!
Volunteers
Volunteers
Ridin' High volunteers are truly a breed apart. They work selflessly (and often hours on end) to ensure that our participants have the best chance at success. Volunteers serve in a wide range of ways: Helping with lessons, caring for the horses, training horses, maintaining the facility, working in the office, writing grants, and helping with fund raising. If you're willing, we're pretty sure that we can match up your skill set and interests with a Ridin' High need!
Contact Us
We'd love to talk personally with you about Ridin' High can benefit you, your school, or your family member. Since we're often busy teaching riders or training horses, the best way to contact us is to email ridinhighinc@yahoo.com. Include your phone number for a return call.