About the Owner/Trainer

Before owning a barn, Joan Baron taught English for eight years in both public and private schools. She completed her MA in Community Education just in time to take over Donegal Farm. Joan is also a certified farrier. From 1986 to 1995, Joan developed a 300 lesson/month riding program with the help of four other teachers. For 31 years Joan has been married to Dr. Glenn Baron, veterinarian and school teacher.

For the past thirty plus years, Joan has ridden and trained with some of the best instructors in the U.S. Gleaning the information given by these instructors , she has enjoyed passing this knowledge on to her own students. Below is a list of the trainers:

• Jim GrahamUSET Team Member, 1994
  Successful 3-Day Eventer
  Judge
• Sarah GeikeFEI Competitor
  USDF Instructor/Examiner
  Judge
  
• Diane RitzFEI Level Competitor
  Bronze, Silver & Gold Medalist
  
• Charlie MuscoDressage Competitor
  Technical Delegate
  Judge
  
• Marina GennKlimke Student
  Owner of American Academy of Equestrian Sciences
  
• Cindy SydnorDressage Competitor
  R-Judge
  USDF Instructor
  
• Charles deKunffyAuthor...Training Strategies for Dressage Riders
  The Athletic Development of the Dressage Horse
  

For six years, Joan served as Master of Foxhounds for Mecklenburg Hounds. Moving from fox hunting to eventing brought with it the introduction to dressage. It became a love affair.

As president of the Charlotte Chapter of the NCDCTA, Joan planned meetings with education in mind. A fireman did a barn walk-through, pointing out the hazards of the barn. He encouraged everyone to have a fire plan. A highway patrolman specified the do’s and don’ts of trailering. A safety officer brought defense moves...for women alone in a barn.

Joan continues to ride her own horses as well as those of her students. Her current horse is doing third level work. There is a baby in the wings just waiting to show off his gaits.