About Us

Wildflower Stables isn’t just a barn….

….. it’s a community. Whether you’re new to the horse world or you’re an avid competitor, there is a place for you here.

Emily Rivers, Owner

PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI), MA Licensed Riding Instructor

Emily’s fondest childhood memories were riding her Shetland Pony, Sparky, through apple orchards with her mom when she was little. Emily practically lived at the barn growing up. She was a dedicated Pony Clubber and quickly fell in love with the discipline of eventing. Emily boarded her horses, an OTTB named Rebel and Morgan/Quarter Horse named Allie at Black Oak Farm in Hamilton, MA where she trained with internationally recognized eventer, Charlie Plumb.

Emily rode on the Equestrian Team and studied art and animal science at the University of Vermont. Upon graduating, she spent many months traveling and volunteering abroad. She lived in South Africa where she worked at a farm and provided tours of the Eastern Cape’s Wild Coast on horseback and volunteered at the Emma Animal Rescue Society in Cape Town. After her time in South Africa, she traveled to Mozambique where she studied Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins and went on to backpack around Australia, Italy and the UK.

When she returned to the US, Emily obtained her Master's Degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Nonprofit Management from Suffolk University in 2011. Helping others has always been Emily's passion, so she became a MA Licensed Riding Instructor and a PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor in 2012.

Watching her students grow and thrive in a supportive and non-judgemental environment is what Emily loves most about what she does. She feels tremendously lucky to be able to provide services that help participants of all ages and abilities realize a higher potential and quality of life.

Dale and Andy.jpg

Dale McCarthy, Operations Manager

Dale has had a love of horses since she was a small child, and has loved watching her son blossom doing hippotherapy and therapeutic riding for well over a decade. After an amazing trip to Montana, Dale finally got in the saddle herself.

Dale brings a myriad of experiences to the Wildflower team, as an educator, active community volunteer and former nonprofit executive director of a fully-inclusive riding program. Dale hails from New Jersey, having moved to the Boston area in 1987 to attend Tufts University, where she received her degree in Child Study in 1991. She subsequently received her Juris Doctor degree from Northeastern University School of Law in 1998.

Dale lives with her husband John and rescue dog in Metrowest Boston, and has two teenagers who are more often than not, out of the nest. You’ll often find Dale snuggling the Wildflower horses or riding around smiling ear-to-ear.

  • Kevin Eardley

    PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI), Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL), MA Licensed Riding Instructor

    Kevin’s love and passion for horses started at a very young age. He grew up spending every second at the barn, absorbing as much knowledge as possible about these beautiful creatures. A lifelong rider and horse owner, he grew up in Massachusetts riding hunter jumper, then transitioned to dressage under the mentorship and training of several professionals throughout the years.

    Kevin began his journey in Therapeutic Riding and Equine Facilitated Services in 2002. Combining his love for horses and passion for helping people, he was hooked from the start! He knew instantly this was what he was set-out to do. In addition to years of teaching, he has extensive direct experience and knowledge in non-profit program management, therapeutic programing, equine facility management and was a former Director of a Therapeutic Riding program for several years.

    With a strong emphasis on horsemanship, Kevin’s core mission is to provide a safe, fun and positive experience to all of his students. He encourages his riders to work toward their personal goal’s, building confidence both in the saddle and in themselves. He feels incredibly fortunate to continue to provide these services to individuals of all ages and abilities.

  • Kayleigh Frenier

    MA Licensed Riding Instructor

    Kayleigh grew up in New England and rode in the hunter and equitation rings under the guidance of Regina Skorohod-Welch and Robert Graham. While in college obtaining her degree in Business Administration, Kayleigh ventured into the jumper ring where she rode with Mark Jungherr, Cormac Kennedy, Ilan Bluman and former Olympian and Chef d’ Equip, Bernie Traurig. She successfully competed at and brought her students to the Winter Equestrian Festival, World Equestrian Center, HITS, Vermont Summer Festival and The Hampton Classic.

    Kayleigh has taught riders of all ages and skill levels across a variety of disciplines. She believes in a flexible teaching style; understanding that every rider or horse learns in their own way. She encourages riders to make goals for themselves, big or small, and loves to see the joy when her students reach them. She is eager to share her love and passion for horses with a positive approach and a strong emphasis on horsemanship.

  • Ava Krieg

    MA Licensed Riding Instructor

    A Massachusetts native, Ava has been riding since she was 7 years old, starting in a lesson program doing both mounted and unmounted lessons. At 15, Ava leased her first horse and started riding in the hunter/jumper discipline. In 2018, Ava bought her first horse, Ambassador, to advance her passion for riding and competing and her event pony, Knight, in 2021.

    Ava has recently resumed her studies at Dean College where she is pursuing a degree in Psychology. She looks forward to using her knowledge to pursue her PATH certification to teach therapeutic riding in the future.

    Ava’s goal as an instructor is to provide her students with comprehensive knowledge surrounding horses, both in and out of the saddle. She strives to create a safe, supportive, and engaging learning environment where her riders develop increasing confidence. She wants her students to leave their lessons feeling like they accomplished their goals and excited to return each week.

  • Linda Smith

    MA Licensed Riding Instructor

    A native of Natick, Linda Smith brings over 32 years experience working with horses and riders in a myriad of roles in the equine industry. Most recently, Linda taught and ran her own program out of Course Brook Farm for 6 years. She has been on the board of the Charles River Dressage Association for 12 years. After all these years in the industry, Linda views herself as a not only a teacher, but also a student, continuing to expand her knowledge of riding and equine behavior, training, nutrition and health by attending seminars and clinics with top instructors.

    Linda is skilled at working with riders of all levels, from beginner through Fourth Level dressage levels. Linda’s warm, even demeanor enable her to develop an exceptional ability to tap into what motivates each student and advance their riding skills and confidence. She understands the importance of providing skills and tools not only for riding, but also for everyday life. The responsibilities of caring for horses help teach time management, leadership, decision making, and cooperation. Through Linda, riders discover the fun, friendship and power of teamwork through proper horsemanship techniques. Linda believes working with animals helps individuals learn to better relate to others with understanding and respect. Linda is excited to share her lifetime of learning and teaching with the riders at Wildflower Stables and witness more moments of connection between horse and rider.