The Equestrian Reserve - Our Staff

Donna Romeu is the Owner/Manager of The Equestrian Reserve. Because of her previous years as a teacher and elementary school principal in the school system, she has truly created a unique equestrian academy and horseback riding school that has sound educational practices with safety always at the forefront. Her career as an educator is extensive as well as her years of affiliation with 4-H, Pony Club of America, CHA (Certified Horsemanship Association), AQHA, CQHA, and GQHA. She has trained young horses from the ground up, competed extensively with numerous Championship titles.  Her passion now is to see that each of her riding students succeed with their own individual goals with horses. Whether it is for pleasure, enjoyment or to be highly competitive, Donna takes a special interest in each individual student.  Parents can schedule conferences to set goals or meet at any time to address any concerns.  This is your school!  This is the place where we don’t just say we have a program to fit your goals and desires but where we make sure it does happen.  Read more about Donna’s philosophy by returning to the home page and clicking on About The Equestrian Reserve.

Julie Power is the Assistant Manager and Head Instructor of The Equestrian Reserve.  Julie Power started riding at the age of seven. Every year since then, her love for horses has grown stronger. After graduating from North Georgia College and State University, with a bachelor’s degree in business management, she started her own riding business in the North Georgia area before coming to us. She has trained and shown English and Western disciplines with American Quarter Horses and has competed at the GQHA level with multiple circuit champions, year end champion and reserve champion awards. She was also a finalist at the All American Quarter Horse Congress in 2005.  She is currently showing her five year old at the AQHA level, which she bought as a yearling and trained herself.  She enjoys sharing her expertise with horses and the mastery of skills necessary for the show ring. 

Haley Spears is the newest member of the instructional staff at The Equestrian Reserve. She started riding at age 7 and hasn't been able to stop since. Haley trained with Rob and Mary Meneely for many years, learning as much as possible from this world class American Quarter Horse team. Currently Mary moved on to be the UGA Equestrian Team Coach for horsemanship. During her show career Haley has earned multiple high-points, champion and reserve champion titles in classes such as Hunt Seat Equitation, Hunter Under Saddle, Over Fences and Showmanship. Haley started her teaching career over 6 years ago, coaching students from their first time on a horse to winning ribbons at shows!  Sharing her knowledge and love of horses is very important to Haley, she loves nothing more than seeing her students reaching their goals and having fun in the process.

Amy Lyons began riding at the age of 4 when her parents bought her first pony. She has shown predominately in the American Quarter Horse Association, and over the years she has earned multiple championship titles while competing in all-around events. After high school, Amy attended Auburn University where she was a member of the Auburn University Equestrian Team. At Auburn she rode competitively in the reining division. Amy has always enjoyed the competitive spirit of showing horses but has become more in love with the horsemanship aspect. She loves to share her knowledge with others, and looks forward to seeing their love of horses grow with each ride.

Erin Blake has also joined our staff of instructors. Erin’s love of horses brought her to The Equestrian Reserve in 2006. In her first year of showing with us in 2008 she was the Novice English Champion and Year End Third Place winner in Western.  Her interest in horses also includes her involvement with volunteer work in hippotherapy.  Hippotherapy is a treatment that uses the multidimensional movement of the horse to help children with disabilities.  Erin also plans on becoming an equine veterinarian.  Erin is a senior at Northview High School where she is on the yearbook staff and captain of the cheerleading squad. Erin loves working with the young riders at The Equestrian Reserve.

Kyle began riding at the Equestrian Reserve when she was 8 years old.  After two years of lessons, she shared ownership of Dollar and competed in Rolling Hills Saddle Club shows for the next two years in English and the Hunter Jumper Ring, earning end of the year Champion and Reserve Champion.  In 2006, she moved into an equestrian neighborhood and became a “cowgirl”, with a horse of her own in her front yard.  The next two years she traveled the southeast competing in Endurance riding on her horse, Domino, earning 1^st place junior in GERA (Georgia Endurance Riders Association) and 2^nd place junior in the AERC (American Endurance Ride Conference).  She also competed and did very well in several local trail challenges.  In 2009, Kyle joined her school’s new equestrian team.  In their Inaugural year, the team went to Regionals, where Kyle won two first place ribbons, qualifying her for Zones.  During the 2010 school year, Kyle was elected to be the Captain of West Forsyth High School's Equestrian Team.  Kyle is currently a senior and has a 4.28 GPA.

Andrea Webb is currently a senior at South Forsyth High School where she has juggled her activities at The Equestrian Reserve with varsity and club volleyball.  Andrea has been a student at The Equestrian Reserve for more than ten years as she joined us when she was just seven years old.  Andrea has owned Limo since her arrival to The Equestrian Reserve in October 2005.  While a student with us, Andrea has been on our competition show team, showing with us at RHSC and GQHA.  Andrea’s is in the South Forsyth High School Internship program in collaboration with The Equestrian Reserve for the work study program.

Andrea is a true horse person as her care and love for all horses is evident in everything she does around the barn.  Andrea enjoys working with young children and teaching them about horse care and riding skills!

Hannah Houston has been riding at the Equestrian Reserve for 7 years and has been on our competition show team since 2006. She is currently showing Sunny again this season in the Open Western division as well as in Western Riding in which she is currently holding in the lead for high point champion. Hannah is also on the Alpharetta H.S. Equestrian Team participating in IEA. She is an Honor Student and a member of the French Club, the Raider Mentors, an organization that helps tutor elementary school students and also on the newspaper staff. Hannah hopes to teach riding lessons for many years while helping to enhance her students' love of horses.