Erin Jones, Owner and Manager
Erin Jones, the owner and manager of Fly Away Farm, is a life-long hunter jumper rider and horse enthusiast. Erin got her start riding just up the road from Fly Away Farm at Greenfields Equestrian Center, under the tutelage of Marilyn Mitchell and her wonderful assistants, Laura Godsoe and Laura Blevins. Erin credits Ms. Mitchell with helping her develop a strong foundation in the American forward seat style of riding. Even more importantly, Ms. Mitchell championed good horsemanship and the importance of hands-on horse care as an integral part of the hunter jumper sport. Erin has adopted this philosophy as her own.
After completing her degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Delaware, Erin was engaged to her college sweetheart, Will, and they made the move to Portland, Maine to take up his first station as a Naval Officer. The United States Navy moved Erin and Will several times, which afforded Erin the unique opportunity to train and show with many gifted instructors up and down the East Coast. Erin found riding with a diverse group of instructors to be an excellent way to grow as a rider and horsewomen. Each trainer has unique strengths, interests, training styles, and techniques to share with her students.
After ten years living away from Chester County, Erin and Will had the opportunity to bring life full circle. The couple returned to West Grove, PA, buying a dilapidated old 18 acre former cow farm. Slowly but surely, the farm has been transformed into a highly-functional and horse-friendly training facility and equine retirement home, Fly Away Farm.
After completing her degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Delaware, Erin was engaged to her college sweetheart, Will, and they made the move to Portland, Maine to take up his first station as a Naval Officer. The United States Navy moved Erin and Will several times, which afforded Erin the unique opportunity to train and show with many gifted instructors up and down the East Coast. Erin found riding with a diverse group of instructors to be an excellent way to grow as a rider and horsewomen. Each trainer has unique strengths, interests, training styles, and techniques to share with her students.
After ten years living away from Chester County, Erin and Will had the opportunity to bring life full circle. The couple returned to West Grove, PA, buying a dilapidated old 18 acre former cow farm. Slowly but surely, the farm has been transformed into a highly-functional and horse-friendly training facility and equine retirement home, Fly Away Farm.
Today, Erin is an amateur adult rider who often competes in assorted adult hunter,adult equitation, and green horse divisions. Erin has also dabbled in Dressage, competing at Training Level and has even schooled a little cross country though she is a chicken! Erin particularly enjoys competing in the local hunter series throughout Chester County including the Chester County Horse Show Association Series and the Freedom Horse Show Series. Erin has also competed in the New Hampshire Hunter Jumper Association and the Maryland Horse Show Association, among others.
In addition to riding, Erin is an experienced local horse show judge. She has served as a professional riding arena building consultant and has worked as professional barn staff for a large boarding stable in Maryland.
As the manager of Fly Away Farm, Erin has a passion for honing the art of horse keeping. Erin strives to ensure the resident horses are as happy and comfortable as possible, both mentally and physically. Erin believes in simple, but effective and consistent care, and performs most of the horse care personally.
In addition to riding, Erin is an experienced local horse show judge. She has served as a professional riding arena building consultant and has worked as professional barn staff for a large boarding stable in Maryland.
As the manager of Fly Away Farm, Erin has a passion for honing the art of horse keeping. Erin strives to ensure the resident horses are as happy and comfortable as possible, both mentally and physically. Erin believes in simple, but effective and consistent care, and performs most of the horse care personally.
Below is a list of Instructors with whom Erin has ridden regularly:
- Marilyn Mitchell- a celebrated Chester County hunter/eq coach with a special talent for producing true horsemen and women (with her assistant trainers Laura Godsoe and Laura Lesky Blevins)
- Jennifer Capone- An experienced USEF A-Circuit Hunter/Jumper rider based in New England
- Paulajean O’Neill –A New England-based USEF ‘R’ judge specializing in hunters and equitation
- Lucia Montes- A New England-based trainer and highly experienced stable manager and groom who worked for notable show jumper riders Anne Kursiniski, Laura Kraut and Lauren Hough
- Holly Lohmann Stello-An award-winning former Big Eq and Junior Eq rider who trained with Frank and Stacia Madden as well as her mother, Susan Lohmann. Based in Maryland, Holly continues to have great success on the ‘A’ circuit and in the local show ring.
- Julie Devine- a talented horse trainer with a diverse background, Julie has ridden hunters, jumpers, eventers, gaited horses and has trained ponies for Woodlands Pony Farm, the leading USEF pony breeder in 2017.
- Mogie Bearden-Muller-An Upper level event rider and excellent dressage coach
- Ashley Brown -A talented Chester County-based show hunter triple threat (meaning she can ride, train and teach!)
