Loretta & Jeff Van Driel ~ The Owners

Liefke Estates (pronounced Leaf-kuh and named after Jeff's Dutch Mother) is a 30 acre estate consisting of our home (The Manor) and 2 vacation rental homes (The Cottage and The Guest Quarters). We opened Iron Hoof Stables to offer trail rides to our guests and continue to take further steps to encourage our daughter's passion and gift for horses and Loretta's passion for horses and childhood dream of owning horses and running a stable.

We both grew up on dairy farms in Canada and after we were married owned and operated 2 pig farms before moving to the United States. We love living in the country and getting away from the chaos and working on our 'Labor of Love' estate. In our down time we can be be found traveling the world.

We are delighted to have you visit our little part of the world. Loretta

Dana Scott ~ Head Trainer & Instructor

Hello! My name is Dana Scott. I have been working with horses for 9 years. I started training western down the road at Shining Times Farm where my trainer, Mr. Darrell, taught me not only how to ride but also about natural horsemanship, body language and how to understand the horses we work with. I took lessons with him for several years and then he brought me in under him to help teach his clients. That is when my riding and teaching career really grew and as it did, I aspired to learn the English discipline. I bought a cheap English saddle and made my own pad. I started taking English lessons at another barn where soon I was hired on as an English instructor. I don't prefer to be in the show world but prefer to work more on helping my clients be able to ride anything and everything in both disciplines. In the past year, I started Classical Dressage and have learned so much about movement and comfort and love being able to apply it in my teaching with my own clients. My approach to teaching is out of the box. For me, that means barebacking, time out of the arena, groundwork, starting a horse and work in the round pen such as desensitizing and liberty training. All of this is as important as riding. Barebacking helps you build amazing balance and connection with your horse. Ground work and round pen training can really help you understand the horse you want to ride. Often horses have a lot to say, it's just you don't speak their language. My goal for my clients is that not only are they able to ride well but also able to understand the horses they ride.

Currently, I work full time for Iron Hoof Stables training horses and teaching my clients, both adults and children, while continuing my own training with two other instructors. Hope to meet you at the barn! Dana

Lisa Carroll ~ Instructor

I recently moved to the area from Rancho Palos Verdes, California. As a junior I was strong competitor in hunters, jumpers, equitation, and medal classes. I was classically trained by Rob Gage and Bill Herring.

After having children, I wanted to get back to riding so I began schooling horses and teaching as a weekend trainer as needed at Seahorse Riding Club in Rolling Hills Estates, CA. This was my horse home and family for over 20 years.

I want to help each individual rider meet their equestrian goal, overcome challenges, while being safe and having fun. Your objective may be to compete in hunters, jumpers, or equitation or it may be to never ever set foot in a show ring, but my approach is to teach you to be a strong rider as if you are a competitor at a show. You will learn proper ring etiquette, proper position, and will work on your strength. I am a strong believer that your flatwork is a key to success. I am patient and will work with you through the difficult challenges of riding. I can teach all levels, from beginner to advance with focus on the proper hunter/jumper classic style.

I love to ride horses and work to correct issues and help prepare horses for the riders. My strength is to work on relaxing the horse's, improve their balance, suppleness, transitions, and responsiveness.

I am married with 2 adult children, a daughter, a son, and 2 dogs. I am excited to be here at Iron Hoof Stables and look forward making your horse-riding dreams come true. Lisa

Amy Mattos ~ Barn Manager & Instructor

Hi, I'm Amy. I have been working with horses for the past 23 years. My family and I have a mini farm with 2 horses, 33 chickens, 2 dogs, 2 cats, some fish, and we're always looking to add more! I began riding lessons at a young age, starting in the hunter/jumper field, and eventually transitioning into dressage after buying my first horse. I went to college at The University of Findlay and received a degree in Equine Business Management. After college I completed the KEMI internship in Kentucky on a Thoroughbred breeding farm, learning all about mare and foal care, and day to day operations. I moved to TN in 2012, and started work exercising horses and caring for various barns in the Williamson county area. After a few years of that, I started teaching beginner lessons out of my home on my own horses and recently started teaching more consistently. I love working with kids and adults, starting from the ground up to develop not just riding skills, but also a connection with your horse.

Elizabeth Dugar ~ Jr. Instructor

I have been riding for 6 years and jumping for 4 years. I love teaching kids how to ride because it is so fun and I love watching them grow not only in their riding but as people too. I love spending time at the barn, even if I'm not riding or working because just being around the horses and these amazing people is so fun. I look forward to coming and seeing all of the kids and I love spending time with my favorite horses and my friends. I absolutely love what I do and I wouldn't change it for the world. Elizabeth

Molly Cleary ~ Jr. Instructor

Hello! I'm Molly, one the Jr. Instructors at Iron Hoof Stables. I've been riding for about four years and have been working with horses for almost six years. When I was little, my grandma, who we'd visit once a year or so, would take me for one riding lesson each time we visited, which jumpstarted my love for horses that has lasted ever since!

After moving from New Jersey to Tennessee when I was about two, horseback riding was not affordable for us. However, I was very persistent and my parents found a way for me to get involved by volunteering and doing barn chores at an equine therapeutic riding center. Today, I still volunteer at that barn and help out with riding lessons for special needs adults and children.

Once regular riding lessons became possible for me, I never looked back! I've been blessed with incredible opportunities to grow as a rider, and now as an instructor! Being able to share my passion with my students brings me so much joy and is so rewarding! My goal is that all of my students have fun while learning the basics and eventually develop the same love for riding that I have!

I am so grateful that I'm able to call Iron Hoof home, and I can't wait to continue growing with you all! Molly