Erin Hensley  

Region:  North Central

I traded my Barbies in for horses at age 5 and haven’t looked back since. I’m very fortunate to have had the opportunity to own, care for, and to love many horses over the years.  Showing on the Hunter Jumper C, A, and AA circuit for many years, l have had the pleasure of meeting many fine people in the horse industry. I served as a junior member on the NCHJA board from 1986-1987.  My father was instrumental in creating the Capital Horseman’s Association, which hosted a successful horse show series and outreach program in the Triangle area for many years. I was routinely pressed into service on show days, and got to experience first-hand the amount of organization, teamwork, and old-fashioned sweat equity that goes into running these events.  From 1999-2001 I worked for the NC Division of Archives and History studying and summarizing historic preservation projects throughout the state. From 2001-2007 I served as the Director of Communications for the North Carolina Community Foundation. These days I’m solely caring for my horses and not working in a professional capacity, but through my role with the Foundation I truly fell in love with the myriad of small grassroots non-profits working all over the state for the betterment of North Carolina equestrians from all walks of life.  The word ‘community’ and everything it represents is so important, and there is no community more intertwined and steadfast than the horse community. It would be my pleasure and my honor to serve our equine community in any capacity.