Zak Levin

Office Manager

Zak Levin joined the Free Rein family close to the end of 2025 as their Bookkeeper/Office Manager. He is currently enrolled in the accounting and finance program at Western Governance University where he plans to graduate by the end of 2026. Afterwards he plans to pursue a masters degree to continue working towards his eventual goal of becoming a CPA. While Zak doesn’t have the horse expertise the rest of the family has, he makes up for it with his financial know-how, and can-do attitude! Zak’s favorite part of working at Free Rein is his regularly scheduled time with Simba and Skid, the local barn cats, who shower him with love, affection, and few scratches here and there.

Kara McCarson

Program Administrator/Volunteer Coordinator- PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor

Kara Franks started working at Free Rein in 2012 as barn staff. She received her PATH certification in 2014 and began working as an instructor that year. Kara received her Associates Degree in Arts at Blue Ridge Community College. She started taking riding lessons at the age of 11 and received her first horse on her 16th birthday. Combining her love of horses and helping her community is what brought Kara to Free Rein.

Brianna Sullivan

Horse Care Coordinator

Brianna joined Free Rein as Horse Care Coordinator in 2025. She started taking lessons at age 5, first in English pleasure, then eventing before finally settling in dressage. During college, she worked as an assistant to a Grand Prix dressage trainer and achieved her USDF bronze and silver medals with her own horse, Sven. After spending several years working in the biotech industry, she relocated to NC and returned to her passion of working with horses. Brianna enjoys getting to know each horse’s personality and making sure they are happy and ready for the program. 

Ella Lewison

Horse Care Coordinator Assistant

Ella first joined Free Rein as a volunteer in late middle school and has remained involved over the years. After completing her degree at Western Carolina University and spending six months working on a ranch in Colorado, she is excited to jump into serving a program that gives students meaningful experiences with horses and the outdoors.

Brittany McCathern

Program Director – PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, ESMHL, Mentor

Brittany McCathern joined Free Rein in 2011 as Horse Care Coordinator and was certified in 2012 as a PATH instructor, and in 2018 was promoted to Program Director. She earned an Arts & Associates at Blue Ridge Community College. From the age of 8, Brittany has owned and ridden horses, mostly in hunt seat, cross country, lower level eventing and most recently has taken up dressage. Brittany’s favorite thing about working at Free Rein is the ability to build relationships with fellow staff members, students, families and volunteers in conjunction with horses.

Toni Garrett

PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor

Toni grew up in West Texas and has been riding since she was 8 years old. She has owned horses off and on since then and her love for them is what originally brought her to Free Rein as a volunteer in 2015. Her passion for her students ignited a calling in her to become a PATH Certified Instructor which she achieved in March 2020. She spent 21 years as a Flight Attendant for a major airline and now lives in Brevard with her Husband Jim, who is a Free Rein Board Member, along with their very spoiled dog and cat.

Christina Mattsson

Horse Care Coordinator

Christina is a passionate horsewoman, wellness practitioner, and educator. Her involvement with horses began over 35 years ago and has included riding and competing in a variety of disciplines, teaching group & private lessons, judging events, and training horses of varying ages and abilities. She holds a B.S. in Animal & Veterinary Sciences, an M.A. in Education, is a previously Master Certified Instructor in Western, English & Jumping, and served as a Riding & Horsemanship Director. Christina is a certified practitioner in Equine Bodywork and Massage through the School of Applied Integrative Therapy, a 500-hr. program, and board certified by the National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure and Massage (NBCAAM). She is currently the Ranch Manager for Davis Ranch in Mills River, NC with oversight of their four boarding facilities, lesson programs and events. Through her career as a recreation and fitness specialist spanning over two decades, in addition to horseback riding Christina has been certified to teach and coach snowboarding, mountain biking, and obstacle course racing. She enjoys sharing her knowledge and passion with others and of course riding her 4 year old Quarter Horse, Loki!

Simba

Simba was adopted from the Transylvania County Animal Shelter to be a companion for Skid so he was not the only barn cat. Simba quickly fit into life at the barn and enjoys following Skid around to see what kind of trouble they can cause together. He can also be found in the arena during lessons, usually sprawled out in the cool sand, or lounging on the barrels. He also enjoys the occasional nap in people’s cars but he is usually a lot easier to catch than his cohort. Simba’s goofy personality keeps us laughing on a daily basis, especially when we walk around a corner and find him upside down in some strange, extremely uncomfortable looking position, fast asleep. 

Skid

Brittany found Skid in the highway as a very sick kitten and nursed him back to health. Once he was well enough, he began coming to work with her daily and going home with her at night so he didn’t have to spend the night alone. Eventually, and once Simba was adopted, he started staying at the barn full time and embraced his role as a barn cat. He enjoys being outside but really would rather be where the people are. He can usually be found in the arena helping teach lessons and, occasionally, climbing around in people’s cars and seeing how many people it takes to get him out as he plays keep away with himself. When he’s in the office, he can be found supervising the printer, sitting across people’s shoulders while they try to work, or sitting on his prince pillow in Brittany’s lap.