BCHET Chapter Officers & Directors

Ron Rice

President (2025)

Email: BCHETpresident@gmail.com

I grew up in Carter County but did not really start horseback riding until I completed a career in the U.S. Navy and returned to the area.  When my wife, Vedette, and I started riding the trails locally, we were challenged in knowing where to ride, where to park trailers, status of the trails, etc. Lack of this information severely limited our trail riding experiences.  In 2015, we attended our first Back Country Horsemen of East Tennessee meeting and have been involved in the organization since. In addition to being a trail riding advocate working with government agencies and local leaders, the BCHET has been a great resource to learn new trails, provide organized riding opportunities, and meet new trail riding buddies. My trusty steed for the past several years has been a draft cross; however, I recently have started riding a younger TWH.

 

 

 

 

Karen Isaacs

Vice President (2023-2025)

Email: BCHETvicepresident@gmail.com

Growing up in a suburb of Pittsburgh, my horse experience consisted of reading books and the occasional riding lesson.  When I moved to Tennessee after graduating from college, I bought an Appaloosa gelding and an Arabian mare.  I loved trail riding around my farm in Stoney Creek.  After learning about endurance riding, I tried a 50 mile ride on my Appaloosa and was hooked.  Over the last 35 years I have ridden 13,000 miles (they keep track) in competition and many more than that in training.  My horses have been mostly part bred Arabians but also a Saddlebred, Walking Horse and of course my App.  Trails ridden have ranged from New Mexico mountains to Florida sand, across the state of Michigan and in the summer heat of Maine and Vermont.  We have some of the most beautiful trails right here in East Tennessee, so I am very grateful for all the work done by BCH members.  Early in the history of BCHET, I was on the board and served several terms as secretary then president.  I am married to Thomas Isaacs and we have a 15 year old daughter.  Our current herd is four gray geldings, all with the same Arabian sire, plus a 30+ year old Arab x Saddlebred.  My primary mount now is Forest, a 16.2 hand Arab x Thoroughbred who is very brave about some things (bears), but not others (leaves).

 

 

Michelle King

Secretary (2019 – 2025), Outpost 4 Co-Leader, Buckaroos Leader

Email: BCHETsecretary@gmail.com

I was born and raised in beautiful Greenville, SC. I moved to Blountville, Tennessee in 1995 to help my Grandmother out and to attend ETSU where I earned a BS in Biology. I’ve been in Tennessee ever since. My husband Travis, our two children, Catherine and Matthew, and I live on the farm my dad grew up on. We have 6 horses, a herd of registered Boer goats, two Australian Shepherds, an Anatolian Shepherd and three lazy cats.

I first joined BCHET 20 years ago. I remained a member until the birth of my daughter. Children and life slowed down my trailblazing days until May of 2017 when I attended an organized ride at Hinkle Branch. On that day I met some of the best trail buddies a girl could ask for. We’ve been riding and clearing trails ever since. The club is a wonderful place to meet new people and learn the trails here in our gorgeous East TN mountains. I’m passionate about the purpose of BCHET and our role as members in maintaining our current trails and creating new opportunities for horse use on our public lands. I’m always up for a mountain trail on a steady horse in good company.

Theresa Symonds

Treasurer (2019 – 2025)

Email: bchettreasurer@gmail.com

I’m a mother of 2 and a grandmother of 7. I was raised on a small farm in Washington County, Virginia, where I still reside. I have 3 horses, that I raised and my dog Pepper, a rescue heeler/terrier mix.

I have been active in BCHET for several years where I have met a lot of great friends and love riding and working the trails in the East TN area.

 

 

 

Richard Jamison

Director (2019 – 2025), State Representative

Email: richglo1331@gmail.com

I have lived in Greeneville, TN for more than 12 years, having relocated from low state SC. I had horses as a young adult and then experienced a 20 year or so gap before Re-engaging in 2011. I ride a 9 year old Arabian Mare.

I began Trail riding with local friends in 2013 and joined BCHET about 3 years back. I truly love the activity and feel fortunate and blessed to enjoy our National Forests and this wonderful country.

I am proud of the work of BCHET and appreciate the opportunity to experience the joy of Trail Riding with other enthusiasts.

See you all out there soon.

Jan Gentry

Director (2025)

Email:

Hello, I am Janice Gentry. I have always had a passion for horses.  I can remember my first wagon ride with Ronald Cole and my first time on a horse with my uncle Andy White.  I was hooked from that day on . It wasn’t until I met my future husband Earl Gentry and he introduced me to my horse riding family I have had the last 37 years. I have been so blessed to ride these horses on the mountains  I call home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robyn Lay

Director (2025)

I was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina and had ponies and horses thru-out my childhood.  I never really learned how to ride as much as I learned how not to fall off 🙂  I spent a lot of years away from horses but many years down the line, after my husband and I retired,  we both decided to get back into horses.  Learning the ins and outs of saddles for the first time in your 50’s is no mean feat!  It has been an adventure in the truest sense of the word.

My husband and I have been riding, horse camping and enjoying retirement for several years now and it doesn’t look like we we will be slowing down any time soon.  Just this past summer we did a whirlwind trip riding and camping in 11 states from Pennsylvania to Maine to New York and Maryland.  It was a wonderful adventure and took just over a month.  We met and camped with friends all along the way. There is no better earthly place to be than in the woods on the back of a horse witnessing the beauty of God’s amazing creation!  I never tire of the view.  It’s even better when you share it with friends, family and loved ones.
Back Country Horsemen of East Tennessee is privileged to have some of the most dedicated, competent and resourceful horsemen and women in the region.  It is an honor to join their team with the prayer that I can in some small way contribute to the success of the mission of our organization. I am so honored to be a part of BCHET and hope to assist our horse community in growth and prosperity, helping to keep our trails open and enjoyable for the horse enthusiast and other trail users in our community.  Saddle up and let’s ride!

 

Mollie Ingle

Director (2022 – 2025)

Email: meingle14@gmail.com

My husband, Cody, and I own CM Farms in Butler, TN. We have 2 kiddos, Cooper & Hadley! We currently raise quarter horses on a small scale & love to ride when we aren’t working on the farm or attending baseball games. We enjoy trail riding along with competitive trail events, roping, & working the draft horses for various uses around the farm & with the covered wagon.  We host a wagon train every year to keep a tradition that both of us were raised up doing.

I am an avid volunteer with our local 4H chapter and enjoy watching the kids learn about agriculture and useful life skills. My family hosts an event each year called “Farm Day”.  This event is held at our family farm with close to 300 hundred kids visiting and learning about farm life and a variety of stock.

Thomas Isaacs

Director (2025)

Email:

I am a native and lifelong resident of East Tennessee. I have been around horses since about age 10 but did not really experience trail riding until I met my wife, Karen. She is also responsible for getting me involved in the sport of endurance riding where I really learned about conditioning and horse health and welfare.
I was involved in BCHET in the very beginning but took a hiatus of about 10 years before getting involved again over the past several years. I believe in the mission and scope of BCHET and am glad to be back serving on the board and working on trails. I appreciate the willingness of the current board members to serve as well as past board members.

 

 

 

Dean England

(2025)