Heather Kourcklas, co-founder, and President, has an accounting and strategic business background working with non-profit organizations and government contracting companies. She has more than 30 years’ experience, 17 of which have focused on small business ownership. Heather’s business experience combined with her passion and dedication to the retired thoroughbred racehorse brings unique experience and passion to our organization. Her determination and commitment toward her goals made starting New Life Center for Thoroughbreds a reality.
Huxley Greer, co-founder, and Secretary, is known professionally as a FEI three-day eventing and dressage rider. She is well known for her incredible talent as a horse trainer and has extensive experience with re-starting off the track thoroughbreds and bringing them up through the levels as sport horses. She has more than 15 years experience in horse care and 10+ years in barn management. Her training philosophy is based on compassion, patience, and understanding. Huxley’s love for the thoroughbred and her advocacy for them was the conversation starter with Heather that formed New Life Center for Thoroughbreds (New Life).
Madeline Wood joined New Life in 2022 as our marketing manager. In addition to her 13 plus years of horse experience, Madeline graduated from Virginia Tech with her B.S. in Industrial and Systems Engineering with a minor in Business Management. During her time at Virginia Tech, Madeline was also the secretary for the Virginia Tech equestrian teams and managed the dressage team. Today, Madeline is the project estimator engineer for American Electric Power. Outside of work, Madeline enjoys competing her off the track thoroughbred mare, Electoral College, in eventing and dressage and spending time with her beautiful daughter Quinn and dog, Chloe.
Brynne Barnes joined our team in the summer of 2022 as our equine care specialist. Brynne has over 18 years experience in the equine industry. During her high school years, she enjoyed competing in local dressage shows. During that time, Brynne developed a passion for the caretaking and management of horses and facilities and earned her B.S. in Equine Science and Sport Horse Management from Midway University. Today, Brynne finds herself happily immersed in her passion with New Life Center for Thoroughbreds. In her free time, Brynne enjoys riding her BLM mustang mare, Elsie, and spending time with her family and dogs.