Kim Berger
Kim has volunteered with small animal rescue groups all her adult life. She began riding at 40, adopted an older Thoroughbred, and quickly became involved in horse rescue, providing foster care for Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation and FANI (Foal Adoption Network Inc., a non-profit organization placing unwanted premarin foals). Through equine rescue, she met Dr. Rachel Blakey, who recruited her as an ERA volunteer. Kim is an attorney, now retired. She has served on several boards in the past, including FANI, Equine Rescue & Rehabilitation, Inc. and Neighborhood Rental Services, and is a life member of the Maryland Horse Council. Kim lives in Suches, Georgia where she enjoys riding, hiking and mountain living with husband, Randy Johnson also a board member.
Rachel Blakey V.M.D.
Rachel moved to Maryland in 1988 after finishing veterinary school at the University of Pennsylvania and finishing a medical/surgical internship at New Bolton Center. She joined Maryland Equine Center and set down roots as an equine veterinarian. As a course veterinarian for the local steeplechase races, she saw a growing need for emergency services and realized there were protocols and equipment for equine rescue and stabilization. A call to the Massachusetts SPCA in 2002 introduced her to Ron Silva. From there, it was easy to connect with people ready to invest and grow this new field. An amazing group of talented horse people joined her and Equine Rescue Ambulance, Inc. was born. She is married and has two boys. She pursues fox hunting with the Green Spring Valley Hounds, her veterinary practice and a Masters in Public Health. She is a member of the National Veterinary Volunteer Service and is poised to join the Maryland Defense Force.
Danielle B. Class
Danielle is an animal lover, rescuer and caretaker. She is one of the founders of ERA, a current board officer and has also completed the Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue training program. She was active as a fundraiser for the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. Danielle is a member of the Elkridge Harford Hunt Club and has enjoyed working with Nancy Knox and Billy Santoro. Currently, Danielle resides in Monkton with her husband and son and is the caretaker for the family’s retired steeplechase horses.
Randy Johnson
Randy, an animal lover, has assisted his wife Kim, a fellow ERA volunteer, in rescuing dozens of dogs, cats, chickens, goats and horses. He worked with a nationwide group bringing Premarin foals from Canada, placing them in homes all over the United States. A special educator, he previously worked in construction management and owned a construction company. Now retired, enoying horses, dogs, hiking and the mountains in North Georgia.
Heather Miller
I’m Heather, a 41 yr. old single mom of a 16 yr. old boy Colton (who also helps us with ERA when he’s available!). I am originally from Chesapeake City MD, currently residing in Cecilton MD. I learned to ride around the age of 8 and been involved in horses in some way or another ever since. After graduating from 4H I showed for almost 10 years all over the East coast on the Quarter Horse Breed circuit & dabbled in a few Paint & App shows. When Colton was born in 2004 that slowed down and we eventually just stayed local after 2005. I grew up in a Fire Service Family (3 generations) & have been active in responses since 1992. Have completed training with state & national certifications in EMT, FF1, FF2, Fire Officer 1, Hazardous Materials Technician & Advanced Specialized Rescue Classes. Currently work part time for the Cecil Co Department of Emergency Services in the Training Division facilitating Hazmat & specialized training as well as coordinate the Tier II Chemical Inventory Reporting for our county. I also work for Dover Motorsports (Nascar at Dover International Speedway & Nashville Superspeedway) providing Pit Road EMS & am a supervisor for the Firefly Music Festival EMS Services. I also provide EMS as part of the Cecil Co Dragway Emergency Services Team & travel to provide EMS coverage for Savage, Spartan & Tough Mudder Extreme Obstacle Races as well as standbys at Construction & TV/Movie Production sites. Colton & I completed TLAR training with JoAnn when he was approx 10 years old & have been involved in the ERA Fair Hill Division since it’s infancy as an idea to improve resources during a recovery of a down horse in a remote area in Earleville in 2019!
Cyril Murphy
Cyril began riding steeplechase races in U.S. from 2000-2007, and won 13 races each in 2002 and 2003. Cyril won his first race NSA victory with Inti at 2011 International Gold Cup. In his first full season as principal trainer for Naylor in 2014, scored 14 wins and had a 26.4-percent strike rate, including training Dawalan to two 2015 Grade 1 victories and the Eclipse Award. Horses trained by Cyril contributed majority of purse money for Naylor’s record season. Cyril trained Decoy Daddy to three stakes victories that season. Cyril lives in Westminster, MD, with his wife, Becky, daughter, Madelaine, dogs, cats and horses.
Ashley Nace
Ashley began riding at the age of eight and immediately fell in love with the sport. She and her father co-owned several horses since Ashley was in middle school. Ashley has been a working student with various trainers and became involved with ERA through her father, who already was active with ERA.
Albert J.A. Young
Jay is a Principal in the Bel Air law firm of Brown, Brown and Young. His practice is concentrated in Harford County in the area of business, real property, land use, estate planning and estate administration. He is a graduate of The John Carroll School, Washington College in Chestertown, Md. and the University Of Baltimore School Of Law. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Upper Chesapeake Health System, the Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation, the Maryland Association for Wildlife Conservation, and Washington College. He is also on the Appeal Board of the National Steeplechase Association and is VP of the Maryland Steeplechase Association. Jay is an avid equestrian and is President Emeritus and Member of the Board of Governors of the Elkridge-Harford Hunt Club.