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STAFF
We have 9 PATH International certified instructors and 6 therapists on staff all working together with our 24 horses to make Ride On happen! Here are bio's from some of our wonderful staff.
Bryan McQueeney - Executive Director
Bryan is the co-founder of Ride On and volunteered for seven years before being hired as Executive Director. With over 20 years experience in therapeutic riding, he has lectured, written and consulted nationally on a wide variety of leadership and program development, , and . He is a past Region 11 representative for the national organization, PATH International, and past President of the state networking association, CALNET, and has also served on the PATH International Administrative Committee and remains active in an advisory role with other centers. Bryan is an active horseman who enjoys trail riding and horse camping. He is a former ETI Corral President and spent four years working to preserve equestrian trail access and open space in the San Fernando Valley. He has a degree in economics and political science from Occidental College.
Gloria Hamblin - Program Director and PATH International Advanced Instructor
Gloria is the co-founder and Program Director of Ride On. She has a degree in Recreational Therapy and has worked with physically disabled, geriatric, developmentally disabled and emotionally disturbed children and adults for 30 years. A graduate of Cheff Center she taught disabled riders, coached several international dressage teams for the USA as well as the 1996 USA Paralympic Equestrian Team in Atlanta. Gloria is also a PATH International Associate Evaluator for On-Site certifications and workshops. Since 1994 she has taught riders and worked to make Ride On the best place it can be.
Sara Jones - Development Director
Sara joined Ride On as a volunteer in 1996 after moving to California from England. She has ridden her whole life and became a PATH International Advanced instructor in 1997. Sara is also a PATH International Lead Evaluator for On-Site Certifications and Workshops. As well as teaching the Ride On students she is also responsible for marketing and special events. She has a degree in Marketing and Business Studies. Sara lives in Moorpark with her husband and 2 daughters who are both active Pony Clubbers.
Joann Benjamin - Director of Therapy Services/Hippotherapy
Joann is a physical therapist who has been involved in equine assisted activities since 1983. She incorporates hippotherapy into her clinical practice at Ride On and is Board certified as a Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist. She has taught about the use of hippotherapy in the US and abroad and is a faculty coordinator with the American Hippotherapy Association (AHA, Inc), active in reviewing and developing curriculum. She served on the Board for the AHA, Inc, and on the Health and Education Committee for PATH International, the National accrediting organization. She enjoys serving as an International classifier for FEI ParaEquestrian and is working with the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) to foster competition for riders with disabilities nationwide.
Brie Wilson - PATH International Registered Instructor – Head Instructor, Chatsworth
Brie has been a dedicated volunteer and supporter of Ride On since she was old enough to get involved. She is a great horse woman and has a wonderfully positive and bright attitude which is infectious with our riders and volunteers. Brie is the Head Instructor at our Chatsworth ranch and is also a PATH International Registered Instructor.
Katie Spannaus – PATH International Registered Instructor - Head Instructor, Thousand Oaks
Katie joined Ride On in March 2009 and recently passed the PATH International Registered Instructor certification. She grew up in Connecticut training horses and teaching lessons with an emphasis on balanced seat and classical equitation. Katie is now Head Instructor and caretaker at Ride On in Thousand Oaks and excited to be part of such a dynamic team.
Trudy Epstein - Occupational Therapist
Trudy is an occupational therapist and has her Level II Therapist designation with the American Hippotherapy Association/PATH International and is certified as a Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist. With over 30 years clinical experience in occupational therapy she has worked in physical rehabilitation, pediatrics, and early intervention. Riding hunter/jumpers since childhood, Trudy discovered the smooth gait of Tennessee Walking Horses which she has enjoyed both riding and showing over the last five years.
Erika L Robles – Office Administrator
Erika recently joined Ride On in October 2011 to assist in accounting and provide office support. She is working on getting her degree in Accountancy at the California State University of Northridge and anticipates graduating in May 2013. After she graduates, she plans on traveling before sitting for the CPA exams. She enjoys traveling and being outdoors.
Tio Ayala - Facilities Maintenance
Tio has worked for Ride On since 2001 and is responsible for many of the improvements that you will see if you visit either of our ranches. He brings a wide array of facility experience to Ride On.
Ruth Stern - Physical Therapist, Patty Taylor - Physical Therapist, Jessica Spayd - Physical Therapist, Karen Cruise - Physical Therapist, Barbara Levine – LMFT, Jan Broughton - Speech Therapist
Megan McQueeney – PATH International Registered Instructor
Susan Pruitt - PATH International Registered Instructor
Suzy O'Grady - PATH International Registered Instructor
DeDe Holm - PATH International Registered Instructor
Whitney Stone - PATH International Registered Instructor
Daniel Wurangian - Horse Handler
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