| Our Staff |
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| Gwen Grissom HfH Founder Equine/Facility Manager (Owner - HfH LLC) |
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Gwen has been involved with and owned horses for more than 42 years. She describes herself as a “true horsey person in every sense of the word.” Born in Florida, she was involved heavily in barrel racing until moving to North Carolina. She now enjoys trail riding on occasion when time permits. Gwen became very interested in therapeutic riding not long after her mother Patricia passed away in 1995. Pat suffered from multiple sclerosis for 32 years, spending many of those years confined to a bed or wheel chair. “I remember the desire in her eyes to be on a horse every time we were at a horse show, which was every weekend,” says Gwen. “She went to as many shows as she could and was a real trooper just sitting there watching us.” Gwen’s experiences with her mother encouraged her to establish Horses for Hope. “I know how much my mother desired to walk and be independent, and I would like to give others who suffer from disabilities those opportunities my mother never had.” Gwen enjoys the smiles that horses give to those who ride - from therapeutic riding to regular able-body lessons. “My idea to create a therapeutic riding center to help the disabled, special needs kids and those who are unable to help themselves, no matter what the circumstance, came to be as Horses for Hope with the help of three friends, Dawn, Eric and Mary Ann. My goal is to build a strong organization that will last many years, beyond my own, giving therapeutic benefits to all who participate in our programs.” |
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| Dawn Guenot HfH Co-Founder Therapeutic Riding Instructor |
| Kim Ragone Lead Instructor Specializing in Hunter/Jumper instructions |
| Sandy Mullican Instructor |
| Donnie Davis Facility Maintenance Manager |
| Sandy has been riding and competing for 13 ˝ years
and has experience in most styles of riding
including: Western Pleasure and Trail Barrel Racing Hunt Seat/Hunter Jumpers Eventing Dressage Saddleseat Sandy has trained her own horse since he was 3. He’s now 13 and working on 3rd level dressage. She is currently studying for certification with ARIA and hopes to test for it in Spring 2010. Sandy is also persuing certification in Equine Psychotherapy. Sandy has previously developed lesson programs from scratch and has been teaching off and on throughout the 13 years she has been riding. She has taught students anywhere from 5 years old to older adults. |
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| Dawn is one of the Co-Founders of Horses for Hope and Gwen's best riding buddy. She volunteers regularly on Monday's with Therapeutic Riding as well as managing her own stable and HfH satelite site in Johnston County. Dawn has been with the Wake County Public School System for 21 years and works with special needs children in the school system. Dawn has been involved with horses most of her life. She purchased her first horse when she was 19. |
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| Kim came to Horses for Hope in March 2009 to expand our lesson base to include Hunter/Jumper training. Kim... |
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| Gwen in her younger days on Lady |
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| Gwen on Joe - a long time ago! |
| Sox, in his younger days, and Gwen |
| May 18, 1991 |