PATH Intl. takes great pride in the outstanding equines, certified professionals, volunteers and veterinarians who serve at PATH Intl. Centers and the quality of equestrians whose lives—and horsemanship—have been enriched through equine-assisted activities and therapies.
Awards for involvement in equine-assisted activities
PATH Intl. promotes equine-assisted activities and therapies for individuals with special needs with 850 member centers, where more than 56,000 children and adults enjoy involvement with horses.
PATH Intl. is pleased to announce that the region recognition award winners have been posted on the PATH Intl. Conference web site along with the 2013 PATH Intl. Adult, Independent Adult, Child, Youth, and PATH International Equine Services for Heroes equestrian awards, Sis Gould Driving Recognition award, and the Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy/Equine-Facilitated Learning Professional award winners.
All award winners will be recognized, and the 2013 PATH Intl. equine, certified professional, veterinarian and volunteer of the year and the James Brady award recipient will be announced at the 2013 PATH Intl. Conference and Annual Meeting Awards Banquet in Orlando, FL, Friday, November 8.
This year, an astounding 227 nominations made the process challenging, and PATH Intl. thanks the judges who selected our award winners and offers congratulations to everyone who was nominated.
2013 PATH Intl. Winners
- Adult Equestrian of the Year: Rachel Hustis, Equest, Wylie, TX
- Independent Adult Equestrian of the Year: Talia Finer, Freedom Ride, Inc., Orlando, FL
- Equine Services for Heroes Equestrian of the Year (award sponsored by Bimeda/Equimax): Derrick Perkins, SIRE, Inc., Hockley, TX
- Youth Equestrian of the Year: Lauren Wisegarver, Freedom Farm, Waverly, MN
- Child Equestrian of the Year: Miguel Quintanilla, BraveHearts at the Bergmann Centre, Poplar Grove, IL
- Sis Gould Driving Recognition Award: Isabella “Boo” Martin, Horse Power at Touchstone Farm, Temple, NHEquine-Facilitated Psychotherapy/Equine-Faciliated Learning Professional of the Year:
- Dr. Carlene Taylor, LPC, NCC, LightHorse Healthcare, Inc., Saint Marys, GAEquine, Certified Professional, Veterinarian and Volunteer of the Year
Region 1
- Equine of the Year: Mr. Wise Guy, Wings and Hooves Therapeutic Riding, Inc., Kingston, NH
- Certified Professional of the Year: Kate Davis McKelvy, Riding To The Top Therapeutic Riding Center, Windham, ME
- Veterinarian of the Year: NA
- Volunteer of the Year: Chris Coyle, High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Inc., Old Lyme, CT
Region 1 includes the following states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont; and the Canadian provinces: New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Quebec
Region 2
- Equine of the Year: Rayne, EquiCenter, Inc., Honeoye Falls, NY
- Certified Professional of the Year: Lesley Shear, Circle of Hope Therapeutic Riding, Inc., Barnesville, MD
- Veterinarian of the Year: Dr. Christopher Miller, HorseAbility, Old Westbury, NY
- Volunteer of the Year: Mindy Hersh, HorseAbility, Old Westbury, NY
Region 2 includes the following states: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York Pennsylvania and Washington, DC; and Scandinavia, Europe, Middle East
Region 3
- Equine of the Year: Sugarfoot, Healing Strides of VA, Boones Mill, VA
- Certified Professional of the Year: Maryrose Bornhorst, Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program, Clifton, VA
- Veterinarian of the Year: Dr. Maureen McIntyre, Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program, Clifton, VA
- Volunteer of the Year: Cathy Maddox, Sprout Therapeutic Riding & Education Center, Aldie, VA
Region 3 includes North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia
Region 4
- Equine of the Year: Woodbourne Noble Heart, Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center, Augusta, MI
- Certified Professional of the Year: Debbie Anderson, Strides To Success, Plainfield, IN
- Veterinarian of the Year: Dr. Denise Burbary-Muston, Banbury Cross Therapeutic Equestrian Center, Oxford, MI
- Volunteer of the Year: Ashley Davis, Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center, Augusta, MI
Region 4 includes the following states: Indiana, Kentucky Michigan, Ohio; and the Canadian Province of Ontario
Region 5
- Equine of the Year: Second Edition, LightHorse Healthcare, Inc., Saint Marys, GA
- Certified Professional of the Year: Angela Reddish, Freedom Ride, Inc., Orlando, FL
- Veterinarian of the Year: Dr. Bradley Newman, Harmony Farms, Inc., Rockledge, FL
- Volunteer of the Year: Hilda Arroyo, LightHorse Healthcare, Inc., Saint Marys, GA
Region 5 includes the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee; Puerto Rico and Africa
Region 6
- Equine of the Year: Standard Budget, SMILES, Darien, WI
- Certified Professional of the Year: Stephanie Clausen-Kubarth, Midwest Therapeutic Riding Program, Inc., Union Grove, WI
- Veterinarian of the Year: Dr. Jamie Pribyl, Freedom Farm, Waverly, MN
- Volunteer of the Year: Cheryl Holt, River Valley Riders, Woodbury, MN
Region 6 includes the following states: Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin; and the Canadian Provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan
Region 7
- Equine of the Year: Zaar, Exceptional Equestrians of Missouri Valley, Inc., Washington, MO
- Certified Professional of the Year: Jen Wolsleben, Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding Academy (HETRA), Valley, NE
- Veterinarian of the Year: NA
- Volunteer of the Year: Jean O’Brien, Main Stay Therapeutic Riding Program, Richmond, IL
Region 7 includes Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska
Region 8
- Equine of the Year: Read’s Noble Gil, Equest, Wylie, TX
- Certified Professional of the Year: Brittany Aspen, Equest, Wylie, TX
- Veterinarian of the Year: NA
- Volunteer of the Year: Jeannie Whittington, Equest, Wylie, TX
Region 8 includes the following states: Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas; and Mexico, Central America and South America
Region 9
- Equine of the Year: Blesi fra Borgarfiroi, Forward Stride, Beaverton, OR
- Certified Professional of the Year: Joan Myers, Little Bit Theapeutic Riding Center, Redmond, WA
- Veterinarian of the Year: NA
- Volunteer of the Year: Pete Stephenson, Swiftsure Ranch Therapeutic Equestrian Center, Bellevue, ID
Region 9 includes the following states: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington State; and the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia
Region 10
- Equine of the Year: Carlos, Loving Thunder Therapeutic Riding, Inc., Rio Rancho, NM
- Certified Professional of the Year: Saebra Pipoly, Horses Help, Phoenix, AZ
- Veterinarian of the Year: Dr. Mark Anderson, Horses with H.E.A.R.T., Inc., Chino Valley, AZ
- Volunteer of the Year: Betsy Byrne, Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc., Longmont, CO
Region 10 includes Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming
Region 11
- Equine of the Year: NA
- Certified Professional of the Year: NA
- Veterinarian of the Year: Dr. Mike O’Brien, Xenophon Therapeutic Riding Center, Orinda, CA
- Volunteer of the Year: NA
Region 11 includes the following states: California, Hawaii and Nevada; and Asia and Pacific
Early registration is currently offered online on the conference page at www.pathintl.org, as well as more information about conference sessions, the Caribe Royale, the conference travel deals and fun things to do in Orlando.
About PATH Intl.:
Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) was formed in 1969 to promote equine-assisted activities and therapies for individuals with special needs. At nearly 850 member centers, more than 56,000 children and adults find a sense of independence through involvement with horses.
These member centers range from small, one-person programs to large operations with several certified instructors and licensed therapists. In addition to therapeutic equitation, a center may offer any number of equine-assisted activities including hippotherapy, equine-facilitated mental health, driving, interactive vaulting, trail riding, competition, ground work or stable management.
Through a wide variety of educational resources, the association helps individuals start and maintain successful equine-assisted activities and therapies for individuals with special needs. There are nearly 52,000 volunteers, 4,232 instructors, 7,503 equines and thousands of contributors from all over the world helping people at PATH Intl. centers.
Recipient of the 2013 Equine Industry Vision Award, sponsored by Zoetis, presented by American Horse Publications