Today we’d like to introduce you to Allie Sarnataro. They and their team shared their story with us below:
Allie’s passion for horses began when she was very young. At 12, Allie began taking riding lessons. She competed in the local jumping shows for a few years and then changed disciplines to dressage riding. Allie soon became a working student, helping and teaching others to care for and tack their horses.
At 16, Allie began volunteering for the SPUR Therapeutic Riding Center in New Jersey. On her first day volunteering, Allie knew this was something she wanted to be involved with for a very long time. Allie continued to volunteer with SPUR for 8 years and was also camp director for the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore’s horseback riding program.
In 2008, Allie moved to California and began volunteering and eventually working at a therapeutic riding center in San Diego. Here, she met fellow friend and colleague Katie Cram, who shared the same passion for horses and therapeutic riding as she did. In 2010, Allie began her journey to become a PATH Intl. certified riding instructor and passed her certification that same year.
In 2014, Katie, Allie, and fellow horse and therapeutic riding enthusiast Wayne Jackson finally decided it was time to open a new therapeutic riding center for the community. Allie is always looking for ways to further her knowledge and help grow the therapeutic riding community, in 2017 she became a PATH Mentor to help teach others with a passion for therapeutic riding.
She is now the Executive Director and Co-founder of Ride Above Disability. A therapeutic horseback riding center in Poway, CA.
Let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
No, it hasn’t always been a smooth road.
We have had many struggles to navigate, such as covid, fundraising, hiring staff, gaining volunteers for student lessons, and horse care. We had struggles that we did not think possible when starting a business. It really is a labor of love.
As you know, we’re big fans of Ride Above Disability Therapeutic Riding Center. What can you tell our readers who might not be as familiar with the brand?
Ride Above Disability Therapeutic Riding Center is a PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) member center that teaches recreational riding to children and adults of all ages with special needs.
The idea behind Ride Above was to create a place where the entire family unit could come and feel welcome, relax, and enjoy their time at the ranch. While special needs riders are our focus, we also teach siblings and parents who are interested, which gives our families an activity they can share together.
Ride Above is a place for family and community, not just for our students but our volunteers and instructors as well. Everyone at Ride Above is committed to changing lives for the better, no matter who you are. We look at every person who is involved and see their ability. With a dedicated staff, Ride Above Disability strives to make a difference in the lives of our riders as well as the community of San Diego.
Our qualified instructors teach private and group lessons every week. The average lesson is 30 minutes. We also offer extended lessons as the rider progresses. Group lessons are also available to our riders when appropriate. Each lesson is individually planned to cater to each rider’s needs and goals. There are opportunities for groundwork before or after lessons. Students are matched with a specific horse to ensure the best quality lesson and maximize their growth and potential.
These lessons help riders gain balance, core strength, motor skills, and planning. Riders gain confidence and a sense of accomplishment while having fun meeting and exceeding goals with their horse. Our horses also teach their riders responsibility while they succeed and grow.
We work to encourage the growth of our riders and families by providing many avenues to allow success within our program. Lessons are conducted at Rolling Hills Boarding Stable in Poway, CA. Lessons are billed on a monthly basis. Anyone can ride with a completed Physician release and RAD enrollment forms.
Pricing:
- Private lessons $230 per month
- Group lessons $205 per month
- Extended lessons $265 per month
Contact Info:
- Website: radtrc.org
- Instagram: @rad_therapeutic_riding
- Facebook: facebook.com/radtrc
