WE ARE Riding Instructors, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, and Volunteers who
all share the same passion for helping others and a love of horses.
Volunteers, putting in more than 4000 hours per year are an integral part of FC4HTRP –
assisting with administration, finances, grooming and tacking horses, and assisting riders with
achieving their goals: education, socialization, recreation and therapy. Without volunteers
lessons cannot be held and riders cannot ride. For more information see “ Volunteers” under
HOW TO HELP”.

Join us as a volunteer today or by donating to help make a difference in the lives of others! Contact us to learn more.

Debbie has owned and operated Silverado Stables as a boarding facility since 1981. Being a past 4H Horse and Pony Club Leader, Silverado has become a boarding facility for families.
Debbie began volunteering for therapeutic riding in 1983, working in the ring as a side walker and/or leader. In 1988 she became certified in Basic Therapeutic Riding Instruction and began teaching. In 1986 Debbie studied under Para-Olympian Robin Brueckmann and Sandra Cabell, a Senior Centered Riding Instructor. Debbie has attended many Centered Riding Up Date clinics with Sally Swift, Wendy Murdoch and Lucille Bump. She is currently the President of the Frederick County 4H Therapeutic Riding Program.

As an occupational therapist with a focus on meaningful occupation throughout the lifespan, Bobbie Denn has been part of the TRP family since the late 1980s. She works to build a team of OTs and PTs to provide support to the program and individualized adaptations for riders. Initially afraid of horses the feeling quickly changed to deep appreciation for the benefit they provide “like a big, warm, walking therapy ball.” The fact that riders of all ages can participate at TRP allows for lifelong meaningful activity. The barn is THE place to be.

Kim is a certified PATH instructor who began volunteering with Therapeutic riding in the Spring 2006. She and her husband, David, have two grown children. After realizing her empty nest was too empty, she decided to become a volunteer with the Program. Kim enjoys sharing her life long passion for everything equine with the TRP riders and other volunteers. When the opportunity to train as an instructor came along, she was happy to join the class. Kim also enjoys her own riding lessons from Debbie and has fun sharing things she learns with the Therapeutic Riding students.

Amanda has been involved with our Program since 1993. She began as a barn volunteer but later assisted in the ring as well, before taking on a position as barn manager on Saturdays. Amanda left the barn behind and began instructing in 2007, recently completing an Instructor’s Course with Debbie. She currently works as a Recreation Therapist at Springfield Hospital Center. Amanda enjoys spending time at Silverado both with her horse Colonel and with the Program. In the summer of 2008, she completed and Instructor’s Course with Debbie and is excited to join the Program as an instructor.

Lee coordinates our volunteers with our riders. Having had horses most of her life; she thought our program would be a good fit. And lucky for us she’s been with us ever since. Lee is often heard saying :Although I volunteered all of my life, volunteering at TRP has been the most fulfilling.”