THERE’S A UNIQUE BOND THAT HAPPENS BETWEEN RIDER AND HORSE.
RideAbility was formed in 2012 to help improve the lives of children and adults with special needs, along with veterans, through facilitated interaction with horses. Research shows that therapeutic riding can provide physical, mental and emotional benefits to individuals with a wide range of cognitive and physical challenges. As a non-profit organization, our mission is to improve the health, wellness and education for our community in a peaceful farm environment.
RideAbility is an Approved Special Olympics Equestrian Training Center. We have more than 30 Certified Special Olympics coaches at our center, training athletes to help them prepare for the SC/NC State Games. The 10-week program begins in May and July.
“Riding gives me a chance to get away from my disability for a while. It also offers me freedom and independence.”
— Laura Rosbrook
Executive Director - Wendy Schonfeld and the RideAbility Board of Directors
DR. WENDY SCHONFELD
Executive Director and Founder
Dr. Schonfeld graduated from New York Chiropractic College in 1989 and founded RideAbility in 2012. She is a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (P.A.T.H.) certified instructor, an Advanced Certified Equestrian Coach for Special Olympics, and has completed P.A.T.H. courses on Equine Services for Heroes. At RideAbility, Wendy oversees all aspects of the center, including the Veterans Program, lessons, volunteer training, client services, special events and fundraising.
DR. MICHAEL SCHONFELD
President
Dr. Schonfeld has spent a lifetime giving back to his community. He is the President Elect of the Clover Rotary Club and has been appointed by Governor Hailey to serve as Vice President of the Board of Directors of the York County Board of Special Needs & Disabilities. Michael is a Board Member of the Greater Clover Chamber of Commerce and an active participant with the Live Well Clover Committee.
HANK GROSSMAN
Treasurer
Hank Grossman is a technology veteran who has worked at various companies including 360i, Bank of America, Salesforce and Cisco. With a Bachelor of Science in Management from Tulane University and The Freeman School of Business, Hank brings financial knowledge and experience to RideAbility. In his spare time, Hank enjoys traveling, golfing and spending quality time with his wife, Lauren, and their two boys. He currently resides in Atlanta, GA.
JACKIE KUSCHNER
Secretary
Jackie has been a valued member of the RideAbility Therapeutic Riding Center family since it first began. A certified nurse-midwife with a master’s degree from The State University of Stonybrook in NY, Jackie has witnessed the countless rewards of therapeutic riding first-hand. She believes RideAbility is a vital organization for the community and welcomes the opportunity to help it thrive.
PAMELA VANAERNUM
Vice President
Working as a surgical assistant in oral surgery until becoming a stay-at-home mom, Pamela has always had an interest in helping others. She came to RideAbility looking to volunteer for an organization that shared her passion of making a difference in the lives of others. Pamela and her husband, Richard, currently live in Lake Wylie, SC, where they enjoy the amazing weather and great southern hospitality.
TONYA COTTON
Tonya started volunteering when her daughter Samantha needed a ride to RideAbility in 2016 and she fell in love with the horses, students, and teams right away. She is now a lead volunteer at the center weekly with her daughter Riley volunteering and coaching Special Olympics as well. Tonya has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Oklahoma State University and enjoys attending Clemson football games with her husband Marty, son Tucker (Clemson '20), and daughters Samantha (Clemson '24), and Riley (Clemson '27).
JO ANN GILBERTI
Jo Ann is the newest member on the Board of Directors of RideAbility Therapeutic Riding Center. Her daughter, Danielle, is a student of Wendy’s and a volunteer at the stable. Before moving to South Carolina, Danielle had spent several years enjoying the benefits of therapeutic riding. After doing some research and speaking to Wendy, we knew immediately that we’d found our new program.
KARI BOGNER
Kari Bogner has 11 years of experience in non-profit work at Make-A-Wish Hawaii. After moving to South Carolina, she and her daughter Aiden started volunteering weekly at RideAbility. Kari holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and is a certified EMT and Surgical Technologist. Her interest in non-profits grew when Aiden was diagnosed with Leukemia at age 3, experiencing firsthand the value of such programs for families like theirs.
WENDI DAY-RODRIGUEZ
Wendi knows the peace, love and trust animals provide can be the best medicine for the human soul. She enjoys taking her 4 mini goats to events and watching both children and adults light-up as they interact with these adorable little critters. In addition to her love of animals, Wendi brings more than 35 years of accounting experience to RideAbility.
AMY GONZALEZ-NELSON
Amy joined RideAbility in 2022 when her son Sullivan started with Wendy. Besides being a mom, she is a healer who uses mindfulness, Reiki, and energy work to promote overall wellness. Amy has taught classes worldwide for over 17 years, focusing on mental wellness for parents and children. Equine Assisted Services helped her son Sullivan greatly. Amy emphasizes the value of working together and believes that showing vulnerability is courageous.
THERESA HORTON
Theresa has loved animals and nature since she was young. She moved to Rock Hill for school and earned a Business Administration degree from Winthrop University. She started volunteering at Rideability in 2014 to work with horses again and saw how valuable the program was. Theresa coaches for Special Olympics and got certified as a PATH instructor in 2023. She now teaches part-time and likes hiking, kayaking, camping, and outdoor activities.