Wendy Schonfeld
Meet Our Leader - Wendy Schonfeld
For more than 13 years, Wendy Schonfeld has poured her heart into building something truly special at RideAbility Therapeutic Riding Center - a place where children, young adults, and veterans with diverse disabilities discover strength, confidence, and belonging.
Walk onto the RideAbility property for just one day and the impact is unmistakable. The mission is to serve individuals with autism, Down syndrome, ADHD, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, and many other diagnoses. But what quickly becomes clear is that the learning flows both ways. The students are not only receiving instruction - they are teaching powerful lessons in patience, acceptance, resilience, and unconditional love.
There is a rare kind of joy that fills the barn. It shows up in laughter during lessons, in determined smiles when a rider masters a new skill, and in the tight, genuine hugs that students give so freely. Even in moments of struggle, there is opportunity - opportunity to grow, to connect, and to succeed. For Wendy, helping students reach those milestones is one of life’s greatest honors.
The horses play an equally meaningful role. These therapeutic partners teach trust, respect, emotional regulation, and the quiet power of presence. Through horsemanship, riders develop core strength, balance, cross-motor coordination, executive functioning skills, academic focus, and social growth. Each lesson is thoughtfully designed around the individual goals and abilities of every student.
Today, RideAbility serves approximately 100 students each week with the help of 50 dedicated volunteers. The center is proud to be a Special Olympics Equestrian Training Center, preparing athletes for state competitions in both South Carolina and North Carolina. In addition, the Work Study Program equips young adults with practical job training and life skills that extend far beyond the barn.
At its heart, RideAbility exists to empower individuals through connection, confidence, and compassion - one horse and one lesson at a time.
Wendy’s commitment to this work is deeply personal and unwavering. She is determined to provide a place where students feel safe, valued, and capable - a place where they can shine. Her hope is that long after she steps away, RideAbility will remain firmly rooted in the community - strong, vibrant, and full of purpose.
Her expertise is supported by extensive professional training. Wendy is a P.A.T.H. Certified Therapeutic Instructor, a Certified Equine Assisted Learning Facilitator in Education, an Equine Specialist, an Equestrian Coach Clinician and Head Coach for South Carolina Special Olympics Equestrian, a Certified Executive Functioning Coach, a Certified Neurodivergent Coach, and a BSA Horsemanship Merit Badge Counselor. These credentials reflect both her dedication to excellence and her deep understanding of the students she serves.
Beyond the barn, Wendy believes society still has much to learn about disability and inclusion. Many people simply have not had the opportunity to spend meaningful time with individuals who have diverse abilities. They have not experienced the joy, authenticity, and profound connection that exists in environments like RideAbility. She hopes for a future where inclusion is not an afterthought - where differences are understood as strengths, not limitations.
Looking back on her own journey, Wendy recognizes how life’s challenges shaped her path. The struggles she once endured became the foundation of her strength and compassion. Today, she uses her story, resilience, and hard-earned wisdom to help others find their own.
At RideAbility, transformation happens every day - not just in the arena, but in the hearts of everyone who walks through the gates.