Staff

Courtney Masin – Barn Owner/Instructor

Courtney graduated with a BA in Marketing and Communications from Jacksonville University in Florida in 1992.  She grew up with horses starting to ride at the age of 5.  She spent her youth in Pony Club, 4H, and Fox Hunting in Virginia.  Courtney was a Certified PATH Instructor (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship). After becoming certified and teaching at High Hopes Therapeutic Riding in Old Lyme CT, Courtney taught for three years at Manes & Motions in Middletown, CT.   She specializes and works exceptionally well with beginner adult and youth riders.  Courtney also had a 15 year career as an analyst for Bank of America.  Courtney believes in using groundwork as a foundation for fostering confidence and independence in the saddle

 Imanol Echeverria – Trainer/Instructor

Imanol Echeverria is a professional show jumper from Madrid, Spain, who began riding in Ireland as a teenager while at boarding school. He has competed internationally at the Grand Prix *** level, and was the assistant rider for Nations Cup competitors Alfredo Fernandez-Duran, Jacobo and Patricio Maldonado, and Jean Marc Nicolas. Imanol spent a large part of his career starting and competing young horses for owners in Spain and France, has worked at sport horse breeding facilities, and for a time imported horses from Belgium to Spain. A certified riding instructor through the Royal Spanish Equestrian Federation, he has extensive experience teaching beginner through advanced students. Imanol is also a PATH International Advanced level therapeutic riding instructor and an Associate Evaluator for instructors in training. He enjoys working with students of all ages and levels, and is excited to bring his expertise in showjumping and horsemanship to the sport of eventing.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ann Bowie – Trainer/Instructor

Ann has been riding horses since the age of eight. She has been instructing other riders of all skill levels for over 30 years. Ann studied overseas in England where she earned a British Horse Society Intermediate Instructor (T) certificate. She has had students qualify for the American Eventing Championships (AEC), multiple students qualify for Area I Championships and numerous  CDCTA year end award winners.

Please feel free to contact Ann directly for scheduling at 860-334-1772 or  bowiea@sbcglobal.net

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Vicki Knopf – Assistant Barn Manager/Office Manager

Vicki is a Salem resident and mother to 7 children (including Ben and Caroline who can frequently be found at THF.  Ben helps out on the weekends and Caroline rides).  Aside from managing a busy household, Vicki brings her expertise of 5 years of managing a busy office providing residential and day program services to children adults with special needs.  She and her husband Dave also managed and ran East Lyme Youth Football League for 10 years, Vicki acted as equipment manager, treasurer, and team mom as her boys were involved in playing.   She also managed and ran East Lyme High School Football Booster Club for 8 years.   Vicki is also a Parent Mentor with Prader-Willi Syndrome Association, USA and frequently takes phone calls from parents of newly diagnosed children with PWS as well as phone calls from parents who may be in crisis with their children.

With most of the Knopf kids grown and out of the house, Vicki finally had time to get reacquainted with her childhood love of riding.  Having not been on a horse in almost 30 years but watching Caroline ride each week, she decided to take the big step of getting back in the saddle!  First taking lessons, then leasing her favorite lesson horse Cowboy, then making Cowboy her very own 2 years ago!

 Groom Staff

Jada

Melissa

Alyssa

Katie