ConnectWell TR Staff

My son Ronin started riding with the riding program when he was 3. That same year (2007), I  started  volunteering with TRP . Twelve years later we are both still here – what can I say, TRP is both an addictive and an unbelievably powerful program to belong to.

My motivation comes from the incredible drive and devotion of the many, many wonderful people who make the riding program possible. From the generous donors, to those who go door to door to get sponsorship pledges, to the folks who come out each day, rain or shine to lend their support to the riders. I am truly humbled and inspired watching complete strangers stand up and give so freely of their time and skills to help my son (and many others) dream, believe and achieve.

 Maria has had a passion for horses for over five decades. She studied agriculture in her native Germany before immigrating to Canada in 1979.  At St. Lawrence College in Kingston she studied Behavioral Science graduating in 1987.  In 1990 she obtained her CanTRA Therapeutic Riding Instructor Certification and in 1993 she was certified as a Canadian Equestrian Federation Level 1, English Coach.  Since then, Maria has taken numerous courses to deepen her knowledge of how to provide therapy to the disabled and to keep riders, volunteers and  horses safe and happy.

By both inclination and training, Maria enjoys and is qualified to work with people with special needs; and, in 1987, being familiar with similar programs in Europe, was happy to learn of the LCTRP. She has been an LCTRP instructor ever since, passing on her love for and understanding of horses to hundreds of riders and volunteers.  Maria assists other instructors and mentors and trains those wishing to become Certified Assistant Instructors.

In addition to her work with the LCTRP Maria is a relief worker to the Lanark Community Program Family Relief Program.  For many years she has worked over the winter months with many of our riders in the school system as an education assistant.

Vicky started riding at the age of 6 at Silver Spring Farm in Bells Corners which was a working farm and group home for adults with Downs Syndrome. She was a working student there for 6 years in exchange for lessons. During this experience, she formed a great respect for people with challenges there. 

She has owned horses for 23 yrs and over that time have developed an interest in natural horsemanship.

Vicky has been with the program 6 yrs, first as a volunteer and now as an instructor. In her past life she worked in education as a library technician. 

 Adi joined the LCTRP in the spring of 2013 as a volunteer and began teaching in Perth that summer. In the fall of 2014 she obtained her CTRAI from CanTRA.

Adi began riding at the age of 3 and has worked in the horse industry for over 25 years including being a 4H Horse Club Leader, a show groom, a trainer/coach and competitor in hunter/jumper, western performance, and speed & team penning events. She is a graduate of the KCAT Equine Studies Program and lives with her son & fuzzy/feathery family on an off-grid hobby farm.

Arlene Bullen is LCTRP’s newest instructor. She  is an Equestrian Canada certified English riding coach. Over the years she taught riding lessons at a number of facilities in the Ottawa valley.  She has had a long and diverse career, but an Ad from LCTRP brought her full circle, back to horses..   After a year of volunteering as a horse handler and side walker, Arlene hopes to finally get that National certification as a TR instructor.

Arlene says she knows how it feels to have a connection with a horse and seeing someone who faces so many challenges in life experience that same feeling makes me is so rewarding. “With every session I get to see the difference that a connection with a horse can make.”

 Maiah began volunteering with the Therapeutic Riding Program as a horse handler and sidewalker when she was just 12 years old. Now entering her second year at the University of Ottawa, she has been an Assistant Instructor with LCTRP for two summers; teaching lessons under the guidance of the Head Instructor. She is also charged with keeping the TR horses fit and healthy, riding and grooming them regularly. This has been particularly important through the challenges brought on by the pandemic.  

A second year student in Social Sciences at the University of Ottawa, Maiah is also a member of the Ottawa Gee-Gees Equestrian Team, and is this year's team Captain