Where riders are encouraged to "Reach for the Stars!"
Rie Longo, LPN, CTRI Rie is the founder of Starlight Farms. A nurse by profession, when a physical therapist suggested that she open a therapeutic horseback riding facility at her farm, Rie knew that she had just found the perfect way to blend her love of horses and helping people. She attended Centenary College where she pursued Equine Studies and Therapeutic Horseback Riding. She has worked in every capacity at the farm and continues to do so. In her spare time, Rie likes to travel the country barrel racing with her daughter. If asked what her favorite thing about the farm is, she'll say it's the children and families who visit each week. It is Rie's ongoing goal that every child who rides at Starlight Farms has the opportunity to "Reach for the Stars!"
Holly Hoogmoed, CTRI
Holly first heard about Starlight Farms and its need for volunteers in 2001 from an article in a local homeschooling newsletter. She started volunteering a few hours a week, and a year later she was at the farm every day, most of the day, cleaning stalls and tacking horses for sessions. In 2004, Holly attended Centenary College and completed the coursework necessary to gain her certification as a Therapeutic Riding Instructor. In January of '06, Holly accepted the position of Volunteer Coordinator and in June 2008, Holly relinquished her position to Kathy Viken. Holly lives in Hawthorne with her husband, their son and their two dogs.
Renee Bond, CTRI
Renee enjoys working with our school programs as head riding instructor. She teaches the kids riding skills as well as how to care for and communicate with their horses. Renee is also responsible for exercising and training our therapy horses to make sure that they all stay in good shape for our special riders.
Kathy Viken, CTRI,
Kathy is a wife and mother of three boys - Jason 26, Eric 23 and Matthew 14. Her passion for therapeutic riding began in 1999 when she volunteered for the first time at Starlight Farm. After moving to California in 2000, Kathy volunteered at Helen Woodward Animal Center's Therapeutic Riding Center. In 2004, she became a NARHA certified instructor. Kathy was the Program Manager for Winners Circle Equestrian Therapy and later the Executive Director. From '05 - '07, she was the NARHA Southern California State Chair; and in 2008, Kathy was part of a team to develop a pilot program for wounded active service members. It is with great dedication and enthusiasm that Kathy continues her work in therapeutic horseback riding at Starlight Farm.
Rieanne Longo, CTRI
Rieanne has been involved with horses her whole life. This love of horses has led her to Bacone College in Oklahoma where she participates on their rodeo team. She is currently perusing a BS in Exercise Science. During summer vacations, Rieanne works here at the farm with our Saddle Up programs as an instructor.
Crystal Oakly, Instructor- In- Training
Crystal became a Starlight Staff member in the summer of 2007 after volunteering at the farm for 4 years. Crystal is attending Centenary College where she is pursuing Equine Studies and her Certification in Therapeutic Horseback Riding.
Laura Mazzola, Instructor- In- Training Laura first joined the farm in March 2007 as a volunteer. A year and a half later in September 2008, Laura became a member of the Starlight Staff. Laura is the proud owner of "Ben", who she kindly allows the farm to use. She has 6 years horseback riding experience and after high school she plans on going to college to study therapeutic riding.
Vikki Babcock Vikki lives in Ringwood with her husband and their 4 wonderful children. She started volunteering at the farm in the spring of 2009 and by the fall session Vikki had become part of the Starlight Staff. Her love of children and animals makes her enjoy coming to work each day.
Nicole GilbertNicole's lifelong love of horses led her to volunteer at Starlight beginning in January of 2010. That Fall, she became part of the staff. As a marketing professional in "her other life", Nicole had no experience working with children with special needs. Now she finds great joy in watching them achieve their goals through hippotherapy. Nicole lives in Ringwood with her husband and two daughters. She is thrilled that her daughters also have a stong love of horses. In fact, all three take riding lessons together. Her husband says he'll stick to golf.
Michael MazzolaMike is a Sophmore in highschool who has been part of the Starlight Staff since the summer of 2010. Mike had some experience with horses in his younger years while taking English riding lessons and was excited to get back into horses when he started volunteering at the farm. His love of the out doors has inspired him to start his own lanscaping buisness in his spare time.
