Board of Directors:
Autumn is a Speech
Pathologist at Blossomland Learning Center, a school for students with
moderate to severe cognitive abilities. She has been involved in the
world of Equine Assisted Activities since 1980 when she became a NARHA
Certified Riding Instructor. She has owned horses all of her life,
having shown Hunters, Dressage and Evented. For many years Autumn has
been a "horse show mom" for her two daughters competing with their
Arabian horses at the national level. She is a founding member of TEC
and is married to an extremely understanding husband, Russ.
Barbara Lenhardt
Margie Hojara-Hadsell
Margie has been a NARHA instructor since 1991 and has instructed in 3 programs, has worked on the Proud Equestrian Program new instructor training and evaluation team, and has served on the instructor update committee. She began riding hunters and jumpers at age 9, qualifiying for the Alfred B Maclay ASPCA equitation finals, and also for the AHSA medal finals as a junior rider. She was coached by legendary horseman, Robert Egan, who was her stepfather. Margie was among TEC's first instructors and helped in initial program development.
Margie graduated from University of Notre Dame and then earned a graduate degree in counseling from Andrews University. She is currently the director of the Workforce Improvement Division of Michigan Rehabilitation Services in Lansing, MI, where her responsibilities are for staff development, recruitment,retention, succession planning, and services to persons with disabilities in Central and Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.
Margie is married to Ron Hojara, and they have five dogs.
Judy Buck
Judy is a graduate of the University of Colorado, retired after 44 years in retail management. She is a past member Michiana Foxhounds, Member American Quarter Horse Association, National Reining Horse Association, and the Palomino Horse Breeders of America. She has been involved with horses since 1969 and is a student of Natural Horsemanship.
Pony Express Editor Joni King
As a group home daycare provider for over 22 years, the focus of
Joni’s work experience has been caring for and nurturing children. A
life-altering health issue challenged and left Joni disabled, but with
recovery came the desire to be productive. Working as a volunteer with
the staff at the Box Factory for the Arts inspired Joni to once again
seek service-based employment, and she joined TEC in
2006. Please contact Joni for more information about how to get started
as a volunteer at TEC.
Instructors: Gidge Dunn, Autumn Zick, Rob Widman
Instructor In Training and Rider Registrar: Kari Snyder
Facility and Building Maintenance Manager: Larry Biesboer
Barn Manager: Vicki O'Neil
Vicki is a horse lover, who has been riding since age 2. She has worked with NARHA programs for over 10 years and is the mother of instructor Mara, (soon to be grandma!)
Volunteer Manager: Dawn Bruin-Slot