Joanne Hart
Executive Director – jhart@ltrf.org
Joanne Hart is the Executive Director for Loudoun Therapeutic Riding. She joined LTR as an instructor in 1984 after receiving her therapeutic riding instructor certification from the Cheff Center in Augusta MI. Prior to that she attended Colorado State University and earned a teaching certificate at the Meredith Manor School of Horsemanship. She is a PATH Intl. Registered Instructor and currently holds a seat on the board of directors of the Horses and Humans Research Foundation. She is a Past President of the Therapeutic Riding Association of Virginia (TRAV), and has been actively involved with PATH Intl. as past Regional Representative, and a member of the coordination committee for the annual conferences.
At home, Joanne has three boys, and has spent many years as a breeder of Connemara Ponies.
Kathy Blaine
Program Director – kblaine@ltrf.org
Kathy Blaine is the Program Director for the Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Foundation. She attended Averett University and holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Virginia Commonwealth University where she completed her studies. Kathy is a PATH Intl. Registered Instructor, a member of the Board of Directors of the Therapeutic Riding Association of Virginia (TRAV) and serves as that organization’s Center Relations Committee Chairperson. Kathy began teaching riding during college and continued as an instructor in the Richmond area after graduating in 1983. During that time she competed in both eventing and dressage.
Kathy lives with her husband Ken in Purcellville, VA where she is active in church and community organizations, and they have two grown children.
Debbie Gerbich
Horse Manager/Lead instructor – dgerbich@ltrf.org
Debbie is a graduate from Centenary College with a Bachelor’s degree in Equine Studies. After college she competed and evented through the intermediate level. Debbie joined LTR initially as a volunteer and then became a PATH Intl. Registered instructor in 2001. She is currently an instructor and Assistant Program Director with LTR. Debbie is a member of VADA-NOVA (Northern Virginia Dressage Association) and currently competes locally.
Debbie lives in The Plains Va. with her husband Jeff. She is active with church and the Upperville garden club.
Mary Jo Beckman
Mary Jo graduated from the University of Texas in 1973 with a BA in History. She is a US Navy Commander Ret. having served from 1973 – 1994. Mary Jo is a PATH Intl. NARHA Master Instructor, PATH Intl.Certified Driving Instructor, PATH Intl.Lead Faculty/Evaluator Registered Instructors, and a PATH Intl. Lead Visitor. She joined the LTR staff in 1997 and recently helped LTR expand program services to include Therapeutic Driving. Mary Jo has been instrumental in the development and implementation of the Horses for Heroes program for veterans who have been disabled in combat. Mary Jo and her husband reside in Falls Church and have two grown children.
In November of 2011, Mary Jo was awarded the PATH Intl. James Brady Professional Achievement Award for her dedicated service to our profession and our industry. Her vision has had a profound impact on the lives of many individuals in countless ways. We are proud of her accomplishments.
Barbara Hattwick
Barbara joined LTR 2001 and is a PATH Intl. Registered Instructor. She was born in Yorkshire, England. She graduated from the University of London with a degree in Geology and the Sorbonne in Paris. Horses have always been an important part of her life. She was the District Commissioner for the Great Falls Pony Club for 10 years, organizing and designing courses for events held at Southdown Farm. She has competed at the lower levels of eventing and currently owns three horses.
Barbara has three children – two are married and live locally –and twin grand children. She resides in Great Falls with her husband.
Allison Goldfarb
Allison started with LTRF as a volunteer in 2001 and joined the teaching staff in 2004, achieving her PATH Int’l. Instructor certification that same year. She has a B.A. in Biology and Environmental Studies from Dartmouth College and has worked in pharmaceutical and medical device scientific and regulatory consulting since 1994. Allison continues to consult part time with SciLucent, LLC in Herndon, VA.
Allison has owned, ridden, and cared for horses since childhood, formerly foxhunting with the Kimberton Hunt in Kimberton, PA and spending countless hours on horseback along the roads and trails of Chester County, PA. Allison has a special interest in equine facilitated learning and has studied natural horsemanship techniques, round pen training, and energy work, including Level II Reiki.
Allison lives in Oakton, VA with her husband and two children. In addition to riding, she enjoys Pilates, yoga, gardening, and family time.
Natalie Baker Conca
Natalie graduated from Radford University in 2000 and obtained her license to practice as a Recreation Therapist in 2000, proceeding to work with pediatric, geriatric and adolescents in hospitals, schools and in community settings. She has owned and shown horses for over 20 years and currently competes in show jumping, eventing, competitive trail riding and foxhunting. She began with LTR in 2005 and is a PATH Intl. Advanced Instructor.
Natalie lives in Ashburn, VA with her husband, 3 German shepherds and two horses. She provides foster care for the Virginia German Shepherd Rescue year round, teaches riding lessons at Cavallo Farm in Leesburg, VA and owns/manages her private practice, Lead Changes Therapy Services specializing in Community Inclusion and Aquatic Therapy in the Northern Virginia area. She enjoys mountain biking, hiking, in addition to riding.
Ann Denison
Ann joined the LTRF staff in 2007 and is a PATH Intl. Registered Instructor. She started as a volunteer in 2006 after retiring from 32 years in the corporate world. She graduated from the University of Virginia with a BA in Government and worked for many years in the information technology and human resources arena. Ann’s been riding all her life, starting in Pony Club at an early age and showing hunters and jumpers as a junior. She earned spending money in high school and college teaching riding at summer camps and, now, in addition to LTR is teaching at two lesson barns in northern Virginia.
At home Ann keeps a small farm with two dogs and two horses and is an avid foxhunter with the Middleburg Hunt.
Babe Romine
Babe is a graduate of Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA with a BS psychology/theology/ science, and holds an AS in veterinary technology from Holyoke College, Holyoke Mass. A retired science teacher, and veterinary technician, Babe brings her unique energy and high spirits to the therapeutic arena and loves taking the classroom to the horses! Babe has been in the horse business for 20 years and is a certified as PATH Intl. Registered Instructor and ARIA riding instructor, and is a PATH/ EAGALA Equine Specialist for EFL/EAP. She specializes in Western and Hunt Seat, and has experience in horse rehabilitation, western competition, instruction, training and equine facilitated learning and therapy. She currently owns a 16 hand bay appendix quarter horse named “Bailey” who operates in her lesson program. Babe teaches the Junior Hunt seat riders at Twin Oaks Riding Academy, Leesburg Va., and especially enjoys teaching beginners.
She is a devoted mother and the wife of a retired Coast Guard Captain. She sports three teenage sons to keep her on her toes, one crazy fox hound and a crazier Terrier, one fat cat, two delightful birds, and many fish. Passions include arts, outdoors and serving others, family, and God.
Heather Payne
Heather graduated from Texas A&M University in 1998 with a major in Speech Communications and a minor in Sociology. She pursued her love of horseback riding her sophomore year in college competing in ISHA in Western Equitation, English Equitation and jumping. Heather became a volunteer at Equest Therapeutic Riding in Wylie, TX in 2001 and in 2011decided to take it to the next level and became a Registered PATH Int’l Instructor in March 2012.
Heather lives in Ashburn, VA with her husband and two dogs and is truly loving wearing boots and jeans to work every day instead of suits and heels.
