TROT INSTRUCTORS

Mary Vardi, Director of Instruction    

I’ve been a member of the TROT staff since 2004 and have been involved in therapeutic riding for the past eighteen years.  I started my horse experience at the age of nine, being pitched off a black Shetland pony numerous times. It was love at first “thunk”.  I continued to expand my horse knowledge though lessons and competitions.   At Virginia Commonwealth University I received a BS in Special Education.  I then relocated to Israel to become a part a cooperative community, Kibbutz Hatzor. I started a family and worked within the educational system of the community.

In 1990 I opened a riding center in the Kibbutz and then studied to become a therapeutic riding instructor at the Wingate Institute of Israel and opened my riding school for therapeutic riding.  We had a wonderful ten years and with my two sons grown, I decided to return to the United States to spend time with my aging Father. 

I spent three years as the program director of Special Equestrians in North Ft. Meyers, Florida and in 2004 came to join the TROT team.  Since coming to TROT, I feel especially proud of the progress the instructional staff has been able to achieve in the area of independent riding for our participants.  I also feel that our Veterans program, created in the fall of 2006, has been an inspiration to our community and to other therapeutic centers nationwide.  I hope to continue to building a strong TROT with the help of a wonderful staff and with the support of a giving, caring Tucson community. e-mail: trotarizona@aol.com

I started riding when I was seven years old and rode my aunt’s horses in California.  I've  taken riding lessons for dressage and hunter/jumpers.  While growing up in California I participated in schooling shows held by the local pony club each month.  In 1995, I moved to Colorado and bought my first horse.  He knew nothing about English riding since he had been a trail horse so I had to work with him quite a bit.  I had the opportunity to show him at two local shows. 

I attended Colorado State University and graduated with a B.S. in equine science.  While in college, I was an intern at a small therapeutic center in the area.  After college, I went to Virginia for the summer to teach at a children’s riding camp.  As an instructor at this camp, we taught the campers how to ride, as well as teaching them basic horse care.  After the summer, I returned to Colorado and volunteered at a local therapeutic riding center.

In 2003, I became a NARHA certified instructor and worked in Colorado at therapeutic riding centers.  In 2007, I was given the opportunity to present at the NARHA national conference.  I joined the TROT staff in 2008, and I am very excited to be a part of this team. e-mail: volunteer4trot@aol.com

Mary Anne  Slawson, Insructor 
I graduated from the University of Arizona Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. Along with this degree I have an emphasis in Physical Education and Psychology. I have been involved with TROT in many capacities for at least 18 years. I took a few years off here and there but always came back. I’ve been a Horse Handler, Side Walker, on the Training Team and the Volunteer Coordinator. There are many jobs at TROT and I have tried to fill most of them! I especially love being an instructor. I get to work with all the things I love! Horses, education, and working outside. e-mail: trotarizona@aol.com

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I started my involvement with Trot by volunteering as a horse handle and side walker in 1983. I have continued by completing the NARHA certification requirements to be therapeutic riding instructor and have taught a variety of classes for the last 15 years. I am also a special education teacher in the Sunnyside School District. I have been thrilled that I have been able to provide my classroom students with the opportunity to participate in Trot. My passion for teaching and love of horses has found the perfect outlet at TROT.
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