Therapeutic Riding of Tucson - Instructors

Mary Vardi, Director of Instruction

I have 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.

Speech and Language Therapist, Valerie DeLar

Sarah Merrill, Instructor

I started riding when I was seven years old and rode my aunt's horses in California. I have 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. Recently, I joined the TROT staff, and I am very excited to be a part of this team.

Mary Anne Slawson, Instructor

Mary Anne Slawson graduated from the University of Arizona Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. Along with this degree she has an emphasis in Physical Education and Psychology. Mary Anne has 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 have 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".

Denice Angerhofer, Riding Instructor

I started my involvement with Trot by volunteering as a horse handle and sidewalker 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.

Autum Busarow

I started volunteering at TROT when I was 14 years old, 11 years ago. I continued volunteering and became the assistant barn manager, and am now the barn manager at TROT. I am a senior at the University of Arizona, studying veterinary science with the hopes of getting in to vet school.