Ride With Pride serves riders in the greater Augusta County area who have physical, emotional, & developmental special needs with a wide range of therapeutic equine activities. We are able to provide this invaluable service to the community through charitable donations.
Since it was founded in 1989, Ride With Pride has provided services to about 150 therapeutic riders each year.
Our riders have represented more than 8 community groups including foster care, public schools, the
youth shelter, and Veterans.
Ride With Pride Board of Directors
Laura Martlock
President
Laura has been a riding instructor and trainer for 40 years. She teaches Balanced Seat riding, Dressage, Hunter/Jumper, Eventing, Trail Riding skills and Orienteering both at her place, Wildwood Farm, as well as at clients’ homes in Augusta County. She has served on the Virginia Horse Council for more than 10 years and the Therapeutic Riding Association of Virginia for 4 Years. Currently, Laura is a 4H leader for the Augusta County Equine Club and a mentor to the Buffalo Gap FFA Horse Judging Team. Laura has been involved with Ride With Pride in one capacity or another for 30 years, including instructing, Volunteer Coordinator, special events coordinator, and board member.
Annie Mathot
Vice President
Annie is a graduate of the University of Miami School of Architecture and relocated to Staunton to join Frazier Associates in 2005, where she works as an architect specializing in residential design with a focus on historic preservation and traditional new construction. Annie is a native of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, whose journey to the Shenandoah Valley included stops in the United Kingdom, Florida, and Pennsylvania. In all of these places, her involvement with horses contributed to her belief in the therapeutic magic of horses. She was thrilled to join the board of Ride With Pride in 2020. She lives in Staunton with her daughter and owns several active and retired horses.
Alisa Fernez
Secretary
Alisa is a native of the area and graduate of Virginia Wesleyan University with B.A.’s in English and Theatre. After performing as a stand up comedian in New York City in the late ’90’s, she returned to Staunton. She has written a play, three screenplays and is finishing her second book. She also writes the blog “Suspenders Girl”. Alisa became involved with RWP as the parent of a student, then a volunteer, before joining the Board and becoming Secretary in 2010. “I have witnessed many times the positive impact RWP has on those involved. I feel honored to be part of this wonderful organization.”
Sue Guyer
Treasurer
Sue Guyer has been living in Augusta County since 2003 having moved here from Bridgehampton Long Island New York with her husband of 48 years. She is a retired bookkeeper looking for something to do in her spare time when she heard that RWP was looking for a treasurer. Although Sue, a daughter and wife of farmers, does not have experience with horses, she loves them and looks forward to working with the group. She has been involved in many community organizations including Girl Scouts, 4H, The Bridgehampton Historical Society, Habit for Humanity, REACT, and is currently the secretary for their home owners association and the statistician for Stuarts Draft Horseshoe Club. “I needed something to do with my spare time and think this is a perfect fit. I am delighted to have joined this wonderful group”
Diane Gibbs
A native of New Jersey where I bred, raised, trained and showed Arabian horses, I was also a teacher and mental health counselor.. Moving to Virginia in 1994 I became active with fox hunting and mountain trail riding. As a Licensed Professional Counselor I worked in community services and the local hospital. I have always known how therapeutic horses can be. When I learned about Ride With Pride I quickly realized the importance and impact the program has for those with disabilities, both mental and physical. I can not say enough positive things about this organization and am proud to be a part of it.
Christi Meek
“I have been giving riding lessons for beginners through advanced to adults and children at their farm or ours. I love teaching people how to work with their horses, whether they show or trail ride, it’s all about communication. I love to show in combined training, foxhunting and a sport called TREC, which involves map orienteering and obstacles.
I have been more involved with RWP for the past couple of years and have seen how it helps people of all ages overcoming their difficulties and makes them mental and physically stronger.”
Jacob Arbaugh
Jacob is a native of Staunton, VA. Jacob attended Bethany College in Bethany, WV where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Media Arts, focusing in Marketing, Advertising, and Public Relations; with a minor in Equine Studies. There, he competed on the ISHA Hunt Seat Team as well as the IDA Dressage Team. These days Jacob can be found foxhunting across the Shenandoah Valley with Glenmore Hunt.
Rosalie Fessier
Rosalie Fessier is a managing partner with the law firm of TimberlakeSmith in Staunton for whom she serves as the leader of the firm’s Local Government Law practice as well as serving as the Pro Bono Coordinator for the firm. Rosalie has been a practicing trial attorney since 1995 and has been successfully representing and defending constitutional officers, localities, and other public bodies for over 20 years. Rosalie also defends hospitals, physicians, and other licensed health care providers against medical malpractice claims in both the private and public sectors. Before joining the Board, Rosalie served as pro bono legal counsel for Ride With Pride since 2018.
Sophia Martina
Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, Sophia moved to Virginia at the age of six. Her passion and love for horses began at an early age. Sophia attended Bridgewater College in Bridgewater, Virginia. She graduated in 2015 earning her bachelor’s degree in Biology. Sophia works for an Equine Nutrition Company, Foxden Equine, Inc. located in Stuarts Draft, VA. Her role as their Quality Control Manager allows her to combine her two passions: horses and science into a career. Sophia has been volunteering and helping with Ride with Pride since she was in middle school. Every year she makes sure to volunteer her time to help because she is a huge supporter and believer of the program. Sophia is also an avid dressage rider with the goal to one day achieve all her USDF Rider Award Medals.
Tonya Schaefer
Tonya is a graduate of Vermont Technical College with an Associates Degree in Business, and is an Accounting Assistant at Robinson, Farmer, Cox Associates. She is an Augusta County native, but also lived in Vermont for several years. Since moving back to Virginia in 1997 she has been raising three amazing sons with her husband, Dave. They live on a farm in Augusta County where they have horses and a small cattle operation. They enjoy conducting horsemanship clinics and her husband is a local farrier. Tonya has always had a passion for horses ever since she got her first pony on her 16th birthday.
Alisa Berry
Alisa C. Berry is a native of Augusta Co. She grew up riding and showing on the Southwest VA Hunter Jumper Ass circuit. She was also an active member of Glenmore Hunt Pony Club. Alisa graduated from Sweet Briar College, where she participated on the IHSA & Hunter Show Team. She has taught lessons for SBC and JMU College Equestrian Programs. Currently, Alisa is the Equine Specialist at Augusta Co-op Farm Bureau. She also competes in the Amateur Owner 3’6” division at USEF rated shows up and down the east coast. Alisa helps her husband, Jason, manage Jason Berry Stables LLC, a full service training, lesson (home to JMU Equestrian Team), show barn. She and her husband have 2 children; Carter, age 12 and Sydney, age 5.
Melissa Sheets
With the opportunity to attend college at Mary Baldwin College in 1987, Melissa arrived in Staunton for school, met her husband of 32 years and has been an active member of the community over the years. She has been a Girl Scout troop leader, a volunteer and board member/president with Mental Health America Augusta for 7 years, and Art in the Park volunteer as well. Melissa is currently the Managing Broker and part owner with Keller Williams Commonwealth in Waynesboro, VA. Melissa loves to read, bake and connect with people. Previously, she was a classroom teacher in Augusta County as well as Waynesboro and Staunton from 1991-2017. Her love for education and growth through experience has always been a focus for her and she is excited to serve on the board of Ride With Pride.