Claremore Daily Progress

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October 5, 2009

Bit by Bit names new therapeutic riding instructor

By Joy Hampton

October 4, 2009 — Rogers State University's Bit by Bit Therapeutic Horse Riding Program has named a new full-time therapeutic riding instructor, Elizabeth Capalbo.

“We conducted a national search and were extremely fortunate to find someone of Elizabeth’s quality that was available and eager to come to Claremore,” said Dr. Ray Brown, who administers the program for the RSU. “The search committee was extremely impressed during the interview process with her experience and formal training.”

Capalbo will begin Oct. 5. She earned a bachelor of arts in therapeutic horsemanship/program management from St. Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, N.C. and received certification as an instructor from the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA.)

She also is a NARHA-certified therapeutic vaulting instructor and has participated in several national and regional NARHA conferences.

Bit by Bit classes begin Oct. 13.

“We are fortunate to welcome such a highly trained and experienced therapeutic riding instructor to the Bit by Bit staff,” said newly hired Program Director Jennifer England. “She has the right credentials for a therapeutic riding instructor.”

Capalbo worked as a riding instructor at High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Program in Old Lyme, Conn., and for the Turning Pointe Therapeutic Riding, Inc., in Ashaway, R.I.

In those positions, she developed and implemented riding lesson plans for students, coordinated volunteer programs, and trained therapeutic riding horses.

She also has experience in fundraising and grant writing for therapeutic horse riding programs. Both Capalbo and England come to the program from other states.

“We went through the search process and extended offers to the most highly qualified candidates,” said Brent Ortolani, RSU spokesman.

“Elizabeth is a graduate of one, if not the only university offering a bachelor’s degree in therapeutic riding,” said Brown.

The university has realigning responsibilities and bring in new staff for the upcoming semester.

Classes were delayed to allow more time for training horses and preparing for classes. Around 80 children are enrolled in the program. Numerous volunteers contribute to the program’s success said Brown.

Those volunteers work hand-in had with the paid staff. Staffing for this fall continues.

“We anticipate filling two more position with the program,” said Brown.

The Bit by Bit program provides horse riding therapy for people with special needs at the RSU Equestrian Center, located south of Oologah.

Brent Ortolani contributed to this story.

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