SARAH | Executive Director
Sarah started riding horses at the age of 7 and never stopped! She was first introduced to a therapeutic riding program in high school for her senior volunteer project, describing it as a life-changing experience. While studying toward her degree in Mass Communication at LSU, Sarah rode for the LSU Equestrian Team beginning in 2013 and later became President of the club in 2016. She also volunteered at Hearts and Hooves at BREC, where she could dive even deeper into Equine Assisted Services.
Sarah and her husband Michael have two fur kids: Rylee, a lab and German shepherd mix, and Mavis, a tripod lab mix that will affectionately greet anyone who comes into the GaitWay office!
BRIANNA | PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor & Lesson Coordinator
Brianna has first-hand experience with the benefits of adaptive riding, as she has exceptionalities herself. Brianna started as a GaitWay rider when she was 14 and would volunteer around the barn and help with lessons. Her positive experiences led her to pursue certification, which she completed in 2019. Two of the GaitWay horses, Gretta and Heilo, belong to Brianna, and they have won several first-place ribbons in various competitions.
Brianna is married to her high school sweetheart, Austin, and when she isn't at the barn, she enjoys quality time with friends and family.
RACHEL | Volunteer Coordinator & Office Administrator
Our Volunteer Coordinator and Office Administrator, Rachel, grew up splitting her time between the rodeos in Louisiana and summers with family in Japan. From a lifetime with horses, cattle, and 5 children of her own, Rachel brings her knowledge of horses and caring for both people and children to GaitWay.
These days, Rachel attends the rodeo with her husband, Doug, watching their kids run barrels with their horse, Dixie. You will find Rachel crocheting her temperature blanket when horses and children aren’t her focus.
ALISA | Riding Instructor
Alisa didn't grow up around horses, but that didn't stop her from chasing her dream! At the age of 18, she began cleaning stalls in exchange for riding lessons and purchased her first horse, Slim, by the age of 19. She then focused on learning new skills from different trainers and began teaching others, until finding GaitWay via Facebook and loved the idea of teaching adaptive riding. Now, she is an instructor with us and pursuing her PATH certification.
In addition to Slim, Alisa is also the proud owner of Aluna, a boxer/lab mix. Away from the barn, she enjoys reading, writing, and wishing she was at the barn.
HANNAH | Riding Instructor
Bio coming soon!
MAVIS
Meet Mavis, our trash-obsessed, tripod office greeter. She takes her job very seriously and always offers a wagging tail and warm welcome to every office guest. Her favorite role is patrolling the office for crumbs or trash while offering constant love to her coworkers -human, dog, and horse alike!
ALUNA
Aluna loves people, horses, and running around the arena (when her mom allows). She is a very relaxed and calm fur baby who will wait patiently until you wish to say “Hi!” If you do decide to engage with Aluna, just know that you are now her favorite person. She enjoys freeze-dried salmon and showing off all the training she’s been working on.
ARTEMIS
Bio coming soon!