859.231.7066
Donate Now

Our Staff

Click the photos for staff member bios. Click their name to send them an email.

Pat Kline has been the executive director of Central Kentucky Riding for Hope for 14 years after a brief time as the development coordinator. Pat holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Personnel Services specializing in child guidance. She was employed as a teacher for 17 years in New Jersey, Ohio and Kentucky. Pat is a lifelong equine enthusiast having participated in hunter jumper shows as a child and later in the Thoroughbred racing industry. She feels blessed to have had a front row seat in the exciting development of CKRH from a seasonal program to a year-round nonprofit business with a secure, sustainable future.

Pat Kline

Executive Director

Jessica grew up competing in barrel racing and working on her family's American Quarter Horse Racing farm in Clinton, Kentucky. She earned a degree in Ag. Science with an emphasis in communications from Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky and a masters in Intercultural Service, Leadership and Management from the School for International Training in Brattleboro, Vermont. Jessica has more than 15 years of experience in marketing and public relations, including positions with the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, Kentucky and United Way of the Bluegrass 2-1-1. She served three years with the Peace Corps in Tanzania and worked as the Communications and Programming Strategist for the Alliance for Haiti’s Children in La Vallee, Haiti.

Jessica Byassee

Development Director

McKenna joined the CKRH team in 2018 after graduating from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelors of Science degree in Animal Rescue and Conservation Education. A native of Chicago, Illinois, but a country girl at heart, she grew up riding horses and loved listening to country music. McKenna worked at the Shedd Aquarium where she spearheaded the teen work study program for inner city youth. McKenna also interned at the Kentucky Horse Park in volunteer and outreach management before joining us at CKRH. 

McKenna Toenies

Volunteer and Program Development Coordinator

Karen joined CKRH in January 2012 after a 23-year career as Executive Secretary of the United Professional Horsemen’s Association. Prior to that she served as the office manager of the American Saddlebred Horse Association. She has an extensive knowledge of the show horse industry and the organizations located at the Kentucky Horse Park. Karen breeds and owns American Saddlebreds and serves on the American Saddlebred Registry’s Board of Directors.

Karen Richardson

Administrative Assistant

A native Texan, Anna is a graduate of the University of Kentucky where she studied both Equine Science & Management and English. As an avid horse lover, she treasures the opportunity to combine her love for horses, people and community service. Anna is a certified PATH Intl. Therapeutic Riding Instructor. When not working at CKRH, you can find Anna riding horses, reading and visiting her family farm in Texas.

Anna Montero

Equine Manager/PATH Intl. Certified Instructor

Josh came to CKRH with a diverse background. He grew up working as a cowboy and training young horses for ranches in Texas and Oklahoma. His father bought him his first colt when he was 9 years old, and he continued to start colts and work with “problem horses” until he joined the Army in 2002. He has spent most of his life working to improve his communication with horses through Natural Horsemanship. He also spent many years in United States Army Special Operations as a medic and has deployed many times to both Iraq and Afghanistan. He has a passion for working with at risk youth and Veterans. Josh truly enjoys helping people to understand and communicate effectively with horses and is working towards his PATH Instructor Certification in 2018.

Josh McElroy

STABLES Horsemanship Instructor

Erica is a native of Richmond, IN. She graduated from the University of Kentucky with a dual degree in Equine Science and Psychology and is now in a master’s program for Applied Behavior Analysis with an emphasis in autism spectrum disorder. Erica is a PATH Intl. Certified Instructor and enjoys her work teaching lessons at CKRH and doing new client assessments. When Erica is not at work, she and her dog Daisy spend time exploring different parts of Kentucky.

Erica Bischoff

PATH Intl. Certified Instructor/Lesson Coordinator

Originally from southern Illinois, KC now calls Kentucky home. KC has a bachelor's degree in psychology from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and a master's of science in operations management from University of Arkansas. She is also currently pursuing a master's in education for counseling psychology at the University of Kentucky. Having spent the last ten years in the Navy as a Naval Aviator, KC is now pursuing her dream of becoming a counselor. As a PATH Intl. certified instructor, KC is able to combine a love of horses and helping individuals. When not in school or at CKRH, you can find KC on her farm spending time with her horses and dogs.   

Katherine “KC” Jensen

PATH Intl. Certified Instructor

Alli is a Northeast Ohio native who comes to us by way of Colorado. She has a degree in elementary education and achieved her goal of becoming a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor. Combining her passions for teaching, horses and serving people with special needs has been just the right fit for her. Alli is helping CKRH achieve a long-time goal of having a robust database, and we are grateful to have her as a part of our team! When she is not at CKRH, Alli enjoys spending time with her husband and dogs.

Alli Rushing

Data Controller/PATH Intl. Certified Instructor

JJ is a Lexington-native who grew up eventing and riding the trails. She began volunteering at CKRH with her mother when she was only 12-years-old. Becoming a part of the CKRH staff during the summer of 2017 was a big achievement in her life goals. JJ is a semi-professional photographer specializing in capturing images at horse shows. In her free time, JJ enjoys spending time with her two horses; one of whom was a rescue she nursed to health.

JJ Sillman

Equine Care Assistant

Contracted Licensed Therapists

Kathryn L. Splinter-Watkins

MOT, OTR/L, FAOTA, AHA Registered Therapist, PATH Intl. Advanced Level

Toby Cross

MOT, OTR/L, PATH Intl. Certified Instructor EKU Clinical Instructor - Occupational Science/Occupational Therapy and Horses, Humans and Health Minor

Therapist & Equine Specialist Partner in Mental Health & Learning

Charlotte Hiler Easley

LCSW, ESMHL
Click on Charlotte's name to be taken to her website.

CKRH Board of Directors

Executive Committee

Brad.Scroggin

Brad Scroggin

President
Peter.Morresey

Peter Morresey

1st Vice President
BVSc, MACVSc, DACT, DACVIM, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital
Amy.Owens

Amy L. Owens

Secretary
Keeneland
Adam.Campbell

Adam Campbell

Treasurer
CPA, Denali Stud

Board Members

MichaelBanahan

Michael Banahan

Godolphin
David.Beck

David Beck

CPA, Brandsetter Carroll, Inc.
Adam.Bowden

Adam Bowden

Diamond Creek Farm
Stuart.Brown

Stuart E. Brown

DVM, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute
Susan.Bunning

Susan Bunning

Equine Equity Partners, LLC
Tom.Creech

Tom.Creech

The Creech Family, Charles T. Creech, Inc.
Douglas.John

John Douglas

Old National Bank
Elizabeth.Leatherman

Elizabeth Leatherman

CPA, Dean Dorton Allen Ford, PLLC
Kristina.Lu

Kristina Lu

VMD, Dipl. ACT, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute
Martha.Mulholland

Martha Jane Mulholland

Mulholland Springs Farm
Vicky.Myers

Vicky Myers

Rick.Nunnelly

Richard A. Nunnelley

Stoll Keenon Ogden
Kari.Simon

Kari H. Simon

Bon Marche, LLC
Linda.Willson

Linda Willson

Homes and Horse Farms Real Estate
ckrh-footer-img
footerLogo-1

Contact Information

PO BOX 13155
Lexington, KY 40583
Phone: 859.231.7066
Fax: 859.252.5016

Support Us

Connect

 

 

© Copyright by CKRH, 2018