gretchen schulz
Executive Director
PATH Intl. certified therapeutic riding instructor
Gretchen grew up riding and volunteered with a local Special Olympics equestrian team in junior high. In college, she had the opportunity to volunteer at a PATH Intl. Center, where she also completed the Instructor-in-Training program. She joined Ride for Joy as a volunteer in 2016 before becoming an instructor and the Executive Director.
Additionally, Gretchen has over a decade of experience working as an educator in public schools and universities, as well as developing and facilitating professional development opportunities for teachers. She holds an Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction.
Sandy James-Sherman
LeAd instructor
PATH Intl. certified therapeutic riding instructor
Sandy began riding horses through Pony Club at age 15. Around that time, she started volunteering for a therapeutic riding program in Southern California.
In 2004, Sandy obtained her certification as a Registered Instructor with PATH Intl. She joined Ride for Joy in 2014, bringing years of experience at two other therapeutic riding facilities.
Her educational background is in Recreational Therapy and she likes to practice what she preaches through a dedication to health and recreation. Sandy enjoys cooking, hiking, snowboarding, gardening, camping, triathlons, and, of course, riding.
bailey garner
PATH INTL. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor
Bailey began volunteering with Ride for Joy in 2015 as part of a senior project. The fit was immediate and she stayed on, enjoying all aspects of the volunteer process, while also hoping for an opportunity to make it a career. When the job of Volunteer Coordinator opened, she jumped at the chance to join the staff in 2019.
Outside of Ride for Joy, you can probably find Bailey working at the Once Upon a Horse or spending quality time with her family and friends. For fun, she rides three day eventing, stadium jumping, and cross country.
Bailey has been with the Ride for Joy team in some capacity since 2017 and loves to work with all the staff, students, and amazing volunteers.
KristyLee Ricketts
Path intl. certified therapeutic riding instructor
Kristylee grew up on the Big Island of Hawaii until moving to the mountains of western North Carolina in high school. Since graduating from Western Carolina University with a B.S. in Recreational Therapy, she has moved all around the US, with her favorite and longest-term stint being in Alaska. She moved to Idaho in November 2017 and found RFJ just a couple months later in February of 2018. She has loved it so much that she has no plan of moving again anytime soon!
Kristylee grew up with all sorts of animals and has been riding since she can remember. As much as she has always loved horses, it wasn't until her high school senior community service hours at a therapeutic riding stables that she knew she needed to work with animals and children permanently. During her first two hours at the stable, she got to witness an eight year old boy on the autism spectrum get on his horse and say the first word his mom had ever heard. “Fun!" he said.
Between her experiences working with kids with emotional and behavioral disabilities, her passion for seeing joy awakened in their hearts, and having a history with and respect for those who serve in our armed forces, Kristylee is thrilled to be a part of the RFJ family that reflects all three.
Natalie Steilling
Path intl. certified therapeutic riding instructor
Natalie grew up in Washington State where she started riding at the age of 10 and moved to Idaho in Fall 2022. She first became interested in therapeutic riding because she grew up close to a therapeutic riding center and liked to watch the riding lessons over the fence. Through her experience as a volunteer at that center in her teenage years, she chose to purse a career as a PATH Intl. instructor, recreation therapist and occupational therapy assistant.
Natalie graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in Therapeutic Recreation in Winter 2017. Natalie holds a degree as an Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) from Green River College and has spent 4 years as a pediatric COTA in outpatient therapy. Natalie enjoys enriching the lives of kids with disabilities through play and equine assisted activities.
Outside of work, Natalie enjoys training in dressage on her personal horse, hiking, exploring and traveling.
Chanel Jensen
equine manager
Originally from Grand Junction, CO, Chanel moved to California where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Communications and a minor in Equine Science, from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.
Chanel never grew out of her "horse girl" phase and worked for dude ranches and horse trainers before moving to Idaho in June of 2023. She has experience in many different riding disciplines, but her specialty is in cutting and reined cow horse.
When Chanel moved to Idaho, she searched high and low for the perfect position to advance her career in the equine industry, and becoming the equine manager at Ride for Joy was the perfect fit. In turn, she has discovered a new passion for helping others and teaching that has inspired her in future endeavors.
Brian Ames
Program assistant
Brian was born in southeastern Idaho moved to Arizona at 4, then back to Idaho at 9 years old. While growing up he had some horse experience, but it was very limited. At 14, while at a ranch his grandparents bought for retirement, he learned the value of making sure the saddle is secured correctly.
After high school, Brian joined the Navy SeaBee's as a CM. After a medical discharge, he worked in the automotive industry until moving to Boise. He then tried taking some computer classes and got a job doing tech support for a telecommunications company, but found it to not be for him.
After having some more medical issues that discontinued his ability to work, Brian joined Ride For Joy as a participant in the Veterans Program. After being asked to help with some smaller sessions, Brian then continued on to become a dedicated volunteer, spending most days possible at Ride for Joy.
Besides being at Ride For Joy, you can also find him with the Boise Chapter of Team River Runner, running whitewater in a raft or leisure paddling on flat water.
rose Roesch
Program, Fundraising, and Volunteer Coordinator
Meet Rose, our resident equestrian enthusiast with a heart as big as her dreams! Recently relocating from the sunny shores of Southern California (shhh!), Rose has been captivated by horses since she was old enough to say “neigh.” Though her formal riding experience was limited to savvy Groupon deals and vacation escapades, her passion for these majestic creatures has always been front and center.
In May 2024, Rose took a leap of faith, traded her commercial real estate career for a new adventure in Idaho, and embarked on her dream of owning a farm. Supported by her husband, two kids, and their Frenchton, Chuckie, Rose dove headfirst into farming with a zest for learning and a particular fondness for horses and other animals.
Her journey led her to Ride for Joy, where she found the perfect blend of her passions—helping others while being surrounded by horses and a fantastic team. Rose started as an intern, fell head over heels for the program, and is now a valued member of our staff. If you see someone beaming with joy, singing to horses, or chatting away with them, that’s probably Rose. Her enthusiasm and dedication are as infectious as her smile, and we’re thrilled to have her on board!