Our History
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In 2010 our founder, Denise Avolio, began Access Equestrian with a lifetime of horsemanship and adaptive riding experience and a strong desire to provide individualized programming in a beautiful location. Access Equestrian formally received 501(c)(3) not-for-profit status in 2013 and now runs a number of different equine-assisted programs from our beautiful private facility in Bedford, NY.
The journey began with one horse, one instructor, and a handful of clients. Our program has grown to have fourteen wonderful therapy horses, multiple instructors, and approximately one-hundred sessions per week. |
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Meet Our Team
Denise Avolio, Path Int'l Advanced Level CTRI and Mentor, CHA Level 2 IRD
Founder, Executive Director and Program Manager
Founder, Executive Director and Program Manager
Denise founded Access Equestrian in May 2010, with one horse and a handful of clients. She is a lifelong equestrian, holds a degree in Equine Science and has taught both able-bodied and riders with disabilities for more than 35 years. She started working in therapeutic riding and riding for the disabled with Pal-O-Mine Equestrian on Long Island, helping establish that program in the early 1990's. Denise served as the Chef d'Equipe for the US Paralympic Dressage Team from 1998 through 2007, and also served on the boards of the National Disability Sports Alliance, the International Paralympic Equestrian Committee, the United States Equestrian Team and the United States Equestrian Federation.
In 2010, Denise earned her bachelor's degree from Columbia University with a dual degree in Sociology and English Literature. Upon graduation, she decided to return to the field of therapeutic riding but wanted to make a difference on a local level, rather than focusing on international sport. She began working locally in the therapeutic riding industry and founded Access Equestrian. These days, when not at the farm, Denise enjoys spending time with her husband Charles and their two grown children, Dana and Thomas, and their dogs Petey and Holly.
Lily Cutair
Public Relations and Volunteer Ambassador
Public Relations and Volunteer Ambassador
Lily joined Access Equestrian after spending over twenty years as a veteran broadcaster working in digital media and radio. Her broadcast career began in her hometown of Salinas, California at the non-profit Latino public radio network Radio Bilingüe. Through the course of her media career, she has worked at numerous radio networks including iHeart Radio and ABC Radio. Lily’s love for horses began as a young girl visiting her grandparents ranch in the Mexican highlands. As co-owner of Cutair Racing, she and her husband enjoy watching their Thoroughbred horses train and race around New York’s three major race tracks. When she is not working or spending time with her family, she enjoys riding her seventeen-year-old Hanoverian horse Justin, and hanging around her barn in back-country Greenwich.
Sara Garden
Administrative Manager
Administrative Manager
Sara started riding horses at age 13 and was immediately smitten! She rode for a handful of years as a teenager, and then took a long hiatus from riding. She enjoyed a career as a video producer in the corporate environment for 22+ years. After moving to Westchester from Manhattan she began riding again and was immediately reminded of her love for horses & all things equestrian. After leaving video production she started volunteering for Access Equestrian both in and out of the ring. When presented with the opportunity to join the organization, it was an instant yes! When not at the barn she sells wine to raise money for charity and hangs at home enjoying time with her husband and their two dogs, Mac and Chilli.
Kate Hickcox-Howard, Path Int'l CTRI
Instructor and Equine Training Coordinator
Instructor and Equine Training Coordinator
Kate became a PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor at the Registered Level in 2014. Prior to certification, she volunteered in therapeutic riding programs for many years as a leader, sidewalker, and horse care assistant. Her horse experience started at age seven, when she began taking lessons that involved learning both riding and horsemanship. Her job as a full time Instructor and our Equine Coordinator encompasses teaching, horse care, and riding, which are her greatest passions in life.
Maggie Kraus
Instructor in Training
Instructor in Training
Maggie has been riding and enjoying her time around horses for more than 8 years. When she started riding, she struggled with anxiety around horses. Riding and working with Access Equestrian has helped her gain confidence, self love and a new understanding of horses and everyone. It helped her find a passion; working with others and bringing people joy through horses. When Maggie is not at the barn she enjoys going on walks and hikes with her 3 dogs; Charlie, Rosy and Darby.
Laura Magzis
Stable Manager
Stable Manager
At age 6 Laura embarked on her first career as a barn rat, learning riding and horsemanship obsessively until adulthood, when she made the first of numerous poor life choices and embarked on a career in publishing. Fast forward to the pandemic, when she finally made a favorable life decision and decided to reconnect with horses. She began volunteering at Access Equestrian and found it to be a good place. She became Stable Manager in late 2023 and is delighted to be a part of the Access team. When not fooling around with horses, she might be riding her motorcycle or reading books.
JANET MAURANTONIO, MAPT
Physical Therapist
Janet has combined her life-long love of horses and riding with her work as a physical therapist. She is an experienced physical therapist and has worked in a variety of settings specializing in orthopedics and vestibular rehabilitation. Janet has completed Foundations of Continuing Education offered by the American Hippotherapy Association. She thoroughly enjoys helping people gain strength and confidence as they interact with horses.
Michael Manning
Artist in Residence
Originally from the Philadelphia area, Michael has lived in many locations including, New York, San Francisco, Chicago. He has worked extensively in German and Italy, collaborating with artists Eckhard Zylla and Reiner Gramlich, collectivity known as Six Hand Painting. His artwork has been part of numerous regional and international exhibitions. Solo and group exhibitions in Haus der Kunst Museum in Munich, Germany; Arnot Art Museum, Elmira, NY; University of Connecticut; Seton Hall University; The Flinn Gallery, Greenwich, CT; New York galleries including Pablo's Birthday and HP Garcia Gallery; Kohler, The Art of Inspiration Project; Red Bull, Kaustner and Partners; W-Hotel, New York, NY and other corporate collections and private collection.
In addition to his studio practice, Michael runs Red Shoe Studios; organizing classes, programs and Social Practice Art projects. The projects are connected to art programs at the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich, Access Equestrian, Greenwich Public Schools and the Developing Artist Program funded with a grant from the Greenwich Alliance for Education. Additional funding for the Developing Artist Program comes from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, CT Office of the Arts (COA), and the National Endowment for the Arts.
For more information about Michael and his projects visit him online at:
"We have been SO please and inspired by our time at Access Equestrian! We came here seeking therapeutic riding for our son to help with his muscle coordination, focus and impulsive behavior challenges. After just a few months of riding, his core strength noticeably increased so much that he is now able to climb steps one foot after the other, and sit and balance unassisted on a trotting horse! The staff has worked so well at identifying his challenges and creating a riding plan PERFECTLY catered to him. Best of all is the simple joy of watching his face light up as soon as he walks into the barn. He adores being here!"