Rogers State University’s Bit by Bit Therapeutic Horse Riding Program has named a new full-time therapeutic riding instructor who will begin her duties on Oct. 5.
Elizabeth Capalbo – who received a bachelor’s degree in therapeutic horsemanship and program management – has been named full-time therapeutic riding instructor.
Bit by Bit classes begin on Tuesday, Oct. 13.
“We are fortunate to welcome such a highly trained and experienced therapeutic riding instructor to the Bit by Bit staff,” said Jennifer England, director of the Bit by Bit program. “She has the right credentials for a therapeutic riding instructor.”
Capalbo earned a bachelor of arts in therapeutic horsemanship/program management from St. Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, N.C.
In addition, she 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.
Capalbo has 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.
The Bit by Bit program provides horse riding therapy for people with special needs at the RSU Equestrian Center, located south of Oologah. For more information, call (918) 371-1750.