Rosa Rishi: Registered Instructor

Rosa began with Lift Me Up! in 2010 as an instructor in training before receiving her certification as a PATH Registered Instructor in February 2011. Rosa has been loving, riding, and working with horses since she was a little girl. Growing up in Brattleboro, Vermont, Rosa rode friends' horses at every opportunity until she got her very own pony. Rosa continued to ride through her teen years at South Mowing Stables, often exchanging barn chores for lessons. She also had the great fortune of growing up in the same town as Sally Swift, and had the opportunity to become involved with Center Riding Inc. at a very young age. Rosa has scoliosis, as did Sally Swift, and through riding the "correct way" has kept her back and core strong. Rosa has ridden and taught almost all disciplines, has competed in numerous shows, rode and raced endurance horses, rode for a "Young Rider" in New Zealand, schooled polo ponies in India, exercised and took lessons on top level dressage horses in Virginia and Florida, and loves eventing (combined training).

Her first exposure to therapeutic riding was when she was 12 years old through her 4-H Club that hosted a weekly program where she volunteered as a sidewalker and leader. Rosa began working with autistic children while living in Naples, Florida, teaching riding skills and horse management to children from a local school. While doing this work it became very clear to her that horses and special needs children were really her passion and she had to find a way to combine the two. She made the commitment to become a PATH registered instructor. She treasures working at Lift Me Up! with the children and adults and watching the progress the riders make week after week. Her favorite part of being at Lift Me Up! is seeing the smiles on the riders' faces when they get off their horses and the pride in their families' eyes.

Rosa now lives in McLean, VA with her husband and their puppy, Sedona.

Volunteer Coordinators

Diana Ahlers

Diana started volunteering with Lift Me Up! in May of 2007 and joined the Volunteer Coordination Team in 2008. Diana loves every minute she spends at the barn, from giving kisses to the horses, to sharing laughs and high-fives with the riders and their parents. Diana welcomes new volunteers to the program, gives countless tours of our farm, and has a knack for remembering each and every one of our volunteers' names! Diana is so proud of the LMU program and commends the volunteers for their dedication to bring joy and smiles to the riders' faces. Our volunteers, and definitely Diana, help make Lift Me Up! the wonderful program it is.

Margaret Havens

Margaret is a longtime volunteer with Lift Me Up! who has been a tremendous supporter of the program for many years. Not only does she volunteer every week with our riders, but she also coordinates the volunteers by introducing them to the program, helping them get started, and facilitating their training. Lift Me Up! could not achieve its mission without the generous support of volunteers, especially Margaret!

Facilities Staff

Marie Navarro: Facilities Manager

Mallory Bryan: Assistant Facilities Manager

India Drew: Assistant Facilities Manager

Fred: Pest Controller

Fred is our very own pest control specialist. Although Fred can frequently be found in the hay room watching for unwanted intruders, he never misses a staff meeting (or a treat).

Ellie and Mews: Assistant Pest Controllers

Elle and Mew, named after "LMU", are the newest additions to the farm, and as you can see are still in training...

Instructors in Training

Lift Me Up! welcomes instructors in training to complete their teaching hours with our PATH premier accredited program. We have hosted a number of up and coming instructors from around the country over the years. For more information on training at our facility, please contact us by email or phone.

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