A vision, passion and dedication to our community

Lisa Afshari, Ready Set Ride Program Director, grew up surrounded by horses, participating in 4H and hometown parades on horseback. After completing Business College, she got married, had children, and was blessed to be a stay-at-home mom. As her three girls grew, she reflected on how much joy horses had brought to her own childhood. Lisa wanted to share the love she felt and to introduce her own children to a life with horses. While looking for a barn to board horses, she was introduced to Ready Set Ride and Therapeutic Riding.

New to RSR, Lisa instantly fell in love with Therapeutic Riding and the joy it brought to children, their parents and volunteers assisting riders and horses. She became so enamored with therapeutic activities and watching riders light up while interacting with horses. Helping children find freedom from wheelchairs and assistive devices to ride horses – just like everyone else – inspired Lisa’s transition form part-time volunteer to a devoted leader. A natural with animal care and barn management and upkeep, she quickly became a fixture at the barn providing foundational support.

Together with friend and fellow equine enthusiast, Sharleen Smith, Lisa decided to fully commit to Ready Set Ride. It was then she transitioned to Program Director. She and Sharleen then purchased land and began to build the robust set of programs now currently offered. To this day, Lisa creates, and coordinates personalized Therapeutic Riding Sessions that help special needs children grow in confidence, improve communication skills and gain physical and mental strength. She now finds joy training and watching new volunteers fall in love with Ready Set Ride just as she did 20 years ago.