There are some talented people who passionately run our little organization. Get to know the folks who make HorseSense possible.

Ashley Adams, CTRI

Director of Advancement: Riding instruction and grant writing

Ashley has been involved with HorseSense on and off since 2012 in various roles. This includes volunteer, intern, Volunteer Coordinator, Program Manager, Lead Instructor and now Director of Advancement. She was certified through PATH Intl. as a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) in 2017 and has enjoyed teaching hundreds of lessons since then. Her favorite thing about HorseSense and teaching is getting to see the riders and families grow up over the years and develop those close relationships. She also really enjoys finding community connections to further HorseSense's mission! Whether that be connecting for one time outings, volunteer groups or future equine-assisted learning sessions.

Ashley has a Bachelors of Science degree in Biopsychology that she received from Viterbo University in 2014. In her spare time she enjoys traveling, attempting to garden and spending time with her dog Buns.

Christy Lowell, CTRI, ESMHL

Director of Operations: FacilitIES and herd management

Christy has been a part of HorseSense since March 2016. She has always loved horses and began taking lessons and showing when she was in her teens. While attending college, Christy was a part of the UW-L Equestrian Team and competed in IHSA competitions. She qualified for Regional and Zone finals as an undergraduate and as an alumni rider. Christy also teaches riding lessons at a local stable in La Crosse and was the coach of the UW-L Equestrian from 2014 to 2019. She enjoys all aspects of horses including the daily care, training, riding, teaching and showing. Christy has her Bachelor's Degree in Social Work with a minor in Gerontology from Viterbo University.

Awarded PATH International Region 6 Credentialed Professional of the Year (2020)

Sam Harding, CTRI

Director of Administration: Volunteer and Rider Programming

Sam first got involved with HorseSense Fall 2017 as a volunteer. After quickly falling in love with the program, she expanded her involvement by becoming an intern during the Summer of 2018, became the Program Manager in 2020, and now holds her current position as Director of Administration. Sam graduated from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse in 2018 with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and became a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) in 2021. Sam has always had a love for working with horses and people and HorseSense has given her the opportunity to do both.

In Sam’s spare time she enjoys time with her husband and two cats (Paisley and Poppy), baking, and doing DIY home projects.

Our Instructors

Rachel Vik, CTrI

Rachel started riding horses when she was only eight years old. She has been teaching riding lessons for 18 years and therapeutic lessons since 2014. In May 2012, she graduated from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse with a degree in Therapeutic Recreation. Rachel is happy to be able to combine her love of horses and share the joy of riding with people of all abilities!

Brooklynn Scholze, CTRI

Brooklynn has been involved with horses throughout her life and enjoys her time in the arena with Horse Sense as both an PATH Intl. Registered Level Instructor and mentor. Brooklynn has a diverse equestrian background ranging from barrel racing and hunter jumper, to saddle seat and dressage as well as showing in the Natl. Arabian horse circuit.

Elizabeth Micheel, CTRI, ESMHL

Liz has been involved with horses since she was very young. Her childhood horse, “Barry” was one of the horses used in first session back in 1989! Returning to the organization some 20 years later, she now enjoys teaching lessons as a certified PATH instructor. Liz has a Master’s degree in Biology with a Physiology emphasis and she is very passionate about riding with a mind toward the anatomy and biomechanics of both horse and rider.