Joy Norris
- Co-founder of SOAR arena therapeutic riding
- President of SOAR
- PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor
- CTRS. Certified Therapeutic Recreational specialist
Joy Graduated from Texas State in 2018 with a Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation. Prior to her degree, she received her PATH certification in 2015. She has over 5 years of professional experience in Therapeutic Horseback Riding with SOAR and has been riding and showing horses since she was a child. She specializes in western riding events and has competed In Barrel Racing and received world championships in AQHA (American Quarter Horse Association) and NSBA (National Snaffle Bit association) in western riding events.
She loves seeing people connect to their horse partners and overcome obstacles. She loves anything outdoors and always looks forward to her next ride. She lives in San Marcos with her mini aussie pup Wayne.
Joanna Underwood
- Co-founder of SOAR arena therapeutic riding
- VP of SOAR
- PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor
- CTRS. Certified Therapeutic Recreational specialist
Joanna is a graduate from Texas State University with a bachelor's in recreation administration with an emphasis in Therapeutic recreation. She has served various counties through community recreation therapy and aquatic therapy. Joanna is also certified through PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, International).
Joanna is the vice president at SOAR, and has thoroughly enjoyed the last 6 years working as a family non-profit center to serve her community.
Caitlin klaerner
- PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor
Caitlin graduated with a Bachelor's degree of Science in Nursing in 2019 from Texas Tech University. She has 20 years experience with horses specializing in English hunter jumper riding events. She is currently a registered nurse but has been working hard at her PATH certification in the past year.
Caitlin's favorite thing about her job is getting to witness horses as an outlet for her clients. "No matter the day they are having or the diagnoses they face, the horses always have a way of making everyday better". She loves to run and spend time with her four dogs. She currently lives in Dripping Springs with her husband and their daughter Oakleigh.
Midge Beard
- PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor
Midge comes to SOAR with experience in Occupational Therapy Support/Administration. Prior experience includes marketing/print production manager and graphic design business owner. Midge graduated from Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi.
Having had the opportunity to work with several Central Texas area non-profits as a freelance professional she continues to fuel her love of non-profit work through her work at SOAR, enjoying both English and Western riding.
"What I love about being a riding instructor is seeing students smile after accomplishing something they didn't think they could do. It's priceless."
Midge lives in Austin with her husband, two dogs, two cats, and lots of local wildlife.
Sarah Sheets
- PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor
Sarah graduated from Texas State University in 2021 with a Bachelors in Therapeutic Recreation. She worked in in-patient behavioral health for four years before gaining her PATH certification in 2024. Sarah has eight years experience riding in the English Hunter Jumper world.
Sarah's favorite thing about her job is meeting many different types of clients and helping them find a passion with their equine partner.
"I love how happy the clients are to be a part of something so special."
Sarah loves to spend time with her own horse, Maple. Sarah lives in New Braunfels with her two cats and boyfriend.
Teddy
- PATH Instructor in training
- Barn Assistant Manager
Teddy is a graduate of The University of Texas at San Antonio with a Bachelors degree in Psychology.
After graduation, Teddy traveled extensively, visiting many sites world-wide and experiencing cultures vastly different from her own. From those experiences, she has become (and still is) an avid lover of travel and food enthusiast.
"I love embracing travel experiences through cultural connections. I truly enjoy a good horseback ride in whatever place I find myself."
Teddy brings 20+ years of horsemanship to her work at SOAR, is a music-lover, and currently lives in Central Texas with her husband.