Meet CTRC's Instructors

	Jim Bagrosky – NARHA Registered Instructor Jim began as a Volunteer at CTRC in 1996. In 1999, Jim retired from StorageTek, after 30 years as a Manufacturing Engineer, and joined the CTRC staff as our Facility Manager and a NARHA Registered Therapeutic Riding Instructor. Jim has over 20 years of horse experience. Jim’s dedication and long hours keeps the CTRC facility in tip-top shape. Jim’s commitment to CTRC is enormous and he takes great joy in watching our riders bond with their horses and grow as equestrians.
	Sharon Gilbert - NARHA Registered Instructor Sharon is a Registered Level NARHA Instructor and has been associated with CTRC since 1997. She started as an eager volunteer in need of a horse fix and joined the staff in 2001. Sharon holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and fills many roles at CTRC. In her spare time, Sharon competes in Dressage competitions with her horse Manassis. In 2006, under Sharon's expert guidance, Manassis was awarded the Boulder Valley Dressage "Unsung Hero" award. Sharon's riders benefit from her dedication to mastering the art of riding in partnership with the horse.
	Mica Graves - NARHA Advanced Instructor Mica holds a Bachelors Degree in History and holds the Advanced Level of Instruction through the North American Riding for the Handicapped. Mica is an accomplished equestrian and has many years of instructing, training and competition experience. Mica first became involved with CTRC in 1992, when, as a high school student, she began volunteering with us. After spending several years abroad, Mica returned to CTRC as an instructor in 2003. Mica’s love of teaching and great skill as an equestrian is evident through out her classes.
	Annette Gruba - NARHA Registered Instructor Annette has always loved horses and ridden all of her life (literally since she was 3 years old). In the summer of 1999 she began volunteering in the therapeutic riding program at Winter Park’s National Sports Center for the Disabled. After Annette’s first year with NSCD, she became a volunteer instructor and continued to do so for the next 7 summers. In 2005 she earned NARHA’s Registered Instructor certification and started teaching at CTRC in the summer of 2006. Annette enjoys playing with her 5 year old son, riding her own horse and skiing with her family at Winter Park. She has always felt that horses are amazing animals and is fortunate to witness their amazing ability to work with humans every time she teaches a class.
	Jody Howard - NARHA Advanced Instructor Jody started at CTRC in May of 2007 and is loving every minute of it. Though new to CTRC she has been involved in Therapeutic Riding for a several years. Pursuing her education in therapeutic riding has made her life feel very balanced and rewarding. Some of her other talents lie in teaching, barn management, and showing and training western horses. Jody is proud to be part of CTRC but is also very proud of her wonderful family.
	Mary Mitten - NARHA Advanced Instructor Mary joined the team at CTRC in the Spring of 2008. She brings with her more than 12 years of therapeutic riding industry experience, including holding the position of Program Director at two other centers and NARAH Advanced Level certification. Mary grew up in Florida showing horses in 4-H, Quarter Horse shows, and dressage – which she now primarily rides. She went on to receive her Bachelor’s in child development and psychology while gaining a plethora of experience working with various types of horses, people, and programs. On her days off she enjoys spending time with her husband, her furry children (a Black Lab and a 3-legged German Shepherd), her horse Clown, who also works part-time at CTRC, and making homemade greeting cards. Mary is SO SO happy to be working at CTRC!
	Penelope Powell - NARHA Advanced Instructor / Summer Camp Director Penelope first became involved with CTRC during the Winter of 2006. From there she soon joined the training team and schooling team. In 2007 Penelope joined the staff first as a camp counselor and then as an instructor. Penelope holds a Bachelors in Religious Studies and the NARHA Advanced Level certification. She has years of experience as an equestrian, mainly studying Classical Dressage. Enjoying working with people, Penelope has also spent time as a preschool teacher. In her spare time she enjoys being outside, hanging out with friends, and traveling.
	Amy Shoffner, MSW – NARHA Advanced Instructor Amy jumped right in at CTRC and became a Therapeutic Riding Instructor for CTRC from 1994-1998, received her MSW at CSU in 2000, became CTRC’s Lead Instructor from 2000-2002 and advanced to Program Director for a brief time before starting a family. During her time as Lead Instructor she trained to become a faculty evaluator for therapeutic ridings national organization NARHA. Currently Amy works as Faculty for the NARHA, teaching workshops and conducting certifications for Registered level instructor certification (entry level) and instructs at CTRC.
	Justine Williams – NARHA Registered Therapist in Hippotherapy / NARHA Registered Instructor Justine came to CTRC in 2003, after seven years of experience working with adults and children with special needs in England and Hungary. Justine holds a Bachelors degree in Conductive Education and is a NARHA Registered Therapeutic Riding Instructor as well as NARHA certified in Hippotherapy. When not at CTRC, Justine can be found singing with her band, playing with her dog or riding her horse.
	Jill Valenti, PT - NARHA Registered Therapist in Hippotherapy / NARHA Registered Instructor