HorseAbility is proud and unique in that our Executive Director and Founder, Katie Kilcommons-McGowan, is a Certified Instructor from the NARHA accredited Cheff Center for the Handicapped in Augusta, Michigan. She is also a certified NARHA instructor, Special Olympics Coach, and holds a B.A. in Philosophy and an M.A. in Elementary Education.

Tina began working at HorseAbility in 1995 as a volunteer. Her time spent with the program has given her a unique understanding of HorseAbility from several perspectives including that of a volunteer, office staff member, barn manager, volunteer coordinator, riding instructor, and director. In addition to her years of hands on experience, and numerous hours spent helping with and teaching lessons, Tina also has the following qualifications:

• NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped  Association) certified instructor at the registered level
• Certified Special Olympics Coach in Equestrian Sports
• B.S. and M.A. in Speech Language Pathology/Audiology
• Training in Centered Riding

A graduate from SUNY Cobleskill with a B.T. in Equine Studies, Jamie started working for HorseAbility in the winter of 2005 on internship. Her vast knowledge of therapeutic riding and horsemanship, along with her managerial skills helped her to find her niche and stay on with the organization; Involved in numerous aspects of the program including teaching, overseeing general programming and coordinating, customer service, special events and fundraising. Not only is a program director, she is also certified as a NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association) instructor at the registered level and Special Olympics Equestrian Coach.

Sue is a graduate of St. John’s University with a B.S. in Education N-9 and a M.A. from Adelphi University in Secondary Education. Giving up a full time teaching position, she because a stay at home mom for her 2 children. As they got older she had more availability, in 1999 Sue returned to her love of horses by riding and working for The Thomas School of Horsemanship ultimately introducing her to Katie McGowan and she became a volunteer at HorseAbility as the Outreach Director. Sue obtained certification as a NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association) instructor at the registered level.

Amanda Leitl
Assistant to Executive Director

A graduate from the University of Hartford in CT in 2002, with a B.A. in Marketing and a MBA in Gen'l Management from Dowling Institute in 2008. Amanda worked for The Riding Shop, Estee Lauder Companies Inc., and other companies before joining the full time staff at HorseAbility.  Amanda started riding when she was three and is now a NARHA certified Instructor - working with groups from Special Olympics, Girl Scouts and those participating in Equine Facilitated Therapy.  She joined the HorseAbility staff full-time in the fall of 2007 so that her passion of being apart of such an extraordinary niche within the not-for-profit spectrum.      In her role at HorseAbility she utilizes her background while assisting the Katie McGowan as the Marketing Director - handling projects involving Marketing, PR, Fundraising and Grant Writing. Amanda’s vast knowledge teamed up with her positive rapport with the equine community and ability to connect with anyone she strikes up a conversation with is an asset to the program. 

Tara Eichhorn
Director of Hippotherapy