Our Therapy Horses

I was first introduced to horses at a Spurs soccer game in Kansas City, when my sister and I “won” a pony at a giveaway, when I was 7. In junior high school, my dad purchased a mare, named Gidget who was in-foal, which I jumped on and rode bareback at my dad’s construction work site for a couple of years. Fast forward to 1999 when I met my husband and moved to Chestertown, where my love for horses grew deep roots. We had a wonderful mare, Musette (1996-2024), whom we bred to Rosenthal (warmblood), who gave us two beautiful foals, Radcliffe (14) and Rock Chalk (9), who both live at Worthmore. We also brought Kazul to the farm in January 2024, after an adventurous journey across the Bay-Bridge. We acquired Kazul through a lovely family looking for the “right place” and “right environment” for him to retire after many successful years of competition. Kazul now spends his days at the farm in the Bridges therapy program. I adore every day that I have the opportunity to spend precious moments at the barn and around the horses. These magnificent creatures have become a part of who I am and what I do. From a professional perspective, I have worked for the last 30+ years in the world of community development finance, seeking to bring much needed financial resources to underserved communities throughout the United States. I have served on numerous boards including the Junior League of Washington, D.C., (President), Radcliffe Creek School (President), Building Futures (President), Faithworks (Member), Mercy Loan Fund (Loan Committee) and the Nathan Cummings Foundation (PRI Committee). I am thrilled to be working with the Bridges at Worthmore board and look forward to expanding our programs to support the wonderful community which we serve.

Emily came to Worthmore as a fifth-grader in 2005, initially introduced to horses by her cousin. At first, Emily did not enjoy horses though her parents saw the benefits of the equine relationship offered through Worthmore. From Lancaster, PA, Emily spent her weekends and summers in Kent County through middle and high school riding and volunteering at Worthmore. Emily got her horse Inca Art in 2010 as a 5 year old. Worthmore supported Emily and Inca through their formative years. Growing up around the Worthmore facility and Bridges programs has established a foundation to guide her life. After completing college in Florida with a degree in psychology, Emily returned to Kent County and worked for three years at Worthmore, while she completed her master's degree in applied psychology. Emily now works for her family's company (Dutch Gold Honey) in human resources and continues to spend her weekends at Worthmore, where she continues to support the farm and the horses in a reciprocal relationship. Emily has been an active board Bridges board member since 2019.

My passion for working with horses began as a young adult. Over the years I have taken lessons, worked on farms, and even managed my own backyard herd. I have also had the pleasure of introducing my daughters to riding, and we have many fond memories from our shared love of the sport. I have seen firsthand how incredibly effective equine therapy is, and I am honored to be able to serve on this board and support Bridges in its mission to enhance the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of those they aim to support. In addition to my personal experience with horses, my past work experiences will also aid me in supporting the board as its treasurer. These include having worked in banking, the Financial Services Department at Chesapeake College, and as an account manager for a small business. I have also previously served as treasurer for the Chestertown Wildlife Exhibition & Sale. These experiences have provided me with the skills needed to serve as treasurer, and I am grateful for the opportunity to use them to support Bridges.

Hi! My name is Nellie. I am a student at the University of Kansas and am studying Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology with a minor in Environmental Studies. I’ve been a part of Worthmore since about the time I could walk! I am thankful for my mom for introducing me to this wonderful place at such a young age, and I have spent most of my time here since. I began riding lessons as a child and always tagged along when my mom was here. I spent a few summers as a volunteer, helping with Worthmore’s summer programs and crew shifts, and through all of high school I worked part-time on crew and exercised lesson horses. You could find me in the barn every day after school and on the weekends too! I have a wonderful gelding named Rock Chalk (namesake related to the University of Kansas’ chant, “Rock Chalk Jayhawk”) who we’ve owned since he was born at Worthmore in 2016. I was also lucky enough to half-lease and then own a special mare named Reo for 5 years. Both of these horses have taught me so incredibly well – not only about riding and training, but also about communication, confidence, and independence. I am so grateful for the connection I get to have with these special animals. I am excited to be a part of Bridges at Worthmore. As someone who has experienced the benefits of their services firsthand, I hope to contribute those perspectives to the organization, as well as my knowledge of the farm and our horses!

Dr. Noélia L. Archambeault de Hernández is an Associate Professor of Voice at the University of Delaware where she teaches voice and voice pedagogy. As a first-generation Latina, belonging and inclusion are integral to Dr. Archambeault’s work and vision for arts in service of social justice. She is the founder of the Chicana Art Song Project, an interdisciplinary collaboration with Chicana poets, musicians, and visual artists, and serves as a Faculty Fellow for the University of Delaware’s Anti-Racism Initiative. Dr. Archambeault de Hernández lives in Maryland and when she is not teaching or singing, she can be found reconnecting to well-being through equestrian activities. She strongly believes in the mission of Bridges and hopes all may experience the healing power of the organization’s outreach and life-changing opportunities.

I first fell in love with horses when I was about 7 years old and living in Baltimore. A man was going door to door with a pony, offering to take pictures of kids on horseback. Two of my sisters and I piled on that pony’s back—he was a saint—and we grinned from ear to ear. From that moment on, all I wanted was a horse of my own. It took another 23 years for that dream to come true. At the time, I was living in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, commuting to New York where I worked long hours. But I always looked forward to returning home and heading to the barn, where I could ride and groom my horse. It became my sanctuary—a way to relieve stress and reset. On weekends, a friend and I would trail ride for hours, deliberately getting "lost" so we could stay out longer, galloping across open fields and coming back to the barn with bugs-in-our-teeth smiles. My second horse was with me for 27 years. He was the one who truly showed me the healing power of horses. During some very difficult personal times, I would go to the barn just to groom him and breathe in the grounding, earthy scent of horses. He seemed to know exactly what I needed—quietly standing while I brushed him, and then gently placing his head in my arms. The bond we shared was beyond words; he could read both my mind and my emotions. Professionally, I spent my career in New York working for major money center banks in global capital markets, helping large corporations issue debt. I later moved to Wilmington, DE, where I spent 11 years with Wilmington Trust Company, managing the wind-down of the General Motors bankruptcy estate. While my professional background doesn’t directly link to my role on the Bridges board, the skills I developed—risk management, contract negotiation, and process development—allow me to bring a strong, strategic perspective to the organization. I’ve always believed in giving back. Throughout my career, I led Women's Networking groups focused on helping women grow in their careers. My husband and I are actively involved with St. Martin's House and Barn, and I serve on the Board of the United Way. Joining the board at Bridges allows me to bring together two core parts of my life—my love for horses and my passion for service. To this day, I refer to Worthmore as my “Zen” place. It’s where I find peace among horses and friends. I hope others are able to discover that same sense of calm and healing that these magnificent animals offer.