About Our Team
Robin has experience in strategic planning and execution and development. She has over 20 years of experience as a legal assistant and developed and dissolved an LLC and developed a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and a Masters degree in Education Specializing in Organizational Leadership. She also served over 23 years in the Army Reserves’ Judge Advocate Generals Corp. and honorably retired in August 2011 as a Sergeant Major.
Robin began teaching children and adults with mental, physical, and emotional disabilities how to ride horses in 1998. In 2000 she became a certified therapeutic riding instructor through the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (now known as the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, International (PATH Int)) and she is was the catalyst in Queen of Hearts Therapeutic Riding Center in achieving and maintaining PATH Int’l Premier Accredited Center status. In 2013 Robin became certified as an EAGALA Equine Specialist and in 2014 she became a PATH Intl certified Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning. She is currently working towards her advanced certification in EAGALA as well as becoming certified in using the Horse Boy Method to better assist those with autism and neurological restrictions.
Robin served on the PATH Intl Equine Services for Heroes committee for four years and currently mentors others to become certified therapeutic riding instructors through PATH Int’l. She speaks to numerous organizations throughout Southern California explaining how equine-assisted activities and therapies can help people with special needs. She has even educated her local city, county, state, and federal government representatives regarding how the horse and human connection makes a positive impact for healing.
As well as having a heart and soul for our nation’s heroes, Robin is also actively involved in our local community. She served on Jurupa Valley’s General Planning Advisory Council, and a couple of Healthy Jurupa Valley committees. She provides meaningful volunteer opportunities to individuals with developmental disabilities from The Arc of Riverside as well as work experience opportunities for the students attending California School for the Deaf in Riverside and JADE.
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Our Horses
Gidget
Equine Therapist
Hi. My name is Gidget. I was foaled in 1999. I’m a Quarter Horse and my color is chesnut.
I am from the great O.C. and I like moonlight walks on the private beaches in Laguna with the ocean waves tickling my feet. I’m an international jet-setter – and I just KNOW everybody wishes they were me!
Lena
Equine Therapist
Howdy, y’all, My name is Lena. I was foaled on May 16, 1993. I’m a dark bay Quarter Horse.
I’m not quite from these here parts, but darn near close to it. I was born in Utah, but recently hung my hat in Murrieta – where I was one heck of a barrel racer. Yes, my ears do go forward as my picture testifies. I love my stall and I love my food. If you bring me food, I may let you visit in my stall. Ask Ms. Robin first, though, ‘cuz I may try to nibble your fingers instead!
Candy
Equine Therapist
Hey, there! My name is, like, Candy. I was foaled on April 30, 2002. I’m a naturally palomino Quarter Horse.
OMG! I am like SOOO excited to be here! I’m totally from around here and I’m like way too cool for shoes. I like – make that LOVE – having my nose touched and back scratched. You know I’m so like – you know – so cool about it. Feel free to take my picture – just make sure you get my good side. But who am I kidding? I have no bad side! I was registered as Boot Shine.
Holly
Equine Therapist
Well, hello there. My Name is Holly Wolly. I am a rescue horse so the date I was foaled is a mystery. I was saved, adopted, and cared for by Terri Rollings here in Jurupa Valley who believes I was foaled in about 2000 which makes me a millennial.
With a lot of love and patience, Terri showed me how to teach little humans how to care for and ride me and I moved to Queen of Hearts TRC in July 2013. I’m a “been there, done that” kind-of- gal so there’s not much that goes on around here that I can’t handle. If you are a little scared, don’t worry, I’ve been there and understand. There are still some things I’m afraid of too but together we can work through our fears and put the pieces in place.
Lilly's
Equine Therapist
Hi my name is Lilly. Queen of Hearts TRC has been my home since June 26, 2015. I was adopted for therapeutic riding lessons but, unfortunately, I have seizures. I am on medication which controls my seizures but because we cannot guarantee I won’t have a seizure when clients are around, I can no longer participate in sessions. I still run around and play with the other horses but I need a be in an environment where there would not be a chance for my seizures to hurt anyone. Queen of Hearts TRC has decided that since I have such a huge heart and so much love to give, they need to find me a new loving home so I can be a companion to someone very special. Are you that someone?
Lucy
Equine Therapist
Hello. I am Princess Lucy. I was donated to Queen of Hearts TRC on February 1, 2014 by Georgette & Peter Kuechler who called me Lil’ Lucy. (My registered name is Que Tee but I like to be called Lucy so that’s what you can call me.) I am a miniature horse and I was foaled on Jun 1, 1990. I came to Queen of Hearts with Prince Caspian. I enjoy supervising the activities around here and will often watch over the events from my castle which I allow the humans to use as a tack shed. I am part of the EAP/L program and I primarily work with little children because I am closer to their size but occasionally I will grace an adult with my presence. Because of my special ambulatory needs, I understand what it’s like to walk different and look different than others around me and what makes me unique makes me the perfect ambassador to help others understand people who are unique.
Caspian
Equine Therapist
Yo! Prince Caspian’s the name, having fun is my game! (Yes, I have a crown but keep misplacing it).
I celebrate my foal date as February 1, 2007.
I’m a miniature pinto with a tobiano pattern. But I am super cool because my coat has 3 colors so I am also tricolored or calico. SAWEEET!! I may be small but I have a HUGE personality.
I was donated by Georgette & Peter Kuechler and my exact foal date is not known. Therefore, Queen of Hearts gave me the day it adopted me with the approximate year known by the Kuechler’s.
I am part of the EAP/L program and travel during some promotional events. I don’t really like to stand still so I often will be found wandering the property or coaxing others to play with me in a game of tag. After all, I am all that and a royal bag of chips.
Diesel
Equine Therapist
Hola! Name’s Diesel. I am considered a Half-Draft because I am a mixed breed: 1/2 Standardbred and 1/2 Belgium Draft and I was foaled in about 2002.
My former family, Terri & Leanne Byram (who will always remain in my heart), loved me so much that when Leanne had to move to a colder climate, they searched and found Queen of Hearts so my arthritic tootsies can stay warm in the So Cal weather. They keep in touch and stop in whenever they can so I still feel their love.
I am 16h so I help our adult clients with riding lessons although, the little ones like to ride me as well. I also help with sensory sessions as people chill-lax on my back and learn how to “breathe.” It’s really quite peaceful for all of us.
Recent Projects
Learn from the top thought leaders in the industry.
Equine Services for Heroes
Often overlooked, a veteran’s transition back into civilian life poses challenges that can be as daunting as the physical recovery. Our goal is to give each veteran the physical skills, confidence, and coping strategies necessary for a successful reintegration into their families and communities.
Trotting the Pieces Together
The motion experienced while riding a horse – and even just simple interaction with a gentle horse has calming effect that has been proven especially prevalent to persons with autism. Our goal is to continually offer opportunities for personal achievements and development from those on the autism spectrum and their families through the love for the horse