Our Staff + Instructors

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Our participants reap the benefits of the many instructors and therapists that serve children and adults with different abilities as part of our overall rehabilitation program at Tri-State Therapeutic Riding Center.

Physical and Occupational Therapists, Equine-Assisted Mental Health and Learning Specialists, and Certified Riding Instructors - all provide equine-assisted therapeutic services at Tri-State. These instructors are making an enormous difference in every interaction with their clients and the families who are part of our program.

Executive Director and Therapeutic Riding Instructor of Tri-State Therapeutic Riding Center

Olivia King

Olivia is a lifelong horse enthusiast who has worked professionally in various equine positions and disciplines since 2013. She studied Psychology in her undergrad and is a certified CTRI through PATH and completing MEALF and ESMHL certifications. Olivia is very passionate about teaching students to help them set and achieve goals on and off the horse.

Olivia loves to share her knowledge and experience through private and group riding, driving, and EAL sessions. In her free time, she enjoys sustainable farming, mechanics, and riding her young horses. Olivia and her husband Josh have a 4-year-old son.

In addition to her management and fund development roles as Executive Director of

TSTRC, Olivia in an instructor in our Therapeutic Riding, Carriaqe Driving, and Taking the

Lead psycho-educational programs.

Therapeutic Riding Instructor

Claire Davis

Claire has been working with horses since childhood and has always appreciated the therapeutic nature of horses. It is her passion to train horses and share them with people. Claire grew up learning from the Hamilton County 4-H and the Midsouth Pony Clubs where she learned a good deal about horse care and technical riding, specifically 3-day eventing.

Of late, her interests have shifted more to driving horses. She owns a small horse-drawn carriage company where she shares her love of horses with the public. Claire is looking forward to her teaching journey with the Tri-state Therapeutic Riding Program!

Therapeutic Riding Instructor

Holly Woody

Holly and her husband moved to the Chattanooga area in 2021. She's worked/ridden horses for 30 years. She grew up riding hunter-jumper, but now enjoys all things Western riding.

Holly started volunteering at a therapeutic riding center in White Pine, TN, and fell in love with it. She became the program director and a PATH-certified instructor in 2013.

She worked as a veterinary technician for 17 years before moving to Chattanooga. Holly and Aaron (her husband of 24 years), have two grown children (Kaeli and Kaleb) as well as 4 dogs, and 1 amazing horse!

Holly is currently instructing a wide range of special needs riders on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Barn Manager for Tri-State Therapeutic Riding Center

Licensed Physical Therapist | Reinbow Rehabilitation

Tara Yelliott

Tara is a licensed Physical Therapist who received her doctorate degree in 2006 from Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA. She has been practicing for 16 years in a variety of settings including acute care, outpatient, and school systems. Tara specializes in pediatrics and hippotherapy — a form of PT that utilizes equine movement in her patients’ rehabilitative treatments.

Dr. Yelliott has a strong passion for working outdoors with her pediatric patients. She has been married to her husband, Grant, for 14 years and has two beautiful children, Addy and Tripp. Tara has two horses, two dogs and one cat, and when she isn’t working, she is riding horses, running on the trails with her dogs, or working out!

Therapeutic Riding Instructor

Madi Steiner

Madi has spent the last 25+ years in the local equine community learning hunter jumper and western pleasure and showing in local and AQHA shows. Her background includes barrel racing, breakaway roping, sorting, and even learning mounted shooting.

She attended MTSU where she studied large animal science with a focus in equine studies, and spent several years working for a reining trainer. Madi expanded her skills to include carriage driving, teaching English riding lessons and volunteering at a therapeutic riding barn.

In her free time travels to draft shows as a groom for a team of Belgian horses. Currently, she owns a Gypsy Vanner Cross horse which she hopes to train for both driving and ranch work.

She is excited to join the Tristate Therapeutic Riding Center’s instructor team, and hopes to bring her passion for trying all things horse-related to her students.

Therapeutic Riding Instructor

Erin Rankin

Erin has been riding and working with horses for over 25 years in disciplines ranging from hunter/jumpers (IHSA in college) to her latest obsession - ranch riding. Prior to joining Tri-State she volunteered for 5 years at a therapeutic riding center in GA, helping riders navigate wide range of diagnoses.

Currently working on her CTRI through PATH, Erin is also an ATA certified Adaptive Fitness Trainer. Outside of the barn she enjoys doing CrossFit, spending time with her dog, being involved in her church, and working as a digital marketer for a youth development program!

Erin passionately believes that horses, movement, and an encouraging environment can make a powerful difference in helping people thrive in any circumstances.

Madi Steiner

Erin Rankin

Equine Support Partners

We are so fortunate to be able to work with a variety of equine support specialists that provide services here.

DVM | Equine Medical Center of Cleveland

Arlyn Blazer

Dr. Blazer is from Crofton Kentucky. He received his Master's Degree from Murray State University and his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Auburn University in 2004. He has been with the practice since June of 2004. He enjoys equine practice and all the challenges it can present. When he's not at work he enjoys kayaking, gardening, and woodwork.

He is married and has two children.

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