Wings and Hooves Therapeutic Riding

Meet the people who make Wings & Hooves Fly

Karen Cuneo, Founder, Lead Instructor

Karen Cuneo is the founder and lead instructor of Wings and Hooves Therapeutic Riding, Inc. After returning to college to pursue an additional degree in Equine Science, Karen received her NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association) Instructor Certification in May, 2009. While working toward her degree, Karen has set up Wings and Hooves to help riders with different
challenges excel. Karen has worked in the financial industry since 1983. She is also a successful rider in the show horse ring, winning various blue ribbons in the Purebred Hunter Pleasure and Half Arabian Western Pleasure divisions. Karen now cheers on her daughter, Kristen, who is a very successful rider on the Arabian and Half-Arabian Regional and National circuit, earning multiple Regional championships and National awards. Karen subscribes to the saying, “When looking into the eye of a horse, he looks into your soul.” Karen believes equine activities bring out the best in people and allow them to soar to great heights while realizing their incredible potential. Karen resides in East Kingston
with her husband and daughter, both of whom are vitally important in the set up and running of Wings and Hooves.

Kim Hughes, Program Director

Kim joined Wings and Hooves in June 2010 as a volunteer becoming staff in May 2011. She firmly believes in giving back to the community as a volunteer and bring with her over 16 years experience in the non-profit industry. Passionate about  the healing nature of the human-animal bond, Kim’s volunteer experience centers around animals and people; Therapeutic Riding & Equine-assisted Experiential Learning programs, the New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Emergency Animal Rescue Service national team, Merrimack Valley Hospice. Her experience includes Community Outreach, Fund-Raising & Special Event Planning, Program Development, Humane Education, Direct Animal Care, Disaster Response & Animal Rescue and Hospice Pediatric Support. Her faith in the magical aura of the horse is validated by witnessing firsthand the joys Wings and Hooves brings to so many riders, their families, the volunteers and yes, the horses! She is
deeply honored to be a part of this dynamic team and has a deep respect for the staff, volunteers, horses and participants who together continue to prove day after day the power that therapeutic riding and horsemanship activities have to
change lives. Kim earned her degree in Social Work and Psychology from Michigan State University. She resides in Newton with her husband and their 2 dogs, 1 cat and Amazon parrot.

Sue Berube, PATH, Intl Certified Riding and Vaulting Instructor

Sue joined Wings and Hooves in February, 2012. She is a lifelong equestrian with extensive experience in the areas of dressage, vaulting and polo. She obtained her PATH Intl. certification as a riding instructor from the University of New Hampshire. Sue is also 1 of only 40 PATH Intl. certified vaulting instructors globally. She additionally obtained her CHA (Certified Horseman’s Association) Vaulting Coach Certification. She is very active in horse organizations such as the United States Dressage Association, the United States Pony Club, and serves on the horse committee with the American Vaulting Association. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of New Hampshire and is also a Registered Nurse. She currently manages Sunset Ridge Farm, a 120 acre equine facility in central New Hampshire. With her nursing expertise her greatest enjoyment with horses is rehabilitation and returning horses to high performance after
injury.

Katie Volz, PATH, Intl Certified Riding Instructor

Katie’s interests in working with children with disabilities combined with her love of horses began when she started volunteering at a therapeutic riding program in high school. She grew up in Princeton, New Jersey and moved to New Hampshire to attend the
University of New Hampshire (Class of 2013), where she is an honors occupational therapy major with a self-designed concentration in therapeutic horseback riding. Katie became a PATH, Intl certified instructor through the University of New Hampshire in the Spring of 2011 and interned at the University of New Hampshire Therapeutic Riding Program in the Fall of 2011. She loves the friendly environment and the wonderful volunteers and staff at Wings and Hooves and is excited to be teaching with such a fabulous team. Katie has seen
firsthand how much horseback riding can change a life, and truly believes that horses can help people heal. In the future, Katie wants to pursue a career in pediatric occupational therapy and become certified in hippotherapy so she can further her involvement in equine assisted therapies. When Katie isn’t at the barn or in the library, she loves rock climbing, going to the beach, reading, and spending time with her friends. She is excited to be a part of the team of exceptional instructors at Wings and Hooves and share her passions with others.

Roni Pannier-Clunie, Instructor

Roni obtained her certification as a PATH International (formerly NARHA) Therapeutic Riding Instructor by completing the University of New Hampshire’s Higher Education Program in spring of 2011. This comprehensive course of study prepared her well for instructing the diverse population of riders at Wings and Hooves, LLC. Roni is also a life coach for an adult with developmental disabilities when she is
not teaching. Being the mother of a special needs child, Roni is very familiar with the joys and challenges of working with differently-abled riders. Her first experience with Wings and Hooves was as a UNH student visiting the facility for an extra credit project and was awed at the beauty, organization, and friendliness at the barn. She thereby made a point of keeping in contact with the staff in hopes of teaching there someday, and is thrilled that she is now on staff! Roni’s equestrian discipline is hunter/jumper, and is now studying eventing. Children and horses are her passion, and loves combining the two passions in her professional life. She lives in Rye with her family, and
enjoys trail riding, canoeing, skiing,playing the piano, and spending time with her two boys.

And now meet our Horses:

Khlassic Statementt

My Registered Name is Khlassic Statementt and I am Loved by Karen Cuneo. My birthday is February 11, 1997, and I am an Arabian gelding. My favorite things to do are going in the paddock with my friends, running with the wind, getting scratched behind my ears and on my neck, and teaching people how to ride. I’ve got a big responsibility at Wings and Hooves as the star therapeutic equine. My person,
however, believes in me and thinks that I am a good horse for the job. I love helping new riders become great riders. I’m especially helpful at building riders’ confidence so that they can do anything they set their mind to – I believe that anyone can be successful! My rider’s rock!

My History and Prior Experience:

I’ve had a lot of success as a show horse. Because my parents are so beautiful, I was a halter horse in my first year of showing. Being a halter horse is pretty hard work because you are judged only on your looks! I’m a really handsome guy though, so I was good at it. I then became an amazing Arabian Hunter Pleasure horse, which means I was judged on my manners and performance in the show ring. I have received a lot of blue ribbons and still sometimes go to horse shows so that my riders and I can practice our skills. My newest job is becoming the start therapeutic-riding horse here at Wings and Hooves.

Mr. Wise Guy

My Registered Name is Mr. Wise Guy+//. (Some people call me Wiser.) I am loved by Kristen and Karen Cuneo. My birthday is April 25, 1988. My mom’s name is Scarlet Wind and my dad’s name is Wisdom. My favorite things to do are showing, playing with my best friend (Lordy) in the paddocks, getting my withers scratched, eating treats, and hanging with my girl, Kristen – She’s so beautiful and such a talented rider. I love my new job at Wings and Hooves! I’m in charge of helping more people build confidence through riding. It’s a lot of fun to teach our riders all about horses, riding, and showing. Due to an old injury, there’s some nerve damage in my tongue, which is why it hangs out of my mouth
sometimes. It doesn’t bother me. In fact, I like that I’m different because I can relate to some of my riders and show them that even with challenges, we can all be really, really, really successful at whatever we put our mind to!!

My Past Riding Experience:

I started showing as four-year old and have quite a lengthy resume of blue ribbons in many English performance divisions. I have roughly 12 major championships combined. I’ve also ridden to several National Championship Titles! I even received an Arabian Horse Association Legion of Excellence award to recognize my many achievements as show horse! Kristen rode me with my old trainer at a show to receive the award!

Calypso

My Registered Name is Calypso. I am loved by everyone at Wings and Hooves. My birthday was a long time ago, and I am a Quarter Horse gelding. I don’t know my real parents, but was lovingly adopted by everyone at Wings and Hooves. My favorite thing in the world is Kingswood Farm where I can play outside with all my horse friends, get groomed all the time, and eat lots of good treats. My job here is to be a loving companion to any horse at Kingswood because I get along with everyone. (Probably because I’ve met so many cows and horses during my lifetime!) I’m also responsible for helping riders become confident and successful. It’s so nice to know that I’m needed here at Kingswood Farm.

My Past Riding Experience:

I’ve had a different past than most of the horses here. I used to round cattle at farms out West for my job. Since I was so good at it, I competed at horse shows in the Team Roping and Cattle Penning divisions. I was pretty good at it and enjoyed the responsibilities of making sure all the cows got to the place they needed to be. Although some cows can be stubborn, I have a knack for speaking cow and reasoning with them.

Lady

My Registered Name is Almost a Lady. I am loved by everyone at Wings and Hooves, but especially Kristen Cuneo. My birthday is March 8 and I am a 19 year old Half-Arabian, Half-Shetland mare. My favorite things to do are cantering through the fields and trails, being groomed, getting scratched on the neck and eating carrots and apples! Since I taught Kristen how to ride so well, I am obviously the most perfect pony to teach young children how to ride. I love my job and especially enjoy the itty-bitty kids who come to ride me. They’re so fun to
take care of!

My Past Riding Experience:

I’ve shown almost all of my life and started my show career with my very first girl, Kristen, when she was itty-bitty. Someone used to have to lead me in the classes when Kristen rode me in the leadline division and I just didn’t like it! Didn’t everyone know that I could take Kristen around safely without their help?!! Kristen and I have won lots of all-breed shows in both lead line and walk trot.

Loki

My registered name is Loki which means Trickster and God of Mischief and Fire in Norwegian! I am loved by anyone who meets me. I am an 8-year old Fjord gelding. My favorite things are EVERYTHING! I really like to play jokes on people the best, but I can have fun doing anything. My job is to make people laugh and teach our awesome riders how to fly.

My Past Riding Experience:

I was trained by everyone at Kingswood Farms. I have learned how to be an awesome therapeutic
riding horse and I really dig my job. I am so super silly and can make all of
the riders and volunteers smile!

Kirkie

I am a brown Dun Norwegian Fjord and my birthday is April 9. My stocky breed is known for being
gentle, curious and active! I am currently employed at Wings and Hooves where I help give lesson to the many riders here. I have a temperament a lot like most Fjords – reliable and steady, which is what makes me so good at my job!

Past Riding Experience:

In my younger years, I used to jump!

Gem

Like Kirkie and Lokie, I am a Norwegian Fjord. My color is a little different – I’m a white uls dun mare, which means that my body color is very light with a black stripe and markings. Some people think that it makes me look a little more feminine! My favorite things are being groomed on the cross ties, going outside with my friend, Khlassic, eating carrots, mints and horse treats and being told how beautiful I am (people are so kind!) My job is to be an outstanding lesson horse for the Wings and Hooves Therapeutic Riding and Horsemanship Programs.