REACH 4A Star Riding Academy

Karol Santistevan is the Arena Director

Karol Santistevan was hired by I-REACH 2 in April, 2004 to be the Arena Director for REACH 4A Star Riding Academy. She brought with her, 15 years of management and training experience and a lifetime of being with horses.

In 1999, Karol earned an Associate of Business in Business Administration and Accounting from Casper College. 2002 was when she became certified as a Special Olympics Equestrian Coach, a Level 2 Western & English CHA (Certified Horsemanship Association) Instructor, and in 2004, her NARHA Registered Level Instructor Certification. She continues her love for learning by working towards a degree in Equine Management through Dickinson State University.

Karol is actively involved in Natrona County Prevention Coalition, NARHA, and Special Olympics. She is also a member of AQHA and CHA. Other activities that keep her busy are: Our Lady of Fatima Church and Choir, gourmet club, softball, and soccer mom duties. She is married to a wonderful man (Tracy) and has two great kids (Myriah and Paul).

Instructors

Courtney Reynolds

Courtney is studying at Casper College to become a COTA. She is hoping to then further her training to specialize in hippotherapy.

Leigh Flack

Leigh Flack found her way to Reach 4A Star Riding Academy through a shared love of horses with her daughter Ember.

Ember was a participant at IREACH whose persistence helped pave the way to the foundation of the Academy. Although Ember is no longer living, Leigh receives much joy in working with the riding program.

Leigh holds an A.A. in Journalism from Casper College and a B.S. in Liberal Arts with emphasis on History and Political Science from the University of Wyoming. She has 15 years experience as a ski instructor and has been a volunteer with Special Olympics. She is active on the IREACH Board of Directors, presently serving as Vice-President.

Career experience includes several years as a store manager and regional supervisor for a convenience store chain. For the past 11 years Leigh was the office manager for an oil well servicing company in which the Flack's were owners. That company was sold in 2005.

Although she has only recently gotten back into riding, Leigh and her husband Doug own three Arabians, Casu, Shazzam and Serzall. Leigh is active in the Chinook Winds Drill Team and takes any opportunity to head out on a trail ride.

The Flack's have one other daughter, Joey Arndt, who along with her husband Bill, reside in Hillsboro, Oregon.

Julie Feiler

Julie Feiler is working on her certification to become a NAHRA Riding Instructor. She has been a serious horse woman since 1975, going through a horse husbandry program at Kirkwood College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa while attending the University of Iowa studying social work. Julie loves riding English style, studying the art of Dressage. She sponsors dressage clinics for Wyoming enthusiasts and competes through the Rocky Mountain Dressage Society.

Julie is a Licensed Professional Counselor through the State of Wyoming and nationally licensed as a mental health therapist through the National Board of Certified Counselors. She has been employed with the Natrona County School District for twenty five years as a School Social Worker working with students with disabilities. Julie has been Developmental Disabilities Waiver Residential Habituation Trainer and she and her husband have been Therapeutic Foster Parents. Julie has judged and volunteered for the Equestrian Special Olympics venue in Casper, Wyoming.

Julie plans to practice mental health therapy using horses as a healing vehicle.