2011 Board Members

Nancy Barth

Nancy Barth has many years experience both as a horsewoman and a volunteer at therapeutic riding centers. She has worked two afternoons a week for many years as a volunteer. She brings with her a commitment to the program and an experience that is crucial to the success of Ride with Pride.

Robert Cuadros, Vice President

Robert Cuadros is a mechanical engineer who was brought up on a farm in Central California. He has been involved in volunteering most of his life - initially with the scouts and then with therapeutic riding. As Vice President, Robert brings a high level of experience and support to our program.

Susan Cohen Grossman

Ms. Cohen-Grossman has been a horsewoman since childhood, and has been involved in therapeutic horseback riding for the handicapped for many years. In 2003 she received a spinal-cord injury that gives her additional empathy to our riders. She is still riding and is a wonderful in our outreach to riders and their families/caretakers.

Rick King

Rick King has a broad body of experience: horse owner, certified instructor under PATH Intl, equine education at Pierce College, CALNET official for five years and National and State Park Services Mounted Volunteer Patrol. He brings all of this invaluable experience to our Board to help guide our program development.

Mary Murphy, Secretary

Mary Murphy is the parent of two disabled young adults as well as an educator. She has formerly been a Girl Scout Leader and PTA official. Since 2001 she has been involved with therapeutic riding centers, as a parent of riders and as a key contributor to community outreach projects and fund-raising events.

Mike Murphy, Chairman

Since 2001, Michael has served as volunteer at therapeutic riding centers in the San Fernando Valley. As the parent of two disabled young adults he understands the need for and has experienced first hand the benefits of equestrian therapeutic riding programs. Mike has nine years of experience serving on the governing boards of non-profit therapeutic riding centers. For over 25 years he has served as government relations professional and legislative advocate in Washington, DC, Sacramento and downtown Los Angeles.

Glenys Norwood, Treasurer

Glenys Norwood has owned/ridden horses since childhood in New Zealand. She founded and was Executive Director of the nonprofit Friends of Serrania, Inc. She was also controller of Keeping Youth Doing Something (KYDS). She works as a Senior Staff Accountant and also has a bookkeeping services business. Her nonprofit financial experience has kept us in order!

Pat UpdeGraff

Pat UpdeGraff became involved in therapeutic riding in 1978 when her disabled daughter began taking lessons. She has ridden/owned horses all of her life. In 2002 she began work at Ride On as Office Manager/HR Administrator. She was Show Manager for CALNET for ten years. Pat has kept our paperwork straight, and has maintained a huge network of program supporters. She is a crucial element on our Board.

William UpdeGraff, President/Exec. Director

Bill UpdeGraff has been working as a volunteer of therapeutic riding centers since 1978 alongside his disabled daughter. He is a horse owner/rider and has 23 years of experience at CALNET as an official. He has also officiated at the ETI Coral 54 Trail Trials, and in 2006 as an judge at the Special Olympics. Bill's strength and knowledge drives this program as he brings all that experience to our Board.