The Story of Dr. Wendy Schonfeld & RideAbility Therapeutic Riding Center
Empowering Lives Through Hooves and Heart: The Story of RideAbility in Clover
If you spend even one day at RideAbility Therapeutic Riding Center, one thing becomes immediately clear: this is a place filled with joy and purpose.
Founded more than 13 years ago, RideAbility has become a sanctuary for children, young adults, and veterans with a wide range of disabilities, including autism, Down syndrome, ADHD, intellectual and developmental disabilities, cerebral palsy, and more. But according to founder Dr. Wendy Schonfeld, the story of RideAbility isn’t just about the services provided - it’s about the lessons learned.
“Our students are often the teachers,” Wendy reflects. “They remind us daily what it means to live with patience, compassion, and unconditional love.”
Step into the barn and you’ll witness happiness without boundaries, friendships without judgment, and love without condition. Even in moments of challenge, there is growth. There is perseverance. There is triumph. Helping a student discover their own success, Wendy says, is one of life’s greatest privileges.
The horses, too, are powerful teachers. They offer trust, respect, and the quiet peace that comes from simply being present. Through carefully customized lessons, riders build balance, coordination, executive functioning skills, academic focus, and social confidence. Every program is thoughtfully designed around each individual’s strengths and goals.
Today, nearly 100 students participate in RideAbility programs each week, supported by approximately 50 dedicated volunteers whose commitment fuels everything the organization accomplishes. The center proudly serves as a Special Olympics Equestrian Training Center, preparing athletes from both South Carolina and North Carolina for competition. Beyond riding lessons, the Work Study Program equips young adults with meaningful job and life skills that extend far beyond the barn.
At its core, RideAbility operates on a simple yet powerful mission: to empower individuals through connection, confidence, and compassion - one horse and one lesson at a time.
Wendy’s dedication runs deeper than professional obligation; it is profoundly personal. Her goal is to provide every student with a place where they can truly shine. A place where they know they matter. A place where they belong and feel safe. A place where they can dream boldly and believe in themselves.
Wendy's hope is that long after she steps away, RideAbility will remain rooted in the community: strong, vibrant, and full of purpose.
To prepare for this calling, Wendy has pursued extensive professional training. She is a P.A.T.H. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, a Certified Equine Assisted Learning Facilitator in Education, an Equine Specialist, an Equestrian Coach Clinician and Head Coach for South Carolina Special Olympics Equestrian, a Certified Executive Functioning Coach, a Certified Neurodivergent Coach, and a BSA Horsemanship Merit Badge Counselor.
Each certification reflects her ongoing commitment to growth - not just as an instructor, but as an advocate and educator for individuals with diverse abilities.
When asked what society often misunderstands about disability, Wendy answers with gentle honesty. Many people, she says, simply haven’t had the opportunity to truly know someone with a disability. They don’t experience the laughter, the love, and the genuine hugs that fill the barn every day. Inclusion and acceptance must be taught and modeled — because “different” never means “wrong.”
In a world that often feels divided, Wendy believes connection is still possible. Anger and misunderstanding may build walls, but most people long for common ground. When we take time to truly listen with open hearts instead of defensiveness, bonds can be restored.
RideAbility’s students demonstrate that truth daily. In their eyes, differences fade away. They simply see people.
And if Wendy could say one thing to her younger self, it would be this: You’re going to be okay. The pain and challenges that once felt overwhelming would eventually become strength. The resilience developed through hardship would become a source of encouragement for others. Every experience would help shape a life dedicated to making a difference.
At RideAbility, that difference is visible every single day - in the confidence of a rider, the steady strength of a horse, and the unwavering belief that every individual deserves a place to belong.
