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Melanie Scogin Williams
Melanie Scogin Williams
Melanie Scogin Williams
Ms. Williams grew up receiving therapeutic riding services to help her deal with neurocognitive and physical issues. She competed successfully in many different equestrian disciplines and has been teaching riding lessons for over 12 years. She attended University of West Alabama, competing with the rodeo team as she earned her degree, t
Ms. Williams grew up receiving therapeutic riding services to help her deal with neurocognitive and physical issues. She competed successfully in many different equestrian disciplines and has been teaching riding lessons for over 12 years. She attended University of West Alabama, competing with the rodeo team as she earned her degree, then took courses at Shelton State and the University of Alabama to prepare her for a career working with special needs individuals. She worked for several years at RISE to hone her skills before taking over the program at TROT. A Stable Moments certified instructor, she is the heart of the program. She teaches and supervises other instructors at the program. She and her husband have children and foster children, some with special needs, so is acutely aware of the challenges faced by these individuals.
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Dr. Marguerite Malone
Melanie Scogin Williams
Melanie Scogin Williams
Dr. Malone is a licensed psychologist in practice for over 38 years. An avid horsewoman, she has had personal experience with the foster system as an adult and as a child. She understands the unique needs of traumatized children as well as those experienced by children who just "feel different" because of neurocognitive issues. A Forme
Dr. Malone is a licensed psychologist in practice for over 38 years. An avid horsewoman, she has had personal experience with the foster system as an adult and as a child. She understands the unique needs of traumatized children as well as those experienced by children who just "feel different" because of neurocognitive issues. A Former officer in North American Riding for the Handicapped (Now PATH Int'l) she has been involved in equine assisted treatments for 30 years.
Lori Neal Epperson
Melanie Scogin Williams
Lori Neal Epperson
Lori was an RN with a long career that spanned 50 years, but was convinced to come out of retirement to run the volunteer program and do outreach and intakes for TROT. She lives in sunny Foley, and commutes to work daily via her trusty laptop. Lori is the first voice of TROT that you will hear, and will be the one that welcomes you to the program, whether you are a client or a volunteer.
Zoe Mann
Ginny Goodliffe
Ginny Goodliffe
Zoe is an important part of the program, caring for our horses every morning, as well as helping kids with lessons. A recent high school graduate, Zoe has been with TROT for several years and hopes to have a career with animals someday. Together with Ginny she makes sure the horses are tuned up and ready to go, and does refresher training with them.
Ginny Goodliffe
Ginny Goodliffe
Ginny Goodliffe
A recent high school graduate, Ginny has been with the program for several years and is now learning to teach lessons as a student instructor. She has served as a mentor for kids, and helps to ensure our horses are well cared for in addition to her work with clients. Together with Zoe she makes sure the horses are tuned up and ready to go, and does refresher training with them.
Arden May
Ginny Goodliffe
Arden May
A graduate of Brookwood High, Arden is a successful competitor and instructor. She teaches many of the therapeutic riding lessons at TROT, and coaches our competition team. Our young riders love her energy and "can do" attitude. Many of them say they want to grow up to be just like her.
John Mann
Gremlin,, the GINUWINE PONY of TUSCALOOSA
Black and Beauty
John is our "go to " guy. A Jack of all trades, he was in charge of building our new barn and covered arena, as well as the other buildings at TROT. If we are short staff for a lesson, John will always volunteer to help. When things are broken, you can hear someone say "we need John".
Black and Beauty
Gremlin,, the GINUWINE PONY of TUSCALOOSA
Black and Beauty
These two rascals are miniature horses donated by founding members Cecil and Jane Lancaster. They pull carts as well as carry riders, and make appearances at fundraisers
Gremlin,, the GINUWINE PONY of TUSCALOOSA
Gremlin,, the GINUWINE PONY of TUSCALOOSA
Gremlin,, the GINUWINE PONY of TUSCALOOSA
Gremlin, the "Ginuwine Pony" was made famous for leading our intrepid Tuscaloosa City Police on a two hour chase in Alberta City. He spent his time in jail here at TROT and then was donated to our program. He serves as ambassador, and is learning to pull a cart. SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM TO FOLLOW HIS STORY!
Tuff
Patches
Patches
A retired barrel racing competitor, Tuff is al all around great horse. He takes our timid beginners, and our more advanced intermediate kids, changing his pace to match his rider.
Patches
Patches
Patches
A large pony, Patches is perfect for the smaller kids who need a safe and gentle horse. She is also quite the competitor, winning at several shows over her more than 20 year career.
Lucy
Patches
Lucy
Sweet Lucy had a hard life full of abuse before being rescued by then 9 year old Megan. The duo competed successfully for several years until Megan grew up and had a career and family to care for. She let Lucy come to TROT to work where she carries the most timid of our beginner riders. As the survivor of abuse, followed by the intense
Sweet Lucy had a hard life full of abuse before being rescued by then 9 year old Megan. The duo competed successfully for several years until Megan grew up and had a career and family to care for. She let Lucy come to TROT to work where she carries the most timid of our beginner riders. As the survivor of abuse, followed by the intense love of her rescuer, Lucy understands the issues faced by traumatized kids
Lola
Splatt
Splatt
Owned by Zoe Mann and loaned to us, Lola is a refugee from a meat packer. An amazing little horse, she carries the small, timid rider, infusing a sense of confidence and hope in everyone she meets.
Splatt
Splatt
Splatt
So named for her colorful splattered paint coat pattern, Splatt was raised at TROT and trained by our Program Director Melanie Williams. She is the lead mare in the herd, and is an amazing therapy horse. She is quite headstrong, but gentle and safe. She will teach kids to be assertive better than any other horse on the place.
Moon
Splatt
Moon
Moon came to us from a college roommate of Melanie's. A laid back youngster, he is a perfect horse for beginning barrel racers. He also totes little ones during therapy.
Thunder
Soundtrack
Soundtrack
Thunder was raised at TROT. He arrived as a baby, and was trained by our Program Director Melanie Williams. He is our "go to" horse for Stable Moments groundwork sessions. Always calm, understanding and willing to help kids increase their sense of self esteem, Thunder is one of the backbones of our program. And he will do anything for a peppermint Candy.
Soundtrack
Soundtrack
Soundtrack
Donated by founding members Cecil and Jane Lancaster, Soundtrack is a retired competitor. A Racking Horse, her unique four beat gait is wonderful for carrying riders with physical or balance issues. She is a larger horse, capable of carrying our larger clients. Her favorite snack is lemon cookies.
Bailey
Soundtrack
Bailey
Formerly known as a fire breathing dragon, Bailey and Melanie competed successfully for years before she retired to become a lesson and therapy horse. Tall, graceful and beautiful, she no longer snorts unless it is feeding time. But you better feed her first - if not you will hear her banging on her stall to demand her food.
Rusty
Rusty
Rusty
A former barrel racer and winner of many awards, Rusty now carries our most fragile young riders. He gently tiptoes around the arena, assisting as our more fragile little ones play games on horseback. Rusty tolerates pretty much anything, and is a favorite at the barn.
Wyatt
Rusty
Rusty
Wyatt is a former rodeo competitor, specializing in barrel racing. After competing on a local and national level, he has now retired from competition to carry some of our larger riders. Wyatt loves his riders, and knows the days they are scheduled to come. He snorts and demands to be let out to greet them when they arrive.
The SAGA of GREMLIN Tuscaloosa's GINUWINE PONY
Newscaster Rick Karle of WVTM Covers the story
The story of Gremlin Knight, the GINUWINE PONY, catches the hearts and minds of Alabama residents. Reporter Rick Karle visits TROT to tell the story of the famous jailbreak pony,
Officers share their experience catching GG
Gremlin, Tuscaloosa's own GINUWINE PONY loose in the suburbs, our intrepid officers spend hours rescuing the neighborhood from this criminal pony
GG is HOT right now
Excitement over the capture of the criminal pony and his arrival at TROT. He thinks he is so HOT
GG comments on his arrival at TROT
The criminal pony trying to convince the staff at TROT how BAAAD he is
Help is on the way
GG getting advice and help on how to assume the role of Spokeshorse from his predecessor, Dei.
You are my best friend
Dei and GG become best friends while Dei shows GG how to be the new Spokeshorse for TROT
But I'm still hunngry
As he gets comfy in his new digs, Gremlin, TUSCALOOSA'S GENUINE PONY, decides to explore the feed room to get a second breakfast.
From Criminal to Star
After a year at TROT, learning the ropes and taking acting classes, Gremlin, TUSCALOOSA'S GINUWINE PONY stars in a commercial advertising Mayor Maddox's own Tuscaloosa 311 service.
Stay Tuned
Gremlin has now been with us for a year, and is learning to be a therapy pony. He will be available for photos during our special events.
GIVING TUESDAY
This fall we want to raise $3000 to scholarship several children who need services but cannot afford them. This Giving Tuesday, please consider making your tax deductible contribution to TROT.