Ann Simon

Ann Simon is a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH INTL) Certified Instructor and the founder of Helping Hooves.  

Ann grew up in Bellingham, Washington on her parents 17 acre farm. Her father has been a farrier for 18 years and her mom has been involved with horses since she was a child. Ann has been riding horses since before she can remember. Ann showed horses in 4-H and FFA  and open horse shows all through junior high and high school in as many events as she could,  from barrel racing and reining to English equitation.

Ann also was interested in training horses and giving horseback riding lessons. She worked at a local barn in Washington for six years starting out as a volunteer and then working her way into a riding instructor and assistant trainer.

Friends of Ann's family owned and  operated a therapeutic riding center.      From the time Ann was young, she would volunteer with them doing whatever she could to help out.


 

After graduating high school, Ann moved to California first to Redondo Beach and later to Huntington Beach. Because of the cost of living, Ann left her three horses with her parents. Looking for a way to work with horses again, Ann started teaching and volunteering at a therapeutic center in Palos Verdes. She decided she wanted to become certified with PATH INTL and went through the long process of becoming a PATH Certified Instructor. 

After moving to Huntington Beach, Ann started as a Volunteer Instructor with the Therapeutic Riding Center of Huntington Beach.  A year later, Ann started Helping Hooves at Anaheim Equestrian Center/Rancho Del Rio Stables where she remained for almost 2 years. Recently, Ann moved Helping Hooves to Anaheim Hills Saddle Club, a wonderful facility where she hopes to keep the program permanently. Ann hopes to gain enough students, volunteers and support to have Helping Hooves grow and become a PATH International Center Member.

 Ann riding in the Skagit Rein Riders Drill Team.