Our Team
Meet the team at ClearWind Farm
Meet the team at ClearWind Farm
Allie Pappas is a recent graduate of the University of Denver with her MSW concentrating in Sustainable Development and Global Practice, as well as a certificate in Animal-Assisted Social Work. She brings over a decade of experience working as an equine professional, in addition to serving roles in veterinary medicine, office administration, and traditional social work settings. Allie is ecstatic to now be combining her knowledge and passions for social work, animals, and the environment in her work with the horses, riders, and community at ClearWind as the Farm Manager / Project Coordinator.
Jill Taylor, co-founder of Vinyasa Dressage and longtime friend of Suzanne, is an Eagala certified Equine Specialist and 200 Hour Certified Yoga Teacher with over 25 years of experience of both working with horses and building successful sales teams in the Natural Products Industry. She joyfully engages with clients in riding, yoga and equine facilitated therapy as well as other equine assisted learning. Jill organizes and leads special events such as yoga and leadership workshops and retreats. She and her husband Todd help take care of the farm and Todd’s wonderful wood working can also be found around the facility.
James Jefferies is an experienced horseman and barn manager whose warmth, professionalism and expertise add an additional dimension of comfort to the farm. The farm could not run as well as it does without his dependability, work ethic and calm manner. He has been a cherished friend and has worked with Matt and Suzanne for nearly 16 years.
Sadie Hoffman is a superb animal handler and barn hand whose attention to detail and steady work ethic bring a polish to the facility making it all the more welcoming to horse and humans alike.
Barb Ford is the farm’s bookkeeper, office manager, and resident “jill of all trades”. She brings to Clearwind over 35 years experience in a variety of settings, including advertising, marketing, software, and newspaper publishing. She has a love of plants and gardening and is enjoying sharing that at Clearwind.
Leigh Ann Apanites was born a horse girl and has been a horse care professional for more than 10 years. She is also the Co-Facilitator and a Director of Peace Reins, an organization that provides equine facilitated learning (EFL) programming to military veterans. She is delighted to be able to use her skills and expertise to support the horses and programming at ClearWind Farm.
We started ClearWind Farm shortly after we married in 2000, drawing upon Suzanne’s long career with horses and Matt’s then-new career in counseling. We have moved locations and evolved our approach, and in 2018 built our own facility. We have learned a lot in the 20+ years of providing equine assisted therapy, caring for horses and working with each other. We are proud of the facility, the people who work here, and the quirky herd we have gathered. We will continue to learn and evolve our programs and projects, and look forward to partnering with like-minded individuals and agencies in the area.