ABOUT US
Ocean Riders of Marin has been managing the historic Golden Gate Dairy as a stable since 1998 on a special use permit from the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Because we are a community based stable our members have been deeply committed to mitigating past environmental damages. Due to our conservation efforts and our commitment to share the history, our horses, and the local habitat with the public, especially those from under resourced communities, we have earned a ten-year lease from the National Park Service. Our long-term vision is to become a climate resilient equestrian facility, to preserve the historic structures, and to offer year round educational opportunities.
Maureen Pinto, Manager of the Golden Gate Dairy Stables, has her B.S. degree in Early Childhood Development and was a preschool teacher for over 25 years in Colorado and Marin. She has worked with the National Park Service since 1998 and led the efforts of Ocean Riders to preserve the heritage of the Golden Gate Dairy Stables and protect the environment in which we are located. She is Ocean Riders’ Stable and Program Manager and coordinates the many programs that take place throughout the year, including our not for profit outreach programs that teach confidence, leadership skills, and environmental stewardship to local under- resourced communities.
Judith Forrest, President of the Board of Directors, is co-founder of Perspective2, a leadership and organization development consulting firm working with startup leaders and their companies. Recently, with her human and horse partners, Judith has been providing Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL) experiential workshops for leaders and teams at the Golden Gate Dairy Stables. She is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and a Certified Equine Interaction Professional (CEIP).
Jessica Pinto, Program Director and Advisor to the Board, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and PATH certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor. She is a lifetime equestrian and has over ten years of experience in the field of equine guided growth and learning. Jessica is the owner and operator of Equinicity Marin, an Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP) program located at the Golden Gate Dairy Stables and creator of the HorseWise Girls Summer Camp.
Stephanie Holdenried, Vice President and Program Facilitator, is a nutritionist, an adventurer, and a nationally-certified (CEIP) equine-facilitated educator. She brings a holistic viewpoint to all her consulting work by scratching beneath the surface for what is fueling clients from the both the inside and the outside. Horses are her learning and guiding partners as she regularly co-facilitates women’s, girls’ and recovery groups in helping them find greater self-awareness and authenticity. She’s an avid horsewoman who graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and a sixth-generation Californian.
Anita Harnmuanphongs, Treasurer and Member of the Board of Directors, is a retired Corporate Controller with an MBA from Claremont Graduate School. Anita has a lifetime passion for horses and has bred and shown Arabian horses for many years. She currently has a 20 year old Arabian Gelding, Alazon, who loves to please. Anita lives in Mill Valley with her husband of over 40 years. She and her husband are avid travelers. They have three grandchildren who live in the East Bay.
Karen Johnson, Member of the Board of Directors, has assisted many nonprofit horse groups throughout the Bay Area with fundraising, media and communications. She has served as a director on multiple equestrian and equestrian land use advocacy Boards, and is currently the Program Administrator for Bay Area Barns and Trails. She grew up riding in the Marin Headlands and remains an active trail rider with 25 years of horse ownership experience.
Leida Schoggen, Project Liaison to the National Park Service, has been an elementary school teacher, a university administrator and an attorney. She has served as board president of multiple non-profits and has been very active in fundraising efforts.
Patricia Swenson, Advisor to the Board on Organizational Development and former board member for 20 years, has a degree in Sociology and Child Psychology from the University of Colorado at Boulder and has worked with at-risk youth and homeless adults. As a youth she was a member of the Colts and Fillies Riding Club in Tacoma where she performed precision drill team. Currently she and her horse Bo enjoy playing “soccer” together and participating in Ocean Riders’ outreach programs. Patty has owned her own business in the Bay Area for 44 years doing specialty finish work for homes, businesses and yachts.