jsimpson@madisonfields.org
Jess has over 19 years of experience working with horses. Her family owns and operates a boarding facility located in Mt. Airy, MD where she grew up caring for horses, and learning the business. While in college, Jess participated in the Equestrian Team and volunteered with a local horse rescue. During the summers, she managed a facility in Frederick, MD, where she cared for 25 horses, managed their summer lesson and camp program, and taught beginner lessons.
After Jess graduated from Salisbury University in 2013, she began a career in sales, but ultimately decided to return to her original passion and join the Madison Fields team in 2017. Jess is a certified Equine Specialist in Mental Health Learning Certification through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International. Jess keeps her personal horse CC at Madison Fields, and loves getting to see her sweet face every morning!
“This is one of the most rewarding industries, and jobs, I will ever have. I am truly blessed to be able to share my passion, and love of horses with this community.”
mjackson@madisonfields.org
Maggie has been in the equestrian field for over 17 years. She’s had an active career in all aspects of the horse industry. From grooming for local USDF and USEA Riders, to catch-riding, and teaching beginner lessons. Maggie is a graduate of Seneca Valley Pony Club. She credits her knowledge of horses to many years in pony club showing locally and nationally, as well as volunteering within SVPC.
Maggie was first introduced to Therapeutic Riding in 2012 at Madison Fields (formerly Field of Dreams), and after 3 years of volunteering in lessons she decided to pursue her own career in the industry, attending High Hopes’ Instructor Training Course in Old Lyme, CT.
In 2015, she finished at High Hopes as a PATH International Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and went on to become an instructor at Sprout Therapeutic Riding and Education Center in Aldie, VA. After 3 years of instructing at Sprout, she decided to come back to the place where it all started and joined the Madison Fields team as Head Instructor.
“Horses had a healing impact on me growing up. I love being able to share their power with more people everyday.”
tpolito@madisonfields.org
Taylor has approximately 18 years of horse experience. She spent four years as a working student at Victory Stables in Colts Neck, New Jersey, where she exercised, groomed, and maintained the care and maintenance of over 40 horses and ponies. At the same time, Taylor volunteered with Special People United to Ride, a PATH center in Lincroft, New Jersey, where she discovered the joys of Therapeutic Riding and Hippotherapy. While attending college, Taylor competed with the Hood College Equestrian Team in IHSA shows as well as ANRC National Championships and is now a USHJA registered coach for the Hood College Equestrian team.
Taylor graduated from Hood College in May 2018 and pursued opportunities in communications and marketing in the nonprofit world, only to realize that she wanted to play a more active role in facilitating change and personal growth.
Taylor is a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor through PATH Intl. She maintains the health and wellbeing of the horses in the barn and is the current acting volunteer coordinator for Madison Fields.
“Madison Fields changes lives for the better. I see it every day in our participants, our volunteers, our visitors, our horses, and our staff. I could not be more grateful to be a part of such a beautiful and healing environment.”
Adam has been working with horses for 15 years and has been a member of the Madison Fields team for over two years. He graduated with honors from Meredith Manor in 2009 with a Riding Master Degree and a Certification in Instruction. Adam continues to grow in his own riding career and aspires to show at the Washington International Horse Show.
“Horses have taught me so much about life and myself. They really inspire me to be a better person.”
nfrasche@madisonfields.org
Nancy, a Montgomery County native, has over 20 years of experience working with individuals with Intellectual Disabilities. Her passion for the special needs community was ignited by her brother, who has Autism and is currently supported by a local adult service program.
After graduating from Elon University with degrees in Special and Elementary Education, Nancy began her career at the Ivymount School in 2004, a private school in Rockville that teaches individuals with learning differences. Within Ivymount, Nancy worked as a 1:1 aide in the Autism Program, a Job Coach, and eventually rose to the level of Employment Coordinator for the Post High School Program, where she managed a team of Job Coaches and was responsible for building work partnerships within the community.
In 2017, Nancy began running the Job Readiness Program at Madison Fields. She also maintains a portfolio of private clients and works to develop their community and independent living skills. On the weekends, she helps run a recreational horseback riding program for individuals with learning differences.
“Everyone can work, and Madison Fields is that unique place where individuals can discover their full potential – as employees, as friends, and as members of their communities. To have discovered a place that allows me to combine my love for animals with my passions for adults with learning disabilities is an absolute dream.”
nhorst@madisonfields.org
Growing up on his family’s farm in Dickerson MD, Nathan has over 18 years of experience in the farming industry. He and his family built Maryland’s largest organic pastured poultry farm serving residents across Maryland, DC, and Northern VA. He has been raising sheep since the age of eight and owns a flock of Texel sheep raising purebred breeding stock.
Nathan joined the Madison Fields team as groundskeeper in early 2019. He keeps our 400 acre farm looking picturesque while also maintaining our buildings and barns, assisting with corporate volunteer days, and much more. Nathan truly enjoys utilizing his diverse skill-set to help his team and the community.
“To be able to maintain and care for a place as beautiful as Madison Fields is a privilege, but to be able to do so knowing that I am helping to enable healing in the lives of some of our society’s most challenged individuals, is an honor.”