Kimiko Kobayashi, Executive Director
USEF Professional
About Me >

I started riding at the age of 6 in Northern California at a 3-day event barn. From there I continued my riding education in Dressage under the tutelage of Lilo Fores. During this time I became a working student at the age of 12 assisting with summer camps and riding. In 1992 I then began my Hunter/jumper journey with Marian Nelson where my horse and I qualified for the zone 10 finals our first year together. I quickly became a working student riding several different horses a day. This is where I learned many skills regarding horse care and management. In the Fall of 1999 I took the position of Head Riding School instructor, Barn Manager & Assistant Trainer of Avalon Hunter/Jumpers where I managed over 55+ horses. In 2006, after taking a little break to raise my 2 young children, I opened up my own Training stables and Sales barn. I still continue to train and coach my clients when time permits.
Although I loved to teach and train I always felt unfulfilled looking for a nonprofit to be apart of. After attending a workshop at Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch in 2006 that taught the in's & out's of running a nonprofit for Equine Therapy I was hooked . Over the past 12 years I've worked and consulted for several Equine therapy programs throughout Southern California. When family brought me to Bakersfield nearly 4 years ago, I discovered M.A.R.E. Bakersfield has shown me some new adventures including raising a toddler and two teenagers. Though I am a busy Mom of 3 kids, I am so excited to be apart of this amazing program, and I am eager to help MARE continue to thrive and grow.
Paige Oveson
Program Director
PATH Int’l CTRI Instructor
About Me >

Updated bio coming soon!
Staci Earl
Riding Instructor
PATH Int’l Certified Riding Instructor in-training
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Bio coming soon...
Angie Curtis
Riding Instructor
PATH Int’l Certified Riding Instructor
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Hi, my name is Angie Curtis. I started volunteering at M.A.R.E. at age 13. I fell in love with the program and after a year of volunteering on Saturdays, I started to come out during the week after school to help with lessons. I spent a majority of my teen years here at the barn. When I turned 18 I became a certified riding instructor and taught for a little over a year, before moving on to try some new things in life. I have a wonderful husband named Justin, and two children Blake and Amelia, with one on the way. I have experience in starting 2 years olds under saddle, working with problem horses, and riding just about every style there is. Horses have always been my passion, even though I was not brought up with horses in my family. I have always tried to help people in whatever situation I have been in. Coming back to M.A.R.E. as the Program Director was the perfect time in my life to combine horses and helping others. I look forward to getting up every day and being part of such a wonderful team of people and horses. I am excited for our future out here and can’t wait to see how we can grow this organization and help as many people possible in our community.
Judy Hilburn
Licenced Occupational Therapist
PATH Int’l
About Me >

Bio coming soon
Miranda Strickland
Barn Crew
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Bio coming soon...
DebbyKate
volunteer Coordinator
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Jenell Fenwick-San Mateo
Veterans liaison
PATH Int’l Instructor in training
About Me >

Born and raised in Bakersfield, Liberty High School class of 2010. After high school, I enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and spent the next 8 years stationed overseas. I rode for fun as a child, but while overseas I took riding lessons at local stables, often learning visually since I didn’t speak the languages. This was a great adventure, but when I got married we wanted some stability in our lives. We left the Active Duty life in 2019 to move back to my hometown and enlisted in the California Air National Guard at Channel Islands ANGS in Oxnard, CA. I am completing my BA in Humanities degree entirely online, so I started volunteering at MARE in 2019 to get out of the house and be involved with the amazing programs they have. The veteran program allowed me to ride as well, and when MARE hired me in 2021, I discovered a new passion in equine-based therapies. I hope to stay involved in this world as I finish my degree and military career. I am proud to be a part of the MARE family as an instructor and a rider.
In Loving Memory
