Board of Directors

City to Saddle was founded by Barbara Zenker and Kim Summers in 2004. Barbara, a devoted rider, and Kim, an experienced equestrian instructor, had both witnessed - and personally enjoyed - the many benefits derived from the unique and powerful relationship between human and horse. Together, they committed themselves to providing economically disadvantaged youth access to these extraordinary opportunities and rewards.

Today, Barbara serves as the CEO and Kim remains on the board of directors. They, along with other volunteers and board members carry on and enhance their vision of changing the lives of children by opening the world of horses to those who ordinarily wouldn't have equine opportunities.

DALE PERKINS, PRESIDENT

Dale Perkins owns Mesa Farm with his wife, Ann Tripp, in Rutland, MA where he has run a variety of City to Saddle and other equestrian programs since 2008. Dale grew up riding and working with horses on a diversified farm in Minnesota. He spent 20 years in the non-profit realms managing an educational farm that focused on sustainable agriculture and working with limited resource rural families and communities around the world. Dale is also certified by PATH Int. as a therapeutic riding instructor, an interactive vaulting instructor, and as an equine specialist in mental health and learning.

KATIE WAINWRIGHT

Katie Wainwright, an alum of the City to Saddle Program has been riding horses for over 9 years now. A Worcester native, she enjoys escaping the city life to go on a long ride with her friends. Always up for a challenge, Katie’s favorite part of riding is participating in jumping classes. A junior at Nichols College in Dudley, MA, Katie spends most of her time studying to obtain her Undergrad in Hospitality Management and Marketing in hopes to join the entertainment industry in the future.

RHONDA HAMER

Though not a rider herself, Rhonda Hamer became interested and involved with City to Saddle through her son’s volunteering for City to Saddle programs while a riding student with Dale Perkins of Mesa Farm. Having spent a large portion of her career as a large festival planner and non-profit administrator, Ms. Hamer offered to help with a large City to Saddle fundraiser and has been with City to Saddle ever since. Ms. Hamer has worked, volunteer and served as a Board Member for a variety of non-profit organizations, most of which focus on serving youth, “giving children a leg up” in many areas of life including sport, art, culture and education.

BARBARA ZENKER, CEO/TREASURER

Barbara Zenker is the CEO and Co-Founder of City To Saddle. From ages 8 to 16, Barbara rode horses at a summer camp focused on English Saddle and Equitation. She returned to riding as an adult at the age of 47 enjoying the challenges of dressage with her Swedish warmblood horse, Moretti, and Welsh pony, Snitch.

KIMBERLY SUMMERS

Kimberly Summers started riding at age 6 on Cape Cod has had a full and varied riding career; ranging from pony club, hunters, to high level dressage and eventing. . Her riding career is full and varied. She started with hunters, equitation and horse showing, years of Pony Club and Eventing, weekly herding cattle with the “Paniolos” (cowboys) when she lived in Hawaii, and engaged at the highest levels of dressage which she has written articles for assorted horse magazines about Olympic level clinicians. A co-founder of City to Saddle, Kim was heavily involved as a riding instructor at Dana Hall School where City to Saddle’s first programs took place. In recent years, Kim finds time for fox hunting, rides on the beach, and many riding trips to Ireland while managing two business she founded. Kim says, “What I loved best about the teaching was seeing the kids progress throughout the years, and become talented riders–but more importantly, wonderful adults. Riding gives us so much more than the skills—it teaches us responsibility, the benefits of hard work, empathy, and passion.”

HEATHER DONOVAN

Heather Donovan is a PATH Intl certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor as well as a veteran licensed teacher of students with special needs. With both a Master’s degree and CAGS in Literacy and Moderate Special Needs, she specializes in designing interactive lessons that foster independence while building skills and confidence. Heather is also a life long equestrian and mother of twins. She enjoys hiking with her husband and their dogs. Heather joined the City to Saddle Board in 2015 and is proud to serve so that CTS can continue to provide quality horsemanship programs to those in need.

MELISSA MADERA

Madera is a life-long resident of Worcester, mostly in the Main South area neighborhoods. She holds a bachelor’s from Anna Maria College. She identifies herself as a Latina, Puerto Rican, strong woman, teen mom, and lifelong advocate for those in her community. She has 20+ years experience working with various agencies to provide support and encouragement for self-sufficiency, independence and change for her residence. She currently works with WinnCompanies at Wellington Community and Matheson Apartments as a Community Coordinator where, in 2016, she began to provide what she describes as life-changing experiences to residents in City to Saddle programs.

ROBIN SACHS

Robin Sachs is an Oncology Nurse at UMassMemorial working in Radiation Oncology. She received her BSN at University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Massachusetts, Amherst. She is a wife, mother and grandmother. She currently lives in Oakham, Massachusetts at Sacred Dog Farm with her husband, dogs, cats, chickens and three horses. A life time horse enthusiasts starting her love of horses with a pony ride at 2 years old. Her passion is dressage and practicing good horsemanship.

LEONORA GIGUERE

Leonora Giguere has been involved with CTS since 2008. Having spent a lifetime owning and working with horses, raising three children with her husband David and being a part of their family business centered on children sports, City to Saddle is a perfect fit. Leonora lives in Central Massachusetts on a small family farm with her husband, parents and horses where she works mostly from home as artist and graphic designer. Her three grown children live in area as well.

CORPORATORS

Susan Smith, Eastham, MA

Elizabeth Tripp Thompson, Holden, MA

Arnold Zenker, Weston, MA

Dennis Cronin, Rutland, MA

Remembering Barbara Agbay Cherubini

With genuine sorrow, the Board Members and volunteers of City to Saddle mourn the March1, 2025 passing of Barbara Cherubini, a devoted supporter and board member of our organization.Her early guidance and continued dedication to our mission were instrumental in establishing City to Saddle as an organization, and ongoing successes in providing equestrian opportunities to underserved children.

A link to her full obituary is: https://www.telegram.com/obituaries/pneo1142216

Remembering Bonnie Gibbs

Bonnie Gibbs served as a dedicated board member for City to Saddle for many years. She was also one of the kindest people you would ever meet. She used her role as Director of Resident Services at Autumns Woods Apartments to enrich the lives of the children of that community by being a friend and advocate for them in many ways. The 15 year relationship between City to Saddle and Autumn Woods will continue on because of her faithful leadership and collaborations she's developed. A Celebration of Live service for Bonnie was held at The First Congregational Church, 19 Church Road, in Shrewsbury on Saturday, January 6, at 1:00 p.m.

A link to her full obituary is: https://www.joycefuneralhome.com/obituaries/bonnie-gibbs

City to Saddle's commitment to anti-racism

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