We wouldn't be where we are without the sacrifice and dedication of our staff who ensure that all events at Heroes are conducted safely and efficiently.
And you better believe we consider our horses part of our staff……

ROBERT "Bob" Lee

Executive Director

Robert Lee (Bob) is in his fifteenth year as executive director for Heroes on Horseback, after retiring from a career that included commercial banking and manufacturing. Over the last decade, Heroes on Horseback has experienced a tripling in the number of special needs individuals served, while reducing expenses by nearly 25%. Bob credits this growth to the creation of new programming, an increase in volunteer resources, and the implementation of collaborative partnerships with strategically placed organizations in our community.

In addition to his role with Heroes on Horseback, Bob serves as treasurer for the board of trustees for the Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival, trustee emeritus on the board of trustees for the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, and treasurer of the board for IVolunteer Int’l.

LAURA KINSEY

Equestrian Director
PATH certified instructor

Laura Kinsey joined Heroes On Horseback in 2007 as Equestrian Director and, soon after, became one of their PATH Certified Riding Instructors. Since then, she has also taken on the position of Program Director for the organization. Laura has coached three Heroes On Horseback athletes in two Special Olympics World Equestrian Games. Her equine education and experience include a United States Pony Club member, instructor, District Commissioner, and horse management judge, as well as, several jobs working as a large and small animal veterinary technician. In her spare time, she volunteers as a cross country fence judge for The Kentucky Three Day Event and the World Equestrian Games.

Janet Dishart

Program Director/ volunteer coordinator

Janet began volunteering at Heroes on Horseback seven years ago after moving to Hilton Head from Boston. She brings a background of teaching special needs children, specifically those with hearing, speech, and language impairments. Janet is our chief paper pusher who keeps all the participant files up to date and the office running smoothly. Her love of horses began at a young age as a horse owner, 4-H member, and volunteer at a therapeutic riding program in Virginia.

Kacy Tapley

Barn manager

Kacy is a Savannah native with a bachelor’s degree in fine art (Photography). After graduating from university, she took a job with a carriage tour company in Savannah’s Historic district and has been working in the Equine industry since. Horses have always been a big part of her life, but working in the industry for a decade has left her with an array of skills and knowledge in the caretaking of horses in various barn environments (show, pleasure, and working barns). Her passion is horses, and she is always working to continue her Equine education. She is currently enrolled in a program to gain certification in saddle fitting as well as putting in hours to become a certified therapeutic riding instructor through PATH International.

PATH Certified Instructors

Kate Cody

Kate’s journey with Heroes on Horseback began almost 10 years ago as a volunteer horse leader. It was not long before she wanted to do more and began the formidable process of becoming a certified instructor through PATH International. Kate achieved her PATH Riding Instructor certification in 2013 and enthusiastically took on all of the teaching responsibilities, including planning, scheduling, documentation, and arena setups. She views our work as “a labor of love” and receives tremendous gratification from seeing the excitement of the students coming off the school bus or from hearing a rider shout out, "I did it" with such a sense of pride and self accomplishment. When the program is between school sessions, Kate really enjoys a long trail ride or exercising the horses as a way to experience a little equine therapy of her own.

BOB raines

Horsemanship Trainer / Horse Leader instructor

Bob is our resident horse whisperer. His mastery of Natural Horsemanship techniques and unlimited patience make him invaluable to our Unmounted Equine Assisted program, our Veterans program, and the training of our therapy horses. Bob's expertise has extended to our volunteer training, as he oversees horse leader training to make sure there is consistency with the methods used by all volunteers when interacting with the horses.