Spirit of Hope Youth Ranch

Kelly Cousette is the Executive Director of Spirit of Hope Youth Ranch. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) with a concentration in nonprofit management at UAB. She is a licensed professional counselor with certifications in hypnotherapy and rapid trauma resolution.  She holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, both from UAB.  Kelly has counseled clients of all ages and mental abilities. But, she has a special passion for working with at-risk youth via experiential learning modalities. And while her horse experiences commenced with her position at SOHYR, our riding instructors have said that she is “a natural horse rider.”

Paulina Taylor is our Equine Director and Lead Riding Instructor.   Paulina was trained in the classical European riding method and strongly influenced by many European Olympic Masters, such as Kyra Kyrklund, Hubertus Schmidt, Christopher Wegelius and Piia Pantsu, just to name a few.  She has trained, competed, and managed barns all over the world, including Europe, New Zealand, Middle East and United States with over 20 years of experience in eventing, dressage, show jumping, combined training, and endurance riding.   Meanwhile she completed the demanding USEA Instructors Certification Program and applied her talents to instructing throughout the Southeast. Paulina and her students have won numerous ribbons from various national horse trials, including the American Eventing Championships.   Paulina is recognized for her safe and methodical system of training, and for her fun and effective way with her students. Her goal is not just to provide excellent instruction in riding, but her teaching program is also focused on instilling many valuable “life skills” such as good organization, self-analysis, critical thinking, teamwork and self-disciple.

Libbi Isbell is our Community Relations Specialist.  Libbi began volunteering with SOHYR several years ago and has been hooked ever since!  She didn’t have the opportunity to ride while growing up, but certainly learned the first chance she had as an adult and is everyone’s favorite barn mom.  Libbi graduated from Birmingham-Southern College with a degree in sociology and loves working with people.  She’ll be planning our special events and helping us coordinate volunteers. 

Shannon Curvin is our barn manager and has her CHA level one certification.  Shannon grew up in Louisiana before moving to Alabama and is a life-long horsewoman who loves taking great care of four legged friends.  It’s a rare combination to find someone who can care for our horses, welcome visitors, bush-hog the pastures, and wield a chainsaw!  We are lucky to have such a combination in Shannon.