Meet the Herd!

Founder and Head Facilitator

Ali was born and raised in Maine. She was diagnosed with dyslexia in first grade, so reading and writing were always a huge struggle for her. After graduating from Merriconeag Waldorf High School, Ali attended the University of Maine at Farmington and completed a degree in Elementary Education. She taught third and eighth grade English at Cornville Regional Charter School.

In 2018, Ali moved to Hillsborough, NC, to open Ali Perkins Dressage LLC. For the past four years, Ali has been teaching dressage to students of all levels and ages. She has also competed in Grand Prix Dressage.

In the winter of 2022, she became a certified Horse Powered Reading® Instructor while taking graduate courses in Special Education in literacy. Rearing2Read was created in the summer of 2022. Ali has a MeD from Elon University. She is currently working on an EdD in Leadership in Learning from Vanderbilt University.

Favorite Genre: Survival Fiction

Ali Perkins LaTorre

Facility Host

About: Tonya owns and runs Rouxtano Farm. She is an avid reader, writer, and equestrian. She rides GiGi and Benson in dressage. Tonya has five children and two grandchildren!

Favorite Genre: Memoirs

Tonya LaTorre

About: Princess Buttercup is the all-time barn favorite. She is a twenty-five-year-old POA pony. Buttercup teaches the beginner lessons at Rouxtano Farm and is loved by her girls, Kira, Jane, and Bailey.

Favorite Genre: Children's Picture Books

Princess Buttercup

About: Gigi is owned and ridden by Tonya LaTorre. Gigi is an eighteen-year-old German Riding Pony. She loves hay and treats!

Favorite Genre: Romance Novels

GiGi

About: Rudy is ridden by Joe Halabis. He is a twenty-eight-year-old holsteiner. He loves to gallop and go on hacks!

Favorite Genre: Historical Fiction

Rudy

About: Benson is the farm clown. He is owned and ridden by Tonya. He is a sixteen-year-old KWPN. He loves to smile at anyone that passes by his stall!

Favorite Genre: Comic Books