Meet Jessie, Founder & CTRI
Jessie grew up in the Oak Grove area of Hattiesburg, beginning her horse education at the USM Equestrian Center. 
Having worked in equine assisted services since 2008, Jessie opened Worthy Stables in 2017 in response to a lack of accessible activities and therapeutic services for individuals with disabilities, social vulnerabilities, and other challenging exceptionalities. 
Jessie is PATH International and Stable Moments certified, SafeSport trained, and deeply passionate about providing equine assisted services to the highest standards of safety, intentional inclusivity, and best equine welfare practices. 
Jessie owns the naughtiest horse in the barn and a poodle mutt named Bill. 

Meet Anastasia, CTRI
​Growing up, the favorite part of my day was going out in the field after school and being with my horses. At a young age, I realized the healing power that horses could have on an individual. Throughout middle school and high school, I was actively involved with a ministry at my church that serves individuals with disabilities and their families, as well as Joni and Friends, a ministry dedicated to serving people with disabilities and showing them the love of Christ. Upon graduating high school, I knew that I wanted to become a therapeutic riding instructor, combining my passion to help people and my love for horses. I graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and shortly after I became a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor. Currently, I work in the music department at Presbyterian Christian School and as a nanny part-time. In my free time, I love photography, spending time with my husband, and singing. The last three years volunteering and working at the stables has been an amazing experience and a blessing in my life. I am glad to be an instructor here and that I’m able to contribute to the amazing work being done at Worthy Stables!

Meet Amorette, CTRI
​Born and raised in Alaska, Amorette and her husband, Steve, moved to Mississippi in 2024 in search of milder winters.  She’s not sure which she loves more—being able to ride horses year-round, or no longer having to shovel snow! Amorette has ridden and owned horses since early childhood. Her passions are trail riding, backcountry wilderness trips on horseback, and inspiring others to understand and enjoy horses. She and Steve are proud parents to two grown children. When Amorette is not teaching riding lessons, she can be found training her young gelding, Ford, walking her dogs, or searching for the world’s most delicious tacos.

Meet Laurie, Instructor
I’ve been riding horses since 5th grade and grew up in 4-H, where I developed lifelong
skills in accountability, sportsmanship, and hard work. Throughout college and beyond, I
worked with a variety of disciplines—from Arabians and polo to jumping and cow
cutting, a sport I competed in for many years. After health challenges limited my riding, I found a new passion in volunteering and teaching at Worthy Stables, helping people ofall ages experience the meaningful bond between humans and horses. I’m married and enjoy traveling, refinishing furniture and spending time with friends and family.

Meet Shaelynn, CTRI In-training
​Hi, I’m Shaelynn! Horses have been a part of my life for years through 4-H and riding on and off throughout my childhood. I’m currently working toward my PATH CTRI certification and am so excited to be part of the team at Worthy Stables.

Meet Chandler, ESMHL
My name is Chandler Curry. I was born and raised in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. I started volunteering at Worthy Stables a few years back before my mentor Jessie Mathias helped me to earn my certification as an Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL). One thing I have learned along my journey here is that Worthy Stables is more than just a name. It is an inclusive environment where everyone is worthy and can find reassurance of that. It is a place of healing and growth where people can reach goals through equine relationships they may have never thought (and even been told were not) possible.