Mary Hadsall, Executive Director

Mary first walked through the gates of Camelot to gain information about starting her own therapeutic horsemanship program. Instead, she found her destiny. An hour after leaving, she returned with a fully completed application for Camelot’s internship program, which she entered in 2002. Within a year she was Camelot’s assistant barn manager; within two years she became director of riding instruction. Since 2004, she has served as our executive director.

Mary is a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and CHA Master Level IRD instructor. Her horse career spans more than forty years. As an avid dressage enthusiast, she is intrigued with the horse/human connection and shares this love of equus with Camelot’s students. “Camelot is a place of dreams and empowerment,” says Mary. “Our horses teach our riders to reach for the moon. Nothing is impossible!” In addition to teaching at Camelot and riding, Mary also enjoys photography, hot air ballooning, cycling, sailing, and stand up paddle boarding.

Prior to Mary’s work at Camelot, she worked as an instructor at the National Ability Center, a non-profit organization in Park City, Utah, that offers a variety of outdoor activities for people with disabilities. She also worked for several years in the mortgage business, which equipped her with the tools to handle the financial aspects of running our organization. Mary brings an enormous array of gifts and talents to Camelot, including dedication, drive, sensitivity, and proven leadership skills. Her passion for the ideals of Camelot is evident in the work that she does and the lessons she teaches. One of her favorite sayings is, “The speed of the team is the speed of the leader!”

Daniel Huff, Barn Manager

Daniel is a Phoenix, Arizona native who is happiest being outdoors. As a teenager, he watched his older sister volunteer and work in the horse industry in both Arizona and Colorado. Her love and enthusiasm for horses was contagious, and soon Daniel caught the “bug.”

He began at Camelot as a volunteer, and because of his work ethic and love for horses, he was quickly hired as barn manager in 2024. His dedication to ensuring the health and well-being of our horses is evident in his attention to detail and his compassionate approach to animal care.  His interest in equine health and safety protocols helps our barn operate smoothly and efficiently. At Camelot, Daniel plays a vital role in the day-to-day operations of the barn, helping with feeding schedules, medical care, and maintenance of the facilities. 

Daniel is passionate about the mission of Camelot, is committed to enhancing the quality of life for both our horses and riders and recognizes the profound impact these programs have on people with disabilities. His enthusiasm and dedication make him an invaluable member of our team. 

In addition to his barn manager duties, Daniel is training with a local farrier and learning the trade of equine hoof care and shoeing. His internship has given him opportunities to participate in local equestrian events.

Daniel brings many gifts and talents to Camelot, including the skill of woodworking. Since 2020, Daniel has run a small business, Dan Huff Designs, where he makes practical items, furniture, and works of art out of wood. Daniel also loves hiking, enjoying Arizona’s lakes, and playing with his dog, Yoda. 

He’s the youngest of eight children and “favorite uncle” to seventeen nieces and nephews. Although he’s great with people, Daniel believes that a bad day with horses beats a good day anywhere else.

Ipek “Beck” Hinshaw, Riding Instructor

Beck Hinshaw’s love of horses started in early childhood, with her uncle, who was a respected breeder and trainer of racehorses. Beck has ridden in Turkey, England, Saudi Arabia, Italy, and the United States. She grew up in Istanbul, Turkey, where she attended the University of Istanbul on a full scholarship, studying journalism and English. She also graduated from a dance academy and worked as a children’s dance instructor. At the age of nineteen, she relocated to the United States and is now a proud US citizen.

When she became a mother, she saw the positive effect riding had on her children’s lives, especially her oldest daughter, who competes as a hunter jumper. She shifted her focus to becoming an equine therapist after witnessing the amazing and positive benefits of working with horses. After acquiring her PATH Intl. and EAL (Equine Assisted Learning) certifications, she quickly became the lead trainer at a Glendale micro school that provided equine therapy. Beck’s background and knowledge of horses provide her students with a superior experience.

Beck lives in Phoenix, Arizona, with her family. She enjoys riding, running, swimming, gardening, caring for her pets, reading, and being a soccer mom.

Regan Mays, Riding Instructor

Regan’s first experience with Camelot was in 2021. She was immediately taken with the enthusiastic, professional and talented team. As a lifelong horse girl, she brings a plethora of experience and passion to the Camelot community.

Regan discovered equine assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) more than a decade ago. Today, she is passionate about deepening people’s understanding of their own physiology and psychology by connecting them with horses. Regan is a certified PATH Intl. Therapeutic Riding Instructor, Equine Specialist in Mental Health & Learning, and PATH Intl. mentor.

In addition to her EAAT certifications, Regan has bachelor’s degrees in psychology and theatre from New York University, is a certified Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance, and a registered behavior therapist. Outside of teaching at Camelot, Regan enjoys riding her horses, attending graduate school at Arizona State University and participating in the performing arts.

Robin Erlich, Office Manager

Robin first became interested in Camelot when a friend who participates in a similar program overseas directed her to our web site. She began as a volunteer, and then in 2006 assumed her current staff position. With a lifelong love of horses and a background in both education and banking, Robin is well-suited to be a member of Camelot’s royal family.

Robin attended Humboldt State University and California State University Los Angeles, graduating in 1975 with highest honors and a BA in Liberal Studies. She continued on to graduate school and earned both a standard elementary credential and special education credential in 1976. After several years of teaching for the Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools, she changed tracks entirely and became a consumer credit loan officer for First Interstate Bank. In addition to keeping the rest of the Camelot staff in line, Robin also works part time for her husband’s Los Angeles-based consulting firm.

In her spare time, Robin likes to spend time with her family and play Mah Jongg. Robin sums up everything equine in a way well-known to every true horse lover: “There’s something about the smell of horses and a barn that’s so enlivening, invigorating, and renewing.” We all know exactly what she means!

Casey Farr, Weekend Ranch Hand

Casey was first introduced to horses as a toddler. Her parents knew they had a horse lover in the family when tears quickly sprung to young Casey’s eyes while saying goodbye to her new four-legged friend.

Casey found Camelot in 2023 after moving back to Phoenix from Washington state where she was volunteering at Silver Buckle Ranch, a program offering ranch and equine-assisted activities in Brush Prairie. Casey was looking for opportunities in the equine therapy industry and fell in love with Camelot’s mission. She joined the volunteer team over the summer turning horses out and feeding the dinner meals. When classes resumed in the fall, she was first in line to assist the Camelot instructors in lessons. And when the weekend ranch hand position became available, she eagerly jumped at the opportunity!

Casey’s love of animals is not limited to horses, she is also a pet sitter working throughout the Valley.