About Us
Our Mission Statement
Pivotal Movements Equine Program was founded and began offering services in 2011 on the sparsely populated plains of eastern Montana in a set of old corrals. As word about individual and group successes began to spread, some clients were driving up to 3 hours from within and out of state to get to their appointments. An indoor arena was constructed in 2013 in order to accommodate inclement weather and the program operated out of that location until we moved in July of 2016.
In July, Pivotal Movements relocated to beautiful southwest Montana, just outside the community of Dillon, which is our founder’s childhood home. We are extremely thankful to our eastern Montana community of Miles City and the surrounding area. It’s schools, teachers, mental health professionals and community service programs which gave us such as great start and overwhelming support. Our team is really looking forward to our new location and working with community groups and the youth in the area by providing this unique outdoor experience. Our goal is to provide a fun, experiential, and custom experience for all clients depending on their interests or needs.
We’re proud to have extensive experience in providing services on topics such as life skills, peer pressure, bullying, parenting, eating disorders, marriage and family relationships, leadership skills and team building for at risk youth, youth with developmental and educational challenges, marriage and couples, and veterans. We encourage and enjoy partnerships with teachers, schools, youth groups, adult service organizations, mental health professionals, and physicians.
Meet Your Instructors
Cathy Stewart
Founder/ Owner and Instructor
Cathy was born and raised in rural Montana, where a deep connection to the outdoors shaped her
lifelong passion for people, place, and the natural world. Her early experiences fostered a strong interest in ecological systems, wildlife, and the relationship between human well-being and the environments we live in—an approach that continues to influence her work today.
With a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies and a distinguished career with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Cathy brings decades of leadership, education, and real-world experience to her practice. She has served as Regional Operations Supervisor for the Parks Division, Fishing Access Site Coordinator for the Fisheries Division, and Regional Education and Information Program Manager, developing a strong foundation in communication, problem-solving, and community engagement.
As the founder and co-owner of Pivotal Movements Equine Program, Cathy blends her professional counseling expertise with over 30 years of experience working with horses. She has previously held certification as an Equine Specialist through EAGALA and is also a certified Horse Powered Reading Instructor, offering a unique, experiential approach to personal growth and healing.
Cathy holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC). She works with adolescents and adults both on-site and via telehealth, supporting clients through a wide range of challenges, including family and relationship concerns, narcissistic abuse, anxiety, depression, and other common life stressors.
Her approach is grounded, compassionate, and experiential—helping clients move beyond simply talking about change to actively experiencing it. Cathy is dedicated to helping individuals build insight,
develop new skills, and create more authentic, balanced, and fulfilling lives.
Danica Ponessa
Instructor
Danica was born and raised in Montana, where she grew up immersed in the ranching lifestyle. Her parents often say she was “born on a horse,” and it shows – her connection to horses runs deep, shaped by years of hands-on experience, dedication, and genuine passion.
From an early age, Dani devoted herself to learning every aspect of horsemanship, including riding, training, equine health, and conditioning. Her background is both diverse and impressive—she started with a stint of trick riding and quickly moved on to compete in mounted archery, mounted drill team, barrel racing, pole bending, breakaway roping, and working ranch horse events. She has also spent countless miles in the saddle, working cattle and traveling through the backcountry—all before the age of 17.
Grounded, knowledgeable, and driven, Dani brings an infectious energy and enthusiasm to her work with our equine partners. She is working towards her long-term goal of becoming a professional trainer, developing well-rounded, reliable horses she is proud to put her name on—horses that allow others to experience the same joy and connection she has found throughout her life.
This summer, Dani will be completing her internship at Pivotal Movements, where she will focus on training and conditioning horses at our facility. She is also available for a limited number of lessons, offering clients the opportunity to learn from her practical experience, strong work ethic, and passion for horsemanship. Come meet this energetic, humorous, credible young woman!
Spots are limited—reach out today to schedule a lesson and learn from Dani’s real-world experience and passion for horsemanship.
GET IN TOUCH