Lara McAloon was born in Yonkers, New York but grew up in “horse country” in New Jersey. She began riding lessons at the age of 10 after a taking a trail ride with her dad while on vacation. She attended Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island. While there, she became a founding member of the SRU Intercollegiate Equestrian Team. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a double major in Special and Elementary Education and a minor in Psychology. She earned a Master of Education in Special Education with a certificate for Learning Disability Teacher/Consultant from The College of New Jersey. She holds certification for Nonviolent Crisis Intervention. Lara has taught special education for over 25 years in New Jersey and Arizona. She currently teaches in a Low Level Learner Special Education classroom at McDowell Mountain Elementary School in Fountain Hills, AZ for grades K-5. Lara rides and competes on the Lorill Equestrian Competition Team. She lives in Fountain Hills with her husband, 4 children, 3 dogs, 2 cats, a hamster and 3 goldfish.