Hoofbeats Therapeutic Riding Center Fund Opens at CFRBA
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Lexington, VA (April 16, 2018) - The Community Foundation for Rockbridge, Bath and Alleghany is pleased to announce the establishment of the Hoofbeats Therapeutic Riding Center Fund. The fund was established by Julianne Hollingsworth, in memory of her daughter, Merris, and in honor of her daughters, Betsy and Jennifer, to support the mission of Hoofbeats.
Hoofbeats is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that provides therapeutic equine activities for children and adults with disabilities, serious illnesses and injuries. Hoofbeats mission is “Horses Helping People.” Their seven horse therapy herd helps people who are struggling with physical, mental, emotional and learning issues and rehabilitation. Hoofbeats strives to be a soft spot to land for people who are struggling with life. Hoofbeats also sees part of their mission as providing a place where people can come and share their gifts in service to others.
For more than two decades, Hoofbeats has provided exercise, camaraderie and the unconditional love of specially trained horses. The program has two paid staff members and a devoted group of volunteers who strive to keep its very special riders in the saddle.
Hoofbeats is an accredited therapeutic riding center through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International, which means that they meet or exceed the standards of the industry administratively, program wise and facility wise. Hoofbeats is also a member center of the Therapeutic Riding Association of Virginia, Special Olympics of Virginia and the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries.
Hoofbeats is located at the Virginia Horse Center where its staff, volunteers and horses serve more than 100 riders every year. The facility offers a 10 stall barn, an outdoor riding arena, a mounting ramp, an indoor classroom space and a wooded sensory trail. Hoofbeats has a dressage-based riding program and is known for its drill teams, flag teams and show team opportunities for every level of rider. Hoofbeats hosts the regional Special Olympics Equestrian events every year at its facility and competes at open venues that provide classes for special riders.
Julianne Hollingsworth was introduced to Hoofbeats in the fall of 2016 when she had a chance encounter with director Carol Branscome. During their very first conversation, Julianne told Carol that she loved horses and would very much like to ride. It is Carol’s greatest pleasure to be able to make that happen for people and she invited Julianne to come and visit Hoofbeats. That very week Julianne came through the door with a huge smile on her face. She was introduced to the horses, took her first lesson, and was hooked. She asked if she could come every day! That winter she worked on Natural Horsemanship techniques to become proficient as a horse handler and she was such a sponge for knowledge. From there, it wasn’t long before she wanted to ride every day. Julianne now has her own horse, Spirit, who is retired from his work as a Hoofbeats therapy horse, and he loves Julianne as much as she loves him.
Equine therapy is based on developing a strong bond of affection between rider and horse to promote physical and cognitive benefits that improve a riders’ quality of life. Riding involves core strength, body awareness, balance, eye-hand coordination, muscle control, and concentration. In addition, riding and caring for horses enhances problem-solving skills, self-control, memory, language skills, self-esteem, and the willingness to face challenges.
Since 1994 Hoofbeats has provided a support network—and a cheering section! —for members of our community who are too often overlooked by the larger society.
The agency operates on a bare-bones budget. Volunteers work to secure scholarship funds every year so that underserved children and adults can enjoy the benefits of therapeutic horseback riding and the support of the Hoofbeats community.
Julianne Hollingsworth of Lexington and her family created the fund to support the nonprofit riding program. Hoofbeats director Carol Branscome is delighted with the CFRBA partnership. “I always know that God will provide for us,” said Branscome. “You never know when He will place an angel beside you like Ms. Julie. When you find something that you love so much, you want everybody to share it with you and to feel the joy that you feel. This new fund is a blessing that will help Hoofbeats serve our riders and care for our horses.”
The Hoofbeats Fund is open for donations. Donors can mail checks to the Community Foundation at PO Box 20, Lexington, VA 24450. Donations can also be made on the CFRBA web site at lori.turner@cfrba.org) at 463-0943.
The Community Foundation of Rockbridge, Bath, and Alleghany helps individuals, families, non-profit organizations, and others establish permanent charitable legacies. As a community foundation serving this region, CFRBA works diligently to connect philanthropic resources with important community needs. CFRBA is a 501(c)(3) organization that holds, administers, invests, and makes grands from both endowed and non-endowed funds established by individuals, families, and others. These funds provide simple, flexible, convenient, tax-wise, and cost-effective vehicles through which donors can give back to their home community in perpetuity. More information about Hoofbeats is available at www.hoof-beats.com | | | | | |
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