«Return to News Listing$17,000 Matching Grant

November 6, 2019 – 

A six-year-old child with down syndrome smiles for the first time that day because she feels the movement of a horse. AMAZING! A teen with PTSD proudly strokes the shiny mane of a horse allowing himself to trust again. AMAZING!

Our mission at New Mexico Center for Therapeutic Riding (NMCTR) is to expand and enrich the lives of children, youth, and adults with special needs through equine-assisted activities and therapies. Imagine if NMCTR could double the individuals being served in Santa Fe County and surrounding areas? THAT would be AMAZING!!

Our FULL STRIDE AHEAD Campaign can get us to that reality. With this Campaign, we will add two more PATH International Certified Riding Instructors and two more therapy horses to the herd. This addition to our program will allow us to serve more individuals and work to decrease the 50 riders on our waiting list.

The New Mexico Center for Therapeutic Riding has received a $17,000 MATCHNG grant from The Onota Foundation. The Onota Foundation matching grant will significantly support the FULL STRIDE AHEAD CAMPAIGN and assist in funding of the two new therapy horses. The Onota Foundation continues to assist NMCTR in providing a positive and healthy life for each therapy horse and believes that the most pressing need for humanity today is to rediscover its place in nature and to live in balance with its natural surroundings.

The riders at NMCTR accomplish so much, often more than can be seen or heard all thanks to our equine heroes.  Colin, who has been riding at NMCTR for over 7 years, describes his experiences this way: “I feel like I am riding a winged horse in the clouds and it’s the feeling of movement and freedom.”

NMCTR Director Ashley Armijo Fischer joins us in asking for your financial support to increase the equine herd and gallop “FULL STRIDE AHEAD”!

CAN WE COUNT ON YOUR SUPPORT?!
100% of our board members have set the pace with campaign donations. Staff, volunteers, riders, their families, vendors, the community, and previous donors are helping us reach our goal of $17,000 by December 1st, 2019!