By Nicole Budden | Executive Director
2011 Program Summary
Thank you!
Thank you so very much for helping support our local non-profit, Happy Trails Riding Center, in 2011. We are proud of our accomplishments and the effects we’ve had on people in our community during our first five years. Here is a short summary of how the funds you donated helped our organization.
We are dedicated to providing a safe, fun and educational riding and social opportunities for people with disabilities and special needs. We continue to strive to reach our annual operating budget and financially sustain our programs. But have proven our flexibility to change in difficult economic conditions and our willingness to try new opportunities to learn, grow to be able to continue to serve people with disabilities and special needs in our community.
Horse Riding Experiences
Year People Rides Income Expenses Budget
2006 40 125 $23,667 $23.662* N/A
2007 67 172 $38,466 $32,767* $77,250
2008 67 207 $75,239 $52,594* $100,000
2009 68 329 $79,504 $57,140* $100,000
2010 68 342 $69,672 $66,960* $100,000
2011 66 272 $67,348 $67,304* $100,000
* Due to shortfall in budget, staff was again primarily volunteer
In addition to the horse riding experiences we provide (shown in the chart above) we also provide a variety of social opportunities for our clientele. In 2011 we served 15 people in our first sports camp, 21 people at our movie night, approximately 50 people at our Ride-A-Thon and Five Year Celebration and 70 people at our fall dance for people with disabilities and special needs and their friends and families. We continue to make social opportunities available to our clients.
We’ve stayed true to our mission - we provide a place for people with disabilities and special needs to enhance their lives through horsemanship and social opportunities. We have enjoyed teaching people from age 2-85 with a wide range of disabilities including: Down Syndrome, developmental disabilities, cerebral palsy, autism, ADD/H, hearing and visual impairments, separation anxiety, epilepsy, Spina Bifida, Fragile X and Rhett Syndrome. We continue to function with the help of approximately 50 volunteers per year. The program is funded in part by tuition (approximately 10%), but primarily by donations.
Horse riding lessons and other social opportunities at HTRC continues to be one of very few activities offered specifically for people with disabilities and special needs in our community. Our programs have enhanced so many lives. We’d like to share a few of the comments we received in 2011 from people involved in Happy Trails for you to see what great things you are helping provide.
“I rode Texas last Thursday. He used to be a rodeo-queen’s horse. These days he spends some of his time in service to kids and adults with particularly domineering physical challenges. Myself included! …Mom said I had a ‘rosy glow’ after my riding time and she was right. I could feel it inside and out.” Teisha (rider)
“I’ve been riding a lot the past few days and it’s all still kind of just blowing my mind — can’t quite find words to talk about it, really. I probably will find some words at some point, knowing me. … Anyway, it’s been just the best thing ever. I am so happy.” Alicia (rider)
“Nicole, Thanks for helping keep Neil busy this summer. It means a lot.”
“Neil was so excited - he was up extra early. Thanks.”
-Lise (Parent of Rider and Participant in our Summer Sports Camp and other social opportunities)
“Had such an awesome time horseback riding tonight!
I hope I feel well enough next week after my surgery to ride again.” Kayla (rider)
We have not received any complaints or had any accidents at Happy Trails. All feedback has been positive.
We have learned so much in our first five years and have proven to be able to continue to provide our services in the hardest financial times our country has seen in decades. With your support, we can do even more. We hope you will join forces with us again and continue to provide for a very under served population.
“Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much!” - Helen Keller
Thank you so very much!
Sincerely,
Nicole Budden & Happy Trails Riding Center
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