Central Kentucky Riding for Hope, Inc. (CKRH), is a therapeutic riding and driving program for students with disabilities. CKRH, located at the Kentucky Horse Park, has just begun its capital fund raising for a state of the art new complex on the grounds of the park. At the August meeting, the Horse Park Commission with the strong encouragement of chair, Walt Robertson, voted unanimously to allocate 25 acres of Horse Park land to the development of this facility.

CKRH has been a part of the Horse Park since 1981 when the program began with one horse and four students down at the Trail concession operated by Jim and Rebecca Howard. Becky shared a dream with three other women in the Lexington area and founded this program dedicated to providing the physical, mental and emotional benefits associated with therapeutic riding. As the program grew, so did the Horse Park's support. CKRH was moved to the current location on the hill where a barn, two outdoor rings, offices and five paddocks donated by the Park provide facilities for the students to ride and drive.

This year over 90 students of all ages learned all about what they CAN DO with the help of the 18 horses and ponies here at CKRH. One of the students, Annie Tollner, sums it all up with the statement "I ride so that I can walk." Student Robert Migliaccio addresses the empowerment of riding. He says, "There's a lot of things in life I've lost that the horse gives me back." One of the therapists in the area when seeing the change that occurred in her young charge after only several weeks of riding said,"I don't know what you're doing differently, but don't stop." Seeing the change in confidence in another child, her father stated with his thanks, "You've changed her whole life."

With the waiting list growing and the need to be able to offer services year round not effected by weather, it became apparent that CKRH had outgrown their current open air facilities. The new facility will include indoor and outdoor riding areas, an office/classroom building and a 20 stall barn. The indoor arena will be the centerpiece of the design by allowing classes to be held throughout the year and in the evening hours. This complex's design has already attracted the attention of other centers in the country as it has been so carefully prepared to meet the needs of the students, their families, the staff, and the volunteers as well as the horses and ponies who are such an essential part of the therapy.

It is a dream come true for all of us here at Central Kentucky Riding for Hope. We are very excited about beginning the fundraising to build this center. It will serve not just our students in the central Kentucky region but will also provide regional and even national educational opportunities for the other North American Riding for the Handicapped Association centers and those aspiring to become accredited. Contributions to the Complex are tax deductible and can be sent to CKRH, P.O. Box 13155, Lexington, KY.


View Future Plans

Photos in the Building Site Album (Updated 04-13-2008)