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Ride With Pride's Story:
Ride With Pride is a product of the determination and skills of former Executive Director Leslie Cromer, a professional jockey who grew up in Augusta County. While in college Leslie became interested in therapeutic recreation. Three days after she discussed her interest with her parents, Leslie was involved in a tragic equine-related accident that left her with a broken spine and a right side paralysis. Despite her own rehabilitation therapy, Leslie was determined to complete her education, graduating with a degree in therapeutic recreation. With a specific desire to specialize in equine therapy, she enrolled in the Therapeutic Riding Center of Huntington Beach (California). She completed her instructor certification and applies her horsemanship skills to an internship with Idaho State University’s Cooperative Wilderness Handicapped Outdoor Group (C. W. Hogg). She was instrumental in creating the first equine therapy program at ISU. A year later she left a successful program to return to the Shenandoah Valley where her parents had begun to formulate plans for a therapeutic horsemanship program. The plans evolved and Ride With Pride began operations in early 1990. Initially the program involved private students, primarily through referrals. As a result of the Cromers’ incessant work at educating the community about the program and its benefits, the once a week class for a half dozen students steadily increased. Today Ride With Pride has a steady participation of more than 40 students. An additional 15 youth are involved in Image Enhancement programs such as the Work Crew, who assist with barn chores and exercising horses 6 days a week, year around. Services have expanded to include Image Enhancement Groups, Works Skills Programs, and Anger Awareness Programs.
About Our Riders:
Ride with Pride serves individuals ranging from ages 3 to 65 who have physical, mental, learning and/or emotional disabilities. Physical disabilities range from cerebral palsy, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, Down Syndrome, hearing and vision impaired, as well as recovery from stroke, and head trauma. In meeting the emotional and mental health needs of our riders, we work with individuals who have been victims of abuse and neglect, who have diagnoses of ADHD, autism, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Therapeutic riding assists them in controlling their bodies, emotions, and actions, helping them to lead more productive lives. Youth with learning disabilities are also able to make great accomplishments, overcoming obstacles and becoming successful riders. In all areas, the program helps individuals build a stronger sense of self-esteem and self-confidence while offering a safe, supported, and social environment.Ride With Pride receives referrals from a variety of local and state agencies as well as word-of-mouth. Over the last few years we have provided services for clients referred from the Office On Youth, Social Services, Family Assessment and Planning Team (FAPT), Community Services Board, foster care agencies, Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind (VSDB), Special Olympics, Schools, physical therapists, physicians, and counselors. We serve approximately 135 individuals from the Greater Augusta County area although we have no restrictions on residency. In the past we have served clients from Highland, Rockingham, and Rockbridge Counties.
About Our Horses:
At Ride With Pride, our horses are the heart of our program. Each individual horse is chosen for its gentle nature, good temperament, and its ability to work with a variety of riders and volunteers. Each horse that comes to our program spends the first 30 days being ridden and handled by our instructors and experienced volunteers in order to determine whether the animal will work well with our program. The safety and well-being of our riders, volunteers and horses is our first objective, therefore each horse must be able to work safely and effectively.Why Horses?
The horse’s gait is similar to that of a human’s, with a gentle, rhythmic movement that allows the rider’s body to improve through flexibility, balance, and muscle strength. Horses can teach us patience and understanding. They can teach us compassion, responsibility, and respect. Horses offer us honest and ongoing feedback. They teach us that we need to be confident and intentional in everything we do…or the horse will just ignore us. Horses don’t care about material things. They don’t lie. They forgive but do not forget. Horses provide instant rewards – both positive and negative. Horses don’t care who our friends are or where we come from, only that we are there and we care.
Our Funding:
Ride With Pride makes every effort to maintain low fees for its riders. Our largest costs include our board and feed, medical care, insurance, staff/barn work costs. Additional costs included equipment, administrative expenses, promotions, and fundraisers.
Ride With Pride is a non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductable. Our income is derived from lesson fees, donations, fundraisers, and foundation grants. We are extremely grateful for the consistency of our donors – private, church, civic organization and businesses. RWP does welcome speaking engagements in order to increase public awareness and/or as a fund raising effort. |
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