Welcome!

Welcome to the web site for Circle of Hope Therapeutic Riding, Inc. We're glad you're here!

Circle of Hope Therapeutic Riding, Inc (CHTR) is a nationally accredited non-profit, 501(c) 3 organization dedicated to encouraging the physical and mental development of children and adults with disabilities. CHTR's equine-facilitated approach incorporates cognitive, behavioral, psychological, and physical goals to increase self-confidence, self-esteem, physical independence, and social awareness.

As you browse the various pages, please feel free to contact us at any time for more detailed information.

Over the past year, the program has accomplished so much!

• Additional session slots were implemented and are filled. Our program now offers sessions Tuesday through Friday from 4 PM through 7 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM through 6 PM. We have 52 participants and over 70 trained volunteers.



• We are in the process of planning the AQHA Trail Ride set for November 5, 2005. The ride will be based out of Pleasant View Farm. Please visit the Trail Ride page for more information.



• Circle of Hope received a grant of $1,000 from the Push America Foundation which is the funding organization for the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity for the purchase of four therapeutic pads . These pads are designed specifically for each horse. We are very pleased to have received this grant.



• The Abe and Edith Ballonoff Family Foundation funded a grant in the amount of $2,500 for the purchase of a new therapy horse. Our sincere thanks to the Ballonoff Family Foundation.



• The Carl M. Freeman Foundation has funded a grant request for $2,000 for the purchase of a new therapy horse. Our sincere thanks to the Carl M. Freeman Foundation.



• A coin drive was used to raise money for the purchase of a horse vacuum. Thanks to the kindness of Howard Goldberg, the vacuum is a reality. The funds initially raised for the vacuum have been re-directed to the purchase fans for the indoor arena. The fund drive continues so that we can raise enough money to purchase four fans plus the cost of the installation. Please consider donating the jars of change that you might have sitting around your homes.



• Circle of Hope attended the Montgomery County Fair on August 15, 2005. We performed two demonstrations. An event table was manned from 10 AM through 7 PM for community outreach. Many thanks to our demonstration participants, Ben, Lauren, Alison, Nicole and Kevin! They all did a great job. Our horses loved the attention given them by all the fair attendees that wandered through the 4H Barn.



• On June 16, 2005, our Starry Night event was held at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, DC. The event was a huge success. Our sincere thanks to the Embassy for all its help and to all who participated. Please visit our Starry Night page for more information.



• On Wednesday, May 18, 2005, volunteers from the Marriott Corporation came to CHTR for their community service day. Volunteers helped with cleaning, weeding and spreading of mulch. Our many thanks to all who participated and to the Marriott Corporation.



• On Friday, May 13, 2005, we had our Volunteer and Participant Appreciation Party. Food provided by Bugsy’s Pizza and Sports Bar. As a thank you, we had many of the volunteers and participants sign a note and created a framed “Thank You” poster that we hope will be hung at the restaurant.



• As of the start of the fall session, we have added two new instructors, Kerry Mansfield and Heidi Weber. We also have three instructors in training. They are Cherie Teter, Ann Rosettie, and Laura Cox. With the new instructors and our instructors in training, we will be able to add additional sessions and therefore reduce the number of participants on the Waiting List.

As you can see, it has been a very busy year so far. Thank you to all who have participated in the program, the volunteers, and all those who have supported us. We look forward to your continued support and participation.