Horses with H.E.A.R.T.

History

Horses with H.E.A.R.T., Inc. was founded in 1993 by Vickie Stuart to provide individuals with disabilities the opportunity to participate in therapeutic and recreational horseback riding.  The inspiration came from Vickie’s work as a speech therapist working with Special Education students at Del Rio Elementary School in Chino Valley, Arizona.  One day, she brought her daughter’s pony to work with the students.  The children loved “Star” and they responded so much better than the traditional “four walls and balls” therapies.

Based on that experience, Horses with H.E.A.R.T. was incorporated and sessions were held on weekends and school breaks at the S Bar & J Ranch in Chino Valley.  “Buddy”, a Quarter Horse was the first donated horse in the program.  Vickie and her family would travel for 15 miles from their home in Paulden, hauling the horses and picking up volunteers and riders along the way to the Ranch.  In 1993, there were about 25 riders, 12 volunteers and a 5 member Board of Directors.

It was in 1996 that Trudy Chapman restructured the nonprofit and moved operations to her Ranch on Cherry Circle in Dewey.  In 2000, Horses with H.E.A.R.T. moved to the Whistle Stop Ranch in Dewey and remained there through 2008.  From those humble beginnings, Horses with H.E.A.R.T. has served the quad-city communities (Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley and Dewey) for 16 years.  In 2008, we served 236 participants with the assistance of 218 volunteers, 15 equines and 12 Board of Directors.  An Executive Director was hired in November 2007, prior to this date the nonprofit had been run solely by volunteers.

Staff

Riding Director: Trudy Chapman-Radley has been a riding instructor and the heart of the program since 1996.  She has volunteered full-time for 13 years, teaching over 1,000 riding lessons! Trudy has over 40 years of equestrian experience and is a certified NARHA Registered Instructor.  She held the position of President of the Board from 1997-1998, Executive Director from 2000-2004; and Riding Director/Board Member since 2005.  Trudy is a remarkable woman who selflessly ensures that the programs continue to serve those in need.
Contact:  riding@horseswithheart.org

Riding Instructor: Lisa Cuthbertson is our newest riding instructor.  She has been involved with riding/training horses since she was 9 years old.  Lisa has been volunteering with our nonprofit since the fall of 2006.  In the spring of 2008 she joined the Board of Directors.  She became a certified NARHA Registered Instructor in September of 2008.  Lisa holds a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education and has over 20 years experience in the early childhood (K-5) education field; subbing at the local public elementary schools on her days off from Horses with H.E.A.R.T.

Special Olympics Head Coach: Pam Berry grew up around horses, showing in 4-H and open shows as a teenager.  Following high school she attended Meredith Manor School of Horsemanship where she earned a riding instructor and a riding master certificate.  She has been instrumental in the success of Horses with H.E.A.R.T.  Pam came aboard as a volunteer in 1997 and has served on the Board for eight years.  From 2000-2004, she was President of the Board.  She has been a certified Special Olympics Instructor since 1999.  Pam has worked part-time as the Special Olympics Head Coach from 2004 to present.
Contact:  so@horseswithheart.org

Volunteer Coordinator: Ethel Peterson is a Mentor Level volunteer and volunteered over 1,600 hours last year herself.  It is quite a job managing nearly 200 volunteers, a position she has held for three years.  For her tremendous contributions, she was selected by both NARHA Region 10 and Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce as the “2008 Volunteer of the Year”.  She says, “It is a much needed program for the special needs riders and very rewarding.  To see their smiles when they ride is something that I will never forget.  That’s why I love this program.  The rewards are endless.”
Contact:  volunteer@horseswithheart.org

Equine Specialist: Shirley Grant is a Mentor Level Volunteer and sets up the schedule for the farrier (a specialist in equine hoof care), veterinary care and worming of the horses.  She assists the Riding Director in screening all donated horses before coming into our program.  Shirley works with the advanced volunteers in schooling of the horses.

Board of Directors

Currently we have twelve members on the Board of Directors.  They come from all over Yavapai County and a variety of personal/professional backgrounds.  All are actively involved with the programs offered by Horses with H.E.A.R.T, in addition to other community organizations such as Kiwanis and Habitat for Humanity.  Some Board Members are parents of children involved in the programs and some have disabilities themselves, and benefit first-hand from the relationships developed with the horses.

For questions or comments to the Board of Directors please call 928-533-9178 or email  board@horseswithheart.org