10/01/2026
When our families take the time to share their experiences at RideAbility, it truly fills our hearts. Their words remind us why we do what we do and how much this very special place means to the people we serve.
We want to share some of their stories with our community—not just about the progress they have seen, but about the relationships, joy, confidence, and memories that have been built along the way.
RideAbility is so much more than riding a horse. It is the love our students feel when they arrive, the incredible teamwork and dedication of our volunteers, and the gentle, unconditional connection our horses give every single day.
Our families become part of the RideAbility family, and we are incredibly grateful that they trust us to be part of their journey.
Here is one family’s beautiful story. ❤️ Testimonial by Mrs. Debbie Silverthorn – September 2026
My special needs daughter, Julie, and I came to RideAbility some twelve years ago. RideAbility was recommended to us by a dear special needs young lady and her mom.
I can’t say enough about how much JOY and FUN Wendy and her teams have brought into our lives, while at the same time improving Julie’s skills with her riding.
Wendy, herself, amazes us! She has consistently brought a generous combination of love, energy, and fun while challenging her students in class. If she has had a bad day, you wouldn’t know it. She chooses her horses with great care and takes great care of them! Those who volunteer on her teams are all so generous, kind, and cheerful, too! We love each and every one and pray that God repays their generosity, as we never could even begin to!
Because of Julie’s therapeutic riding classes, her balance, posture, strength, and joy of life have all greatly improved. We can watch her progress through the pictures and short video clips that Wendy takes time to take for Julie’s family and friends to see.
When we first started with RideAbility, Wendy did not have a lift to assist her non-ambulatory riders. But she did have a long, gradual ramp that led up to an open deck by the arena. There, with the help of perhaps eight people, Julie was able to get one leg over the saddle of the horse and then be seated. She was supported by bolsters in front, as Julie could not hold herself upright for long. Wendy’s mom made her a butterfly-decorated vest with handles on each side for the sidewalkers to hold onto.
Where once she had four sidewalkers, today Julie has one sidewalker on each side—and no bolsters, no vest! The two sidewalkers can step away from the horse and let Julie ride her horse for short periods on her own. For Julie, these are amazing and exciting improvements!
Since Wendy has moved her program to Clover, we have watched her add to her property new ways to cheer her riders and families. She now has two lifts for her non-ambulatory riders. She has a garden, play area with picnic tables, other animals to feed and learn about, sensory riding games, and more. She is always looking for creative new ways to bring joy and success to her riders. And, to top it off, she has an Olympic riding team for Special Olympics!
As I said at the beginning, we cannot thank Wendy enough for all that she and her volunteers have done for those of us in the community with special needs loved ones!
Thank you, Wendy! Thank you, volunteers! And thank you to all the supporters of RideAbility, financial and otherwise!
Thank you, too, Michael, for your support and care of Wendy, and for bringing fun and laughter to Julie from time to time!
We appreciate you all, from the bottom of our hearts! ❤️
— Mrs. Debbie Silverthorn
September 2026
