Proud Recipient of a Grant from USEF Opportunity Fund

US Equestrian Awards Opportunity Fund Grants to 13 USEF Community Outreach Organizations for Vital Initiatives

by Mikhail Proctor | Jun 30, 2025, 2:06 PM

US Equestrian is pleased to announce that it has awarded $90,500 in USEF Opportunity Fund grants to 13 USEF Community Outreach Organizations (COO) in the fund’s fourth year through a comprehensive review process. 

The 2025 USEF Opportunity Fund grants will support an expansive list of projects that will further the missions of these high-impact organizations. Examples of the initiatives that were selected for funding include increasing resources to expand participation, purchasing safety equipment, and investing in important infrastructure improvements. This support is vital to these organizations and their life-changing work with people and horses. Grantees are listed below in alphabetical order:

• Cranberry Sunset Farm (Marstons Mills, Mass.)

• Ebony Horsewomen (Hartford, Conn.)

• Forward Stride (Beaverton, Ore.)

• GallopNYC (New York, N.Y.)

• Havenwood Equestrian Center (Radford, Va.)

• Horse SenseAbility (Sherborn, Mass.)

• Horses N Heroes (Ocala, Fla.)

• Kentucky Horse Park Foundation Mustang Troop (Lexington, Ky.)

• Kindle Hill Foundation Charity (Blue Bell, Pa.)

• Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center (Redmond, WA.)

• Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue (Dover Plains, N.Y.)

• Manes For Movement (Torrance, Calif.)

• Speaking of Horses (Barboursville, Va.)

These grants were made possible by the generous contributions of members, partners, competition organizers, and the USEF Board of Directors.

“I encourage everyone to consider joining our efforts by contributing to this program and the great work these organizations are doing to bring horses and people together to grow and become stronger. You can help increase access to the power of horses by making a donation and showing your support today,” stated Tom O’Mara, US Equestrian Board President.

How You Can Make a Difference 

• Donate – Donate today to help fund grants for the USEF Community Outreach Organizations.  

• Shop USEF – Show your support with the purchase of a USEF Community Outreach Program pin. 100% of the proceeds from pin sales will be contributed to the USEF Opportunity Fund.

• Volunteer – Find a USEF Community Outreach Organization near you and get involved.

The USEF Opportunity Fund

The USEF Opportunity Fund aims to extend the reach and impact of these outstanding organizations to improve access to the power of horses and to bring the joy of horse sports to as many people as possible. One hundred percent of funds raised for the Opportunity Fund are dedicated to supporting the USEF Community Outreach Program and its forty recognized USEF Community Outreach Organizations.

How We Care for Our Equine Partners

The Heart of Healing: How we care for our equine partners at Kindle Hill Foundation.

At Kindle Hill Foundation in Blue Bell, PA, our horses are more than just therapy animals—they're our partners, teachers, and the beating heart of our Equine-Assisted Learning and Therapy programs. Whether working with children navigating developmental challenges, adults managing anxiety and depression, families healing together, or first responders and caregivers dealing with PTSD and chronic stress, our equine partners show up every day ready to offer their unique gifts of presence, patience, and profound connection.

But behind every successful therapy session lies a fundamental truth: happy, healthy horses make the best teachers.

A Foundation Built on Equine Wellness

Our commitment to exceptional horse care isn't just about animal welfare—though that remains our primary concern—it's about creating the optimal conditions for healing and learning to occur. When our horses feel secure, comfortable, and emotionally balanced, they become calm, confident partners capable of the sensitive, responsive work that makes equine-assisted therapy so transformative.

Comprehensive Care for Comprehensive Healing

Nutrition That Nourishes Body and Spirit

Each horse receives a carefully tailored nutrition plan developed with equine nutritionists and veterinarians. We understand that proper nutrition affects not only physical health but also temperament, energy levels, and emotional stability—all crucial factors in therapy work. Every meal, from high-quality hay and grain to specialized supplements when needed, is an investment in their well-being and ability to serve our participants.

Safe Spaces for Security and Growth

Our facilities are designed with both safety and comfort in mind. Clean, well-ventilated stalls provide quiet retreat spaces, while our pastures offer room to roam, graze, and be horses. We maintain our fencing, shelters, and barn areas to the highest standards because environmental stress can undermine even the best-intentioned therapy work.

Preventive Healthcare as a Priority

Regular veterinary care, dental work, farrier services, and preventive treatments ensure our horses remain physically sound and comfortable. We work closely with our veterinary team to monitor each horse's health status and address any concerns before they become problems.

The Power of the Herd

Horses are naturally social beings, and we honor this by ensuring our equine partners have opportunities for positive interaction with other horses. Whether turned out together in compatible groups or simply able to see and communicate with herd mates, maintaining these social connections supports their emotional health and natural behaviors.

Emotional Wellness Matters

Perhaps most importantly, we pay close attention to our horses' emotional and psychological well-being. Our staff is trained to recognize signs of stress, fatigue, or emotional imbalance in our equine partners. We provide mental stimulation, variety in their routines, and—when needed—time off from therapy work to decompress and recharge.

The Ripple Effect of Exceptional Care

The benefits extend far beyond the barn when we invest in our horses' complete well-being. Our participants work with genuinely content, emotionally available, and physically comfortable animals. Our horses create an authentic connection, and meaningful therapeutic breakthroughs can occur.

For the child struggling with anxiety, a calm, confident horse provides a sense of safety that allows for emotional exploration. For the first responder carrying the weight of traumatic experiences, an emotionally balanced horse can offer the non-judgmental presence needed for healing. For families learning to communicate better, socially well-adjusted horses model healthy relationship dynamics.

A Partnership Built on Respect

At Kindle Hill Foundation, the therapeutic relationship between humans and horses must be built on mutual respect and care between an individual and a horse. By ensuring our equine partners thrive in every aspect of their lives, we honor their contribution to the healing process and create conditions where horses and humans can flourish together.

Our horses give so much of themselves in service to healing and growth. The least we can do is provide them with everything they need to live their best lives—because when our horses are truly well, their capacity to help others heal becomes limitless.

Contact Kindle Hill Foundation to learn more about our programs or to schedule a visit. Together with our remarkable equine partners, we support your journey toward healing, growth, and renewed hope.

The Peg Collins Equine Assisted Therapy Scholarship Fund

In honor of our beloved Wife, Mother, Daughter, Sister, Aunt, Cousin, Co-worker and Friend, Peg Collins, Kimmel Bogrette Architecture + Site and Peg’s husband, Buck, are establishing and leading the funding effort of The Peg Collins Equine Assisted Therapy Scholarship Fund.

Peg was universally loved and admired for her graceful and joyful journey through life. Each of those she touched, whether through her passion with horses and her beloved Doc, her spirited Irish Water Spaniel Finn, her career as a health insurance broker consultant, or with her loving husband, extensive family and close friends - each witnessed Peg gracefully and determinedly fight a grueling 16-month battle against Pancreatic Cancer.

In support of Peg’s fight against cancer and of her great passion for Equine Assisted Therapy, donations to The Peg Collins Equine Assisted Therapy Scholarship Fund will benefit two organizations that she admired greatly:

The Kindle Hill Foundation – where Peg was an active facilitator, organizer and Board Member; leading providers of Equine Assisted Therapy, to those in need, including First Responders and those experiencing other mental and physical health challenges

For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation – providers of transformative Cancer Respite Experiences for cancer patients, their caregivers and children, including the soon to open, First in the Nation, Cancer Respite Center, designed by Kimmel Bogrette Architecture.

Donations will help provide The Kindle Hill Foundation’s Equine Assisted Therapy services to the Cancer Patients & Families of the For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation.