My daughter, Meredith, was diagnosed with Central Auditory Processing Disorder, low muscle tone, Dyslexia, and ADHD. Like most parents, I began to research activities that would benefit her and be a place where she could succeed. I had appointments to take her and my son Nicholas to find out more about riding lessons and karate lessons. Once we arrived at Carver Lane Stables, met with Rochelle Tullos and watched a riding lesson, my son looked at me and said, “There is no need to go anywhere else.” Our family’s love for horses and riding was born. I know that God brought us to Carver Lane Stables as part of our journey to lead us towards the development of Hope Unbridled.
Meredith was the child that wanted to show. She and I were at a schooling hunter jumper show where she won her first blue ribbon (1st place) and she held it up to me and said, “See Momma, I told you I could do it!” That was my God sighting moment when I knew that horses had made a difference in my daughter’s life, and God was calling us to make a difference in the lives of others in partnership with the wonderful creatures called horses. I wanted all children to have that proud moment of “see I can do this!”
In 2008, my husband Bobby and I purchased land and began to develop Dream Catcher Stables at 103 Beckman Road. It was our dream that one day we would be a facility that was home to a PATH international Handicap Riding Program. It has taken a little while. We have been through economic ups and downs, but God’s timing is different from our timing.
In 2015, I partnered with Terry Timmons, a certified PATH instructor and an Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning to begin Hope Unbridled Equestrian Program. Terry and I were of like minds in that we wanted to develop a center that partnered with horses and affirmed the worth and beauty of each person. From our partnership, Hope Unbridled Equestrian Program was born. It was born with a vision to be a place where everyone, no matter what their life circumstances would be, affirmed of the infinite value they had as a child of God. The horses give so much of themselves as they offer forgiveness, strength, patience, love, and joy!
As we look forward to the journey of Hope Unbridled, we realize that we are now opening a new chapter in our story. We are focusing our energy on going full time and paid positions for our volunteer staff. With this increase in support, we will be able to work with more clients and expand our programs! Come and be a part of the story as “Hope Rides On!”
