What began as a dream and was launched as a one night a week program – in daylight and good weather only – for 10 students, Saddle Up! is now a year-round program that will serve an estimated 190 children/youth in 2011.
Saddle Up! is the oldest and largest program in the region and the only program in Middle Tennessee that exclusively serves children and youth with disabilities.
In 2010, Saddle Up:
Earned a 100% score on its reaccreditation as a Premier Accredited Center by NARHA, the organization that sets thestandards for safety and quality in equine assisted program. To earn this score, Saddle Up! had to meet – or exceed – specific standards in the areas of program, facility and administration. Independent onsite visitors reviewed Saddle Up! in those areas from both actual practices as observed and written documentation. Of 779 NARHA centers around the globe, only 230 – or slightly less than 3 of every 10 – earn Premier Accredited Center status.
Celebrated the growth of our riders in multiple ways. Grace G., now 15, a former rider who became a Saddle Up! volunteer at age 13, took another major step in personal development when she became a staff member here helping with horses and lessons. Jack M. was in the new George Strait movie. Ashley H. and Savannah M. won over the crowd with their cheerleading at the Country Ride ’N Roll benefit concert. And all of our riders had miles of smiles with their horses!
Served nearly 80 children on the wait list. Our innovative Wait List Provisional Riders Program made it possible for nearly 80 of the 340 children on the waiting list to participate in lessons during the year.
Served more children. Over the past two years, we have increased the number of children served by 36%, going from 140 children in 2006 to nearly 190 in 2010.
Counted on our volunteers. Our volunteers continued to shine, even in the floods of May! We can’t say enough about the 300 volunteers who give so generously of their time and talents and who serve in all areas at Saddle Up!.
Began implementing 2010-2012 strategic plan. In 2009, the a strategic planning group consisting of Board, staff and other volunteers completed a new 3-year strategic plan to guide the organization’s growth and development. A copy of the plan can be seen on the News section of this website. Accomplishments in 2010 included increasing resources focused on fundraising, initiating changes to expandour lesson capacity, and researching two additional programs for possible addition in 2011.
Behind all the numbers is a child. Serving that child – with an emphasis on the abilities of each individual – is the focus of all that happens at Saddle Up!. That’s only possible thanks to the leadership and vision of our Board, the expertise and commitment of our staff, the devoted dedication of our specially trained very valued volunteers, and the support of our generous donors. And, of course, the power of thehorse, whose movements, emotional connections and spirit are the foundation of the program.
Saddle Up! operates with a full-time staff of seven, a part-time staff that averages 24 (equivalent to having 2.4 full-time employees), and a volunteer core of nearly 300. We rely almost exclusively on donations from individuals and businesses, fundraising events, and grants to fund our operation. More than 74 cents of each dollar spent funds direct program costs, including food, veterinarian and farrier care for our herd of heroic horses, farm and barn maintenance, insurance, program staff, volunteer support and scholarships for children needing financial help.
Behind all the numbers is a child. Serving that child – with an emphasis on the abilities of each individual – is the focus of all that happens at Saddle Up!. That’s only possible thanks to the leadership and vision of our Board, the expertise and commitment of our staff, the devoted dedication of our specially trained very valued volunteers, and the support of our generous donors. And, of course, the power of thehorse, whose movements, emotional connections and spirit are the foundation of the program.