It’s our 50th anniversary and we are celebrating all year!
As part of our celebration, we will be sharing stories and footage from the past 50 years on social media, in our News from the Barn email. Follow along on this journey through our past and a glimpse of our future!
(Video team: Sue Norton, Brett Young, and Joel Bergeron)
🎉 Celebrating Founder’s Day 🎉
In 1974, Mary K. “Sis” Gould founded the Lower Connecticut Valley Educational Riding Association (now High Hopes) with a vision to provide equine-assisted services to individuals in need.
What began with just eight students and borrowed resources has grown into a vibrant, life-changing organization, with its facility, barns, horses, instructors, and hundreds of volunteers. Sis was a humble leader who believed in the power of collective effort, and her legacy lives on in the countless lives that have been touched through the horse-human bond.
Sis and her husband, Lytt Gould, created something truly special, and their legacy continues to impact participants, volunteers, staff, and horses alike. As we look forward, we are proud to carry on their vision through the Sis and Lytt Gould Society, now rededicated in their honor to ensure the work they started continues far into the future.
Thank you, Sis, for making this extraordinary place possible. We are forever grateful.
#FoundersDay #SisGould #LegacyOfHealing #HighHopes
Click the link in our bio to read more about Sis’s story!
🎉🐴 Happy 21st Birthday to Blessing! 🎉🐴
Today, we’re celebrating Blessing, a true legend! Before coming to High Hopes, Blessing was a Standardbred “pacer,” known for racing with a cart behind him. His journey with us has been nothing short of amazing — for many years, he was our dedicated carriage-driving horse, playing a crucial role in our therapeutic programs and bringing joy to so many.
Now, after a well-earned retirement, Blessing will be celebrating his special day doing some of his favorite things: taking cozy naps, admiring his handsome self in the mirror, and rolling in mud (his personal favorite)! 💖
Blessing is also ready to find his forever home where he can enjoy many more days of relaxation and fun. Learn more about our available retired horses by clicking the link in our bio!
#HappyBirthdayBlessing #TherapeuticHorse #HighHopesHorses
Meet Jen Rogers, our March volunteer spotlight! 🐴💙
Jen joined High Hopes driven by her love of horses and a desire to give back to the community. As a dedicated horse handler, she volunteers in various programs, with a special fondness for the Parkinson’s program. Outside of High Hopes, she enjoys hiking, gardening, camping, sailing, or relaxing at the beach with her children. For Jen, the most rewarding part of volunteering at High Hopes is being a part of something that brings joy to others, a passion she brings to every interaction with her positive attitude.
Thank you for everything you do, Jen! 🌟
#VolunteerSpotlight #Grateful #EquineAssistedServices #HighHopesHero
Wireless Zone Gives is a community leader and philanthropic champion!
We are incredibly grateful to Wireless Zone Gives for their generous gift of $7,500 in support of High Hopes Therapeutic Riding. On a sunny spring day, Neil Ryan, Franchisee, and Desiree Cormier, Manager of Revenue Reconciliation, visited High Hopes. Missy Lamont, Executive Director, and Petra, a cherished member of the herd who has served our mission for decades, joined in the celebration.
The gift will directly impact individuals who rely on financial aid to access the life-changing benefits of equine-assisted services and ensure that more participants experience confidence, connection, and growth from working with our horses.
Thank you, @wirelesszone Gives, for believing in our mission and making a difference in our community!
#WzGives #BetterTogether #EquineAssistedServices #Grateful #HighHopes
We`d like to introduce you to Churro for this month`s horse spotlight!
This handsome 2003 Appaloosa gelding is as sweet as his name, with a beautiful dark brown and white spotted coat and a personality to match. Hailing from Tennessee, Churro is the definition of laid-back and easygoing—making him the perfect fit for our program. Whether he’s assisting in our horsemanship classes, therapeutic riding lessons, or working with participants in our Parkinson’s Program, he always brings a gentle, steady presence to each session. We are so grateful to have him as part of our team!
#HorseSpotlight #HighHopesHerd #EquineAssistedeServices #ChurroTheHorse
