Andrew Scotella has been part of the High Hopes family for nearly his entire life. He first arrived at just three years old, following in the footsteps of his older brother, whose transformative experience at High Hopes deeply impacted their family. Not long after, Andrew and his twin brother began their own journeys here. What started as a recommendation grew into a lifelong relationship rooted in horses, community, and a kind of healing that is difficult to put into words.
Eighteen years later, Andrew is still here. At the start of 2025, he joined the High Hopes volunteer team in the marketing office, a full-circle moment for someone who first arrived as a toddler and fell in love with a beloved Shetland pony named Smokey.
Over nearly two decades, Andrew has partnered with many horses, but one holds an especially meaningful place in his heart: Rolex. For six years, they were a team. Rolex stood out for his quiet, caring nature and steady presence. He was patient and attentive, always seeming to check in. Andrew says Rolex had a gift for helping every rider feel safe in exactly the way they needed. Calm, unhurried, and dependable, he gave riders confidence. “It was like whenever he was there, he had your back,” Andrew reflected. And while Rolex certainly enjoyed his downtime and FOOD, Andrew adds with a smile, “he always knew when it was time to work.”
Ask Andrew about his favorite memory, and he doesn’t hesitate: his first canter. He still remembers the feeling of Rolex’s smooth, floating stride carrying him around the arena. “It was just freeing,” he said. That sense of freedom, of being fully present, is something Andrew associates with his time at High Hopes, especially with Rolex. “When I was with Rolex, or with any horse, I was in the moment. Nothing else in the world mattered.”
When Rolex retired, Andrew experienced another special moment. Hearing Andrew’s voice from the paddock, Rolex trotted over to the fence to greet him. “It was another example of how strong our bond was,” Andrew said. After every lesson, Andrew would spend a few quiet minutes scratching Rolex behind the ears in his favorite spot. “It was our moment where I could give him love and show my appreciation for him,” he said, “And he sure loved getting that love!”.
Andrew believes the horses at High Hopes have shaped him in ways he continues to discover. They have given him confidence and strength, deepened his empathy, and provided a place of peace when life feels heavy. “I always leave feeling better than when I arrived.”
He describes High Hopes horses as calm, kind, and intuitive. “Whether it’s a pat or a scratch, they love getting affection from others,” he says. He has witnessed their ability to sense exactly what a rider needs. If someone is anxious, joyful, or overwhelmed, the horses respond, adjusting their energy and meeting that rider where they are.
For anyone who has never met a High Hopes horse, Andrew offers a simple message: “They love, love.”
After eighteen years, Andrew knows firsthand how horses foster both physical and emotional growth. A day at High Hopes brings him peace and happiness. And after nearly two decades of partnership, connection, and trust, there is no place he would rather be.