J.D. Hill is president and Sue Sharp the executive director of Dreamriders.
A dream defined by Webster has three unique parts as a verb and two similar in meaning as a noun. We at Dreamriders prefer the action version of this
lovely yet mysterious term: "to imagine as possible."
Sometimes we dream the impossible. For the last four years Dreamriders has been serving the needs of individuals with the opportunity of equine
therapeutic riding, known in some circles as hippo therapy, to those in Logan and Todd county who benefit from such rehabilitation and therapy. The
unique horses that have been used in our program have all been donated or purchased by Dreamriders for the sole purpose of providing safe and well
trained equine angels that are of good nature and reliable.
Winston Churchill once stated, " There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man." That has been proven time and
again with our special group of participants, whose therapeutic needs range from MS, cerebral palsy, automobile accidents rehabilitation, stroke
victims, and autism. Also smiles are big on our list of demands of all participants and volunteers.
There could be a list of names that would never end of those who have volunteered, donated, organized, or just came and watched and provided
encouragement to those that may need support.
This organization gives so many so much to look forward to. So many things that as youngsters many of us took for granted like Little League baseball,
Jr. Pro basketball, Pee Wee football, and school dances, Dreamriders gives those individuals who may never have had those opportunities that chance to
be a part of something. Many times the whole family gets involved. In riding a horse for just a brief while we borrow from nature that little piece of
freedom that only being horseback can give us. And the therapeutic advantages are not just physical, but mental and spiritual as well.
We are totally non- profit, as there is no cost to participants. And like most true non-profit organizations we run on a shoe string budget. We will
accept any and all donations, which are tax deductible to the donor. We have received many monetary donations and are grateful for each and every one.
But we too have a larger dream. We imagine the possibility of someday having an indoor riding arena in the Russellville area which would help us to
have more participants, ride during inclimate weather, and to host other programs from other parts of the state and country for shows. This is our
dream. We have been approved for a grant for construction of such a facility contingent upon receiving the remainder of the cost. Plain and simple we
need help. But with God all things are possible. We would not have come this far without His guidance and asking that only His will be done with this
venture.
Dreamriders needs the help of the people of Logan and Todd County and beyond. If there is anyone that is reading this and could possibly consider a
donation of land for this arena, please contact us. Your help is needed greatly. We need help envisioning our dream, to see it come full circle.
Everyone that has donated, participated, and volunteered has been given back ten fold. We will get this accomplished, but we need help. Donations,
suggestions and prayers are all accepted.
Thank you for your time and consideration of aiding us in fulfilling this dream.