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Mounted Component:
The mounted component of the equestrian program consists of lessons in all phases of horsemanship. Included in this component of instruction is the goal of building confidence and self-esteem.  Our head equestrian instructor teaches mounted component.

Stable Management Component:These lessons are intended to provide vocational skills useful for the riders who are able to enter the work force.  Riders learn tasks such as cleaning and bedding stalls, sweeping, raking, feeding, and watering. Supervised grooming and care and organization of equipment are also integral parts of this component. The assistant equestrian instructor teaches the stable management component with the assistance from head equestrian instructor.
 

Classroom Instruction Component:Classroom instruction includes lessons in animal science such as basic equine care, nutrition, anatomy, growth, and video reviews of riding lessons.  Parts and care of appropriate tack are also taught in the classroom.  Lessons are developed to be related to life experience to include self-help and survival skills.All three components of instruction are extremely important in developing skills of discipline when working with horses and social interaction with peers and related adults.

Our certified coaches / instructors, with the help of many dedicated volunteers and specially trained horses, enable riders of all ages to benefit from alternative therapeutic techniques away from the normal “clinical” setting.  Riders not only enjoy our home facility, but also have the opportunities to participate in other equestrian and non-equestrian events throughout the year, including shows, demonstrations, and fun social events.Dream Riders operates year-round, offering weekly lessons in Lexington, SC.  Small group lessons are offered to the program riders.

Dream Riders is entirely operated by volunteers and our certified coaches/ instructors, with 100% of all donations and funds received going right back into the Dream Riders program.
 

Dream Riders milestones since 1998:

1998

• Board assembles during summer to start program planning.
• Start up funds from Central Carolina Community Foundation awarded to Dream Riders in partnership with South Carolina Special Olympics.
• October first volunteer training class
• October 17, 1998 first lesson with 8 special needs riders.
• Dream Riders accepted as NARHA operating center.
• First Dream Riders social “ Square Dance” December 1998.

• Lexington and Gilbert High School students volunteer allowing Dream Riders to operate daytime lessons.
• Program expands to 22 riders February 1999.
• First Area 7 Special Olympics Equestrian Competition with 22 riders.
• Riders and volunteers assist at Mid-State Horse Show Circuit.
• Three of Dream Riders’ horses participate at 1999 Special Olympics World Games in Raleigh, NC.
• Unified Dream Riders Summer Camp (combining special needs riders with non-special needs riders.
• Dream Riders becomes a 501-C-3 organization.
• Program increases to 30 riders October 1999.
• Corky Dyer and Jennifer Stoudemire achieve NARHA Instructor Certification both with a 100% exam score.
• Second Riders social “Square Dance on October 17th anniversary.
• Conducted a SC Special Olympics Equestrian Sport Coaches class for six new coaches.

• Dream Riders Pizza and Game Night social February
• Received SC Horseman’s Council Equestrian Organization of the Year Award for 1999.
• Dream Riders program feature in three page story in the State Newspaper.
• Program expands to 42 riders with a waiting list of 19 people with special needs’
• Dream Riders expands to give one day equestrian experiences to special needs camps “Camp Wonder Hands” (Hearing-Impaired).  Plus other groups with special needs, Fun Fridays, Epworth Children’s Center, Family Connections, MS Support Group, etc..
• Completed new training arena through funds raised at benefit horse show.
• Michelin Tire Corporation becomes first corporate sponsor of a rider for one full year.
• Riders demonstrate at Camp Kemo Horse Show.
• Dream Riders director becomes South Carolina State Chairperson for NARHA centers, now 11 centers in SC expanding from 3 in 1999.
• Dream Riders director takes on volunteer duty as SC Special Olympics Equestrian Sport Head.
• Dream Riders restroom facilities destroyed by fire and rebuilt ready for January 2001 lessons.

• Second year of partnership with Lexington High Schools’ Service Learning class for students to work as volunteers at Dream Riders for daytime therapeutic riding classes.
• First Annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner and Riders Award Night.   January 2001
• Deta Middle School Beta funds combined with Lexington Civitan Club funds to purchase Dream Riders mustang   January 2001
• Dream Riders recieves grant from Central Carolina Community Foundation to purchase all new tack for our 9 program horses.   January 2001
• Dream Riders’ riders conduct demonstrations at the Pet-Expo in Charleston, SC   April 2001
• Dream Riders hosts Equestrian Clinic at SC State Fairgrounds clinician Gary Biggerstaff.  May 2001
• Second Annual Dream Riders Benefit Horse to raise funds for building program.  May 2001
• Parents of our riders raised funds to cover transport costs of Royal Beta from Colorado to Lexington, SC  February-May 2001
• “Royal Beta” arrives at Dream Riders, our mustang from Colorado  June 2001
• Third annual Area 7 and open Therapeutic Rider equestrian competition.  June 2001
• “Chuckie” one of Dream Riders program horses was present during his induction into the SC Association of Veterinarians Hall of Fame in the Companion Category, under the lights at Medival Times in Myrtle Beach, SC.   June 2001
• Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church Youth lend a hand at Dream Riders general clean up, brush clearing, and feed room painting.  July 2001
• Dream Riders and SC Special Olympics conduct Equestrian Coach’s Certification Class to 15 prospective coaches.  September  2001
• Dream Riders puts demonstration on for the Foxtrotter Association in Spartanburg, SC   October 2001
• Dream Riders and SC Special Olympics host first annual Equestrian Invitational Competition for both Special Olympics riders and non-Special Olympics riders with special needs, plus the addition of a two partner events.  December 2001

• Third year of partnership with Lexington High Schools’ Service Learning class for students to work as volunteers at Dream Riders for daytime therapeutic riding classes.
•  Dream Riders organized and conducted the 2002 Invitational Equestrian Competition for Special Needs Riders which included SC Special Olympics riders.
•  Our riders attended and competed at the 2002 SCARE Fun Day Horse Show
•  Three Special Olympics riders from Dream Riders where selected to be members of Team USA for the 2003 World Summer Games in Ireland.
•  Dream Riders Program Director received the 2001 SC Special Olympics Adult Volunteer of the year award.
•  We successfully conduct our fourth annual benefit horse show fund-raiser to benefit our building fund.
•  Developed and conducted a pilot summer day camp program for the Epworth Childrens Home through grants from the Sisiters of Charities Foundation, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Columbia, and Gilbert High Junior Acheivement Grant.
•  Dream Riders head instructor plus program director organized and conducted the Special Olympics Southeast Region Equestrian Sport training camp for Special Olympics riders going to the 2003 World Summer Games
•  Assisted Purina Feed Company in their 2002 educational program which was held at the SC State Fair Grounds.
•  Dream Riders Organization recognized by Epworth Childrens Center as their 2001 Volunteer Organization of the Year.
•  Saxa Gotha Presbyterian Church Youth of Lexington, SC and Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church Youth of Charlotte, NC help out at the Dream Riders facility in doing painting, digging ditches and general clean up.
•  Dream Riders Instructors and Volunteers attended the NARHA Region 3 Conference plus the NARHA National Conference to expand their program learning experiences.
•  Second year for Dream Riders to host Camp Wonder Hands (camp for hearing impaired) for an evening of equestrian fun and crafts.
•  Rider rotation program became a success in helping to reduce our rider waiting list by 50%.
•  Dream Riders ends the 2002 year on good financial footing thanks to cost cutting ideas implemented during the second quarter of 2002.

• Forth year of partnership with Lexington High Schools’ Service Learning class for students to work as volunteers at Dream Riders for daytime therapeutic riding classes.
• Dream Riders sends two Special Olympics Equestrian athletes to the 2003 Summer World Games in Ireland as members of TEAM “USA”.  They returned with medals and a once in a lifetime experience.
• Dream Riders holds first time Rider’s Recital for families and friends,  our riders love to show everyone what they can do on horseback.
• Dream Riders web site up and running.  www.dreamrider.org  Site is designed to be informational to help all people with special needs understand therapeutic riding, plus to assist in locating a therapeutic riding program with in their community.
• Holly Hutchins(a Dream Riders’ volunteer), Miss Teen Lexington, raises funds towards Dream Riders building program as part of her Miss Teen Platform.
• Dream Riders hosts SC Special Olympics Equestrian Sport Coach’s Certification class, certifying six new SOI Equestrian Sport Coaches for 2003.
• Dream Riders organized and hosted with the help of the USC Varsity Equestrian Team the first SC NARHA Region 3 Invitational Equestrian Competition for Special Needs Riders which included SC Special Olympics riders.
• Dream Riders Program received full accreditation as a Premier Accredited NARHA Riding Center
• We successfully conduct our fifth annual benefit horse show fund-raiser to benefit our building fund.
• Continued to offer a summer day camp program for the Epworth Children’s Home through a grant from Gilbert High Junior Achievement Grant.
• Dream Riders Instructors and Volunteers attended the NARHA Region 3 Conference in North Carolina with the 2004 conference to be held in South Carolina.
• Rider rotation program continues to help Dream Riders have a small riders’ waiting list.
• Dream Riders ends the 2003 on good financial footing thanks to continued cost cutting ideas implemented during the 2003 sessions.

• Fifth year of partnership with Lexington High Schools’ Service Learning class for students to work as volunteers at Dream Riders for daytime therapeutic riding classes.
• Dream Riders holds second annual Rider’s Recital day for families and friends, our riders love to show everyone what they can do on horseback.
• Dream Riders web site up and running.  www.dreamrider.org  Site is designed to be informational to help all people with special needs understand therapeutic riding, plus to assist in locating a therapeutic riding program with in their community and the USA.
• Haley Hendrix (a Dream Riders’ volunteer), Miss Teen Irmo, raises funds towards Dream Riders building program as part of her Miss Teen Platform.
• Dream Riders conducts SC Special Olympics Equestrian Sport Coach’s Certification class, certifying one new SOI Equestrian Sport Coaches for 2004.
• Dream Riders organized and hosted the 2004 SC NARHA Region 3 Invitational Equestrian Competition for Special Needs Riders which included SC Special Olympics riders.
• We successfully conduct our sixth annual benefit horse show fund-raiser to benefit our building fund.
• Parents and Dream Riders staff conducted second benefit horse with funds used for rider sponsorships of parents working at horse show.
• Summer day camp program for the Epworth Children’s Home funded by grants from Gilbert High Junior Achievement Grant, Golden State Foods, and moneys from the St Andrews Women’s Club.
• Dream Riders Instructors and Volunteers attended the 2004 NARHA Region 3 Conference held for the first time ever in South Carolina hosted by the Charleston Therapeutic Riding Progam.
• Rider rotation program continues to help Dream Riders have a small riders’ waiting list.
• Dream Riders ends the 2004 on good financial footing thanks to continued cost cutting ideas continuing to be implemented during the 2004 sessions.

• Six year of partnership with Lexington High Schools’ Service Learning class for students to work as volunteers at Dream Riders for daytime therapeutic riding classes.
• Dream Riders holds third annual Rider’s Recital day for families and friends, riders show of their skills and talents, plus second annual Family Fun Day, what a social gathering.
• Haley Hendrix (a Dream Riders’ volunteer), Miss Greater Irmo Teen, raises funds for Dream Riders to purchase a much needed utility vehicle as part of her Miss Teen Platform.
• We successfully conduct our seventh annual benefit horse show fund-raiser to benefit our building fund.
• Resurfacing and compacting of all barn stalls with the help of 40 plus tons of sand clay.
• Two weeks summer day camp programs for the Epworth Children’s Home funded by grants from Gilbert High Junior Achievement Grant, Golden State Foods, and moneys from the St Andrews Women’s Club.
• Third year of general facility clean up and painting by the youth from Saxa Gotha Presbyterian Church.
• Dream Riders Instructors and Volunteers attended the 2005 NARHA Region 3 Conference held at Virginia Horse Park in Lexington, Virginia.
• Dream Riders supporters come to the aid in funding for our rider sponsorship program as funds came close to being depleted.
• Rider rotation program continues to help Dream Riders have a small riders’ waiting list.
• Dream Riders seen in Peoples magazine, WIS-TV, CNN, Lexington Chronicle, and inquiries from WLTX-TV, FOX TV, plus two local papers
• Dream Riders ends the 2005 on good financial footing thanks to continued cost cutting ideas continuing to be implemented during the 2005 sessions.

• Seven years of partnership with Lexington High Schools’ Service Learning class for students to work as volunteers at Dream Riders for daytime therapeutic riding classes.
• Riders and horses from Dream Riders competed at some of the SC Dressage schooling shows.
• Dream Riders holds fourth annual Dream Rider’s Recital day for families and friends, riders show off their skills and talents, what a social gathering.   Followed with a cookout to show appreciation for all our volunteers.
• We successfully conducted our eighth annual benefit horse show fund-raiser to benefit our building fund.
• Thanks to Golden State Foods Foundation of Lexington, concrete sidewalks connecting the parking area, rider’s holding area, mounting ramps, and restrooms were constructed this past summer..
• Summer day camp programs for the Nancy K. Perry Children’s Shelter and Epworth Children’s Home funded by grants from Gilbert High Junior Achievement Grant, Golden State Foods, and moneys from the St Andrews Women’s Club.
• Dream Riders Instructors and Volunteers attended the 2005 NARHA Region 3 Conference held in West Virginia
• Dream Riders supporters again came to the aid for funding our rider sponsorship program as funds again came close to being depleted.
• Rider rotation program continues to help Dream Riders have a small riders’ waiting list, presently 5 on waiting list.
• Dream Riders ends the 2006 on good financial footing thanks to continued cost cutting ideas from both staff and board members and will continue implementing more during the 2007 sessions.
• Dream Riders hosted the NARHA Region 3 South Carolina state educational day for Therapeutic Riding Instructors and therapeutic riding programs from throughout SC.

2007

• Eight years of partnership with Lexington High Schools’ Service Learning class for students to work as volunteers at Dream Riders for daytime therapeutic riding classes.
• Riders and horses from Dream Riders competed at some of the SC Dressage schooling shows.
• All riders that met the required enrollment standards were able to participate in the Dream Riders program, including all riders and /or families needing financial assistance, thanks to our supporters’ donations into the Dream Riders’ rider sponsorship program.
• Dream Riders’ volunteers received navy colored polo shirts displaying the Dream Riders’ logo and riders were able to purchase them below cost to wear in the State Special Olympics Horse Show and our Annual Riders Recital. Additionally our program horses were decked out in navy saddle pads displaying the Dream Riders’ logo. What a professional looking team.
• The Volunteer/Rider banquet was sponsored  and served again by the Lynch Family
• The staff was able to attend the NARHA Region III conference, where our staff members were rejuvenated with new ideas and different views on an array of subjects.
• Dream Riders will be starting the re-fencing project of our pastures from the proceeds raised during the Dream Riders 2007 Benefit Horse Show.
• The facility, equipment and horses were well maintained due to the hard work of the Dream Riders’ volunteers.
• Dream Riders raised over $500.00 from feed labels off of your Nutrena feed bags. Keep getting those bags to us!
• Able to offer a session of summer day camp to Epworth Children’s Home and to Nancy K. Perry Children’s Shelters.
• Replacement of railing around rider holding area near ring- labor and material.
• Received money to replace the riding ring railing, lighting and sprinkler system.
• The entire Dream Rider equine herd was well cared for in the areas of hoof needs, medical, dental and nutrition.  We were able to purchase all the hay needed to get us through to next summer’s hay season.
• The entire herd was fitted by a saddle fitter free of charge and donations made to purchase new saddles or have old ones remolded to fit each horse properly.
• Able to upscale our production of printed materials to color by purchase of a color laser printer. We have gotten many complements on this.
• Software was purchased to create and produce DVDs with pictures, words and music so more people and sponsors can enjoy seeing the results of their continuing support of Dream Riders.
• Purchased a new digital camera for higher quality photos.
• To show our thanks, Dream Riders hosted our annual “Family Fun Day” for riders and their families, our donors, volunteer families and friends to come and enjoy our horses and have fun with us. This was a GREAT DAY!!
• Dream Riders and other SC programs are hosting the NARHA Region 3 Conference with Dream Riders President (Lewis Dyer) being the  2008 Conference chairperson plus he is now the NARHA Region 3 Rep representing members from SC, NC, Virginia, and West Virginia.

• Dream Riders was audited and received re-accreditation from NARHA.  Re-accreditation is required every 5 years with a full audit for standards and facility inspection.
• Nine excellent years of partnership with Lexington High Schools’ Service Learning class for students to work as volunteers at Dream Riders for daytime therapeutic riding classes.
• Riders and horses from Dream Riders competed at some of the SC Dressage schooling shows.
• Performed a demonstration at the 2008 Hoffin for Heroes trail ride to raise funds for the Wounded Warriors Program
• Dream Riders started planning and laying the ground work to be able to offer a NARHA Horses for Heroes program for disabled veterans as a sub program within the present Dream Riders.  The focus is to offer Equine Assisted Activities to both young and old disabled veterans.
• Dream Riders held there second annual "Evening of Dressage" a fundraiser to held support the general budget..
• More Dream Riders’ volunteers received navy colored polo shirts displaying the Dream Riders’ logo and riders were able to purchase them below cost to wear in the State Special Olympics Horse Show and our Annual Riders Recital.  Again in 2008 Dream Riders had a professional looking team for public appearances.
• The Volunteer/Rider banquet was sponsored  and served again by the Lynch Family
• The staff was able to attend the NARHA Region III conference in Virginia Beach, VA and the NARHA National Conference in Hartford Connecticut, where our staff members were rejuvenated with new ideas and different views on an array of subjects on Equine Assist Activities.
• Dream Riders held their "Annual Dream Riders 2008 Benefit Horse Show" with all funds being used to support the general budget to make up for donations and grant funds which were down do to economic downturn..
• The facility, equipment and horses were well maintained due to the hard work of the Dream Riders’ volunteers and board members.
• Able to offer 2 sessions of summer day camp to Epworth Children’s Home and to Nancy K. Perry Children’s Shelters thanks to grants from Golden State Foods and the St. Andrews Women's Club.
• The entire Dream Rider equine herd was well cared for in the areas of hoof needs, medical, dental and nutrition.  We were able to purchase all the hay needed to get us through to next summer’s hay season.
• Several new saddles purchased to have a better fit on our horses backs so as not to create pressure points.
• We were able to reduce costs by setting up a system were 70% of our news letters are delivered by email, which allows many of our riders and volunteers to share the Dream Riders News with relatives and friends.
• Dream Riders hosted our annual “Riders Recital Day” for riders and their families, our donors, volunteer families and friends to come and enjoy our horses and have fun with us. This was a GREAT DAY!!
• Dream Riders President was elected for a second term as the NARHA Region 3 Rep for SC, NC, Virginia, and West Virginia.