Our mission is to enhance the lives of individuals in the Upstate
of South Carolina through the power of the horse.
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Hello friends,
If you have been at the barn in the past 13 years, you have no doubt met our beloved instructor, Avril. She first came to us as a Happy Hooves volunteer, but we quickly roped her into teaching English lessons after we found out about her extensive Dressage showing experience back in England! Avril soon became one of our therapeutic riding instructors and was loved by her Eden Farms and Happy Hooves lesson students, volunteers, horses, and staff! She has worn many hats while working here and was always willing to pitch in. Because of her hard work and years of dedication, she has helped literally thousands of people ride horses and benefit from it. Our farm is a better place and we are better people because of Avril!
She has decided to retire "for real" this time! Avril and her husband are looking forward to beach life in both North Carolina and Florida. We are so sad to see her go, but wish her all the best in this next stage of life! If you would like to send a special note or photo to Avril, please email us at happyhoovessc@aol.com and we will make sure she gets it!
All the best,
Becky Sweeney
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Thank you Avril, for all of your hard work and dedication! We wish you a long and enjoyable retirement! |
Avril has brought smiles to so many! |
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Please join us in welcoming Mandy to the Happy Hooves and Eden Farms team! |
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Mandy has owned, shown and worked with horses in many different Western and English disciplines and capacities since 2002. She still has her very first horse, Babe, who assisted her through the journey of learning all things equine. After experiences with friends and family with mental and physical challenges, Mandy discovered the world of therapeutic riding and another way to expand her love of horses. Mandy then became a PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and has been teaching riding lessons (both therapeutic and traditional) since 2019. After being a prior lifelong Ohioan, Mandy just recently moved to upstate South Carolina with her Australian Shepherd, Koda, to join the Happy Hooves/Eden Farms team! |
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17th Annual Happy Hooves
Charity Golf Tournament!
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Thank you to our teams, sponsors and volunteers who participated in our annual Happy Hooves golf tournament! It was held on Monday, April 26th at Fox Run Country Club in Simpsonville, SC, and it was a fun-filled, beautiful sunny day! All proceeds will go to help children and adults with physical, mental and emotional challenges through the power of the horse. Happy Hooves is grateful to everyone who helped make this tournament a success! |
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Do you know there is a large playground at Eden Farms called Tonka's Trail? In 2019, Helen's Hugs and Leadership Greenville class of 45 remodeled our existing playground and built a beautiful picnic pavilion next to it. Tonka's Trail is handicapped accessible and used by many of our Happy Hooves riders before and after their therapeutic riding lessons! |
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We want to thank our most loyal supporters and make all donors and volunteers, new and old, feel appreciated! Your support is essential to our mission to enhance the lives of individuals in the Upstate of South Carolina through the power of the horse.
Happy Hooves is an all-volunteer organization. All funding comes from donations, fundraisers and grants. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, over 80% of our Happy Hooves riders are able to receive therapeutic riding at no charge.
Happy Hooves currently serves more than 500 Upstate children each year through therapeutic riding lessons, summer fun programs and School at the Barn.
School at the Barn has 570 therapy lessons and 570 Equine Assisted Learning lessons each
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year. Summer camp has 135 therapy lessons; and we have 400 individual therapy lessons for a total of 1675 lessons per year.
The therapeutic riding programs require an average of 40 trained volunteer positions each week, and run year round, with each volunteer working an average of 3 hours per week.
Eden Farms, home of Happy Hooves, is a beautiful 170-acre property with three arenas, a 40-stall barn that currently houses 25 horses; 10 boarders and 15 therapy horses. There is a newly renovated handicapped accessible playground on the grounds, along with a sensory riding trail with man-made activity stations.
We once again thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all of your support and your donations. We couldn't help so many special needs children and adults, and at-risk children and teens, without you!
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Happy Hooves has been a PATH International Premier Accredited Center since 2005. In fact, we are one of only six Premier Accredited Centers in South Carolina, and the only one in the Upstate. This accreditation is a rigorous process requiring centers to meet stringent requirements for staff, facilities, and programs. A program must be re-accredited every five years. |
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Your contribution helps special needs children and adults, as well as at-risk children and teens.
Happy Hooves is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
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Email: happyhoovessc@aol.com |
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