Dear Southern Reins Family,


As we step into another exciting year, we are humbled and proud to celebrate a remarkable milestone for our program - 10 years of service to our wonderful Mid-South community. Reflecting on a decade of impact and growth, we warmly welcome our participants, volunteers, and supporters to our Winter 2025 Session.


With the excitement of having everyone back at the farm, we are also looking forward to our 10th Annual Jockeys & Juleps Derby Party on Saturday, May 3. This year's event promises to be an unforgettable experience featuring BIG HATS, BOURBON, and BLUEGRASS, along with a live broadcast of the 151st Kentucky Derby! We hope you will join us for our Party of the Year, complete with incredible Southern-style fare, signature mint juleps, live music, and an exciting silent and live auction - all in support of our life-changing programs.


As February approaches, we are excited to share a heartfelt way to celebrate love and support our program through our Southern Reins' Valentine Campaign! Starting February 1, trot past the traditional chocolates and flowers and give a meaningful gift by purchasing a Valentine's heart for $25 or an extra-large Valentine’s heart for $35. Your hearts will be displayed on the stall of your favorite therapy horse, and all proceeds support the loving care of our kind and gentle therapy horses.


Looking ahead, registration for our 2025 Spring Session is now open! With spots filling quickly, we encourage all new and returning participants to secure your place in what promises to be an enriching 9-week journey of growth, learning, and fun. The deadline to register is February 24.


Ending on a note of gratitude, we are truly grateful for your contributions to our 2024 Annual Fund campaign, which raised vital funds to support Southern Reins and all of the individuals we serve. Your belief in our mission sparks countless moments of joy and transforms lives throughout our community. If you would like to continue making a difference, you can still give a gift to our Annual Fund that will inspire hope, ignite change, and kindle joy for so many.


Thank you for embracing our mission and believing in the transformational power of horses. Here’s to a successful Winter Session and a year ahead filled with hope, growth, and endless possibilities.

10th Annual Jockeys & Juleps Derby Party

Join us for this special 10th Anniversary Derby Day as we celebrate the Run for the Roses . . . Memphis Style! 


Saturday, May 3, 2025

3:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.

12405 Macon Road, Collierville, Tennessee


The 10th Annual Jockeys & Juleps Derby Party brings together more than 1,000 Mid-South guests for BIG HATS, BOURBON, BLUEGRASS, an incredible silent and live auction, and a live broadcast of the 151st Kentucky Derby.

Your sponsorship or ticket purchase for the 10th Annual Jockeys & Juleps Derby Party helps create life-changing opportunities for individuals living with disabilities and hardship, making a lasting difference in the lives of those we serve.

Will You Be My Valentine?

Beginning February 1, trot past the traditional chocolates and flowers and give a gift that is truly heartfelt and meaningful.


For just $25, you can help Southern Reins stirrup lots of LOVE in the barn. Want to make an even bigger impact? For $35, you can saddle up with an extra-large Valentine’s heart to honor your special someone.


We will create a beautiful paper heart with your Valentine's name and display it on the stall of your favorite therapy horse. With each heart added, our barn fills with love and kindness - a truly heartwarming sight for all who visit! Whether it is for a loved one, a friend, a pet, or in honor of someone who has touched your heart, your donation will make a lasting impact to help care for our incredible therapy horses and supporting the people who rely on them. Every dollar raised supports our Guardian Angel Fund to cover essential needs including medical care, diagnostic tests, medication, and the best nutrition for our herd. 

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE YOUR VALENTINE

On Saturday, February 15, we will reveal the King or Queen of Hearts - our therapy horse who receives the most Valentines - on social media. Celebrate all the love with us this Valentine's Day and make a difference that will carry on far beyond the holiday.

A Milestone Year for Southern Reins

Southern Reins would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our generous donors, inspiring participants, dedicated volunteers, and all of our incredible supporters for making 2024 a milestone year for our programs. As we kick off our 10th year of service to the community, we are filled with tremendous gratitude and excitement for all the life-changing moments ahead.

Shop Kroger

Every Dollar Makes a Difference

 Did you know you can support Southern Reins every time

you shop at Kroger?


It's simple! Sign up for the Kroger Community Rewards Program, link your Shopper’s Card to Southern Reins, and a percentage of your purchases will be donated to help us continue our mission! Here is how you can get started:


1. Create a digital account: If you do not have one, sign up for a Kroger digital account to earn discounts and fuel points. If you already have an account, simply link your Shopper’s Card.


2. Link your card to Southern Reins: Log in to your account, search for "Southern Reins Center for Equine Therapy," and click "Save." Your purchases will then support Southern Reins.


Every dollar makes a difference, and your support means the world to us. Thank you for shopping with purpose!

Hello Winter Session!

Our 9-week Winter Session officially began on Monday, January 6! We have thoroughly enjoyed having our participants and volunteers back at the farm. Southern Reins seems to shine a little brighter with all of the returning and new smiling faces.


Check out a few of the great photos from the start of our

2025 Winter Session!

Our 2025 Spring Session participant registration is NOW OPEN and we anticipate it will be our biggest session yet!


The 9-week session begins on March 24 and ends on May 31. The deadline to register is February 24. All current and new participants are required to complete the online Spring Registration Form linked below. We cannot wait to see you all at the farm this spring!

SPRING SESSION REGISTRATION FORM

Annual Fund Appreciation

Southern Reins would like to send our deepest gratitude and thanks to all of our donors who supported our 2024 Annual Fund campaign. We are incredibly humbled by your generosity . . . and grateful for every dollar that will make more stories of success possible for people with disabilities and hardship throughout our community.


You can still give a gift to inspire hope, ignite change, and kindle joy this new year. Click on the link below to donate today.

DONATE TO OUR ANNUAL FUND

Meet the Newest Member of our Southern Reins Family!

Rebekah Olsen, Instructor in Training


Rebekah grew up in Southaven, Mississippi, and now resides in Collierville, Tennessee. She attended the University of Memphis, earning a Bachelor of Arts in English and Spanish, followed by a Master of Arts in English. Her professional background is as diverse as her interests, encompassing roles as an entrepreneur, copywriter, and youth mentor. Known affectionately as “the horse girl” during her school years, Rebekah’s love for horses has been a lifelong passion. At age 12, her parents surprised her with an Appaloosa and a western saddle, sparking a journey that continues to this day. Currently, Rebekah rides hunter/jumper and enjoys doting on her lease horse, Mika.

 

Rebekah’s passion for horses and talent for teaching converged when she started volunteering at Southern Reins. She began pursuing her PATH Intl. CTRI Certification in 2024 and joined the program as an Instructor in Training in January 2025. Rebekah is married to Matthew and has two daughters, Pippa and Daisy.

Sharing a Warm Welcome to Our New Pint-Sized Addition

Rusty is a small and charming miniature pony with a personality as big as his heart. Standing just 30 inches tall, he brings a unique combination of sweetness, curiosity, and patience to the Southern Reins team. His gentle nature makes him a perfect partner for our Pony Pals and TEACH programs, where he will connect with children and adults alike. Rusty’s kind demeanor and calm presence creates a safe and welcoming environment, encouraging participants to build confidence and experience the transformative power of connection. As a beloved ambassador of our mission, Rusty reminds us that even the smallest members of our herd can make the biggest impact.

Rusty is on loan from The Trouy Family, and he joined our herd in November of 2024.  

Photos from the Farm

Bimeda Supports our Equine Heroes!


Southern Reins would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Bimeda for their wonderful donation of Bimectin® Paste to keep our amazing therapy horses healthy so they can put their best hoof forward in serving their participants.


Thank you, Bimeda, for being incredible supporters of our mission!

A Winter Wonderland For Our Herd!


Take a look at some of our winter storm snapshots showcasing our beautiful farm and incredible therapy horses! Southern Reins is deeply grateful to everyone who dedicated their time during the winter weather to ensure our herd remained happy and healthy, and our facilities were well cared for. We cannot thank you all enough for your unwavering commitment to our mission!

Join Us in Welcoming our Newest Southern Reins Volunteers!



We love welcoming new volunteers and are so grateful for your impact! This month, we had the incredible opportunity to train several new volunteers, and we are eagerly looking forward to seeing you in lessons soon. Thank you for donating your time to help us change lives . . . one ride at a time.


Interested in volunteering with us? Contact Meredith Massa to sign up for our New Volunteer Training on Saturday, February 1 at 12:30 PM.

Our mission is to serve individuals with physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities and hardship by providing equine-assisted service to empower, inspire, nurture and succeed.
SUPPORT SOUTHERN REINS
SOUTHERN REINS CENTER FOR EQUINE THERAPY
901-290-1011 southernreins.org
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