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Dear Southern Reins Family,
We hope everyone has been enjoying the warmer weather and May sunshine! As our Spring Session comes to a close, we are excited to begin our Summer Session starting June 16, and we look forward to welcoming both new and returning participants and volunteers back to the farm.
May has been a busy and special month for Southern Reins as we celebrated our milestone 10th Annual Jockeys & Juleps Derby Party. We would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to our amazing donors, event sponsors, and guests who helped us raise over $430,000 to support our mission. We are also incredibly grateful to the dedication of our auction committee, work groups, and event volunteers who helped make this year's Derby Party such a meaningful and memorable event.
From all of us at the farm, THANK YOU for joining us to change lives . . . one ride at a time. Here are some highlights from May, showcasing all the wonderful things happening at Southern Reins.
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10th Annual Jockeys & Juleps Derby Party
Gallops to Success!
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Proudly presented by First Horizon Advisors for a decade, the 10th Annual Jockeys & Juleps Derby Party on Saturday, May 3, 2025 brought our community together for a milestone celebration benefiting Southern Reins Center for Equine Therapy. With over $430,000 raised, the day was filled with joy, purpose, and powerful reminders of the healing bond between humans and horses.
Guests arrived in their Derby best to enjoy incredibe derby fare, entertaining bluegrass music, signature mint juleps, and a live broadcast of the 151st Kentucky Derby. The live auction featured unforgettable experiences, from a Montana getaway to a guitar signed by 18 country music legends. Ryan and Melissa Clinton, parents of a Southern Reins participant, served as our Honorary Event Chairs and shared their personal connection to our mission. Their heartfelt message of empowerment, hope, and inclusivity inspired attendees, reminding everyone of the profound impact of
Southern Reins’ work.
A highlight of the afternoon was a touching video that captured the spirit of Southern Reins and the strength and joy found in every step and stride of our therapy horses. As Board Chairman Courtney Smith shared, over 1,600 individuals have been served since 2015, and the remarkable success of this year’s Derby Party will continue to help us make an even greater impact in our community.
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BUY IT NOW
Auction Items Still Available!
If you missed the 10th Annual Jockeys & Juleps Auction, there is still an opportunity to purchase some of the incredible items remaining. Every purchase directly supports our mission to help people living with disabilities and those experiencing hardship in our community.
All items will be available for pickup at the farm. This is a final chance to shop while supporting a meaningful cause!
| | Celebrating a Decade of Impact with Our Limited Edition 'Crimson Sunset' Print! | | |
Support Southern Reins and 10 years of Jockeys & Juleps with this vibrant 13" x 16" limited edition print of the original painting 'Crimson Sunset' - a colorful, whimsical portrayal of life on the farm as the day winds down.
This special print is offered for $30 and features the official Southern Reins 10-Year Jockeys & Juleps logo and is personally signed and numbered by Artist David D. Lynch. Each horse in the scene is brought to life with unique patterns and personality, while the setting sun casts a warm glow across the hills, barns, and animals.
All prints are available for pick up at Southern Reins Center for Equine Therapy
12405 Macon Road
Collierville, TN 38017
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Spring Session Wrap-Up:
Celebrating Growth, Joy, and Lasting Impact!
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As our Spring Session comes to a close, we are always thankful to reflect on the wonderful moments shared with participants and volunteers alike. The farm has been filled with energy from both familiar faces and new friends, all growing and creating lasting impact together. This session, we have been proud to offer a variety of programs, including Adaptive Riding and Occupational Therapy incorporating Hippotherapy, PATH Intl. Services for Heroes, HorsePOWER Work-Based Learning, Pony Pals, and Beyond the Saddle.
Check out some recent photos below from our Spring Session to see the progress happening every day at Southern Reins!
| | Grab Your Southern Reins Gear Today! | | |
Southern Reins adult-sized Bella + Canvas Lightweight Jersey Tees and Comfort Colors Heavyweight Tees are now available to order!
Each t-shirt proudly features our special 10-Year Anniversary Logo and all funds raised support our program services. Order your gear today - cash, check and PayPal payments accepted until Noon on Wednesday, May 28.
| | Join Our Nature Explorers Adventure! | | |
Join us for a one-day sensory adventure led by
Licensed Occupational Therapists!
This one-of-a-kind outdoor experience is designed to help children explore, grow, and build important life skills through nature-based play and therapist-led activities. Our Beyond the Saddle: Nature Explorers Experience offers sensory-rich opportunities to support coordination and self-care in a fun and nurturing environment while targeting fine motor skills and coordination to promote independence. Each session has limited availability and is thoughtfully structured to promote empowerment, creativity, and meaningful connection with nature while providing individualized support.
Session Details:
- Monday, June 16 or Wednesday, June 18
- 9:00 – 11:00 AM
- Southern Reins - 12405 Macon Road, Collierville, TN 38017
- $50 per session
- Ages 5-18
- Facilitated by Virginia Roberts, OTR/L and Kacie Fite, OTR/L
Interested? Contact Sara Zurenko, Program Director, at sara.zurenko@southernreins.org!
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Sharing a Warm Welcome to Southern Reins' Newest
Advisory Board Member, Carson Davidenko!
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We are thrilled to welcome Carson Davidenko, Executive Advisor – Custom Critical Operations at FedEx Freight, to Southern Reins' Advisory Board!
Carson is a native of Panama City, Florida, and he earned his bachelor's degree in Global Supply Chain Management from the University of South Alabama followed by an MBA from the University of Mississippi. Carson joined the FedEx Freight team while in college and has held various roles, most recently that of Executive Advisor. He is actively involved in the transportation industry through memberships in the American Trucking Associations and the American Transportation Research Institute. Carson and his wife, Caroline, reside in Collierville.
| | Southern Reins Awarded EQUUS Foundation Guardian! | | |
Southern Reins is honored to receive the designation as an
EQUUS Foundation Guardian for the 8th year in a row!
The Guardian Seal of Transparency demonstrates our commitment to transparency and accountability by providing comprehensive data about our programs, horse care practices, and governance. We are dedicated to providing them with the very best care, because our therapy horses are the heart of our program.
The EQUUS Foundation is the only national animal welfare organization in the United States 100% dedicated to protecting America's horses and strengthening the bond between horses and people. Click here to learn more about the EQUUS Foundation and the great work they do.
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Welcoming New Southern Reins' Volunteers to the Family!
We love welcoming new faces to the farm! Each volunteer brings their own energy, compassion, and enthusiasm - and we are so thankful to have them join our Southern Reins family. It is always inspiring to see so many new friends eager to make a difference!
If you would like to learn more about volunteering with our programs, please contact Meredith Massa at meredith.massa@southernreins.org.
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Congrats, Bailey! Bonner Scholar, Rhodes Graduate and Southern Reins Superstar!
We would like to extend a huge congratulations to Bailey Santos, a Rhodes College Bonner Scholar and dedicated Southern Reins volunteer, who graduated this past weekend! Since January 2023, Bailey has contributed more than 500 hours of her time to our mission through horse leading, sidewalking, representing Southern Reins at community events, and lending a hand at our annual Jockeys & Juleps Derby Party. Her dedication, heart, and leadership has made a tremendous difference at the farm.
We are so proud of you, Bailey! Thank you for being such an important part of the Southern Reins family!
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Volunteer Chase Bishop Puts Passion into Action at Southern Reins!
Shoutout to Chase Bishop, who chose Southern Reins as the focus of his 8th grade capstone project! Chase spends his free time volunteering with us and learning firsthand how horses help empower individuals living with disabilities and hardship in our community. His passion, kindness, and commitment to making a difference truly inspires us.
Way to go, Chase! The future is bright with young leaders like you!
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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. | |
SOUTHERN REINS CENTER FOR EQUINE THERAPY
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