Standing Ovation by Ovation Riding: GallopNYC

Every week Horse Nation teams up with Ovation Riding to recognize those doing good in the horse world. This week we recognize Gallop NYC, which is raising $30,000 (initially — additional fundraisers are happening) to care for their horses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here’s how you can help.

Photo by Maggie Munoff.

GallopNYC, a therapeutic riding center with four facilities in New York City, is working to raise funds to care for their horses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization, was formed in 2005 by what executive director James Wilson described as, “A group of horse enthusiasts who were concerned about the lack of accessible services for children with disabilities.” In 2017, they obtained two facilities, expanding their program and accomplishing a long-held goal. Now known as one of New York City’s leading multi-faceted therapeutic equine programs, GallopNYC has earned accolades such as the Equus Foundation’s Horse Whisperer award.

This year, they were expecting to work with 450 clients a week, while also teaching an estimated 100 recreational riding lessons each week. With the COVID-19 pandemic, that has changed – the facility is currently shut down. They are not conducting sessions and 25 of their herd of 42 (which includes seven horses owned by boarders) have been “furloughed” to nearby farms outside the city.

Their goal now is to raise $30,000 to care for the 25 furloughed horses – “the $30K goal,” said Wilson via email, “was based on four months’ care for [the horses] we’re sending out of town. We hope they don’t need to be gone for that long, of course, and they’ll need vet and farrier care while they’re on vacation, as well – our vet and farrier both travel upstate, so there’ll be no break in their care while out of the city.” GallopNYC has set up a GoFundMe specifically to raise that $30,000. At time of writing, they’ve raised $25.5K.

Photo by Stephane Verzi.

However, they’re also hoping to raise $75,000 over the next three months to support their remaining horses and the staff who care for them. “This,” said Wilson, “will help us ensure our horse partners are happy, safe and ready for lessons when New Yorkers are ready to come back to GallopNYC!”

So, how can you help? “We fundraise in a variety of ways to support all our horses,” Wilson said. Donors can “adopt” a horse for $5,000 a year through GallopNYC’s Guardians program and they also have several foundation partners who contribute to care. Individual donors can make donations at http://gallopnyc.org/give-now.

Many thanks thanks to Ovation Riding for their support of both Horse Nation and individuals and organizations that are doing good work in the horse world. If you know someone who deserves a Standing Ovation, we would love to recognize them in a future post. Email the name of the person or organization along with a message about the good work they do to [email protected]. Photos/videos are always welcome, and include a link to their website if applicable.