The post Veterinarian Day 2026 first appeared on New Hope Therapeutic Riding.

New Hope Weather’s the Storm – But Not Unscathed.
By David Kershen.

January ended at New Hope with a visit from Elsa.. and several inches of ice and snow that had us in survival mode. We’re very grateful to Kim Martin and Clarie Messerle for doing freeze prep getting ready for the bad weather. Thanks to their prepping efforts, Sharla and I were able to keep the New Hope herd fed and warm for 5 days when our facility was iced in and the regular horse care team couldn’t get here.
                                                                                                            
Four day’s into the “ice-apocalypse” we had the misfortune of losing two paddock shed covers to the extreme weight of the ice and snow. Gladly the collapse didn’t harm any humans or horses.. but it did leave us with a major mess. Luckily for us New Hope has a great group of volunteers close by, and a number were able to make it over that afternoon to help clear out the damage and get the paddocks safe for equine occupation. Many thanks Zach, Lee, Kathleen, Curt and Jarmon for braving the icy roads to lend a hand!

          .                                           

Special kudos to our volunteer coordinator Emily Rogers for quickly getting the word out and starting a Go Fund Me campaign to help pay for the damage. Word spread quickly, and we more than exceeded the funding goal when a local Fox New’s producer caught wind of the situation and sent a news crew to do a segment.   

Fox 4 New’s Link                     

So, the silver lining here is that we’ll be able to build back the paddock covers stronger and better later on this spring, and we may even have added funds to put towards our paddock footing project! Stay tuned to our blog page for follow-up news as the rebuilding efforts get underway. A HUGE New Hope “Thank You” to all the donors stepping up this past week.

Ride on and ride for hope.

If you’d like to pitch in and help with storm repair expenses, simply click here to Donate to New Hope.

The post New Hope Weather’s the Storm – But Not Unscathed first appeared on New Hope Therapeutic Riding.

by Sharla Kershen, New Hope Founder and Executive Director

The horses are clean and groomed to perfection, their coats gleaming as they wait. Their riders, dressed in their finery, stand ready for the chance to compete in an arena at least three times the size of the one at New Hope. All of this is typical of a horse show—except that this event features riders with a wide range of disabilities, making it something truly special.

There is giggling born of pure joy, but also the kind meant to ease nerves and release tension. Twenty-two riders have practiced for more than four months to prepare for this moment, yet training at home cannot fully prepare them for what awaits at Chisholm Challenge 2026. Some riders have been here before—New Hope has attended for ten years—while others are experiencing the event for the very first time.

 .                                         

Several horses have competed at Chisholm Challenge in the past, but this year includes three newcomers making their competition debut. Because New Hope horses do not show regularly, they feel the nerves as well. They stand in stalls with cement floors instead of dirt paddocks, walk through unfamiliar passages, and share warm-up rings and equitation classes with many different horses—an experience far removed from their daily routine.

Countless hours go into preparing for Chisholm Challenge, but the day of the event brings challenges that must be faced in the moment. Some riders find themselves on horses they have never ridden before, others use tack different from what they practiced with, and some feel the weight of stage fright settle in. Yet none of it stops them.

With steady hands, deep breaths, and quiet encouragement from those around them, each rider enters the arena. In that space, the noise fades, expectations fall away, and the focus becomes simple and powerful: trust, courage, and connection. Each ride is a victory—not measured by ribbons or scores, but by the bravery it takes to show up, to try, and to believe in themselves.

And still, the horses and riders of New Hope did achieve. They earned many ribbons and buckles, yes—but more importantly, they faced fears and succeeded in ways they never imagined possible. Volunteers and instructors were given the rare privilege of witnessing growth, resilience, and joy firsthand—of being part of something not just memorable, but truly life-changing.

                             

Special thanks to Susan Altshuler and the entire New Hope staff and volunteer crew for all the hard work before, during and after the event.

As Dan Roark would say.. Ride on and ride for hope.

If you’d like to assist with covering the expenses of our exception therapy herd, please consider a monthly or one-time donation.
Donate to New Hope.

The post Chisholm Challenge 2026 – What A Special Week! first appeared on New Hope Therapeutic Riding.

The Board of New Hope is pleased to present our 2024-2025 Impact Report.

To turn the pages, click on the lower right part of the book or use the controls below the book. We would love to get your comments on this new format. This report is vital for grant requests but also for helping us tell our story and tracking our progress year to year.

If you would like to download a PDF version for sharing, click here

The post 2024-2025 Impact Report is Now Available! first appeared on New Hope Therapeutic Riding.

We are so proud to announce our first participant parent, Denise Bruzzone, to our Executive Board. With a distinguished career spanning nearly three decades in the luxury hospitality industry, Denise brings exceptional leadership, relationship-building, and organizational growth expertise to our mission of providing hope and healing through the power of horses.

Denise’s professional background includes leadership roles with some of the most renowned global brands in hospitality, including Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, and Canyon Ranch Wellness Resorts. She currently serves with Hidden Doorways, Luxury Travel Representation & Consulting, where she continues to leverage her skills in relationship management, strategic growth, and team leadership.

Outside her professional career, she is deeply committed to community service and volunteerism. Denise has supported numerous organizations, including Compass Christian Church, Oakmont Guest Care Center, and Sasha’s Pals, a dog foster and adoption group in Southlake. Her introduction to New Hope came through her daughter’s experiences in our program, inspiring a personal connection to the organization’s mission and a commitment to supporting it’s continued growth.

“I’m honored to join the Executive Board at New Hope Equine Assisted Therapy,” said Bruzzone. “The healing and confidence that these horses inspire—especially in children and teens facing emotional or physical challenges—is truly profound. I look forward to contributing my experience and energy to help expand New Hope’s reach and impact.”

New Hope Founder Sharla Kershen shared, “Denise brings a wealth of leadership and compassion to our Board. Her professional excellence, combined with her heart for service, reflects the very spirit of New Hope. We’re thrilled to welcome her to our leadership team.”

A resident of the DFW area, Bruzzone is also passionate about advocating for greater mental health resources for teens, recognizing a critical need for support beyond traditional sports and extracurricular activities. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, listening to music, exploring food and wine, and raising her twin daughters, shown below at the Hope Gala and Virginia is displaying her riding skills during a recent lesson at New Hope.

The post New Hope Board Welcomes Denise Bruzzone! first appeared on New Hope Therapeutic Riding.

We are so pleased to announce the appointment of Kimberly Rogers to our Executive Board. A long-time supporter and passionate advocate for the healing power of horses, Kimberly brings a unique blend of personal experience and professional expertise to our mission.

“We are so excited that Kimberly has joined our board. We got to know her after her daughter, Emily Rogers Hicks, began working as our volunteer coordinator. Kimberly has personally experienced the benefits of equine therapy, so she thoroughly understands our mission and is passionate about supporting New Hope,” said founder Sharla Kershen.

In her professional life, Kimberly is a dedicated community builder with a passion for design. She works at Gold Mountain Gallery in Fort Worth and at Spenser Wayne Interiors in Dallas. She was excited to assist with the 4th Annual Hope Gala: Boots & Bling, on September 26th, and with other fundraising endeavors. She has already made significant contributions to the gala, including an incredible David Yarrow artwork for the live auction that sold for $30,000!

Kimberly says her experience with the life-changing benefits of equine therapy fuels her commitment to helping grow New Hope’s programs and bringing the magic of therapeutic riding to as many people as possible.

Join us in congratulating Kimberly on her new role.

By Kathleen Beisly, Communications Chair

The post New Hope Welcomes Kimberly Rogers to Our Executive Board first appeared on New Hope Therapeutic Riding.

By Dan Roark

What brought you to New Hope to volunteer? I had just moved back to Ft. Worth after living just outside of Grand Rapids, Michigan for 22 years. While I had visited my brother and his family over the years, visiting is way different than actually living here. It has been a rather difficult adjustment for me in spite of having family and friends here. I found myself struggling mentally and emotionally. One day a friend sent a video of horses being used for healing and therapy work. While it is totally different from what is done at New Hope, it was a spark of an idea for me.
I thought surely there had to be some places that did something similar. So I asked my friends on Facebook who they would recommend. New Hope was highly recommended and close to where I lived. I felt like my saving grace was multi-layered – get out of my head and do something for someone else – and get out of the city (as I had lived in beautiful lush farm country prior). I could also be around my first and greatest love – horses. And I had spent many years volunteering for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. So, volunteering I knew how to do.

Tell us a little about yourself. Well, I have a feeling I’m one of the oldest volunteers here at almost 63 (in June), but thankfully I definitely don’t feel it, especially when I arrive at New Hope! I love reading, practicing yoga, and walking. I work at Texas Health Women’s Health. I have two fur babies, Finn and Fiona. I love spending time with my niece’s families and brother and sister who all live in Ft. Worth.

Favorite Horse? Oh, gosh – they are all special!! Though I may be partial to Cy because we probably do 90% of our lessons together.

Favorite part of volunteering at NG? Everything! Everyone I volunteer with, the families, the horses! I love how extremely gracious, patient, and willing to teach/help everyone is.

How has volunteering affected you? I don’t know where to begin. I honestly didn’t realize how “blue and down” I was while trying to “keep it all together.” I would say it was about a month after coming to New Hope on Wednesday and Saturday that I found myself crying for the first time (in probably a good couple of years) as I drove home. They were tears of thankfulness, I realized I was feeling joy again. There was/is something about being with people who share a vision/purpose to make a difference in our little piece of the world – and we are!

Thank you for volunteering, Nancy!

Ride on and ride for hope.

Donate to New Hope.

Raffle for a 2025 Can-am Defender HD9 MAX XT

The post Volunteer Highlight – Nancy Verrill first appeared on New Hope Therapeutic Riding.

By Dan Roark

Being involved with a non-profit such as New Hope means that one will often see heart-wrenching stories unfold that bring tears welling up in your eyes. One such story is that of a member of a team that faithfully supported New Hope at the annual Sporting Clay Shoot. The team consisted of Jeremy Pratt, his brothers, Phil and Joel, and one of his best friends. Jeremy paid the team entry following last years’ clay shoot.

Jeremy, whose nickname was Bullfrog, and who loved supporting New Hope, passed away unexpectedly in March. His brothers invited Dave Kershen to take his place in the foursome at the clay shoot.

“It was an honor shooting with his brothers and one of his best friends on the team he had entered in the clay shoot,” Dave said. “I miss this guy. He had a huge heart and a great sense of humor.”

While I enjoyed taking pictures of all the teams, taking pictures of “Bullfrog’s team” was extra special. Watching the brothers and friends celebrate Jeremy’s life through participation in the clay shoot while wearing the shirts honoring his memory.

Ride on and ride for hope.

Donate to New Hope. 

(Note: I have no control over the changing of placement of pictures when I hit publish.)

The post A Special New Hope Story first appeared on New Hope Therapeutic Riding.

By Dan Roark

As to the two courses, Fossil Pointe owner, Dave Niederer said in the opening rules talk that “when you see the hill, that’s the Hillside Course and when you see the creek, that’s the Creekside Course.” Which makes absolute sense when you think about it.

Results of the Creekside Course:

First Place – Byron Nelson High Team

The Byron Nelson High Team was sponsored by the Texas Hunting Forum (THF). The faith in these young people by the THF in sponsoring them was well founded. Just wait until high score.

Second Place – Point Bank Team

The Point Bank Team not only received 2nd Place Buckles, but were presented with a Decade Award at the opening activities before the shoot. They have supported, and participated in, the New Hope sporting clay shoot for those ten years.

Third Place – Concrete Cowboys

Men’s High Score – Robert Whitenburg

Ladies High Score – Lana Smith.

But wait, there’s more… Now that the scores have been posted, there are still a few stories that need to be told coming next week. It was a particularly memorable clay shoot.

Ride on and ride for hope.

Donate to New Hope.

The post Clay Shoot Buckle Winners – Creekside Course first appeared on New Hope Therapeutic Riding.

By Dan Roark

As I mentioned earlier, last Saturday the weather was highly conducive to being outside. The gathering on the portico during registration found old friends and new friends sharing conversations with abundant smiles and laughter.

After the clay shoot, everyone lined up for a barbeque lunch. When everyone had a chance to eat, Dave began the live auction which included homemade knifes, rare bourbon, sports memorabilia, and a day deer/doe hunt.

Following the live auction, it was time to present the buckles. Dave commented before presenting the buckles that tabulating the results required the use of numerous tie-breakers due to the scores being that close.

On the Hillside Course, Team Seven took first place, Lady

and the Tramps came in second place, and Braddock Pools received third place.

Men’s High Score went to Jason Forshea.

Women’s High Score went to Stacy Braddick.

Congratulations to all those who won on the Hillside Course! Great job!

Stay tuned for the results from the Creekside Course.

Ride on and ride for hope.

Donate to New Hope.

The post Clay Shoot Buckle Winners – Hillside Course first appeared on New Hope Therapeutic Riding.