"A horse is the projection of peoples’ dreams about themselves-strong, powerful,
beautiful-and it has the capability of giving us escape from our mundane existence."
~Author Unknown
Bonnie has had two passions for most of her life, horses and people. She has been fortunate enough to pursue them both throughout her lifetime. She has a long history of showing horses since she was 9 years old. Favorite classes were reining and cutting but also showed halter, pleasure, and speed events. She put herself through college breaking and training, buying and selling horses. Later she established Riley Paint Horses, a breeding operation that has sold registered show horses all over the United States. She is also a Licensed Psychologist in Private Practice in Boonville, Mo. as well as a CHA instructor.
In 1992, her son Bart had a very serious accident which left him permanently and severely disabled. This opened the door to a whole community of other people with disabilities which added another dimension to her original two passions. She had always wanted to combine her two loves in some way, and was always wondering how she could share these wonderful animals with others. The newfound affinity for those with disabilities gave her the avenue in which to do that. In the fall of 2010, she formed a 501©3 corporation that could offer riding skills, therapeutic riding, and equine assisted psychotherapy to those with disabilities as well as able bodied folks who just want to be close to a horse. She says this is the most exciting and heartwarming venture she has ever pursued.
Bonnie Riley
Owner/Director
"Riding a horse is not a gentle hobby, to be picked up and laid down like a game of Solitaire. It is a grand passion."
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Everett Kuester
Instructor
Everett has been a lifelong horse trainer and trainer of kids on horseback. He lives in Prairie Home, Missouri. Along with being a bus driver, he is extensively experienced in showing horses in pleasure and speed events. He has owned and operated a horse breeding operation for over 30 years. Everett has also taught many young people to ride and show. Everett is a certified CHA instructor.
Call Us: 660-882-2377
501 (c) 3 Nonprofit Organization
Kathleen Washburn
Kathleen serves as administrative assistant and is the instructor of our Life Skills Class called Connections. She has a bachelor's degree in Education from Central Methodist University and is an O.K. Corral Certified instructor. She lives on a farm just outside of Boonville where she is raising her children, cattle, and horses.
Danielle Keeney
Danielle is our Physical Therapist. She brings a fresh new approach to working with our clients and makes them each a unique plan to grow in strength. She also works at the University of Missouri Physical Therapy and Sports Rehab Program in Boonville. She graduated from St. Louis University.
Bailey Sutherland
Bailey serves as our assistant instructor. She has her associates degree from State Fair Community College.
