Courage Fest Supports Equine Therapy

PRAIRIE GROVE — Courage Therapeutic Riding Center held its first fundraiser on a Saturday evening in June.

Courage Fest included activities for all ages, including live music by local band Fetts Folly, hamburgers on the grill, a silent auction, a win pull and a hug-a-horse photo booth.

The nonprofit therapeutic riding center partners with Ozark Guidance and other local agencies to offer equine assisted activities and therapy for children and adults. They serve children with conditions such as autism, ADHD, and cognitive and physical delays. They also work with at-risk youth and children in the foster system who are recovering from life traumas.

Many of the students who come to the riding center not only face life challenges, but they are also under-resourced, according to Karen Davis, executive director. The fundraiser will help the riding center be able to lower its fees and offer client scholarships, she said.

Programs director Jessie Kersh said she was thankful for the community support shown at the benefit.

“Thanks to all our community sponsors for making it happen,” she said. “We are so blessed to have landed in Prairie Grove.”

More information about Courage Therapeutic Riding Center is available at courage trc.org or on the organization’s Facebook page.

PHOTOS BY JANELLE JESSEN ENTERPRISE-LEADER Above, left: Kara Barcelo, her son Asher, and Katrina Baxter posed with Rain, a therapeutic riding horse, at the hug-a-horse photo booth. Above, right: Kids got a chance to take a swing at a horse-themed pinata during the event.

Left: guests bid on the silent auction items inside the indoor arena. Above: Fetts Folly provided live music for the Courage Fest fundraiser.

Above: Shelley Wolf, Angela Tanner and Shana Cook posed with Rain, a therapeutic riding horse, at the hug-a-horse photo booth. Left: guests enjoyed hamburgers and live music on the lawn during Courage Fest.