Dear Hearts Friends and Supporters:
The time has come for Hearts to find a new home.
As you may know, our equestrian facility is situated on land
that we have leased from the
County
of Santa Barbara for the
past 20 years.
It is a lovely spot and
we are grateful to have been here for so long.
The county now needs to use this site for other purposes.
They have given us the option of leasing another county-owned location nearby. A Facilities Committee, comprised of board members
and community volunteers, is working diligently to determine the feasibility of
building a suitable equestrian center on that site.
In addition, the committee is doing its due diligence by
investigating other, possibly more suitable, options for the re-location and
expansion of our Therapeutic Riding program.
We are committed to the goals outlined in our Strategic
Plan:
1) To
ensure the long-term sustainability of Hearts
2) To
serve as many individuals with special needs as possible, without sacrificing
the warm and personal nature of our program.
3) To
create a facility that meets the current and long-term needs of our ridership.
At this time, we are considering a wide range of options for
our re-location. We will work with a
realtor to identify properties for sale or lease. We are also interested in
shared or donated property. Please
contact me if you have any ideas or suggestions.
This is a very exciting time in the life of our
organization. Hearts is thriving and growing.
We view this re-location as an opportunity to create an equestrian facility
that reflects our commitment to the community and our status as a Premiere
Therapeutic Riding Center – one of only 21 in the state of California.
Thanks to the generosity and cooperation of the County of Santa Barbara, we have plenty of time to
plan for and accomplish this next step in the development of Hearts. I welcome
your input and partnership in finding our new home.
Thank you for your dedication to Hearts and to the families
and individuals we serve. I look forward
to many more years of working together fulfilling our mission - To employ the power of the horse to enhance
the capabilities and independence of children and adults with special needs, in
Santa Barbara.
Sincerely,
Kirby Gillispie
Executive Director
As you may know, our equestrian facility is situated on land
that we have leased from the 
On May 27, 2012 from 9:00 am
to 4:00 pm, riders of all ages will compete in an Olympic-style horse show before
a cheering crowd of family, friends and supporters. We hope you will come to
celebrate with us.
Isa Topete can’t help but smile when
she’s riding. Although she has severe disabilities, you would never know that
when watching her on horseback. After four years at Hearts Therapeutic Riding
Center, Isa has become confident and strong. Her mother, Annie Topete, believes that Hearts
has helped her daughter most by providing a safe and nurturing environment. “The
big thing for me as a parent with a disabled child is that we can just be
ourselves here,” Topete explained. “Everyone at Hearts knows Isa and can give
her the support she needs."
Children will leave the Hearts Summer
Horse Experience knowing much more than horsemanship and horseback riding
skills; they will leave with more self-confidence, higher self-esteem, and a
greater appreciation for the value of other people. 
Angela Kelly has an
innate desire to help others. Whether it’s through horses, art, or her
profession as a therapist, she is passionate about helping people overcome
obstacles. Angela recalls that, “growing up with horses, I have watched them do
their magic all my life”. When she was in her twenties, she volunteered at a
therapeutic horseback riding center.
Since that time, she has been convinced of the healing power of horses
and Therapeutic Riding. Today, Angela is a volunteer at Hearts as well as a psychotherapist.
In both settings, she uses holistic and natural ways to help people heal from
trauma. 
