GREENFIELD — As the weather warms, the Courageous Strides therapeutic riding program is gearing up for its annual fundraiser to support scholarships for participants ahead of the program’s start in May.
The fourth annual fundraising supper will be held Saturday, April 18, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Republican Lodge at 215 Munson St. For a price of $30 for adults and $25 for senior citizens, attendees can expect a full meal of lasagna (with meat, meatless and gluten-free options), salad, garlic bread and dessert. Takeout options are available.
In addition, there will be raffle prizes, such as gift cards and gift baskets from local businesses. The fundraiser attracted more than 80 attendees in 2025.
“It’s just a fun night. We take some time to thank everybody … the people that are there, or Meadowcrest and their staff. … We’re able to say thank you, even though it’s a pre-launch,” said Deb Gordon, president and instructor at Courageous Strides.
The therapeutic riding program runs from May to October, providing support for people who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety or other struggles in their daily lives. During the duration of the program, participants take time to connect with the horses, beginning with basic horsemanship and eventually learning to ride.
“When you can allow yourself to just be vulnerable enough, the horses feel those emotions,” Gordon said. “So, we’ve had a mission from day one to try to help inspire and connect through the use of horses with anyone and everyone possible that needs it.”
This year, Courageous Strides has 24 open spots in the program. The money from the dinner fundraiser goes toward providing scholarships. Veterans can get a 100% scholarship, and other participants can get a 50% scholarship. Gordon’s goal for this upcoming season will be to run it four days weekly, while giving six spots to veterans.
Gordon’s connection with horses began at a young age. She started riding when she was 5, and came to understand the impact of therapeutic riding after losing both of her parents within a year. She explained that her own horse, Harley, was “instrumental in keeping [her] anxiety down during that real bad time.”
Realizing how much therapeutic riding had helped her, she decided to share that healing with others by becoming an instructor at Courageous Strides.
“When you have a story to tell, you can relate to others more easily, and others are more accepting of what you’re trying to share,” Gordon said.
The program has signed a lease for three years with Meadowcrest Stables on Leyden Road, the host site. Gordon explained that the Meadowcrest team was “very open” to hosting the Courageous Strides program.
“My brother and my dad were vets, so it was kind of a no-brainer,” said Meadowcrest’s manager, Patty French. “It’s something for us to contribute, for the veterans and people.”
With the snow now melting at the stables, Gordon has been spending time training Logan, Luna and Tiki, the three horses in the therapeutic riding program, and reviewing applications for participants for the upcoming season.
“We feel so humbled and blessed that we’re able to help somebody in the future. It’s our story. It’s about believing that this cause is worth it,” she said. “When I can step back, and I can see you coming in and just taking your time [with] the horses … that’s what we do in the program. We have to learn to forgive. We have to learn to be able to trust.”
To purchase tickets for the April 18 fundraiser, visit courageous-strides.org/events. With questions, email courageousstrides@gmail.com or call Lindsay at 970-402-5063.