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About

What makes Hope Springs Special?

Hope Springs Equestrian Therapy, a nonprofit organization, was founded in the tradition of Thorncroft Equestrian Center in Malvern, PA, with the intent of providing therapeutic horseback riding (also known as "equine-facilitated therapy") for the hundreds of individuals who were on waiting lists at the time.

We at Hope Springs are dedicated to making life for those facing challenges a little easier. On horseback, our riders learn that they are perhaps not as limited by their disabilities as they once thought. Says Nina Lee, parent of rider John Lee, "John loves his riding lessons. The experience has build not only his balance and motor skills, but has boosted his confidence."

Hope Springs is unique among therapeutic riding centers in that it places special emphasis on family involvement. The setting is warm and familiar and provides a safe haven for those families struggling to achieve normalcy. Parents are encouraged to watch lessons and in many cases, they walk beside the horse to observe their child's progress more closely.

Another special aspect of the program is its small size. Our team has an opportunity to work one-on-one with riders, parents and their therapists in a way that is not possible in larger programs. We are able to forge close personal bonds with the riders and their families to facilitate communication about the needs of each individual. Lesson plans for each rider are specifically tailored and include exercises designed to relax tight muscles and develop strength and endurance in weakened areas.

Our eight horses were hand picked for their kindness and patience. They have been specially trained to meet the needs of disabled individuals. They seem instinctively to know that the riders demand special care. An important element of our therapy sessions is the warmth and tenderness that our riders develop for their mounts and the feeling of self-sufficiency they develop by learning to care for them.

Meet Our Instructors:
Photo to come	Jeanie Knowlton: I have been teaching horse management and riding to children for over 35 years. As an instructor at Stoneleigh Burnham, I taught both able bodied and disabled children. My able bodied students have progressed to the upper levels in horse shows as well as in the Three Day Event disciplines. Several of my students have reached the finals in the Medal and Maclay classes at The Garden and at the Harrisburg horse shows. Others have attained the "A" Rating in the United States Pony Club, Inc. I attained that rating in 1967, which is the highest level one may receive. I have competed and won at the Open International Level for Three Day events. I have been a Chief Horse Management Judge, a National Examiner, a District Commissioner, and a member of the Instruction Committee for the Pony Club. All of my experiences are now coming together to help show and teach my students proper care of the horse and help them attain the most from their riding with Hope Springs, through touch, sight, smell and sound. All of these experiences will help my students to realize what they can achieve.
	Doreen Olkowicz: I initially came to Hope Springs two years ago after retiring from the corporate world and moving to Pennsylvania from Montreal, Canada. My volunteer work with the Hope Springs riders inspired me to take my job one step further and become a member of the staff as a therapeutic riding instructor. I have completed Phase 1 of the PA Council on Therapeutic Horsemanship training course and plan to complete the Thorncroft therapeutic riding instructor course by next spring. I also serve as administrative support staff for the organization and am involved in planning fundraising and cultivation events. I live in Coatesville with my husband Andrew.
Photo to come	Sandy Kumpf: I live in Honey Brook with my husband and golden retriever. In June of 2004, after 30 years of teaching Language Arts at a public high school, I retired. While finishing one aspect of my teaching career, I began another by taking the instructor’s course at Thorncroft Therapeutic Center. Now I am able to fulfill a dream I had years ago of teaching handicapped riders. My riding experience, which started at the age of 12, is varied. Initially I rode hunters and jumpers, doing some showing and fox hunting. Later I started riding western and became involved with reining and the quarter horse circuit. My husband and I had a small farm and raised a few of our own quarter horses. Presently, I own a paint mare, who has become part of te program at Hope Springs. In 2005, I attended special training sessions held by EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association) and had primary responsibility for instituting the Youth and Families Program at Hope Springs. Besides teaching regular lessons at Hope Springs, I am developing and instructing equine facilitated learning programs for schools.