How a Golf Tournament Gave a Little More Horsepower to the Special Needs Community
It all started with dirt and a dream—literally.
Sarah Valentine received a dream in 2017 that showed her bringing together people who needed help: those with special needs, from nursing homes, and others going through challenging circumstances—but she wasn’t sure what that would look like yet. A couple of years later following a series of deaths in the family, Sarah got back into horseback riding (after a hiatus following show competitions as a youth) and found that being in nature, coupled with the horse’s movement, soothed and comforted her.
Now she shares the gift of therapeutic riding with others through her organization Riverside Ranch, a 501(c)3 nonprofit in Clayton, North Carolina, that opened in July 2020. The 36-acre, volunteer-run (45 and counting) facility is fully supported by private donors, businesses, and grants.
“Riverside Ranch is built by our community, built for our community, and we’re a place of community,” Sarah said. “Both riders and volunteers walk away learning so much, and the interaction is so beneficial for both parties for so many reasons.”
“The community with special needs is capable and has so much to offer, but often they don’t have the opportunity to shine. We’re looking for ways to make them feel celebrated and empower them.”
By empowering ability at any skill level, the Ranch’s two horses, Ja Rule and Bullet, help riders gain confidence while building skills and benefiting from the swaying movement. Visitors can also walk through the garden, practice social skills, and learn how to care for horses.
The Mission of Riverside Ranch is to positively impact individuals through therapeutic riding, equine assisted activities, and engaging with nature and animals.
Sarah and her husband, Matt, are Dormie Network members who have enjoyed playing and dining at Ballyhack, Dormie Club, and Briggs Ranch.
Riverside Ranch has held several fundraisers, but none as successful as its charity golf tournament, which was organized on the GolfStatus platform in both 2021 and 2022. “When I started thinking through how to best raise operating funds, I realized that even with Covid, the golf course never closed,” Sarah said.
The First Annual Riverside Ranch Charity Golf Tournament raised $27,000 for general support. The Dormie Network Foundation was delighted to offer a stay-and-play package for auction, which sold for $2,000 during the 2022 event (beating its $1,700 bid in 2021). The Ranch’s 2022 charity tournament raised $23,000 in total, which will go toward acquiring a third horse for therapeutic riding.
“It was a great success,” said Sarah, who mentioned she has already received interest for next year’s event.
To learn more, get involved, or make a donation toward Riverside Ranch’s mission of positive impact through therapeutic riding, visit riversideranch.org. If you operate or know of a golf tournament fundraiser and want to learn more about the Golf for Good program, visit golfstatus.com/demo.
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