Support Therapeutic Riding for disabled in China

Dear HOPE Supporters,

Happy Spring! The HOPE team has been busy – including adding a new equine to the team!

In December our dear Gotland Pony, DaBao, retired. As a youngster, he came to China from Sweden with a family who moved to Beijing. He began at HOPE in 2014 and has been a wonderful equine partner. Now in his late 20’s, he is living a life of leisure at the stable where our Equine Director, Xiao Zhao (Jimmy) keeps his horses. Xiao Zhao and Luna, who lives nearby, take good care of him!

With one less horse, the HOPE team began looking for a new pony. In February they found a cute mare, whose name is(Dan Huang or Egg Yolk). She is in training to do equine-assisted services (EAS) and hopefully will be ready for HOPE’s Summer Camps!

 Other news:

• The Program Staff continue to train and learn. The three instructors-in-training and staff just completed CPR/First Aid training and have been working with Xiao Zhao to enhance their horsemanship skills. One trainee, Mr. Li Wenyue, received his BTEA (Beijing Turf and Equestrian Association) certification. Congratulations to him! Another trainee, Ms. Shuanghong, obtained her BTEA certification in 2021.

• In addition to the new pony, HOPE still has three other horses, of varying sizes and shapes to accommodate a range of participants. The team does conditioning and ground work with them to help them maintain fitness and general health.

• A new team member, still in the customary three-month trial period, is helping with development and public relations.

• HOPE continues to work towards becoming a PATH International Premier Accredited Center (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship). The constraints of COVID, and the limitations imposed by the Chinese government, made travel to China impossible and hindered our progress in working towards accreditation. However, with COVID restrictions lifted, we are optimistic that we may be able to return later this year. The team in China feel that it is safe for foreigners to travel into Beijing and that opens possibilities for the future. Stay tuned….
• A wonderful high school student from Beijing City International School has started a HOPE Club at her school. It’s an after school activity led by students whose focus will be on helping HOPE.

The HOPE team and I say “” (xie xie) – thank you to all our donors and supporters. Because of you, HOPE is enriching lives in partnership with the horse for those where hope (and HOPE) is very much needed.

In gratitude,

Priscilla Lightsey, Founder

Greetings HOPE Supporters,

We hope that is all well with you and your loved ones. We want to share a brief overview of HOPE and how our services are progressing, thanks in part to your contributions.

First, as I was preparing to give a presentation to Chinese audiences via Zoom, I reviewed HOPE’s history and was stuck by how far we’ve come! HOPE is a PATH Intl. Member Center (Professional Association of Therapeutic Riding) thus we follow the guidelines and standards established by that organization. In and of itself, this is quite an accomplishment for a program based on the outskirts of Beijing.

Second, it is the one year anniversary of our Program Manager becoming a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI). As far as we know, she is the first Chinese citizen to become a CRTI who received all of her training in mainland China (at HOPE, of course!). Her accomplishment is an example of HOPE fulfilling its vision: To be an exemplary service provider, educator, and leader of therapeutic horsemanship, encouraging service to individuals with special needs.

Third, our Administrative Director continues to work tirelessly. She and the HOPE team have raised the awareness of HOPE’s services and family-centered approach to caring for individuals with disabilities. Of note, she and several other staff members have been with us for many years - a major factor in HOPE’s ability to grow, maintain our horses, and to be “an exemplary service provider” of equine-assisted services (EAS). HOPE now has eight staff (four full-time) in Beijing and each provides a valuable service to the organization.

As a leader, HOPE started a new program last year: a prevocational program for individuals with special needs preparing them to work in the community. This is the first EAS program of this kind in mainland China. Skill development focused on communication, following directions, appropriate social interaction, functional-skill building and reporting to management. It’s amazing what EAS can facilitate! This program was so successful that Lucia has ideas to expand it in the future.

 A few highlights from this year:

• Therapeutic riding lessons and ground lessons offered weekly during spring and fall sessions.
•  Annual summer camps were successful again this year!
• Instructor-in Training: currently three (two men and one woman) being trained
• Western Academy of Beijing Int’l. School --- starting After-School-Activity with six primary-school children taking therapeutic riding lessons with high school students volunteering as the side walkers. What a great approach!
• Beijing World Youth Academy Int’l. School --- organizing eight G12 students volunteering at HOPE as part of their CAS program.
• Keystone School --- organizing G7-G9 students doing a monthly integration event with HOPE participants. 
• International School of Beijing --- High School Activities Club (Dragon Council) for HOPE

The HOPE team and I would like to extend a sincere thank you to our donors and supporters. Because of you, HOPE is enriching lives in partnership with the horse! How wonderful is that?!

In gratitude,
Priscilla Lightsey, Founder