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