About the Foundation
What We Do
About the Foundation
Established in 1999, the PNHS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides support for therapeutic riding groups, equine-assisted services organizations and equine rescue programs.
In 2024-2025, the PNHS Foundation awarded nearly $100,000 in grants to non-profit recipients both locally and across the nation. Foundation grants provide scholarships for therapy students, facilitate care for therapy and rescue horses, allow for the purchase of equipment for horses and riders and much, much more. Grants are posted and awarded as the timeline below specifies.
LifeVac Therapeutic Riding Championships
Photo credit: Megan Giese
The 2025 Therapeutic Riding Championships will be held on Foundation Friday, October 24th, at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in the Main “Harrisburg” Arena at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
This year marks the Diamond Anniversary of the Championships, celebrating 10 years of inspiration, achievement, and inclusion in the equestrian community. Launched in 2016, Foundation Friday showcases two championship divisions—Assisted and Unassisted—as well as the presentation of the prestigious Foundation Therapy Horse of the Year Award. To further celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Therapeutic Riding Championships, the Pennsylvania National Horse Show will establish a new Hall of Fame showcasing the Therapy Horse of the Year.
Riders compete for PNHS ribbons and a trophy. Riders also receive donated products from sponsors and vendors.
2025 Qualifiers
Riders may qualify for one of these championship classes by competing at any one of the following events:
May 10th | Walnut Grove Farms | 3901 Schoolhouse Road Dover PA 17315
June 7th | June Fete Horse & Pony Show at the Dixon Equestrian Center | 2990 Edgehill Rd, Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006
August 3rd | Columbia Riding Club | 18th & Franklin St., Columbia, PA
August 23rd | Farmers Union Horse Co. | Heyser Field, 3020 Griffith Rd, Fairview Village, PA
Participants in any of these shows/classes will be invited to compete in the 2025 LifeVac Therapeutic Riding Championships at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show on October 24th, 2025.
Show Your Support
Donate
Your tax-deductible gift to the PNHS Foundation is allocated directly to grants for therapeutic riding programs and equine rescue organizations.
Apply for a Grant
Grants & Application Timeline
July 2025
Grant applications open
November 2025
Review of grant applications by the PNHS Foundation committee
Recommendation to Board of Directors for allocations
December 2025
Allocation from Board of Directors of funds available
January 2026
Grants awarded
Celebrate With Us!
Foundation friday
2025 will mark the 10th anniversary of the LifeVac Therapeutic Riding Championships, scheduled to take place on Foundation Friday, October 17, at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in the Harrisburg Coliseum at the PA Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, PA.
Started in 2016, Foundation Friday is the setting for two therapeutic riding championship divisions – walk (assisted) and walk/trot (unassisted) – as well as the presentation of the Foundation’s Therapy Horse of the Year Award. Riders qualify for these championship classes by competing in any one of the qualifying competitions held throughout the summer months at local horse shows.
Qualifying horse show dates for 2025 will be announced soon!
2024 Grant Recipients
The Pennsylvania National Horse Show Foundation makes grants available for charitable and educational purposes. For 2024, the Foundation awarded grants to the following organizations.
A Broken Spur Riding Academy | Beaver, WV
Avenues Schuylkill County Therapeutic Riding Program | Pottsville, PA
Bridlepath Equine Center | Quarryville, PA
Capital Area Therapeutic Riding Assoc. | Grantville, PA
Charleston Area Therapeutic Riding | Johns Island, SC
Cloverleaf Equine Center | Clifton, VA
Days End Farm Horse Rescue | Woodbine, MD
Eos Therapeutic Riding Center | Bloomsburg, PA
Equine Assisted Living of South Florida | Coconut Creek, FL
February Star Sanctuary, Inc. | Knoxville, MD
GAIT Equine Assisted Services | Milford, PA
GallopNYC | Howard Beach, NY
High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Inc. | Old Lyme, CT
Horses & Horizons | New Ringgold, PA
Horses with Hope | Bethel Park, PA
Ivy Hill Therapeutic Equestrian Center | Perkasie, PA
Kent Association of Riding Therapy, Inc. | Worton, MD
Leg Up Farm | Mt. Wolf, PA
Lone Oak Animal-Assisted Therapy & Education Services | Lancaster, PA
Mane Stream Therapeutic Riding | Oldwick, NJ
Manito Life Center | Allentown, PA
Maryland Fund for Horses, Inc. | Westminster, MD
Maryland Therapeutic Riding | Crownsville, MD
Mountainview Horse Rescue | New Tripoli, PA
New Life Center for Thoroughbreds, Inc. | Wirtz, VA
Olive’s Branch Healing | Dover, PA
Omega Horse Rescue | Airville, PA
Pal-O-Mine | Islandia, NY
Pegasus Therapeutic Riding Academy | Philadelphia, PA
PA Lehigh Valley County Animal Response Team | Fogelsville, PA
Pennsylvania Warhorse, Inc. | Myerstown, PA
Reins of Rhythm | Fayetteville, PA
Riding to the Top Therapeutic Riding Center | Windham, ME
Right Foot Ranch, Inc. | Lewisberry, PA
Sebastian Riding Associates | Collegeville, PA
Serendipity Horse Rescue Ranch | West Decatur, PA
Special Equestrians | Warrington, PA
The Children’s TherAplay Foundation, Inc. | Carmel, IN
The Helping Horseshoe Therapeutic Riding Club | Andover, NJ
Therapeutic Riding at Centenary University | Hackettstown, NJ
Walnut Grove Therapeutic Center, Inc. | Dover, PA
