Central Kentucky Riding for Hope

What Central Kentucky Riding for Hope does

Central Kentucky Riding for Hope (CKRH) is a 501(c)-equivalent nonprofit organization founded in 1981 in Lexington, Kentucky, that delivers equine-assisted therapeutic services to children and adults with physical, cognitive, emotional, and social needs. Operating from the John A. and Virginia Creech Therapeutic Riding Center within the Kentucky Horse Park, CKRH runs a portfolio of programs including Therapeutic Riding (core product, $35 per 30-minute session, explicitly subsidized from a true cost exceeding $100), Minis & Me groundwork, Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy, military programming for veterans and active-duty service members (in partnership with the Kentucky National Guard, Camp Brown Bear, and Wounded Warrior Project), Stable Foundations for women in federal custody (with the Federal Bureau of Prisons), The Stables alternative education curriculum (with Fayette County Public Schools), the Minis on the Move mobile outreach program, and the HorseAbility summer camp (with Easterseals Bluegrass).

CKRH's underlying service technology is equine-assisted activity leveraging the three-dimensional movement of horses (which closely mirrors the human gait) for physical, cognitive, and emotional rehabilitation, augmented by specialized accessibility infrastructure including a Sure-Hands lift system for wheelchair users, ADA-compliant indoor and outdoor mounting ramps, and a dedicated sensory trail. The facility comprises 50,000+ square feet under one roof (arena, stalls, wash racks, tack rooms, storage, three-classroom education center) plus 40 acres of outdoor space with paddocks, run-in sheds, and automatic watering systems. All therapeutic riding instructors hold PATH Intl. CTRI credentials, and the organization has held PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center status since 1998, supplemented by 2025 GuideStar/Candid Platinum Seal, BBB Wise Giving Alliance accreditation, and Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accreditation.

CKRH's business model is a hybrid of subsidized fee-for-service (therapeutic riding lessons at $35 with automatic scholarships bridging to true cost over $100) and donation-funded operations. Revenue streams include individual donations (one-time and monthly), foundation grants (Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, Thoroughbred Charities of America), corporate sponsorships, proceeds from the NIGHT OF THE STARS annual gala (tickets, silent/live auctions, sponsorships), branded merchandise (apparel at $25-$30, stickers at $5), and the Rider's Relief per-transaction scholarship mechanism launched in November 2024. Distribution is regional (Kentucky) with direct service at the Kentucky Horse Park facility, mobile outreach to nursing homes and daycares, and on-site delivery at partner locations including federal prison facilities, National Guard sites, public schools, and Easterseals Bluegrass. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, relying on referrals from healthcare providers, schools, and military organizations, word-of-mouth, social media presence (Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube), and signature community events including Open Barn Day, the CKRH Benefit Polo Match, and the Paul Frazer Dressage Competition.

Name

Central Kentucky Riding for Hope

Legal name

Central Kentucky Riding for Hope

Website

https://ckrh.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Central Kentucky Riding for Hope is a PATH Intl. Premier Accredited nonprofit founded in 1981 in Lexington, Kentucky, delivering equine-assisted therapeutic riding and related programs to children and adults with disabilities, military veterans, women in custody, and at-risk youth from its facility at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Therapeutic Riding and Equine-Assisted Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)

SIC

Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200)

akta.pro primary industry

Adaptive & Special Needs Personal Training (HSADAAAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Equine Rehabilitation, Layup & Retirement Facilities (AFAEAGAJ), Equine Care & Stable Management (EDAOAOAE)

Keywords

• Therapeutic riding services
• Equine-assisted therapy
• Adaptive horsemanship programs
• Nonprofit disability services
• Veteran mental health support

Headquarters

HQ city

Lexington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Therapeutic Riding Lessons: Session fees billed at start of each riding session; participants can pay upfront or divide into weekly/monthly installments. Therapeutic Riding costs $35 per 30-minute lesson, significantly subsidized from true cost exceeding $100
2. Donations and Contributions: One-time and monthly donations from individuals; annual fund campaigns; tribute gifts; general operating and designated contributions
3. Merchandise Sales: CKRH branded apparel including ball caps, stickers, and volunteer t-shirts sold through the website and at events
4. Event Fundraising: NIGHT OF THE STARS annual gala generates funds through ticket sales, silent and live auctions, and sponsorships
5. Scott Mead Riding Scholarship Fund: Partnership with Rider's Relief provides scholarship funding for riding lessons; Rider's Relief donates $2 per wellness product purchased and $1 monthly per active subscription, funding minimum 4 scholarships annually
6. Sponsorships and Grants: Corporate sponsorships for events and programs; grants from foundations including Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and Thoroughbred Charities of America

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Central Kentucky Riding for Hope provides equine-assisted therapy, therapeutic riding, hippotherapy, and adaptive horsemanship programs for individuals with physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges. Its offerings include specialized tracks for military veterans, at-risk youth, and women in custody, delivered by PATH Intl.-credentialed instructors at its Kentucky Horse Park facility in Lexington, KY.

Product overview

Central Kentucky Riding for Hope (CKRH) is a PATH Intl. Premier Accredited therapeutic riding center offering a multi-faceted portfolio of equine-assisted services centered around its core Therapeutic Riding program. The organization operates as a unified therapeutic services platform with programs including Minis & Me (groundwork horsemanship), Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy, Military Programming for veterans, Stable Foundations (prison programming), The Stables (alternative education curriculum), Minis on the Move (mobile outreach), and HorseAbility Summer Camp. CKRH also sells branded merchandise (apparel, stickers) and manages a scholarship fund through its Rider's Relief partnership. The organization accepts free-lease horses through a trial evaluation program. Services are delivered year-round from the John A. and Virginia Creech Therapeutic Riding Center at the Kentucky Horse Park, with a cost of $35 per 30-minute lesson (significantly subsidized from the true cost exceeding $100).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Scott Mead Riding Scholarship & Memorial Fund: A scholarship fund established in partnership with Rider's Relief to support participants with riding scholarships.
• The Stables
• Stable Foundations
• Minis on the Move
• HorseAbility

Products and services

• Hippotherapy

Quantifiable outcome

• Served thousands of individuals with disabilities since 1981
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Rider's ReliefcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024Launched The Scott Mead Riding Scholarship and Memorial Fund on Giving Tuesday 2024. Rider's Relief donates $2 per wellness product purchased and $1 monthly per active subscription, funding minimum 4 riding scholarships annually. Team also volunteers at CKRH facility.
• Federal Bureau of PrisonscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to deliver Stable Foundations program offering non-mounted, equine-assisted activities as part of an emotional regulation course for women in custody. CKRH provides the therapeutic programming expertise while the Bureau of Prisons provides participants and facility access.
• Fayette County Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to deliver The Stables, an alternative curriculum program for students grades 8-12 who are not thriving in traditional classrooms. Combines core academic subjects with equine science and horsemanship skills.
• Kentucky National GuardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide equine-assisted programs for military veterans and active-duty service members addressing PTSD, substance use, and reintegration challenges.
• Camp Brown BearcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to serve military families through equine-assisted programming focused on resilience and emotional well-being.
• Wounded Warrior ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegistered Wounded Warriors are eligible for 10 sessions at no cost through PATH Premier Accredited Centers like CKRH. Warriors must register with WWP and request referral to CKRH.
• Easterseals BluegrasscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration supporting HorseAbility summer camp program for younger clients with special needs who cannot participate in traditional camp settings. Combines traditional day camp activities with therapeutic riding.
• PATH Intl.coreOthersProfessional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International provides accreditation, standards, and research-based guidelines for therapeutic riding. CKRH is a Premier Accredited Center since 1998.
• Thoroughbred Aftercare AlliancemajorOthersProvides funding and support to help CKRH provide second careers for off-the-track Thoroughbreds. Accredited organization status validates CKRH's equine care standards.
• Hagyard Equine Medical InstitutemajorOthersLeading equine veterinary practice providing in-kind veterinary care for CKRH's therapeutic horse herd.
• Rood & Riddle Equine HospitalmajorOthersVeterinary hospital providing in-kind support for equine care at CKRH. Board President Dr. Peter Morresey is associated with Rood & Riddle.
• McCauley's FeedsmajorOthersEquine nutrition company providing quality nutrition and supplements for CKRH's therapy horses through in-kind support.
• Kentucky Performance ProductsminorOthersProvides equine supplements and products for CKRH horses as in-kind sponsor.
• Iron Tree Saddle FittingminorOthersProvides saddle fitting services and equipment for CKRH's therapeutic horses.
• Bluegrass Equine PodiatryminorOthersProvides farrier and podiatry expertise for CKRH's therapeutic horse herd.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Cheff Center for the Therapeutic Riding: PATH Intl. Premier Accredited therapeutic riding center serving individuals with disabilities through equine-assisted services, comparable mission, accreditation tier, and program structure to CKRH.
• ManeGait Therapeutic Horsemanship: PATH Premier Accredited nonprofit therapeutic horsemanship center serving veterans, children with disabilities, and at-risk youth, directly comparable in program mix and target populations to CKRH.
• High Horses Therapeutic Riding Program: PATH-affiliated nonprofit therapeutic riding center serving individuals with physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges, comparable in service model and PATH accreditation status to CKRH.
• BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding & Educational Center: PATH Premier Accredited therapeutic riding center serving children, adults, and military veterans with disabilities, with a comparable veteran-focused programming track.
• Easterseals Bluegrass: Disability services nonprofit partner that co-delivers CKRH's HorseAbility summer camp; operates overlapping services for individuals with special needs in the same Kentucky geography.
• Giant Steps Equitherapy: PATH Premier Accredited therapeutic riding nonprofit providing equine-assisted services to children and adults with disabilities, directly comparable in mission and delivery model.
• Trinity River Equestrian Center (Equest): PATH Premier Accredited therapeutic horsemanship center providing equine-assisted activities to children and adults with disabilities, comparable in accreditation tier and program scope.

Broad incumbents

• Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.): Industry accrediting body governing the therapeutic horsemanship field; CKRH is a Premier Accredited Center under its standards, making PATH Intl. the relevant umbrella organization for the broader category.

Others

• Wounded Warrior Project: Referral and funding partner for CKRH's veteran programming; a key ecosystem participant that channels eligible service members to PATH Premier Accredited Centers for equine-assisted therapy.
• Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance: Accrediting and funding body that supports CKRH's work re-purposing off-the-track Thoroughbreds as therapy horses; a central ecosystem partner for equine welfare within CKRH's herd sourcing.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ckyrh
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCENnyWxLURnAZV8vgRSirVQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/CKyRH
• Instagraminstagram.com/ckyrh

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Central Kentucky Riding for Hope