Ride On St Louis, Inc.

What Ride On St Louis, Inc. does

Ride On St. Louis, Inc. is a Missouri-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1998 by CEO Marita Wassman that delivers equine-assisted therapeutic, vocational, and wellness services primarily to U.S. veterans and individuals with disabilities across the St. Louis metropolitan area. Its core service portfolio comprises six programs: Always Home (retirement care for service horses), Barn Buddies (vocational and equine education for people with disabilities or hardships), Equine Services for Heroes (therapeutic riding and interaction for injured service members), R.I.S.E. (Rest, Reflection, and Renewal for first responders and Missouri Department of Corrections veterans), Helping Hands (community engagement for adults with disabilities in partnership with organizations like Pony Bird), and Outreach (off-site Equine Ambassador presentations at libraries, schools, and community venues). The therapeutic modality relies on the three-dimensional movement of horses, supplemented by an Equicizer mechanical horse for safe introductory experiences and cadaver limbs for educational anatomy demonstrations.

The organization operates from a permanent 30-acre "Forever Home" campus in Hillsboro, MO (acquired March 2024), ending a six-year period of displacement caused by recurrent flooding at its prior flood-prone site on the Anheuser Estate in Kimmswick. Credentialing comes via PATH Intl. and the American Hippotherapy Association, with staff holding C/ATRI certifications. Technology extends modestly into a Wix-hosted public website, a members-only online learning portal with interactive videos/games/worksheets for year-round engagement, and a multi-channel marketing presence on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn. There are no disclosed AI or ML components; the value proposition is fundamentally delivered through human staff, credentialed professionals, and live or mechanical horses.

Business model is donation-funded with no participant fees: 2022 revenue of $591,430 was composed of grants (56%), individual and corporate contributions (26%), in-kind donations (11%), fundraising events (7%), and program fees under $63 (less than 0.1%). Revenue mix is concentrated, with significant reliance on foundation grants and a recurring Crusader's Circle monthly giving program, supplemented by annual fundraising events (Denim & Diamonds, Cocktails & Concerto, Forever Home Gala). The organization is governed by a board, holds a Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency, BBB Wise Giving Alliance accreditation, an Equus Foundation Four-Star rating and Guardian Seal, and operates with a lean paid staff supplemented by an extensive volunteer base led by veteran contributor Jeanne Johnson (1,600+ annual hours).

Name

Ride On St Louis, Inc.

Legal name

Ride On St. Louis, Inc.

Website

https://rideonstl.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Ride On St. Louis is a Missouri-based nonprofit founded in 1998 that delivers equine-assisted therapeutic, vocational, and wellness services at no cost to U.S. veterans, children and adults with disabilities, and first responders via six programs at its 30-acre Hillsboro facility.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Equine-Assisted Therapy Services

NAICS

Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940), Horses and Other Equine Production (112920), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Equine Rehabilitation, Layup & Retirement Facilities (AFAEAGAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Horse Boarding, Livery & Stable Operations (AFAEAGAG)

Keywords

• Equine-assisted therapy
• Therapeutic horseback riding
• Veteran support services
• Disability therapy programs
• Nonprofit therapeutic services

Headquarters

HQ city

Windsor

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Grants: Grants from foundations and government sources. In 2022, grants represented 56% of revenue ($330,650). The Forever Home campaign received $119,400 in granted support toward the capital project.
2. Individual & Corporate Contributions: Donations from individuals, monthly Crusader's Circle members, and corporate donors. In 2022, contributions represented 26% of revenue ($156,198). The 2023 Hearts & Hooves United campaign raised $68,920.
3. In-Kind Donations: Donated goods, services, and volunteer labor. In 2022, in-kind/other represented 11% of revenue ($65,230). Jeanne Johnson's volunteer work alone saved the organization nearly $750,000 in staffing costs since 2011.
4. Fundraising Events: Revenue from events like Denim & Diamonds, Cocktails & Concerto, and Forever Home Gala. In 2022, fundraising represented 7% of revenue ($39,316).
5. Program Fees (Minimal): For five years, clients haven't had to pay to receive life-changing opportunities. In 2022, program fees were less than $63 (less than 0%) of revenue. Services are offered at no cost or through financial aid awards.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Ride On St. Louis, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1998 that provides equine-assisted therapeutic services, principally therapeutic horseback riding, to veterans and individuals with disabilities. All services are delivered free of charge to participants. The organization is headquartered in Hillsboro, Missouri and reported revenue of $591,430 in 2022, funded through donations, grants, fundraising events, and in-kind contributions.

Product overview

Ride On St. Louis is a nonprofit organization offering equine-assisted services through six core programs: Always Home (horse retirement), Barn Buddies (vocational learning), Equine Services for Heroes (veteran services), Helping Hands (community engagement), Outreach (educational presentations), and R.I.S.E. (first responder/veteran wellness). The organization also hosts fundraising events including the Forever Home Gala, Denim & Diamonds, and Cocktails & Concerto. Services are provided at no cost to participants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Therapeutic Horseback Riding Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2,567 individuals served since 1998, with 270 kids and adults served in 2023 alone
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and moderate.

• PATH IntlcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional association for equine-assisted activities and therapies. PATH Intl. provides credentialing standards and professional development that Ride On St. Louis adheres to, with staff holding PATH certifications.
• Rotary Club Chapter 11minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresented Ride On St. Louis with proceeds from their annual Charity Golf event in July 2017, supporting the organization's programs and services.
• DASA (Disabled Athletes Sports Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaboration for special camp events. DASA (Disabled Athletes Sports Association) partners with Ride On St. Louis to provide therapeutic equestrian programming for athletes with disabilities.
• St. Louis County Library, Meramec Valley BranchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership hosting off-site equine ambassador presentations. In 2023, 250 kids and adults attended the event featuring service horses and educational presentations.
• Liberty Mutual (Serve with Liberty)moderateGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate volunteer program where Liberty Mutual employees participate in service days at the Forever Home. In April 2025, 13 volunteers cleared land, repaired buildings, and helped with facility improvements. The partnership exemplifies community-driven corporate social responsibility.
• Lathrop Gage LLPmoderateImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLegal team providing reduced rates and pro bono support for navigating complex contract details for the Forever Home property acquisition, including lease, lease-to-purchase, and donation options.
• American Hippotherapy AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional organization supporting the use of horses for therapy. The organization's logo appears among Ride On St. Louis's accreditation and partnership badges.
• Variety St. LouismoderateGTM or Marketing PartnerChildren's charity partnership. Variety St. Louis supports children with disabilities and partners with organizations like Ride On St. Louis that serve similar populations.
• St. Margaret Mary Alacoque SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual partnership hosting 8th grade students for Confirmation preparation visits to learn about service, faith in action, and equine-assisted services.
• Pony BirdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDay program for individuals with disabilities. Pony Bird participants attend the weekly Helping Hands program at Ride On St. Louis, contributing to barn work while developing vocational skills and social connections.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• American Hippotherapy Association: Professional organization supporting the use of horses in therapy; ROSL displays its credentials. They are an ecosystem partner rather than a competitor, providing training and clinical practice guidelines.

Regional players

• Pony Bird: St. Louis-area day program for individuals with disabilities that partners with Ride On St. Louis for its Helping Hands program. Regionally overlapping beneficiary population and referral channel.
• DASA (Disabled Athletes Sports Association): St. Louis nonprofit serving athletes with disabilities through sports programming, including summer camp collaborations with Ride On St. Louis. Regional peer targeting a similar disability community.

Direct peers

• Mane Stream: New Jersey nonprofit offering adaptive riding, hippotherapy, and equine-assisted services to individuals with disabilities, veterans, and at-risk youth. Direct comparable in service mix and veteran programming.
• Healing Hearts Therapeutic Riding Center: Nonprofit equine therapy organization serving individuals with physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges. Comparable in program scope, target populations, and grant-dependent funding model.
• Strides Therapeutic Riding Center: PATH Intl Premier Accredited Center providing equine-assisted therapy and adaptive horsemanship to individuals with disabilities. Closely aligned in mission, scope, and accreditation posture.
• Equi-Librium: Pennsylvania-based PATH Intl center providing equine-assisted activities and therapy to children and adults with special needs. Comparable in service delivery model and nonprofit funding structure.
• BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding & Educational Center: Illinois-based nonprofit providing equine-assisted services to veterans and individuals with disabilities using PATH Intl standards. Closely mirrors Ride On St. Louis in mission, accreditation, and donor-supported free services model.
• High Hopes Therapeutic Riding: PATH Intl Premier Accredited Center in Connecticut serving children, adults, and veterans with disabilities through equine-assisted activities. Comparable in program breadth, accreditation tier, and emphasis on outcome measurement.

Broad incumbents

• PATH International (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship): The credentialing and industry body for equine-assisted services; Ride On St. Louis is a PATH Intl member. PATH sets professional standards and provides industry-level advocacy that broadly shapes ROSL's operating environment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/rideonstlorg1
• Facebookfacebook.com/RideOnSTL
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ride-on-st-louis-inc-
• Instagraminstagram.com/rideonstl

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 Ride On St Louis, Inc.