What are the opening hours?

Monday 8am - 4:30pm Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm Thursday 8am - 4:30pm Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Shangri-La Therapeutic Academy of Riding

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United States
Lenoir City, TN
Shangri-La Therapeutic Academy of Riding

Equine Assisted Services
PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center

Est. 1987

Lessons are generally one hour long; the first half being dedicated to grooming and the second half to riding. Through grooming, tacking and riding their horse, participants develop skills that produce wide-reaching improvements in areas such as; fine and gross motor skills, motor planning, sequencing, memory, attention span, balance, hand/eye coordination, right/left handedness, communication, body awareness, flexibility, teamwork, socialization, coordination and improved self-esteem. The recreational aspect of STAR's program proves invaluable for these special persons who often cannot participate in conventional sports.

09/12/2025

"Not so fast, my friend!" *In our best Lee Corso impersonation.*

It's Week 3 of P***y's Picks, and our miniature horses tried their best to be the guest pickers on College GameDay at UT! Candice Parker took that spot, so they invited Neyland to be a guest picker in P***y's Picks this week! Do you have what it takes to out pick these amazing minis!? Give us your picks in the comments and see where you stack up!

Week 3 Games:
(18) USF at (5) Miami
Arkansas at (17) Ole Miss
(16) Texas A&M at (8) Notre Dame
Vanderbilt at (11) South Carolina
(6) Georgia at (15) Tennessee

STAR's Eddie is still leading the way with a 7-3 record overall among the miniature equines, as he, Lightning, and P***y all went 3-2 last week. Other standings: Chris Cannon (4-1, 7-3 overall), Alexandria Phipps (3-2, 7-3 overall), Poppy Green (3-2, 6-4 overall), Elizabeth Parr Cannon (3-2, 5-5 overall), Angela Grant Bartlett (2-3, 5-5 overall), and Kristen Brenner Sanders (1-4, 4-6 overall).

09/11/2025

Fall session has officially started, and so have the smiles! ✨ We are so incredibly excited to welcome our participants, volunteers, and families back to the barn!

After being quiet for a little too long, the barn is buzzing with renewed energy and excitement. We couldn't be more thankful to see smiling faces back with their equine partners, creating a vibrant haven of growth and joy once again. Here's to a wonderful fall session ahead at Shangri-La!

👉 Find out how you can support STAR: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/shangri-la-therapeutic-academy-of-riding-inc/35-for-35-years

09/09/2025

We’re celebrating 35 years of STAR accreditation with our $35 for 35 Years campaign. Your gift today helps ensure an incredible experience for our participants and helps keep our herd healthy and strong! Together, we’re aiming for $5,000 — and we need YOU to help us get there.

🐴 2 gifts of $35 (or 1 gift of $70) can provide updated safety equipment for our participants.
🐴 5 gifts of $35 (or 1 gift of $175) can support one lesson that builds strength, confidence, and independence for Veterans.
🐴 10 gifts of $35 (or 1 gift of $350) helps meet the needs of our equine partners by providing monthly chiropractic, vet, and farrier visits.
🐴 20 gifts of $35 (or 1 gift of $700) ensures a year of lessons for a participant with limited income.

👉 Celebrate STAR: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/shangri-la-therapeutic-academy-of-riding-inc/35-for-35-years

09/07/2025

It's volunteer groups like the ones from Paideia Academy, U.S. Bank, and Traveler's Insurance that make us want to jump up for high fives!

These groups rocked it while helping us during the Songwriters in the Round event that was held in late August. From wrangling hay bales and getting the grounds looking perfect to helping tackle setup, cleanup, decor, and more — you totally crushed it. We are so thankful to have your help for these key events! We couldn't do what we do without you!

09/02/2025

Shangri-La's Heroes & Horses program has made an impact on numerous veterans around our region, and we're so honored to offer this to former servicemen and servicewomen. Veterans of all branches get an opportunity to spend time with fellow service members while also taking part in equine-assisted services.

“It’s just an amazing program," Lena, a participant, said. "I wish I would have learned about it earlier, honestly. It’s awesome hanging out with Mater. It’s very calming, and [being with other veterans] helps me feel more connected. Seeing other veterans with similar stories — not just Army like me, but all branches — it’s cool to hear their stories and connect with them and the staff.”

Volunteers for the program are also former service members, offering veterans an opportunity to speak to someone who's been through similar situations. That, coupled with the healing power of our equine partners, makes for a no-pressure environment.

“Step out of your comfort zone and just do it," Lena added for those that may be nervous about the program. "For somebody like me, who’s a little more introverted, it’s the perfect balance of animal and human interaction. You don’t feel too overwhelmed with human interaction, and you get a lot of time with the horses. It’s really good for people who may not be into some of the veteran social activities where it’s a lot of pressure. It’s a very relaxed atmosphere…You can just sort of relax into it.”

If you are interested in learning more about STAR's Heroes & Horses program, or if you'd like to support the program, visit our website at www.rideatstar.org for more information.

08/31/2025

It's amazing what we can accomplish together! An amazing group of volunteers and staff joined together to help us put up more than 850 bales of hay on Thursday afternoon! We are so thankful for all the volunteers that came out to help us with this cost-saving measure of cutting, baling, and stack our own hay for our equine partners!

More hands definitely make the load lighter, and we are so thankful for each one that came out to help! If you'd like to learn more about this volunteer opportunity, call our office! We'd love to have you!

08/26/2025

It’s hay season, and we need your help! STAR’s second hay cutting has already happened, and we’re needing volunteers to help us put the hay up in the barn!

We’re tentatively scheduled to load the barn on Thursday, Aug. 28 beginning at noon, weather permitting! We have jobs for everyone, including baling, loading trailers, stacking hay, running the conveyor switch, counting bales, or even offering moral support! There’s no requirement to stay the entire time. Sign up by calling (865) 988-4711 or emailing volunteer@rideatstar.org to receive updates! We can’t wait to see you in the fields!

08/24/2025

What a night of music and stories with four talented singer-songwriters! We hosted our Ninth-Annual Songwriters in the Round presented by Evergreen Custom Construction! It was a relaxing night in the arena as Makayla Lynn, Dan Smalley, Kylie Frey and Dave Kennedy brought their talent to the round.

Alongside the memorable songs, the festive night included barn tours, a deck of cards game, dinner by Chuy’s, fellowship, and support for ! Thank you to our sponsors, volunteers, and guests that made the evening unforgettable!

Photos by STAR Volunteer Barry Slaiman

08/23/2025

Are you looking for an interesting way to get involved with STAR? Our second hay cutting of the season is coming up soon, and we need volunteers to help us fill the barn! There's a variety of jobs from working on the tractors, pulling trailers, lifting bales, stacking bales, and even helping us keep count of how many bales we put up. There's something for everyone!

The hay cutting process is very weather dependent, so we're still watching the forecast for the perfect window to allow for drying time. However, if you're interested in volunteering during this crucial process for Shangri-La, reach out to our office at (865) 988-4711 or email volunteer@rideatstar.org. Signing up allows us to contact you when we know it's time.

08/20/2025

Welcome to the STAR Herd, Bijoux! 🐴 🎉

Bijoux is a 13-year-old flea-bitten grey Warmblood mare. In her past, she competed in dressage and three-day eventing with her owner. Originally imported from French Canada, Bijoux was later purchased in the U.S. and spent most of her life in Maryland. She then moved to Knoxville with her owner who is attending vet school at UT! Although she trained for upper-level eventing, Bijoux decided she preferred flatter work over the demands of a Level 4 three-day eventer. Her owner thought STAR might be the perfect fit, so Bijoux has joined us for a trial period to see how she enjoys life here. We're glad she's with us, and we look forward to her providing ! Welcome, Bijoux!

Fun Fact: Bijoux means “jewelry” in French.

Address

11800 US-11 E
Lenoir City, TN
37772

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	8am - 4:30pm
Thursday	8am - 4:30pm
Friday	8am - 4:30pm

Website

http://www.rideatstar.org/

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