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

Home
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.

01/16/2026

Welcome to STAR, RT! 🎉🐴

RT is a 24-year-old Dutch warmblood bay gelding that joined STAR this week following an impressive career.

RT is a well-known and accomplished sight in the hunter/jumper circuit, and he has taught many riders, both young and old over the years.

As his career slowed down, his owners felt he wasn't ready for full retirement just yet. They felt his talents would fit in with STAR, giving him an opportunity to provide Healing Through Horses for participants. He's a gentle soul that is settling into Shangri-La, and we look forward to getting to know him more.

01/13/2026

Welcome to the herd, Blondie! 🎉🐴

Blondie is an 18-year-old palomino Quarter Horse who spent many years out west with her owner, enjoying western riding and reining. A few years ago, she made the move to Tennessee when her owner relocated, and now Blondie is ready for a step-down job.

Her owner, Megan, volunteered with our Heroes and Horses program a few years ago and knew Blondie would be a wonderful fit for STAR.

We are excited to get to know Blondie and see how she enjoys being a part of Shangri-La. A special thank you to Megan for trusting us with Blondie’s care — we are honored to welcome her to the STAR Family!

01/11/2026

📣SAVE THE DATE📣

STAR's 32nd-Annual Craft & Tack Sale is set for Saturday, March 21! This yearly event brings together local arts and crafts, including woodwork, handmade pens, homemade soaps, pet portraits, clothing, horseshoe art, jewelry and more! Tack is also available! We'll have something for everyone; Food trucks, too! The Craft & Tack Sale is indoors, so it's rain or shine!

Are you interested in being a vendor for this year's event? Call our office at (865) 988-4711 for more information!

01/07/2026

Welcome to the STAR Family, Liz! 🎉

Liz serves as STAR's Equine Manager. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and an associate of arts in English Equestrian Studies from the University of Findlay. Liz is a lifelong horse person who has explored all disciplines from polo to western pleasure. We're excited to have her here, and stop by and introduce yourself in the barn!

01/06/2026

“I was a much nicer person after I got through grooming that horse,” – Bob Stryer, Co-host of Living Our Best With Memory Loss.

Check out STAR's Emily Justus and Angela Bartlett as they sat down with the hosts of the Living Our Best With Memory Loss — a podcast to help those diagnosed with dementia realize they're not alone, and that there are ways to live well with their diagnoses. Bob, Lori Golden-Stryer, and Dennis Lowe all came to Shangri-La to experience the impact of our Reflections program! Watch the full episode!

🎥 Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayIABst-SK0

01/03/2026

Meet Bluey! 🐴🎉

Bluey is a sweet 12-year-old mare standing at 12 hands tall. Named after the beloved cartoon character, she brings just as much charm and personality as her namesake. She came to us after being lovingly rescued by her previous owner and his daughters, who helped her rediscover trust and affection.

With her calm eye and willing heart, Bluey has already shown how much she enjoys being around children. We believe she will be a wonderful addition to our herd — especially for our smaller riders — and we’re excited to see how she settles into life as a STAR Pony!

12/31/2025

⏰ There’s still time!

As we countdown to midnight, get your last minute gift in and help celebrate an incredible year at Shangri-La!

💚 Give now and start 2026 with a heart full of hope: https://bit.ly/3YLCeLW

12/30/2025

Shangri-La Therapeutic Academy of Riding will be closed Thursday, Jan. 1, in observance of New Years Day.

We look forward to what 2026 holds for us at STAR, and we are excited to welcome participants back to the barn for a new year of joy and growth. Happy New Year's from all of us at Shangri-La!

12/29/2025

When 11-year-old Kiernan rides at Shangri-La, something extraordinary happens. His body steadies, his muscles strengthen, and his constant motion fades into moments of calm.

Despite a diagnosis Sanfilippo Syndrome Type IIIB that typically takes away speech by age five and walking by age eight, Kiernan still walks, jumps, and connects deeply with his equine partners at STAR.

“We feel like a lot of his mobility is due to his equine sessions at STAR," his father, Shaun, said. "‘There’s something about the outside of a horse that’s good for the inside of a man.’ Kiernan just connects.”

Your generosity opens the gates of Shangri-La — a peaceful sanctuary where challenges give way to breakthroughs and families find strength, joy, and hope. Make your year-end gift today and help ensure more children and adults experience the life-changing impact of our horses.

Donate today: https://bit.ly/4sy0aQO

12/27/2025

🌟 As we enter the final week of our series The Shaping of Shangri-La: Stories from the Vault, we look ahead to the start of a new chapter in STAR's story following the retirement of Founder Lynn Petr. Hear from Shangri-La's new Executive Director, Emily Justus, who shares more about what has been unfolding behind the scenes as the team navigated this transition over the past ten months.

🎥 Watch Episode 7: https://bit.ly/3YLCeLW

💚 Give the gift of growth for the future before December 31.

12/25/2025

From our STAR Family to yours, we wish you a Happy Holidays and a Merry Christmas! May you find true joy this holiday season! 🎄

12/23/2025

Shangri-La Therapeutic Academy of Riding will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 24-25, for the holidays.

We wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us at STAR! Thank you for helping us bring joy to so many throughout the year!

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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