Naples Therapeutic Riding Center

04/13/2026

To our community,

Our hearts are with all those affected by the fire in the Picayune Strand area. We are holding you close in our thoughts during this incredibly difficult time.

At this time, Naples Therapeutic Riding Center has reached capacity for evacuees. We are grateful to have been able to support those we could and continue to stand with our community during this crisis.

For those still seeking a safe place for their horses, we encourage other stables in secure areas to comment below so families in need can connect with you.

In moments like this, the strength of our community matters most. We stand together, and we are here for you.

To the horse community, thank you to everyone who has stepped up to help their neighbors and equine partners.

Wishing safety, protection, and safe harbor to all.

04/13/2026

Don’t miss out on the fun! Limited spots remain for NTRC’s Summer Camp. ☀️🐎

Remaining Availability:
• June 8–12: 2 spots (ages 11–16)
• June 22–26: 5 spots (ages 11–16)
• July 13–17: 3 spots (ages 11–16)
• July 27–31: 3 spots (mixed ages)

Camp days are filled with hands-on time with the horses, confidence-building activities, and meaningful connections, all led by our incredible instructor team and supported by dedicated volunteers.

If your camper has been hoping to join us, now is the time to secure their place. Learn more, download the registration form, and pay your deposit at www.ntrc.org/camps

Thank you to every family who submitted early registration. We look forward to welcoming you soon.

04/09/2026

Meet Max! From the moment Max arrives at NTRC, his excitement says it all. Through therapeutic riding, Max has found something truly powerful: calm, connection, and happiness. The rhythmic movement of the horse provides the sensory input he needs, helping him stay focused and regulated. Max is noticeably calmer after lessons, often for the rest of the day.

For his family, the most meaningful moments are the simplest ones, like watching Max skip joyfully toward the arena gate, confident and ready to ride.

04/03/2026

Fridays at NTRC are for opening our gates and sharing our mission. ❤️

Today, Kristen Goodman, Director, kicked off her monthly “Horse Coffee Tours.” With fresh donuts, good coffee, and even better company, a wonderful group spent the morning learning about NTRC, our programs, and the impact happening here every day. When people see it and experience it firsthand, that’s when connection grows and lives continue to change.

Thank you, Kristen, for creating a space that brings people closer to our mission. This work is not possible without our community, from participants to volunteers to donors and advocates. So, we invite you to experience it firsthand.

The next “Horse Coffee Tour” will be held on May 1.

If you’re interested in attending a tour and experiencing NTRC firsthand, we would love to have you. Send us a DM to learn more.

03/31/2026

At NTRC’s Kentucky Derby Party, the Live Horse Auction is one of the most anticipated moments of the evening! 🏇🌹

Guests bid on NTRC’s therapy horses, each thoughtfully paired with a horse running in the Kentucky Derby. When you win the bid, you are not purchasing the horse, but symbolically securing its Derby match for the race.

As the race unfolds, your experience continues as the excitement elevates. If the Derby horse paired with your therapy horse finishes in the top three, you take home more than bragging rights. Winners of Win (1st) , Place (2nd), and Show (3rd) leave NTRC with a little cushion in their pocket!

And... If your horse comes in last, we have you covered with our “Bottom of the Barrel” prize, a nice bottle of bourbon to ease the let down.

It is a high-energy, engaging way to be part of the race while directly supporting the horses who make our work possible every day.

Grab your tickets now. Only 70 seats remain!

www.ntrc.org/kentucky-derby

03/30/2026

Have you ever wanted to pursue a certification that can truly change lives, including your own?

This fall, Naples Therapeutic Riding Center is proud to host two PATH Intl. training opportunities designed for individuals who feel called to make a deeper impact through equine-assisted services.

CTRI Skills Clinic
September 18–21, 2026
A Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) is a trained professional who safely leads and adapts horseback riding sessions for individuals with physical, social, and mental health needs. It is a role that blends horsemanship, teaching, and human connection, where every lesson is purposeful and every interaction has the potential to create meaningful progress. This workshop is tailored to refine your teaching, strengthen your understanding of safety and standards, and take the next step toward certification.

Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning Workshop
October 9–11, 2026
Learn how to partner with licensed professionals to support mental health and learning through equine-assisted sessions. An ESMHL, certified through PATH Intl., is a professional who partners with licensed clinicians to safely facilitate ground-based equine-assisted mental health and learning sessions by managing the horse and environment.

If you have ever felt drawn to this work, this is your opportunity to begin or grow that journey.

Learn more and register:

CTRI Skills Clinic: https://pathintl.org/events/path-intl-ctri-skills-clinic-september-18-21-2026/

ESMHL Workshop: https://pathintl.org/events/path-intl-equine-specialist-in-mental-health-and-learning-workshop-october-9-11-2026/

03/28/2026

Naples Therapeutic Riding Center is proud to announce that we now accept Step Up For Students scholarships and are an approved provider for the Unique Abilities Scholarship.

The Unique Abilities Scholarship is designed to support students with specific diagnoses by providing access to specialized services that meet their individual needs. Through this opportunity, eligible families can use scholarship funds toward NTRC’s Therapeutic Riding Program, which support physical, social, and mental health needs in a structured and supportive environment.

If your family currently receives Step Up For Students funding or is interested in applying for the Unique Abilities Scholarship, we encourage you to explore eligibility and next steps.

Learn more at https://www.stepupforstudents.org/scholarships/unique-abilities/

03/27/2026

Today, we honor Bear.

Bear came to Naples Therapeutic Riding Center on September 28, 2016, and from the moment he arrived, he became more than just a member of our herd. He became a partner in healing, a teacher without words, and a steady, grounding presence for every rider, volunteer, and staff member lucky enough to know him.

On May 27, 2022, Bear retired to Texas, where he was able to live as a horse should. Grazing, resting, and simply being. It was a well-earned chapter after years of giving so much of himself to others.

It is with deep sadness that we share that on March 13, 2026, Bear passed.

While his time with us and beyond has come to an end, his impact has not. It lives on in the riders who found their strength on his back, in the volunteers who learned alongside him, and in the countless quiet moments where he made someone feel safe, seen, and capable.

At NTRC, we often talk about improving lives one stride at a time. Bear was the embodiment of that. Every step he took carried purpose. Every ride he gave created change.

If you would like to share a story about Bear or receive support from the NTRC team during this time, please call (239)596-2988 or email program@ntrc.org.

03/26/2026

Riders, sponsors, volunteers, and donors, share your feedback to help shape NTRC's future! Complete our strategic planning survey today.

Email from Naples Therapeutic Riding Center Help Shape the Future of NTRC   Your Voice Matters in NTRC’s Strategic Plan Dear NTRC Community, Naples Therapeutic Riding Center is beginning the process o