2026 Quarter 2 Newsletter
Remy rides Tango in a therapeutic lesson with instructor Susan Klimas
To learn about Tango, our School Horse of the Month, read to the end of the newsletter
A Bit of RHEC History
In 2005, Ceejay Heckenberg, donated her beloved horse property known as Black Forest Hall to the Little Traverse Conservancy (LTC) “ensuring that her vision for horses, community, youth and giving back would endure through Rising Hope Equestrian Center (RHEC leases the land from the Conservancy).” Ceejay Heckenberg - Harbor Light News
RHEC’s founders shared this commitment to Ceejay’s legacy of horses, community, and giving back. RHEC Co-founder, Marita Hackl, stated, “we started this non-profit ... with the idea that anyone and everyone should have the chance to learn to care for and ride horses.” ‘To share the love of the horse...’ - Harbor Light News
In 2005 and today, we are tremendously grateful for the use of this property. As part of our mission, we offer a scholarship program so that people can connect with horses and horsemanship regardless of the ability to pay. Also as part of our non-profit, we share in the joy and responsibility of doing chores and volunteering in all kinds of ways. Early in RHEC history, volunteer instructors included students with physical or other needs into learning to care for and ride horses. Donations help support scholarships, school horse care, the expansion of our therapeutic programming, and operations needs. Your support helps further our stewardship of this land and of our community.
Spring Exceptional Riders Program
RHEC was pleased to offer the no cost use of our school horses and property for the non-profit Exceptional Rider’s Program (ERP) Spring Session. ERP offers 8-week sessions each fall and spring at RHEC free of charge. This long time partnership between the two non-profit organizations is free for participants and 100% volunteer run. For more information on this program, contact https://exceptionalridersprogram.org/ directly.
Second Quarter Scholarships
Generous donors sponsored 80 scholarship lessons from April through June. Since January, a total of 185 scholarshipped riding lessons have been provided.
We hope to expand on these numbers throughout the rest of the year. We rely on your tax deductible donations to achieve our mission of making horsemanship accessible to this community regardless of the ability to pay.
LK Horsesense Groundwork Clinic
In April, Leah Keller, of LK Horsesense, brought horsemanship to our community, shared access to horses, especially important before spring and summer riding, and the joy and love of RHEC’s property to our community. This tremendous opportunity included middle school through adult students, was free to the public to audit and included two full days of scholarships.
Katherine Michels Dressage Clinic
In May, Katherine Michels, Katherine Michels Training, brought horsemanship to our community through the dressage discipline with a focus on body mechanics and balance. RHEC was thrilled to bring the joy and love of RHEC’s property to our community through this clinic and Katherine’s talents. This tremendous learning opportunity included high school and adult students, was free to the public to audit and included two sessions donated by Katherine Michels Training!
Kip Fladland Horsemanship Clinic
In June, RHEC was pleased to host a Kip Fladland Horsemanship Clinic aimed at sharpening skills and building better relationships with horses. Kip travels the country to share his gifts and we were fortunate to be one of his stops. Participants came from our community and well beyond, was free to the public to audit for ages 12 and under and 65 and over and included one fully scholarshipped participant.
Kids Summer Horse Camp
In June, RHEC kicked off the summer season with Kids Summer Horse Camp. Five Kids (7-13) learned about safety on the ground and while riding, grooming, & horse care. We LOVE to offer Kids Camps to see young riders progress in skills, make new friends and develop relationships with horses . We also love to see our continuing students volunteer their time and their love of horses with campers. It’s a joy all around!
Did you know that it costs RHEC about $10,000 per year for our beloved school horses’ medical care (dental, veterinary care, hoof care)? In order to keep our hard working school horses healthy and happy we try to keep them in a regular rotation of chiropractic adjustments and massages. Please consider donating today.
Tango
School Horse of the Month
Age: 15
Sex: Gelding
Weight: He feels this question is a bit too personal. But he’ll tell you himself if you ask him off the record.
Breed: AQH
PERSONALITY
Tango is an easy going guy who just wants to get along with humans and horses alike. He enjoys flat work, chasing cows, and good horsemanship. He is pretty unphased by most things and enjoys the RHEC life. He is currently living with the other school horse geldings and has worked his way up to the number two position in the herd. He understands that Vinnie is the head honcho and doesn’t mind playing by his rules.
He continues to be a great addition to our school horse herd.
HEALTH & GROOMING
Tango is 15 years old and recently got the full body once over by our wonderful specialty vet. It was determined that he needed hock and stifle injections to help maintain his soundness and comfort.
He’s also been struggling with a bit of a tummy issue and so a new protocol was introduced to his feed plan.
*Scholarships available.
Please contact 231 526-6353 or risinghopeequestriancenter@gmail.com for more information.
Thank you!
Hundreds and hundreds of volunteer hours support RHEC’s mission. We are grateful for our RHEC volunteer family! Highlights this quarter include spring cleaning the property and buildings, dragging pastures and arenas, preparing the grounds for clinics and events, fundraising, assisting new students at Horse Camp, website updates and on and on.
Our instructors volunteer many hours to make lessons, programs and events possible in our community. We couldn’t do it without their partnership!!
Little Traverse Conservancy for allowing RHEC to provide our mission in our community!
Our anonymous, long-time benefactors, for spring fencing repairs and Heather at Jane of All Trades for donating time!
Christine Van Wormer for your very generous donation in memory of Peaches and long time generosity. Our scholarship fund was able to provide immediate support.
Jim Hart for your very generous donation in memory of Sandy Wasdall whose request was to take care of people and animals, not necessarily in that order. Your donation supported scholarships, adding Rainey to our school horse family, and spring dental care!
Jim Kilpatrick, for your historic generous financial support and volunteer time!
Ted and Jane Von Voigtlander Foundation for your generous donation towards scholarships and school horse body work in honor of Leah Keller’s Birthday!
Diane Klimas, Susan Klimas and Eliza for the high quality vacuum!
Patti and Jim Bartlett for refreshing our office area!
Harbor Springs Fire Department for watering our outdoor arena!
RHEC students for volunteering around the barn and at Horse Camps!
Levi Porter for your barn repair service time!
All of the donors totaling almost $900 for Rose’s 33rd birthday! This will help us expand our therapeutic programming.
Board News
RHEC Board of Directors are as follows:
Amy McMullen, President
Emily Meier, Vice President
Patti Bartlett, Co-Treasurer
Michelle Suarez, Co-Treasurer
Lisa Kay, Secretary
We want to hear from you! Please connect with questions, comments or suggestions to:
rhecboard@gmail.com
Rising Hope Equestrian Center
2787 Quick Road, Harbor Springs, Michigan 49740
risinghopeequestriancenter@gmail.com
(231) 526-6353
EIN: 20-1896405