Late Spring Newsletter

Check out the latest from the farm in our Late Spring Newsletter!

Thank You For Your Support During Give Local Piedmont

A huge thank you to everyone who supported Rainbow yesterday and helped us to raise key sustaining funds! We are incredibly grateful and humbled by the generosity of our community!

We were able to raise $17,285 of funds that will go toward sustaining our center until we are able to reopen for lessons. Thank you!

$12,765.00 Raised! 12 Hours To Go

We are half-way through Give Local Piedmont 2020 and #givingtuesdaynow!

Help us to reach our goal of raising $50,000.00 of sustaining funds that will go toward supporting our program while we are closed due to COVID-19. Please donate today!

#givingtuesdaynow Support Rainbow Today, May 5th 2020!

One Day Can Make A Difference!

Today, May 5th 2020, our community is coming together for 24 hours of online giving event to support nonprofits like Rainbow Therapeutic Riding Center through Give Local Piedmont and #givingtuesdaynow!

During these unprecedented times, Rainbow has had to temporarily close to protect the safety of our participants, staff and volunteers. However, our therapy horses continue to need food and care whether we are giving lessons or not, and tuition is not coming in. We need your help. 

Your donations during this giving event are now more critical than ever in helping us to continue to provide much needed services to our participants when we reopen. Please donate to our COVID-19 relief and help us reach our goal of raising $50,000.00 on May 5th!

During Give Local on May 5th, your donation goes even further. The Peterson Family Foundation is generously matching the first $5,000.00 given. Additionally, The PATH Foundation in Warrenton has pledged $100,000 to the non-profits involved in Give Local Piedmont.  This gift is based on the percent of what we are able to raise, please help us maximize this gift! 

Help us raise awareness and funds for Rainbow by saving the date and making a donation online on May 5th, 2020!

Fun Show Postponed

After careful consideration, we are postponing the Annual Fun Show. The horses and ponies are being kept in condition and staff are grooming them carefully to help them shed their winter coats. They will be sleek, shiny and show ready when we able to reschedule.

A new show date will be posted as soon as one is scheduled.

Help Us Give Bentley A "Show Name"

Help us give Bentley a “show name!”

All of our horses have registered or show names, except one...Bentley. As a beloved member of the Rainbow family, we think he more than deserves a fancy name.

Vote now on Facebook by April 15th!

What is a “show name” or registered name?!

Ever wondered why the horses in the Kentucky Derby and show horses have such wacky names? There is a good reason!

When a horse is registered with their breed registry or The Jockey Club, they have to provide a totally unique name. No other horse can have the same name.

That means you have to get creative! There are also many rules around naming horses. Depending on the organization the horse is registered with there are rules around the number of letters and types of words. For example, thoroughbreds can’t be named after a living person without written permission from that individual.

Traditionally, names will also often reference a horse’s breeding or bloodlines. That can include the name of the stable where they were bred. For example, Finny’s name, Blue Ridge Fionnuala. (You can see all our horse's names here: https://www.rainbowriding.org/our-horses)

People also give show names to unregistered horses. These are like full names used for situations like horse shows or for on their stall plaques.

This brings us back to Bentley, while he won’t be formally registered we still think he should get a full and fancy name!

How To Vote:
Check out Facebook to vote!

Rainbow Spring Newsletter

Check out the latest from the farm in the Spring Newsletter and make sure to subscribe!

Rainbow Staff Reading List

There are many great ways to expand your horse knowledge from home! Here is a reading list of educational books and great reads from our instructors and equine staff.

Rainbow Staff Reading List

Centered Riding by Swift 

The United States Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship (There are many different levels from beginner to advanced) 

School for Young Riders by Dillon

Hunt Seat Equitation by Morris

Riding and Jumping by Steinkraus

A Horse Of Your Own by Stoneridge

The Horsemans' Almanac by M. Self

An Album of Horses by M. Self

Horse, Follow Closely by GaWaNi Pony Boy 

Great Stories:

80 Dollar Champion by Letts

Misty of Chincoteague by Henry

Billy & Blaze Book Series

Black Stallion Book Series 

National Velvet by Bagnold

Seabiscuit by Hillenbrand

Many of these classic stories have also been made into movies!