MEET THE ANIMALS

Billy

Billy arrived at Freedom Ride in December 2016 from Florida TRAC, Thoroughbred Retirement and Adoptive Care located in South Florida, who help to place off-the-track Thoroughbreds. Billy adapted beautifully to the life of a therapy horse. He is most comfortable interacting with his riders and volunteers, he truly is a “people” horse! He’s very handsome, has a playful personality and loves to challenge all of us with his adorable kind face.

Billy is generously sponsored by an anonymous donor

Cherokee

Cherokee arrived at Freedom Ride in August 2011. Those looking at him would never guess he is a registered paint by his solid color. His gentle eyes and friendly personality have quickly made him a favorite with our riders. He has a steady, smooth trot that is great for teaching our students how to post in the saddle.

Cherokee is generously sponsored by Logan, and Shelley and Gary Daniels

Elliott

Elliott is an off the track Thoroughbred (OTTB) who was generously donated to Freedom Ride by Linda and Kendra Harnch. Elliott is a gentle giant and extremely handsome. Though young, he is a gentle soul and is very wise, making him the ideal therapy horse. He has settled into his new role and riders love his childish curiosity.

Elliott is looking for his new sponsor!

Gravity

Gravity is an adorable Gypsy Vanner gelding gifted to Freedom Ride by LexLin Gypsy Ranch. Gravity arrived in September 2015 and quickly settled in to his new home. He stands out wherever he goes due to his stunning good looks, including his long mane and tail. Gravity is a quick learner and earned the title of equine therapist very quickly. With his calm and gentle temperament he is a superstar who is loved by all! We are forever grateful for this amazing gift – thank you Lexlin Gypsy Ranch!

Gravity is generously sponsored by Dona and Fred Tannler

Halo

Halo is a 16.3 hand, 1340 lb., Percheron/Thoroughbred. She competed in hunter jumper horse shows for many years and was generously donated to Freedom Ride by the Bjerkestrand family. They wanted Halo to be a therapy horse due to her sweet nurturing nature and beautiful smooth ride. Due to her large size she is able to carry veterans as well as larger riders. She can be found frolicking in the pasture with her friends.

Halo is generously sponsored by Shelley and Gary Daniels

Huckleberry

Huckleberry is a Paint pony even though he has a solid chestnut coat with a big white blaze on his face. He has showed in a variety of riding disciplines, but is most comfortable as an English pleasure horse. He is our only pony and is perfect for our smaller riders due to his 14.1 hand size. We fondly refer to him as our “nugget” and he has become a volunteer favorite due to his playful personality.

Huckleberry “Huck” is generously sponsored by Laura & Gary Cornwell

Image

Image arrived at Freedom Ride in January 2010. She is a beautiful Quarter Horse Paint, which makes it easy for new volunteers to locate her out in the field among the bay and chestnut horses. Image has a sweet personality and proudly carries her riders, providing each one the opportunity to build physical strength and stamina. She is our “go to” horse for Special Olympics as she loves to travel to new places and show off her riders.

Image is generously sponsored by Steve and Claudia Cook 

Jasper

Jasper is a Quarter Horse gelding who came to Freedom Ride in July 2014. Jasper was generously donated to us by a kind-hearted family who had rescued him a couple of years prior. We are thankful that this caring family gave us the opportunity to add this amazing horse to our program! Whether the rider is in a bareback pad or saddle, Jasper teaches them all basic riding skills and helps build their confidence.

Jasper is generously sponsored by an anonymous donor

Justice

Justice joined Freedom Ride in 2023. He is a very handsome chestnut Quarter Horse who was generously donated to us by a family of champion Western Pleasure competitors. Justice was a successful competitor, and he settled easily into the life of a therapy horse. He has a calm and loving demeanor and he is a star around our obstacle courses, which his riders love and appreciate. He is teaching his riders proper reining techniques, which is new to them and very fun!

Justice is generously sponsored by an anonymous donor

Noah

Noah began his new job as a equine therapist in July 2014. He is a thoroughbred gelding who came from Florida TRAC (Thoroughbred Retirement and Adoptive Care) in south Florida. They told us: “Noah is extremely calm and willing, always a gentleman…and was made for a job working with children”. We agree!! Noah carries some of our physically challenged riders with a smooth and steady step, providing our clients the opportunity to build balance and coordination.

Noah is generously sponsored by Clarke and Suzanne Lemons

Rusty

Rusty arrived in May 2015 and immediately fit right in! Rusty is a handsome 15.3 hand thoroughbred gelding with a big teddy bear personality. He is willing to do whatever we ask of him and we have yet to find anything that fazes him, which makes him a great equine therapist! He is calm and steady, and his commanding size is perfect for our adult riders. He is easy to find in the pasture as he is frequently stretched out napping.

Rusty is generously sponsored by John Hronek

Ryley

Ryley was generously donated to Freedom Ride by instructor Anne Wilbur, who was happy to help us fill the need for a smaller, well trained horse. Ryley arrived in April, 2021 and immediately started learning his new job. He is very playful and loves being turned out with his new equine friends. With his lovely palomino color, he stands out in the pasture. His trail background serves him well in his new role as therapy horse.

Ryley is generously sponsored by LARC

Wilson

Wilson is a registered paint gelding who arrived in January 2015. Standing at 14.3 hands he is the ‘just right’ size and his temperament is truly unflappable. He settled in quickly and doesn’t seem to mind us placing colored rings on his ears, balls tossed over his head or any of the other silly things that we do with our equine therapists in a lesson. He LOVES the attention volunteers bestow on him and is a great addition to our equine team.

Wilson is generously sponsored by Regina Falconer 

Zip Cochise

Zip Cochise joined our herd in April 2023. He is a three year old appaloosa miniature horse. Even though he is small in stature, he bosses around the rest of the herd. What he lacks in height, he makes up for in attitude! He is already a valued member of our Equine Facilitated Learning program and is a favorite of many of our clients. He stands patiently as they slather him with paint and brush his unruly mane and forelock!

Zip Cochise is generously sponsored by Rosemary O’Shea

Cheeto

Momma Kitty

Junior

Mikie

Hope

Our Retired Horse Therapists

Our special horses have touched the lives of so many people in so many ways that when it’s time for them to retire we find loving homes for each horse. We appreciate how our horses have served and improved the lives of deserving individuals not just therapeutically, but as friends who care for each rider in their own special way.

Bella

Bella arrived at Freedom Ride in February 2009. Prior to arriving at Freedom Ride she was a school horse at a local barn and enjoyed teaching her riders to jump. As a therapy horse she was the perfect height and provided just the right amount of movement. She is a strong and confident horse with a touch of sass. Bella always carried our beginner riders safely and provided them with the confidence needed to progress in their skills.

Bucky

Bucky, a very handsome Palomino gelding, arrived in March of 2016. He was exceptional with our riders and has settled into his retirement very nicely. He made fast friends at his new location and fits in with the many other palominos at his new home!

Lucky

Lucky joined the Freedom Ride team in August 2007. He was trained in Western pleasure and showed nationally before arriving at Freedom Ride. Lucky has an easy going temperament and although he has no vision in his left eye, he adapted quickly to life as a therapy horse. He challenged his riders to try hard and do their best. He was always easy to find in the pasture with his solid chestnut coat and large white blaze.

Papa Chico

Papa Chico was a wonderful addition to Freedom Ride and came to us in June of 2016. He is a 16.2 hand Thoroughbred who came to us from FLTRAC. He is an ex-racehorse, who always liked attention. He is now at his new location and his owner adores him. He is missed, but we are very happy for them both!

Marshmellow & Joey

Marshmellow & Joey are two adorable miniature horses. This brother and sister duo were ambassadors for Freedom Ride, participating in various community outreach events, marching in local parades and traveling to schools and nursing homes where they bring joy and smiles to all they visit. They are happily together at their owner’s new barn.

Duncan

Duncan is a gentle, sweet, 13.1 hand, Welsh Pony. We are very thankful to his family who generously donated him to us. Before joining Freedom Ride, he was a hunter show pony with a stunning appearance and willingness to please. He has happily returned to the show ring and is continuing his winning ways.

The Loving Memory

“Always remember that once a horse has touched your soul they will always be with you”

Daphne

Daphne, a beautiful Thoroughbred mare arrived at Freedom Ride in mid-July 2014. Prior to Freedom Ride her owner gave her a wonderful home for 12 yrs but had to move across country and was unable to bring Daphne with her. She told us; “Daphne is a sweet, gentle, caring, calm, sensitive and loving girl who deserves the same in return. I believe she has the heart and patience to make a wonderful therapy horse.” She certainly did make a wonderful therapy horse and taught us all how incredibly sweet these amazing creatures truly are.

Ivan

Ivan was given to Freedom Ride in 2008. Prior to Freedom Ride, this beautiful Arabian cross was a trail horse at The Grand Cypress Equestrian Center. Ivan has helped hundreds of individuals find an improved quality of life by his incredible patience and steady gait. Ivan was also known as the “go to” horse for parades, Girl Scouts earning their badges, foster children painting on him and his calm demeanor in any situation.

Whitey

Whitey, an Arabian/Quarter cross gelding, spent 8 wonderful years at Freedom Ride. Although he was in his 30’s, he had the spunk and energy of a much younger horse. Trained as a western pleasure show horse, he loved to show his off riders and they enjoyed learning from him. He was a very patient canvas when riders happily painted him and he thoroughly enjoyed eating applesauce as his reward for a job well done.

I’d like to learn more about the capital campaign

    Pat Michaels

    Media and Public Relations, OneBlood

    pat.michaels@oneblood.org

    Pat Michaels is a past Board President, and he has headed up media and public relations since 2004, first at Florida’s Blood Centers, now OneBlood, the nation’s second largest blood center in the country. In addition to directing media messages, stories, and media events, Pat oversees a department of journalists who produce stories about blood donation, donors and patients. His 25 years as a TV journalist gives him a story-telling perspective, providing stories for the OneBlood website and all social media. Pat holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Valdosta State University. He continued his education in meteorology at Mississippi State University, using those credentials as an on-air meteorologist in several TV markets. He is a children’s book author, writing “W is for Wind” published in 2005.

    Joanne Grant

    Mills 50 District

    Joanne has a Master of Arts in Speech & Journalism from Marshall University in Huntington, WV.
    She has experience in venue management, at Orange County Convention Center, Ocean Center in Daytona Beach and Orlando Centroplex and in entertainment management as Director of Entertainment for Universal CityWalk and Director of Entertainment Production for Universal Orlando.
    Currently, she is Executive Director of Mills 50, one of the City of Orlando’s ten Main Street Districts, and has overseen its growth since 2010. Mills 50 is known as the “foodie” district due to its abundance of locally owned restaurants and the “artsy” district because of its focus on public art including murals, painted utility cabinets, storm drains and dumpsters.
    Joanne is Secretary of the Board of Directors of The Center Orlando, Secretary of the Orlando Philharmonic Plaza Foundation Board of Directors, past President of the Board of Directors of Freedom Ride and a former member of the Board of Directors of Harbor House.
    In 2017, Joanne was a recipient of the Summit Award, presented by the Women’s Resource Center of Central Florida. She has won two Telly Awards for the videos she produced for Primrose Center and Harbor House.

    Jan Coudriet

    Jan is working at Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Results Realty. She has specialized in the Orlando vicinity helping buyers and sellers for over 30 years. Jan has vounteered at the National MS Society, Girl Scouts of America, and Canine Companions For Independence. She is a proud Mom and Grandmother. As a lifetime equestrian herself, Jan believes in the bond between horses and humans that is healing in so many ways. In Jan's words, 'it is an honor to be on the board and give back to this community'.

    Amy Daly

    Secretary

    Amy Daly is Vice President, Principle Scientist and Director of Environmental Services for CPH, Inc., a full service A&E firm. She assists clients with navigating the regulatory world to obtain approvals for residential, commercial, institutional, recreational, water & wastewater treatment plant projects with state, federal and local governments. Mrs. Daly develops and implements permitting strategies to address wetlands, threatened and endangered species, water quality and industrial discharges. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences and a Master of Business Administration. Amy is always interested in volunteering her time to worthwhile non-profit endeavors and Freedom Ride has provided an excellent opportunity to give back to others. When not working and volunteering, Amy enjoys outdoor activities and spending time with her family and friends.

    “I believe that Freedom Ride provides a wonderful opportunity to help someone improve their physical and mental well-being and provide them with a sense of accomplishment. I take great pride in knowing I can be a part of that experience.”

    TJ Houmes

    Treasurer

    TJ Houmes, CPA is an audit manager for Withum, Smith and Brown, PC, an accounting firm located in Orlando, FL. He manages financial statement audits for clients in the not-for-profit, government, hospitality, and agriculture industries. He attended the University of Central Florida and holds Bachelors of Science degrees in Accounting and Finance, and a Master of Business Administration. He has been a licensed Certified Public Accountant in Florida since 2014, and is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the Florida Institute of CPAs. He believes in the importance of helping those in need, and is proud to be a part of an organization that the provides services to individuals with disabilities in our community and help enrich their lives. When he is not working and volunteering his time to Freedom Ride, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing softball with his firm’s softball team, and attending UCF football games.

    Chris Nemethy

    Vice President

    Christopher Nemethy is a Project Manager – Senior Architect II for HuntonBrady Architects. He has been with the firm for over 28 years with a total of 33 years in the practice. He holds a Bachelor of Design from the University of Florida and a Bachelor of Architecture from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. He leads his team of architects, designers, project coordinators and consultants for various types of projects from design all the way through construction. His specialty is Medical Office Buildings, Outpatient Surgical Centers and Physician Interiors although he has experience in working on Commercial Buildings, Commercial Interiors and Convention Centers. He is currently a member of the American Institute of Architects and a past member of the Executive Committee for the local AIA chapter.

    As a professional and long-time resident in the local community he feels it is our obligation to give back to the community as much as possible. By engaging in Freedom Ride, Inc. and reaching out to local organizations as volunteers, we can help shape the community and help out those in need so that they can all feel like they are a part of the community.