A Heartfelt Thank You from our Rainbow Tribe🐴 🌈

Yesterday was Give Local Piedmont Day — a powerful reminder of what our community can accomplish when we come together to support one another. Thanks to your generosity, we came within a horse’s hair of reaching our $10,000 goal, and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who gave to help make that possible.

If you didn’t have a chance to donate yesterday, there’s still time to help us cross the finish line. Our donation page is still open: Give Local Piedmont Donation Page. You can make either a one-time gift or a recurring donation to support Rainbow’s mission throughout the year.

And if you need a reminder of the impact Rainbow has on the 300+ families we serve each year, we invite you to revisit Brynn’s story.

Thank you from all of us at Rainbow — our riders, instructors, volunteers, and of course, our wonderful herd!

Volunteers of the Month — March and April

Congratulations! We're celebrating not one but two volunteers of the month -- Pooja and Madison! Thank you both for your extraordinary commitment to our Rainbow program -- it's only with your continued support that we are able to operate our equine assisted therapy sessions! If you'd like to join Pooja and Madison, let us know at https://www.rainbowriding.org/volunteer-application-form and we'll get right back to you! Thank you!

HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO!

It’s Cinco de Mayo… but at Rainbow, we’re celebrating a little differently, with Cinco de MAUI 🐴🌮 Skip the margaritas and mariachi — this holiday is all about one of our hero horses, Maui!

With Give Local Piedmont Day just a week away, we’re sharing five fun facts about Maui and why horses like him mean so much to our riders.

1/ Snack enthusiast—bananas and apple muffins are at the top of his list

2/ A Dutch Warmblood standing at a perfectly compact 15.2 hands

3/ Former hunter/jumper star, known for his rhythm, style, and smooth rounds

4/ Proud holder of the “Most Lovable Snoot” title (as voted by staff)

5/ Best friends with Casino

Our horses like Maui give so much. They help our riders grow in confidence, gain physical strength, and create brighter futures. Simply being around a horse can calm the nervous system and support emotional regulation. In the saddle, the rhythm of their movement helps riders with physical challenges relax and engage their bodies. And that steady, nonjudgmental companionship gives students a trusted friend to connect with—something that can make a real difference for those navigating mental health challenges.

Just $5 treats Maui to a big bunch of bananas, $15 adds a generous bag of carrots, and $50 helps cover his monthly supplements.

Please donate NOW at: https://www.givelocalpiedmont.org/story/0rg8ze

Maui (and all his friends) thank you!

Early Giving for GIVE LOCAL PIEDMONT is NOW open!

One of our biggest fundraisers of the year, Give Local Piedmont, is happening on Tuesday, May 12 — and we’re hoping we can count on your support once again to help keep our Rainbow riders in the saddle all year long.

Early Giving kicks off today, Tuesday, April 28 and we’d encourage you to visit our official donation page or scan the QR code below to make your gift early:https://www.givelocalpiedmont.org/story/0rg8ze

Each year, more than 300 students and families in your community benefit from Rainbow’s equine-assisted services. That’s why Give Local Piedmont is so important — it helps us provide meaningful support to those who need it most, right here at home.

From mental health challenges and physical disabilities to building self-confidence, improving emotional regulation, and preparing students for life beyond our program, Rainbow harnesses the power of our eight incredible therapy horses to make a difference every day. And every donation truly counts:

• $10 buys a salt lick to keep our horses hydrated in the heat

• $25 protects our horses from bugs and flies with a bottle of fly spray

• $75 buys a fly sheet for the summer months

• $100 covers a full year of dental care for one horse

• $150 provides enough hay to feed one horse for a month

• $200 pays for a farrier visit to keep a horse’s feet healthy

Whatever you’re able to give, our Rainbow riders are deeply grateful. Your support makes it possible for them to continue growing, thriving, and living their best lives —one hoofbeat at a time.

Thank you!

DONATE ONLINE HERE

Spring News from Rainbow

Help Rainbow on Give Tuesday 2026

The countdown is on to this year’s Give Choose Day which takes place on Tuesday March 24th.

Give Choose is a 24-hour day of giving organized by the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties. It’s all about inspiring generosity and bringing the community together to support nonprofits that make our region a better place to grow up and grow old.

The Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and its mission is simple: to grow community giving. They serve as a broad and flexible vehicle for charitable giving and community investment in Loudoun and northern Fauquier counties. They work with more than 30 community foundations in Virginia and almost 1,000 across America to serve as grant makers, partnership builders, and leaders in the local community. 

You can help make a difference in the lives of our students this Give Tuesday by supporting Rainbow Therapeutic Riding Center's mission to provide affordable equine therapy.

Early giving is now open and you can give now at: https://www.givechoose.org/nonprofits/RainbowTherapeuticRidingCenter?cid=0&coid=0&kw=Rainbow&pg=1

Thank you for everything you do to support your community!

February 2026 Volunteer of the Month

Rainbow is delighted to announce that our Volunteer of the Month for February 2026 is Leighann! Leighann has been a dedicated Rainbow volunteer for an incredible 16 years, ever since she moved to the Haymarket area. Over the years, she has supported Rainbow and our students in many ways—horse leading during lessons, side walking for riders who need a little extra support, and helping with barn chores whenever needed. Congratulations and thank you Leighann!

And if you'd like to join her as a Rainbow volunteer, please complete our short application form here: https://www.rainbowriding.org/volunteer-application-form

January 2026 Volunteer of the Month

Announcing Rainbow’s 2025 Volunteers of the Year!

Rainbow is proud to honor Pam and Joe, two extraordinary volunteers who truly embody the heart of our program.

Pam brings a fearless can-do spirit to everything she does. Always ready to step in where needed, she’s trained as both a side walker and horse leader—and still finds time to help with grooming and barn chores. A true all-rounder, Pam’s positivity, warm smile, and horse savvy lift up staff, students, and four-legged friends alike. She’s a joy to be around and a barn favorite for good reason!

Joe joined the Rainbow family just one year ago with no prior horse experience—and quickly became an essential part of our team. In an incredible feat, he has already volunteered a record-breaking 500 hours, always with enthusiasm and a smile. Joe is a steady source of support for instructors, has a special gift for bringing students out of their shells, and generously mentors new volunteers.

Pam and Joe, thank you for your dedication, heart, and unwavering commitment. Rainbow is better because of you!

December Volunteer of the Month

Congratulations to Kyle, our December Volunteer of the Month!

Thank you, Kyle, for all the time, heart, and dedication you share with the Rainbow community — we’re so grateful for you!

Thinking about giving back in the New Year? Visit our website and connect with our volunteer coordinator, Marissa, to join our merry gang of elves and make a difference with Rainbow!

https://www.rainbowriding.org/our-volunteers

volunteercoordinator@rainbowriding.org

A Year of Impact, Growth, and Gratitude

A Message from the Executive Director

Dear Friends of Rainbow,

As we come to the close of another year, I find myself filled with deep gratitude — for our riders, our horses, our dedicated team and many volunteers, and for you, our steadfast supporters. Rainbow Therapeutic Riding Center has now served our community for 40 years, and this past year reminded us just how vital our work remains.

In 2025, Rainbow served more than 300 children, adolescents, and adults living with physical, developmental, and mental health challenges. Demand for our programs has never been higher, particularly as families seek meaningful support for youth struggling with anxiety, trauma, and emotional regulation. While our waitlist continues to grow, so does our commitment to meeting these needs with care, professionalism, and compassion.

Our impact goes far beyond the saddle. Parents report improved communication at home, reduced family stress, and increased confidence in their children after just a few lessons. These outcomes are made possible by our exceptional instructors, specially trained horses, and a program built on evidence-based practices and individualized goals.

This year also marked exciting growth: expanded collaborations with schools, counties, and healthcare partners; continued professional development for our staff; increases in volunteer hours and participation, and strong community support through grants, events, and individual giving. Every lesson at Rainbow is subsidized — because access to improved physical health and emotional well-being should never depend on a family’s financial circumstances.

None of this would be possible without you. Your generosity fuels every ride, every breakthrough, and every quiet moment of connection between horse and rider. As we close out the year, we ask that you consider making a final contribution to allow us to continue making our students’ lives more empowered:

https://give-usa.keela.co/donations-2025

From all of us at Rainbow, thank you for believing in our mission and for helping change lives — one hoofbeat at a time.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Inga Janke
Executive Director
Rainbow Therapeutic Riding Center 

Help Fill our Horses’ Christmas Stockings!

🎄🐴 Help Us Fill our Horses’ Christmas Stockings! 🐴🎄

Our four-legged therapists have been extra good this year — and they’re hoping Santa (that’s you!) will help fill their stockings with treats, toys, and barn essentials.

We’ve put together a special Amazon Wish List filled with the things that keep our horses happy, healthy, and ready to do their amazing work with our riders.

✨ If you’d like to spread a little holiday magic, choose a gift and send some love straight to the barn! ✨

Thank you (especially from Denver!) 🥕

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2O6EAYIRZCOM5?ref_=wl_share

Volunteer of the Month November 2025

Please join us in congratulating our volunteer of the month for November, Pam! We are so grateful to have Pam as part of our Rainbow team -- and if you'd like to join her, please check out our website to find out more! https://www.rainbowriding.org/our-volunteers

This Giving Tuesday, help us reach our Year End goals

✨ This Giving Tuesday, help us close the year with hope, happiness — and horses! ✨

At Rainbow, horses don’t just change lives — they help people discover strength, confidence, and freedom. Through therapeutic riding and equine-assisted programs, children and adults with physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges gain skills and joy that last far beyond the barn.

Our Year-End Donation Request Letter is below. We hope you’ll take a moment to read it — and consider making a gift that keeps these life-changing programs accessible for every rider who needs them. Thank you for helping our riders grow, thrive, and shine.

https://give-usa.keela.co/donations-2025

What’s New at Rainbow Riding this Fall?

Read our newsletter ‘Stable Thoughts’ to find out what's happening at the barn this season.

Get Your Rainbow Gear Online Now!

The weather's turning a little chilly but here's some good news: for a limited time, we’ve made our famous Rainbow t-shirts, cozy hoodies, and much-wanted winter beanies available to purchase via our online shop HERE!

AND a portion of the profits goes to support our therapeutic riding program,

so everyone's a winner (and a little warmer!)

There’s much more online, but it’s only available til 11:59pm, Sunday, November 9th!

So what are you waiting for?

Head over to the online shop NOW and snap up some winter warmers before it’s too late!

Volunteer of the Month October

Congratulations Sam! We are delighted to announce that Sam is our Volunteer of the Month for October!

If you have a couple of hours a week to spare and think you might enjoy helping our students have a fun and educational therapeutic riding lesson, then reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator, Marissa, at volunteercoordinator@rainbowriding.org

OR fill in our application form at our website: https://www.rainbowriding.org/volunteer-application-form

Thank you and congratulations again, Sam!

Volunteer of the Month for September

Congratulations Charlie! We are delighted to announce that Charlie is our Volunteer of the Month for September! Charlie joined us a horse leader just a few months ago, but has fully integrated himself into the team and always steps up to volunteer for extra lessons when we are short handed!

If you have a couple of hours a week to spare and think you might enjoy helping our students have a fun and educational therapeutic riding lesson, then reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator, Marissa, at volunteercoordinator@rainbowriding.org OR fill in our application form at our website: https://www.rainbowriding.org/volunteer-application-form

Thank you and congratulations again, Charlie!

PATH FOUNDATION COMMUNITY REPORT 2024

We are indebted to the PATH Foundation for their continued support of our life changing therapeutic riding programs, and the belief they have that we really do make a difference in our Students' lives.

We were THRILLED to find Rainbow Riding Instructor Amanda on the cover of their 2024 Community Report, and a great write up on the support they have given us to enable us to continue our equine assisted therapy.

If you’d like to read more about the PATH Foundation, please click here.

Thank you again all at the PATH Foundation for your continued support.

Rainbow is named the Best Equestrian Center by Haymarket Gainesville Lifestyle Magazine

You may have spotted our Rainbow cover stars Marissa, Maddie, and Shane on the newsstands this month Rainbow appears on the front of this month's Haymarket Gainesville Lifestyle Magazine!

We were honored to be named the best equestrian facility in the area and then to have the magazine dedicate four pages to our wonderful staff, students, and of course, very photogenic horses!

If you are interested in learning more about what Rainbow can do for you and your family, please visit our website at www.rainbowriding.org or email us at rainbow@rainbowriding.org and we'll get back to you.

Thank you to EVERYONE who voted for us!

Click here to view the full article.