Victory Gallop has made such an impact on all 3 of my boys
Let me start off by saying congrats to Victory Gallop for their 25th year anniversary. Victory Gallop has made such an impact on all 3 of my boys. I am a single mom and do my best to do everything I can for them. Without the donations and grants from all the sponsors my boys would miss out on the benefits of riding. Victory Gallop has changed so much in my boy’s lives.
My oldest son has been ridding for almost 7 years. He has grown so much since he started. Kim and Sue are amazing people Marquis would not talk to them much when he first started but now, he will hold conversations with both of them. He has gained so much in life just by ridding and being around the horses and volunteers. I think his confidence has gotten so much better because of the riding, he is proud when gets the trophies at the end of a session because it gives him a sense of accomplishment.
Then there is my middle son Mareon, he does not ride anymore, but he did for about 5 years. When he was younger, he was very hyper and could not control himself at times. While he rode, he learned to be calm and not scare the horses. Then that carried over even now with the rest of life, learning how to be clam in other situations.
Dakari is my youngest, he has very severe ADHD. This session is his very first time riding and he loves it. I am hoping that while he learns things about the horses, he also learns how to use self-control. He does a lot of doing things without thinking and I hope that being at the farm will help him learn to complete task and stay focused.
The Victory Gallop Story
30 Amazing Years of Hope, Healing, and Horses
In, 2025 Victory Gallop proudly celebrated 30 years of serving children with life-threatening illnesses, emotional and behavioral challenges, and “invisible” disabilities. Since opening our doors in January 1995 with just 1 rider, 3 horses, and a dream, we have grown into a thriving therapeutic community that impacts dozens of children every week, thanks to the unwavering support of our volunteers, sponsors, and community. From the very beginning, our mission has been unique. While other riding programs existed, none focused on children whose needs were often unseen or underserved. To bring the joy of horses to even more children, we visited kids at Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital — not with Pistol Pete or Willie Nelson, but in a 2-person horse costume affectionately known as Victor E. Gallop! By the end of our first year, we had 13 riders, and within just two years, we were teaching lessons to 50 children weekly. Victory Gallop has always been rooted on the same property it calls home today, but the farm looked very different in those early days. Lessons were held in what is now the playground area, before our current barn, arena, and pastures were built. As our riders and horses grew in numbers; our programs evolved to meet their needs. We took our riders to horse shows, on field trips, and provided weekly support groups for their families. Pistol Pete, our beloved first therapy horse, became a trailblazer by visiting Akron Children’s Hospital, helping to pioneer equine- assisted therapy for hospitalized children. Today, Victory Gallop serves around 65 riders each week, offering lessons on 8 remarkable horses, supported by a dedicated team of volunteers — many of whom were once Victory Gallop riders themselves. Our programs focus on maximizing therapeutic benefits, helping children develop confidence, improve self-esteem, build social and communication skills, and successfully complete tasks — all in a safe, nurturing environment. Beyond riding lessons, we continue to expand opportunities for our riders, including Victory Athletics, personal training sessions to enhance fitness and healthy lifestyles, as well as non-riding camps, fun days, and holiday celebrations. Over the past 30 years, Victory Gallop has provided over 18,000 lessons, made countless visits to Akron Children’s Hospital and Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, and, most importantly, fostered a vibrant community where children thrive. None of this would be possible without our amazing sponsors, generous donors, and devoted volunteers. Each donation, each volunteer hour, and each community partnership directly As we celebrate 30 years of growth and success, one thing remains constant: our commitment to every child who comes through our gates. We hope your commitment to Victory Gallop continues as well. Your generous support ensures that we can continue our legacy and make a difference in the lives of children who need us most.With Gratitude,
Sue and Kim,
Victory Gallop has been such a blessing to me and my family.
Victory Gallop has been such a blessing to me and my family. The diagnosis of our daughter’s exceptionality came right after major changes in our family’s life. Finding Victory Gallop, came at an important time for our daughter. After meeting everyone and applying for financial aid we cried when we found out that our daughter would be accepted at Victory Gallop. After a rocky start on the horse, her instructor Kim, worked to calmed my daughter down. It was an amazing interaction between horse, rider, and instructor. Jayla has not been the same since. She went through major mental growth from that point on. Within a couple of months her confidence grew. From removing training wheels from her bike, to moving into a full-size mountain bike. She learned that if she could control her horse, Tugs, there was no reason that she couldn’t control her bike. Since lesson one, she has learned not to be afraid to try new things. This includes, skate boarding, the desire to ride trick bikes, and recently finding a love for archery.
The interaction my other older daughter has had with Sue, Kim, Kelly and Maria has moved me as well. My other daughter started volunteering at Victory Gallop, which gave her a purpose in life. She would come home on Saturday mornings and brag about a little boy she worked with. I also have tried to jump in when I can. It might be as simple as picking up a broom or helping at fundraisers, but the desire to help when I can is so overwhelming. Victory Gallop has not only touched both my daughters, but they have touched our entire family.
