PATCHWORK Therapeutic Riding Center was founded in 1993 by Lorraine A. Faucett, the Director, with the mission to provide the opportunity for children and adults with disabilities a chance to ride horses in a safe, nurturing environment.
The center became registered as an Operating Center through North American Riding for Handicapped (NARHA) and obtained its first two lesson horses. Three years later, Patchwork maintains 11 school horses, all donations but one, worked with over 65 individuals with disabilities, 25 special interest groups (YMCA, Girl Scouts, and youth groups) and over 20 other students. Ages ranged from 3 to 72 years old. No one was turned down for lack of funds.
Today Patchwork works with image enhancement through a volunteer program geared for troubled youth, a disabled riding program, a summer camp for everyone, trail rides, birthday parties with horses, and various ride-a-thons, etc.
Trail rides are over the scenic Groton countryside in upstate New York, only 6 miles from Cortland and 13 miles from Cornell University. Rides are guided on the well-trained lesson horses and offered when lessons are not in session.
Patchwork Therapeutic Riding Center offers horseback riding for individuals with and without disabilities, in the forms of therapeutic lessons, English and Western riding lessons, and trail rides. Every possible precaution is taken to ensure safe, fun experiences for riders and a rewarding time spent for all involved.
