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New Kingdom Trailriders (NKT) is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) corporation founded by a group of Christian horse owners wishing to dedicate their animals toward helping people. This desire to be of service to the community has produced a therapeutic horseback riding program known as "Mounted Achievers" that provides an alternative type of physical therapy and rehabilitation to individuals with physical and develomental disabilities of the Greater Quad City area and surrounding communities. NKT was founded in 1984 as a riding club. The first therapeutic rides were given to clients of the Warren Achievement Center of Galesburg. The first regular riders were six students from Black Hawk Special Ed School and the first volunteers were recruited from 4-H. United Cerebral Palsy funded the insurance for the first three years. Since 1985, NKT has been giving affordable riding lessons to people with various accident related injuries, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy and other physical disabilities as well as development and learning disorders. Currently, NKT annually serves 50-60 students representing ages ranging between three and adult with a variety of disabilities. The program operates 4 evenings a week. During the day, private classes are available as well as field trip experiences for group homes, agencies and schools. In addition to group classes, Private classes are available as well as one day field trip experiences for group homes, agencies and schools.
NKT is part of a world-wide movement that recognizes the benefits of therapeutic riding. Therapeutic riding has been endorsed by the American Occupational Therapy Association and is being prescribed as therapy in rehabilitation hospital settings.
NKT is affiliated with and accredited by North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, Inc. (NARHA) which establishes program standards and techniques and provides other professional support. NARHA is dedicated to promotoing the development and expansion of quality horseback riding programs for people with disabilities. NARHA provides support through setting of safety standards, accreditation, instructor certification, insurance coverage, literature and seminars.
