New Kingdom Trail Riders

"In riding a horse we find freedom."

New Kingdom Trailriders
is throwing a Birthday Party
and everyone is invited!

A birthday is a special time to celebrate the gift of you in the world.” –Anonymous

NKT is throwing a Birthday Party, July 19, 2009 at Schone’s Friendship Farm in Milan, IL. The fun starts at 12:00 Noon and continues to 4:00pm. There will be public horse rides, riding demonstrations, vendor tables, program information, food, games, and fun! Of course, there will be birthday cake, even for the horses!

Come help us celebrate 25 years! This event is FREE and open to the public. New Kingdom Trailriders is celebrating 25 years of service to disabled riders in and around the Quad City area. The organization was started as a backyard effort to allow disabled riders the experience of riding a horse. Barbara Clauson was among the Christian friends’ group. When the group disbanded, Barb realized the importance and value this experience was providing in the lives of the riders. She went on to develop New Kingdom Trailriders to the thriving riding program it is today. New Kingdom Trailriders is an equine assisted therapeutic program for the disabled offering recreational riding sessions from May through September. The program hosts an average of 65 riders per year and is staffed mostly by volunteers. The organization’s primary funding is through donor support and local grants. NKT is also looking to add Board Members and Committee Volunteers for special events throughout 2009 including fundraising. Visit NKT at SouthPark Mall to learn more about getting involved in the fun!

BIRDIES, BIRDIES, Everywhere at NKT...

We have kicked off our Birdies for Charity fundraiser in connection with John Deere Golf Classic. Watch for your flyer in the mail and send in your pledge or donation! You could win a Chevy Malibu Hybrid this year if you guess the correct amount of Birdies! The Classic is July 6-12, 2009. You can also pick up pledge forms at NKT's SouthPark Mall office anytime. Thank you for supporting this event. Last year, we raised almost $10,000.00. Help us beat that this year by sending your pledge today.

Why Horseback Riding?

Horseback riding helps mentally and physically challenged people, achieve a quality of life that is improved, enhanced, and enriched. Based on input from doctors, therapists, teachers and parents, the student's individual goals are designed to complement ongoing therapy and education. The benefits of therapeutic horsemanship are fourfold in addition to being a recreational activity:

Mentally, the stimulation of riding and the bonding of the horse and rider increase the motivation to learn. The horse reinforces directionality and the riders learn sequencing when they learn to groom and saddle their horse. Also, through riding, the rider is benefited by improved concentration.

Physically, the three-dimensional motion of the horse provides the rider hip and back action that simulates natural walking. No matter how difficult it is for a person to exercise otherwise, overall body tone is improved. Riding gives a new freedom to those in wheelchairs. The horse stimulates all the body's functions as well as improves posture, balance, and coordination and strengthens & relaxes muscles and increases joint mobility.

Emotionally, contact with horse and horsemanship training provides a non-competitive setting for learning. New abilities, increased self-discipline, improved concentration all help to build self-confidence and self esteem.

Socially, horseback riding nurtures a positive self image. Riders may, for the first time in their lives, experience some independence and a sense of being part of a team. The rider learns new skills, gains new confidence and begins to participate in a sport. The benefits are incalculable, but obvious to all of us.

When a person with a disability rides a horse, the horse becomes that person's equalizer. He is performing as a normal person. The horse is a live animal that responds and shows emotion. He's mobile, he's large, lifting the person up both psychologically and physically.

It is important to remember that the horse is held and not led. The child is taught to ride, he is not just taken for a ride.

Mission Statement

New Kingdom Trailriders (NKT), founded in 1984 by a group of Christian horse owners, is a NARHA accredited, non-profit, tax exempt corporation. This community service of therapeutic horseback riding provides a combination of physical, mental, social, and educational therapy that is often more effective than conventional modes. NKT provides these services for the benefit of people with physical and mental disabilities in the greater IA/IL Quad Cities area and surrounding communities.

New Kingdom trail riders

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"In riding a horse we find freedom."