High Hurdles Horsemanship Program

I love high hurdles. I enjoy volunteering there . I always look forward to going to my lesson lisa teaches a lot of stuff about riding that other teachers would have forgot . when I go to volunteer at high hurdles I help with lessons, clean stalls, etc. long sentence short lisa is a great teacher.

My granddaughter, Lexi, is taking lessons from Lisa, as well as, volunteering there. Lisa is an excellent teacher! Lexi has learned a lot from Lisa. Not only about horses, but about people too. She is learning to understand that special needs people are the same as her. She says, "God made us all and loves us all the same." Thank you, Lisa, for lessons well learned!

I have been volunteering at High Hurdles Horsemanship program for a little over a year now and there are not words to describe the impact this program and the Director/owner Lisa Grijalva has made on me. I started by being a camp counselor for summer camps last year. Lets just say that I might have had more fun than the kids!! Not many of my friends love horses as much as I do so it was very neat to be able to come out and meet kids my own age that shared the same passion as me. After all the EXTREMELY hard work of summer camps and lessons were over, I prayed that I would still be able to volunteer. I did. I ended up coming out about 3 days a week despite what a long drive it was. Spending so much time on a horse ranch, you meet other horse people. This is when I fell in love with a horse next door to High Hurdles. All I look forward to each week was being able to come out to the ranch. I would be out there from sun up, to sun down. With the schedule of: Morning- exercising horses, after that, I would help leading and side walking for lessons. At the end of the day, I would go grab my horse Tucker from the property next door and go for a ride. One of the most special things about my visits were seeing all of the kids that took therapeutic lessons. It was just so fascinating to see a little boy who we could barely keep on the horse for more than a few minutes before he would start screaming and scratching, then, a few months later, he is now able to stay on the horse without any problems for his entire lesson. Seeing each and everyone of the kids light up and just get so excited you couldn't get them to hold still! That is what makes High Hurdles horsemanship program special to me. I changes lives, people, and me. I love this program, the horses, and the people in it so much more than the words I have used!!!

My two daughters take lessons at High Hurdles and I volunteer as well. They look forward to their lessons every month and really enjoy the program. Lisa is a great instructor and has really helped their confidence when riding. The lesson horses and equipment available to riders are great. I would highly recommend this program!

My daughter takes lessons through high hurdles before starting the program she was very shy and a little withdrawn in less than a years time her confidence has greatly improved and can't wait for her next lesson

As a farm kid, my two quarter horses were a fact of life, responsibility, work, play. They were a part of my life.
Then the farm kid left to pursue life.
Over the years, I have assisted with helping with horses used for special needs kids.
Then one of our sons turned out to be one of those kids who could benefit from that interaction with horses..... given the right type of environment and training.
My wife and I are both teachers - and she teaches special ed - so we have something of an "eye" for meaningful interaction with these kids.
Lisa has impressed me from the first moment David walked up to her.
My job - to be helpful when appropriate and be a parent who stays out of the way of the teacher who is choreographing the interaction of horses, assistants, and students.
Yet I have seized those moments to observe and appreciate David's steady progress under Lisa's consistency from day one to the present. And her management style extends across the board to all her students, be they mainstream or special needs.
Lisa is a teacher.
And after 21 years in my own "teacher saddle" that is not a glib, light assessment.
High Hurdles also does not operate on a plush budget. The efforts of those involved are tangible and easily identifiable.
As a public school teacher in fine arts, I understand "from the inside" the challenges of the needed financial assistance, the volunteer successes and failures, and the joy of non-profit success based on clearly defined goals.
In return, it is up to us parents to respect the practical upkeep of the site and the efforts of those who serve on the Board to support Lisa's vision with actions that demonstrate the understanding and acceptance of the identified goals.

I always drive away from High Hurdles:
1) wishing I could do more
2) extremely thankful that my son is involved
3) hoping High Hurdles will be the long-term success that Lisa is working toward
That's a good feeling.

As a child, i loved horses but sadly did not get to have any. by the time i was 13 i just couldn't stand not being around them so i looked for volunteer positions at ranches. i found high hurdles horsemanship and am still working there. I get to experience how it is to work with disabled children as well as get to know horses better. these children really progress, i have seen a child go from not being able to hold their reins right to posting without help. as far as my story, i hope to get better in equine knowledge and plan to get a career in the equine bushiness. high hurdles is the biggest highlight of my week, i would go every day if it were possible.I highly recommend it to anyone who love children or horses.

My 3 daughters started at HHH in the spring of 2012 as what I thought would be just a summer activity. Almost one year later, we are still in the program. The skills and training my daughters have received from Lisa and the volunteers has been amazing! They are very patient and always make sure to progress to learning new skills at my child's pace. In addition, Lisa regularly checks in to make sure I am happy with the services provided and that the skills being taught meet my expectations.

My daughter has been attending the High Hurdles Horsemanship Program for over a year. Lisa is AMAZING! She works well with all children and provides a safe and fun environment for children of all ages to learn to ride! I feel very lucky to have my daughter invloved in her program!

I have many rolls, involvements with High Hurdles Horsemanship program. I'm a volunteer, Program Manager, I help school the horses, My 8 year old special needs daughter takes lessons from Lisa, and I'm on the board for HHH. I first met Lisa in 2007 at Saddle Pals (a non-profit horseback ridding place no longer in business) where we worked together. After Saddle pals closed I started helping Lisa out with HHH. I have work-volunteered for many other non-profits and I must honestly say I enjoy working with, being around Lisa and her program. She works very hard to meet everyone's needs and if you've ever ran any type of program or business that is no easy task. Lisa some how dose an excellent job at this. Be a single mom and running a business self started and owned would not be easy for anyone and believe me it's not easy for her earthier, yet she does it so well. If you have a child with a special need or not this is a wonderful place to learn to ride. You will not find any better place. The horses are amazing, the volunteer are very Knowledgeable and always have smiles on there faces. Also if you are looking to back a non-profit for the year and want to make a difference in the community, look no farther this is your place. Think of all the happiness you will bring and what a difference you will make. With all my heart I write this. High Hurdles has made a huge impact in my life and family. Let it make one in yours for the better. Yours truly, Megan Wilson

My daughter atteneded horseback riding lessions at High Hurdles. Lisa and others were very gentle and supportive to her fears and exact needs. They taught at a steady yet safe pace for my young daughter. She loved her lessons. I would highly recommend High Hurdles to everyone of all ages.

Great program for riders of all experience. I've seen urban children exposed to horses for the first time through this program and absolutely love it. At the same time I've seen veteran riders looking to be challenged flourish at High Hurdles. If you are looking to get your kid involved with horses this is a great place to get going!

High Hurdles is an absolutely amazing program. My daughter started taking lessons with a friend about a year ago with Lisa, and we could not be happier. Safety is always #1 and the girls have learned so much in such a short amount of time. I have seen the program grow exponentially in the last year, and with good reason. It is well organized, has a clear mission, and the volunteers and director continually go above and beyond to put participants first. I would tell anyone to get involved with this fabulous group!

I've been doing therapeutic horseback riding for 11 years and Lisa is the best teacher ever - I love her and she helps me a lot. She has really good horses and tack and I have learned a lot riding in her program. I am so happy when I am riding for her and she gives me really good instructions that I can understand and follow. I hope that I can ride in the HHH Program for a very long time. It's the greatest. She can teach all kinds of horseback riding, and this is good for me so I can progress and ride more. Horseback riding is really good for muscle strengthening and developing good posture too, and also it is very fun. Jason