- Robin Black
- 18 hours ago
- 6 min read
First Steps for The Right Step, Inc.
EquuStyle: To start at the beginning, what was the initial spark or "why" that led to the founding of The Right Step?
Christine: The Right Step, Inc. was founded at a family-owned hunter/jumper lesson barn. They had a barn full of school horses who didn’t necessarily need to jump anymore, but needed a job. They also had a client riding with them who was on the Autism Spectrum, so it was a natural fit.
EquuStyle: How has the organization’s mission evolved from those early days to where you are today?
Christine: In the early days, it was mostly about just getting kids and adults with disabilities on horses and watching the magic happen. Today we are much more professional and focused. We also recognize the benefits of working with the horses on the ground. It isn’t all about riding. It’s also the connection that is built between horse and human.
EquuStyle: Looking back at the previous location, what are some of the most impactful milestones or success stories that defined that chapter of your history?
Christine: We were able to hire more staff and even hired our first paid Executive Director! We celebrated our 15th anniversary and then went on to have two increasingly successful galas. And all this happened even though Covid shutdowns happened less than six months after we had moved into that location. We shut down completely for 3 months, with a small group of us being responsible for the horse care. We reopened cautiously to very appreciative clients who were not doing well with doing everything virtually. And then we grew until we couldn’t grow anymore.
The Transition & New Location
EquuStyle: A move of this scale is a massive undertaking. What were the primary drivers behind choosing this specific new location for the horses and your programs?
Christine: Sisters Erica Gandomcar-Sachs and Tara Hieb of Of Horse You Can have an amazing vision for building an equestrian community on the grounds of the Denver Polo Club. The barn we are leasing is the second they have planned in a series of five in a “village” for programs of all disciplines to lease. The barn next door to us is a hunter/jumper program, and we have already benefited from their advice and assistance. In return, we are helping them by leasing a few stalls to them for their overflow sale horses while we still have room in the barn. It truly takes a village!
Choosing this location came about because one of our instructors, Sarah Nadler, is also a polo player. She knew of the planned community and provided the introductions. The location is ideal because it is only 20 minutes away from our previous location, so we were able to retain most of our clients and volunteers. We were also not financially able to buy our own property. Leasing a brand new barn that we can somewhat tailor to our needs is amazing!
The new space includes a dedicated 20-stall barn, indoor and outdoor arenas, and turnout pens, allowing us to expand our adaptive riding and horsemanship programs, improve accessibility, and serve more clients from our 280+ person waitlist.
This move represents a transformational step forward for our mission, our horses, and the communities we serve. I am thrilled to move into our own space, where we'll have the opportunity to move people off our waitlist and allow them to experience the immeasurable power
of horses!
EquuStyle: How does the new environment specifically enhance the healing experience for both your clients and the horses?
Christine: The most important thing is that we don’t have to share the space! We came from a busy lesson barn where there was always something going on. We can create a more calm and private space for our clients when needed. It can be even more of an oasis from the outside world where everyone can just breathe and be in the moment. Logistically, our schedule has opened up. Clients are better able to find lesson times that fit their needs. We’re also adding more lessons and bringing in more clients.
Our horses also benefit. They have all-day turnout and bigger turnout pens that allow them to be in social groups. We also have access to trails on the property so we can get them out of the arena, which can be really good for their brains.
EquuStyle: You recently mentioned that there is "light at the end of the tunnel" regarding the move. What has been the most rewarding part of seeing the staff and horses settle into this new space?
Christine: I love seeing the look of “wow” whenever anyone steps into our new space for the first time. It has been a lot of work and a lot of long hours, but we have a great community who has come together to make it happen. The true reward will be when lessons start up again on June 7th, and we see the immeasurable power of our horses to improve lives again every day. We’ve missed the clients!
Looking Forward
EquuStyle: Once you are established in the new location, what are your primary goals for the remainder of 2026?
Christine: The rest of this year will still be a time of settling in. There will be a lot of evaluation of what works and what doesn’t in this new space. It will take a while to figure out the flow. We will increase our lesson numbers, but slowly. We want to take the time to do everything right.
We will also be working hard to continue our fundraising efforts so we can make further improvements to the barn and obtain all the equipment needed. A big part of it is everything needed to keep the barn comfortable in all weather-fans in the summer and insulation and heating in the winter.
EquuStyle: Are there any new programs or community collaborations that this new location makes possible?
Christine: We will be expanding our “Connections” program, which is a curriculum-based, ground program focused on building relationships with horses while developing personal awareness, emotional balance, and life skills. Participants learn through guided interactions with horses and structured learning activities. We have one full day a week dedicated to having different groups come in for this program.
We are excited to be able to host events at the barn. For example, on June 18, we are hosting a Sunrise Social networking event for the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce.
Participants of all ages and abilities have an opportunity to develop strength, balance, confidence, and communication while riding or working alongside specially trained horses.
We’re also looking forward to being a part of polo and other events on the property. We will continue to provide volunteers and an information table for the Polo Club’s Sunday Fundays. We also hope that we will be able to have information out at the horse shows on the property.
EquuStyle: When you look toward the "long arc of change" for The Right Step, what is your ultimate vision for the impact you hope to have on the community in the years to come?
Christine: This move is a step toward becoming a more sustainable, successful program that improves the lives of everyone it touches. Our vision is to become a model program in the Equine Assisted Services industry. We would love to have other programs come to us as the standard for how to do things right.
Grand Opening Celebration
The Right Step, Inc. (TRS) is proud to invite the community to celebrate the Grand Opening of its new home at Of Horse You Can! Village on Sunday, July 26, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.
This special event will officially welcome clients, families, volunteers, donors, community partners, and supporters to the organization’s new facility while showcasing the life-changing impact of equine-assisted programs throughout the community.
Guests will enjoy an afternoon of fun and connection featuring:
Special guest speakers
Live entertainment
Professional horse photography sessions
Fairy hair
Snacks and beverages
Guided barn tours
Meet-and-greets with TRS horses, instructors, volunteers, and clients
Most importantly, the celebration will highlight the incredible clients who are at the heart
and soul of TRS’s mission of improving lives through the immeasurable power of horses
TRS empowers individuals of all abilities to build confidence, connection, independence,
and joy through inclusive equine experiences that inspire growth, learning, and belonging.
The Right Step, Inc. Celebrates Grand Opening of New Home
at Of Horse You Can! Village
Sunday, July 26, 2026 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
The Right Step, Inc. at Of Horse You Can! Village
6359 Airport Rd, Sedalia, CO 80135
All images Copyright The Right Step, Inc. and EquuStyle Magazine -all rights reserved. Cannot be reproduced for any purpose without permission from The Right Step, Inc. and/or EquuStyle Magazine.
#TheRightStepInc #equine-assistedservices #adaptiveriding #therapyhorses #adaptiveridingcenter #equustyle #equustylemagazine