Chisholm Challenge 2026 – What A Special Week!
by Sharla Kershen, New Hope Founder and Executive Director The horses are clean and groomed to perfection, their coats gleaming as they wait. Their riders, dressed in their finery, stand ready for the chance to compete in an arena at least three times the size of the one at New Hope. All of this is […]
2024-2025 Impact Report is Now Available!
The Board of New Hope is pleased to present our 2024-2025 Impact Report. To turn the pages, click on the lower right part of the book or use the controls below the book. We would love to get your comments on this new format. This report is vital for grant requests but also for helping […]
New Hope Board Welcomes Denise Bruzzone!
We are so proud to announce our first participant parent, Denise Bruzzone, to our Executive Board. With a distinguished career spanning nearly three decades in the luxury hospitality industry, Denise brings exceptional leadership, relationship-building, and organizational growth expertise to our mission of providing hope and healing through the power of horses. Denise’s professional background includes […]
New Hope Welcomes Kimberly Rogers to Our Executive Board
We are so pleased to announce the appointment of Kimberly Rogers to our Executive Board. A long-time supporter and passionate advocate for the healing power of horses, Kimberly brings a unique blend of personal experience and professional expertise to our mission. “We are so excited that Kimberly has joined our board. We got to know […]
Volunteer Highlight – Nancy Verrill
By Dan Roark What brought you to New Hope to volunteer? I had just moved back to Ft. Worth after living just outside of Grand Rapids, Michigan for 22 years. While I had visited my brother and his family over the years, visiting is way different than actually living here. It has been a rather […]
A Special New Hope Story
By Dan Roark Being involved with a non-profit such as New Hope means that one will often see heart-wrenching stories unfold that bring tears welling up in your eyes. One such story is that of a member of a team that faithfully supported New Hope at the annual Sporting Clay Shoot. The team consisted of […]
Clay Shoot Buckle Winners – Creekside Course
By Dan Roark As to the two courses, Fossil Pointe owner, Dave Niederer said in the opening rules talk that “when you see the hill, that’s the Hillside Course and when you see the creek, that’s the Creekside Course.” Which makes absolute sense when you think about it. Results of the Creekside Course: […]
Clay Shoot Buckle Winners – Hillside Course
By Dan Roark As I mentioned earlier, last Saturday the weather was highly conducive to being outside. The gathering on the portico during registration found old friends and new friends sharing conversations with abundant smiles and laughter. After the clay shoot, everyone lined up for a barbeque lunch. When everyone had a chance to eat, […]
A Successful Sporting Clay Shoot for New Hope
By Dan Roark Postponing the Sporting Clay Shoot when rain was forecast for the original date of April 19 turned out to be a wise move when pouring rain justified the decision. Fortunately, this past Saturday, June 21, turned out to be an excellent day to reschedule. The sun was shining, there was a slight […]
Susan Altshuler Promoted to Program Manager
We would like to take a moment to celebrate the promotion of Susan Altshuler to Program Manager. In this new role, she will be handling rider intake, developing their lesson plans, defining the volunteer requirements and matching them to the best horse to meet their needs. She will continue to teach our riders and volunteers. […]
North Texas Gives to Animals
By Dan Roark We at New Hope are excited to be a participant in this year’s North Texas Gives to Animals, presented by Communities Foundation of Texas. On Thursday, May 15, beginning at midnight, the first $100,000 in donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar by The Gigi Gartner Fund and Communities Foundation of Texas. Available for […]
Update: Annual Sporting Clay Shoot Fundraiser
By Dan Roark While the Sporting Clay Shoot at Fossil Pointe Sporting Grounds being postponed to Saturday, June 21st, means a longer wait for those of us who know how much fun and camaraderie is enjoyed throughout the day, it also means you still have time to register for and/or sponsor the event. Entry is […]
A Golden Retirement for Tommy – From Kill Pen to Therapy Horse to Greener Pastures
Tommy – a Belgian Draft, tipping the scales at 2,200 pounds – wasn’t always destined for a life of therapeutic riding and blissful retirement filled with endless grazing. His story with New Hope began when one of our instructors found Tommy in a kill pen nine years ago; he had likely spent his younger days […]
Tenth Annual Sporting Clay Shoot Fundraiser
By Dan Roark There is still time to register for, or sponsor, the 10th Annual New Hope Sporting Clay Shoot Fundraiser to be held on Saturday, April 19 at Fossil Pointe Sporting Grounds. Come be a part of a day of fun and friendly competition and help New Hope provide services for more riders in […]
Buck Brannaman Horsemanship Clinic
By Dan Roark Susan and Claire, with Biscuit and Sierra, respectively, took Buck Brannaman’s Horsemanship 1 and 1.5 clinics this past weekend at the Bell County Exposition Center in Belton. Cyndy audited the courses and assisted with the two horses. Events began Friday at 9 a.m. and ended Sunday by 4:30. Buck Brannaman is one […]
Sporting Clay Shoot Fundraiser
By Dan Roark It is once again time for the New Hope Sporting Clay Shoot Fundraiser, this year on Saturday, April 19. But first, I would like to apologize for the lack of posts recently. I take my writing and volunteering seriously. Lately, however, I’ve been taking care of our grandson, Dennis Ray, when his […]
Instructor Highlight – Torunn Marten
By Dan Roark Meet Torunn Marten, New Hope’s youngest instructor! What brought you to New Hope to be an instructor? My barrel racing instructor recommended New Hope as a good place to volunteer. I became so intrigued in the program that I asked what the steps were for becoming an instructor! Tell us a little […]
Volunteer(s) Highlight: Sarah Thibaudeau and Jim Harminson
By Dan Roark I usually just do just one volunteer per highlight, but I haven’t highlighted a couple before. Thanks to Sarah and Jim for all they do for New Hope! Sarah Thibaudeau What brought you to New Hope to volunteer? When I moved back to Texas, I wanted to find a place to volunteer […]
Welcome to the New Hope herd Biscuit and Sweet Pea!
By Dan Roark We are excited to add Biscuit and Sweet Pea to the New Hope herd. First, just the facts, ma’am, just the facts (thanks Susan): Biscuit is a 15 yr. old quarter horse gelding with a big white blaze and one white sock. He is 16 hands high but he thinks he’s a […]
Daisy Mae, Libby Retire – Daisy’s Last Ride
By Dan Roark The cold weather finally broke and the sun came out. February 1st was a pleasant morning at New Hope, weather-wise. But there was also a touch of sadness. Daisy Mae was retiring. And, since Libby is Daisy’s support animal, she is retiring as well. Fortunately, their retirement home is in the area […]
Chisholm Challenge: The Aftermath – Awards Party
By Dan Roark The awards party for New Hope riders from Chisholm Challenge went upscale this year – thanks to Mary James – and was held at the Denton Country Club. Everyone gathered at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 25 to enjoy fruit and really tasty brownies as well as various drinks. Everyone had a […]
Chisholm Challenge – Trail, Barrels, and Poles, Oh My!
By Dan Roark Wednesday is when the activities slow down. With the exception of the New Hope riders who haven’t ridden the trail course, the events involving New Hope riders are after lunch. After lunch, following Ranch Riding, were Barrels and Poles. For New Hope supporters who have been there both days, it’s a long […]
CC Start to Finish: Tuesday – Drill Teams
By Dan Roark Both the independent drill team and the horse led drill team from New Hope won first place and each rider won a buckle at Chisholm Challenge. Kudos to Susan for coming up with winning routines each year. The riders of both teams worked together – seamlessly at times, it seems – to […]
Chisholm Challenge From Start to Finish: Tuesday – Equitation
By Dan Roark After the Veteran’s equitation classes at John Justin arena came the other equitation classes. Those in the judge’s booth have a tendency to adjust the schedule without much warning. That is not a complaint but more of an illustration of the inevitability of change at an event with people, a number of […]
Chisholm Challenge Series
By Dan Roark With several events happening this weekend, including the New Hope Chisholm Challenge Awards Party on Saturday, the multi-post Chisholm Challenge Series will take a break for the weekend and resume on Monday. In the meantime, I’ll leave you with the picture of Susan high fiving Luci after a successful ride. Stay tuned…… […]
CC Start to Finish: Tuesday – Tonya, Veteran
By Dan Roark While Tonya was unable to participate in the Veteran’s Parade during the Opening Ceremonies of Chisholm Challenge due to time constraints, she was one of the first to compete in the veteran’s division. She was also the first veteran representing New Hope’s Horses Helping Heroes program. Tonya had a great showing in […]
Chisholm Challenge 2025 From Start to Finish: Sunday Pt. 2
By Dan Roark This is another one of those fortunately…unfortunately situations. Unfortunately, I was under the weather Monday and didn’t get to Fort Worth until the after the horses had been unloaded, washed, and groomed. Fortunately, I take many more pictures than I use for the blog. Here are some interesting images from Sunday that […]
Chisholm Challenge 2025 From Start to Finish: Sunday
By Dan Roark Preparation for Chisholm Challenge (CC) began at New Hope quite some time ago with Susan planning the drill team routines and all instructors gearing lessons for CC events. On the Sunday before Chisholm, preparation continued in earnest – loading the trailer to take to the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo (FWSSR) […]
The Road to Chisholm Begins in Two Days
By Dan Roark While the riders have been practicing for a while, I’m referring to the actual road to Chisholm Challenge (CC) on Sunday. The picture is from last year when horses were loaded in the trailer. In the meantime, New Hope was on WFAA News with a story about keeping the horses warm during […]
Joys of Volunteering at New Hope/ Chisholm Challenge
By Dan Roark In between taking pictures and waiting for the next good shot, I get to talk to parents and family of the riders as well as the staff, volunteers, and the riders themselves. I catch pieces here and there that spark ideas for a post on the New Hope blog. I get insight […]
Countdown to Chisholm Challenge
By Dan Roark We hope everyone had a great Christmas with family! But now we turn all of our attention to Chisholm Challenge, January 13 -15 at John Justin and Will Rogers arenas at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo (FWSSR). The event is the unofficial opening to FWSSR. In fact, the arenas and […]
Chisholm Challenge is Coming, Chisholm Challenge is Coming…
By Dan Roark As alluded to in a previous post, we are getting excited about Chisholm Challenge. Of course we are, individually – family-wise – getting excited about Christmas and the holidays. But each day, while closer to Christmas, is also a day closer to Chisholm Challenge (CC). It’s such an exciting time that we’ve […]
Volunteer Highlight: Joanne Pridgen
By Dan Roark New Hope is glad to have Joanne volunteering. We’re also happy to give her the opportunity to volunteer after retirement. Thank you, Joanne! What brought you to New Hope to volunteer? I recently retired and moved to Denton. I was looking for a volunteer opportunity when I found New Hope. Tell us […]
Kumakawa, My True Story – Book Review
By Dan Roark While waiting for the rain water to dry up after lesson cancelations with lessons just starting back up following the Thanksgiving break, I thought I would take this time to review a book(s) that is relevant to New Hope. I occasionally review books on my personal blog. When I had a chance […]
Giving Tuesday and Chisholm Challenge
By Dan Roark Chisholm Challenge is a little over a month away. The horses, our equine partners, will need to look and feel their best in order to compete. For the 2024 Giving Tuesday, we are asking for gifts specifically for the horses, without which our participants do get the full benefit of therapeutic riding. […]
54 Days Until Chisholm Challenge
By Dan Roark The weather is certainly an indicator that Thanksgiving is on the way and then a hop, skip, and a jump until the Christmas/New Years season. Which means that it’s time to begin practicing for Chisholm Challenge, January 13 – 15 when equine therapy centers in North Texas come together to compete and […]
Expressions of New Hope – Lana
By Dan Roark Lana is in the older age spectrum at New Hope as far as riders are concerned, illustrating that equine therapy – and New Hope – is for all ages. Lana is a personable woman who loves riding Tommy. The first time I took pictures of Lana’s lesson on Tuesday morning, no one […]
Volunteer Highlight: Theresa Ponicki
By Dan Roark Theresa is a bright young woman who is great with the horses and riders. She always has a smile for everyone and brightens up those around her. Now, in her words: What brought you to New Hope to volunteer? I rode horses growing up, so I’d been searching for an opportunity like […]
Tonya – Coming Full Circle at the Gala
By Dan Roark [Authors note: For more information on Tonya’s journey see earlier posts here, and here.] Tonya’s attendance at the Third Annual New Hope Gala was not only a celebration, but a long anticipated and hoped for step in a years long struggle. In the summer of 2023, Tonya began coming to New Hope, […]
Thank you Betsy Price – 2024 Hope Gala Honorary Chair
By Dan Roark Betsy Price, former mayor of Fort Worth, was the gracious Honorary Chair of the Third Annual New Hope Gala. Her presence certainly energized the crowd. Betsy spoke about first learning of New Hope at Chisholm Challenge. She also spoke very highly of our programs. She also shared experiences from her time […]