Barn Bash
Celebration & Awards Banquet
Date TBD, 2025
Barn Bash is Healing with Horses Ranch’s longest-running event! Along with our clients, their families & friends, and our community, we enjoy a fun-filled night as we come together to celebrate the successes of the past year! Whether you’re a longtime supporter or new to the Ranch family, this event is a can’t-miss tradition.
Learn more about the awards presented below.
2024 Ranch Award Winners
Horse of the Year
Casper
Every year, Healing with Horses Ranch proudly presents the Horse of the Year Award to a horse that exemplifies exceptional connection with our students. This year, Casper took the crown after only being a therapy horse for a year! From the moment he arrived at the Ranch, he immediately assimilated and quickly became the horse everyone wanted to work with due to his calm, sweet demeanor. Casper is a beloved part of the Ranch family, and we look forward to many years with this wonderful boy.
Volunteer of the Year
Frida Heidewald
Volunteer of the Year is Healing with Horses Ranch’s longest running award. Previously awarded at the Volunteer Recognition party, Volunteer of the Year highlights a volunteer that has gone above and beyond in their commitment to the Ranch. Frida exemplifies the meaning of generous & devoted. This year, she volunteered countless hours on the feed team, conditioning team, stepped up for events, and was voted onto the Board of Directors by the end of the year.
Equestrian of the Year
Brittni Carlsen
Every year, Healing with Horses Ranch nominates a student for the PATH Intl. Equestrian Of The Year. This student has demonstrated growth toward their individual objectives and excellence in their horse to human connection. Healing with Horses Ranch honors this person as our own Equestrian of the Year. In 2024, Brittni was voted as the student that demonstrated these strengths. Brittni is a veteran, who not only has been a committed weekly rider, but she also committed to being a recurring volunteer in other adaptive riding lessons.
Youth Volunteer of the Year
Sevin Young
Youth Volunteer of the Year award started in 2015 as a way to commend volunteers under 18 for their hard work and dedication to the Ranch. Sevin never fails to put a smile on your face when he shows up to the Ranch to boss around “his horses.” Sevin helps his mom, Tangie, on the feed team and hugs the horses with no regard for their immense size difference to him. Sevin’s charisma & joyful demeanor is a direct compliment of his equally wonderful mom.
Youth Equestrian of the Year
Moshe Rosenberg
The Youth Equestrian Of The Year is a student that has demonstrated growth toward their individual objectives and excellence in their horse to human connection. Since his arrival at the Ranch, Moshe has demonstrated immense transformation and maturity as he has grown into a thoughtful young man. Moshe is fearless, but a steady, gentle partner toward any equine he partners with.
Friend of the Ranch
East Side Mini Golf
Every year Healing with Horses Ranch nominates an individual or group that has given their time, talents, or treasure in an extraordinary way to our organization. We first met the East Side Mini Golf team in 2023 when they cold called us about being the beneficiary of their roving mini golf event. We were so honored to be invited back this year! They single-handly made us the most money at an event this year: $12,000! We cannot be more grateful for this unbelievable gift from our community. We look forward to contributing to their success again next year.
2023 Ranch Award Winners
Horse of the Year
Angel
Every year, Healing with Horses Ranch proudly presents the Horse of the Year Award to a horse that exemplifies exceptional connection with our students. In 2023, we honor Angel, who has overcome serious health issues with remarkable poise & steadfastness. Despite her challenges, Angel has maintained her sweet demeanor & gentle spirit, providing unwavering support to our students and inspiring them to persevere through their own life events. Her resilience & ability to connect with everyone she meets truly embody the heart of our mission.
Volunteer of the Year
Bernadette Black
Volunteer of the Year is Healing with Horses Ranch’s longest running award. Previously awarded at the Volunteer Recognition party, Volunteer of the Year highlights a volunteer that has gone above and beyond in their commitment to the Ranch. Bernadette exemplifies this in her dedication to the people & horses she cares for on a recurring basis. Her attention to detail is something you simply cannot teach! We are so blessed to call Bernadette a true friend and to have her on our volunteer team.
Equestrian of the Year
Raeann Herrera
Every year, Healing with Horses Ranch nominates a student for the PATH Intl. Equestrian Of The Year. This student has demonstrated growth toward their individual objectives and excellence in their horse to human connection. Healing with Horses Ranch honors this person as our own Equestrian of the Year. Raeann started at the Ranch in 2019 and her instructor, Laura, nominated her due to the tremendous growth she has shown towards achieving her personal goals. Keep up the great work, Raeann!
Youth Volunteer of the Year
Marley Williams
Youth Volunteer of the Year award started in 2015 as a way to commend volunteers under 18 for their hard work and dedication to the Ranch. Marley spent the good part of her summer at the Ranch thanks to a partnership program through Goodwill. Marley served a vital role on our feed team and carried out many tasks around the Ranch. Even after the Goodwill program ended, Marley continued to volunteer on her own accord because that’s how wonderful she is.
Youth Equestrian of the Year
Zara D’Hoore
The Youth Equestrian Of The Year is a student that has demonstrated growth toward their individual objectives and excellence in their horse to human connection. Zara was a student at the Ranch for only a year, but during that year she managed to capture the hearts of everyone she came into contact with. We had the privilege of witnessing life-changing growth due to Zara’s unwavering spirit and deep bond she created with Stu. Her instructor, Rebekah, nominated her for these reasons, and the vote to give her this award was completely unanimous.
Friend of the Ranch
The Candlands
Every year Healing with Horses Ranch nominates an individual or group that has given their time, talents, or treasure in an extraordinary way to our organization. The Candlands gave the Ranch a priceless gift in 2023: land! The Ranch got the honor of adding 4 more acres to our footprint, which now totals 47 acres. For years prior to this moment, we leased the property from them as an overflow parking lot. Thanks to their generosity, the dreams we have for the newly christened Candland Field are growing. We are endlessly grateful!