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Rising Hope Equestrian Center

Rising Hope Equestrian Center empowers individuals through equine-assisted activities, fostering personal growth and healing. We provide therapeutic riding and horsemanship programs to enhance the lives of those with disabilities and special needs.

&quot;The realization of the dream to share beauty and love in each other, in horses and in this place.&quot; - RHEC Mission Statement&nbsp; Rising Hope, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, works to make horsemanship accessible to this community regardless of ability to pay. We offer lessons for all ages, skill levels, and disciplines, including therapeutic riding. Scholarships are available for those who cannot otherwise afford lessons. &nbsp;Contact us at (231) 526-6353, <a fr-original-style="" href="mailto:risinghopeequestriancenter@gmail.com" id="isPasted" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; -webkit-user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">risinghopeequestriancenter@gmail.com</a> or <a fr-original-style="" href="//risinghopeequestriancenter.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; -webkit-user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">risinghopeequestriancenter.com</a>&nbsp; for programs, events and scholarship application form. Please support RHEC&#39;s scholarship, therapeutic programming &amp; operations goals at our Lyric Theatre Event! Doors open: 6:30 p.m.: Silent Auction: 6:30-7:20 p.m.: Door Prize 7:20-7:30 p.m.; Movie: 7:30-9:00 p.m. Silent Auction Winners Pay and Pick Up Items: 9:00-9:20 p.m.

RHEC Buck Event

General Information:The Team Challenge is a hunter equitation horse show modeled after Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) or Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) competition. Any group of 3 to 8 junior or amateur riders with a coach is invited to compete for individual and team ribbons.Competitors of any age are welcome!The host will provide the horses for the show. Riders will have a chance to watch all the horses warm up over fences before the start of the first class. Thorough descriptions of each horse will be provided to each team. Riders will not have an opportunity to school their mount prior to entering the ring. Teams must have entries submitted by the closing date of the show so that hosts can ensure an appropriate number of horses can be provided. Coaches, when choosing classes please take into account that riders will be &ldquo;catch riding&rdquo; and will not be given time to school, and place them accordingly. Safety and fun are paramount!Schedule:&nbsp;9:00AM Registration9:20 AM Coaches meeting9:30 AM Horse Warmup beginsFlat classes will begin at 10:30 or as soon as horse draw is completed following the warmup. Classes will run in order from 2&#39; to Walk Trot. All flat classes will be completed first, followed by a brief break to set jumps and then all jumping classes also in order from 2&#39; to Walk Trot Poles.Entry Fee $45 per classFacilities:1. Dogs- If you must bring a dog it must be left inside your vehicle. Those found in violation, at the Host&#39;s discretion, will be fined $100 per occurrence, and if repeated asked to leave immediately. 2. No smoking, vaping, drugs or alcohol or other similar activity allowed anywhere on the grounds.Rules and Competition Format:Class Descriptions:Class 1: 2&rsquo; Equitation on the Flat: To be judged at the walk, trot, and canter both ways of the ring. Leads and diagonals to count. Riders may also enter Class 5.Class 2: Cross rail Equitation on the Flat: To be judged at the walk, trot, and canter both ways of the ring. Leads and diagonals to count. Riders may also enter Class 6.Class 3: Walk Trot Canter Equitation on the Flat: To be judged at the walk, trot and canter both ways of the ring. Leads and diagonals to count. Riders may also enter Class 7.Class 4: Walk Trot Equitation on the Flat: To be judged at the walk and trot both ways of the ring. Diagonals will count. Riders may also enter Class 8.Class 5: 2&rsquo; Equitation over Fences: To be shown over a course of at least 6 fences 2&#39; in height, and including at least one change of direction, fence width not to exceed height. Riders may also enter class 1.&nbsp;Class 6: Crossrail Equitation over Fences: To be shown over a course of at least 6 crossrail fences 18&rdquo; in height, and including at least one change of direction, no oxers. Riders may also enter class 2.Class 7: Walk Trot Canter Equitation over Fences: To be shown at the canter over a course of at least 6 poles on the ground with one change of direction. Riders may also enter class 3.Class 8: Walk Trot Equitation over Fences: To be shown at the trot over a course of at least 6 poles on the ground with one change of direction. Riders may also enter class 4. .Teams: Each team can consist of 3-8 amateur or junior riders. Junior and adults riders can participate on the same team.Entries: Each team may only enter one rider per class. Each rider may enter a maximum of one flat and one over fences class.Schooling: All horses to be used in over fences classes will be schooled over the courses prior to the start of the show.&nbsp;Drawing for Horses: Horses will be assigned by random number generation from the pool of designated horses for each class and level.Re‑rides: When through no fault of the rider, a horse performs so poorly that it is impossible to fairly judge the rider&rsquo;s ability, a re-ride may be granted at the show manager&rsquo;s discretion.Tack and Aids: Neither substitution of tack or aids nor addition of materials by exhibitors which could affect horse or tack shall be permitted. A list of aids appropriate to each horse will be provided to each teamUse of Crops: Crops or bats may be carried only when specified by the show host. They are not to be used prior to entering the ring. Use of crops should be conservative and limited.&nbsp;Attire: Normal horse show attire is strongly suggested.Judging: In equitation classes only the rider is being judged; therefore no penalty should be assessed because of the horse&#39;s conformation, or way of going.Control: Any rider not having their mount under sufficient control shall be removed from the ring and shall be disqualified or remounted at the host&rsquo;s discretion.Awards: Individual ribbons through 6th place in each class, Team Ribbons will be awarded through 4th place at each show.&nbsp;Points will be counted as follows:First place-----------------7 points Fourth place-------3 pointsSecond place--------------5 points Fifth place---------2 pointsThird place----------------4 points Sixth place----------1 pointTwo scores from each team will be dropped to calculate the highpoint teams. If a team does not have a rider in a class, that class will count as the drop score. Team ties will be broken by over fences scores.&nbsp;Release From Liability:1. I the Owner and/or Rider and/or Guardian (if Rider is under 18), and any of my agents acknowledge that I participate voluntarily in the competition fully aware that horse sports and the competition involve inherent dangerous risk of injury or loss and I agree that if any damages shall be occasioned or loss occur, that I will make no claim therefore: and further agree to hold Stepping Stone Horse Shows, Rising Hope Equestrian Center, members and employees harmless from any claims or demand of whatsoever kind of nature.WARNING Under the Michigan Equine Activity Liability Act, an equine professional in not liable for the injury to or death of a participant in an equine activity resulting from an inherent risk of the equine activity.

Team Challenge

Why Give Today?Rising Hope is a non-profit organization that thrives on the generosity of our community. Your tax-deductible donation doesn&#39;t just fix a fence or pay for a lesson&mdash;it builds a bridge to independence and emotional well-being for our neighbors in Northern Michigan. &nbsp;Join us in &quot;connecting hooves and hearts&quot; this year.&ldquo;The horse sees each individual as they are that day. Your support ensures we can continue providing this unique, life-changing connection.&rdquo; Ways to Help:<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">One-Time Donation: Click the &quot;Donate&quot; button above.</li><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Monthly Giving: Become a &quot;Barn Guardian&quot; by selecting the recurring gift option to provide steady support all year long.</li><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Share: Even if you can&#39;t give, sharing this page with your network helps us reach our 2026 goal!</li></ul>

Why Give Today?Rising Hope is a non-profit organization that thrives on the generosity of our community. Your tax-deductible donation doesn't just fix a fence or pay for a lesson—it builds a bridge to independence and emotional well-being for our neighbors in Northern Michigan. Join us in "connecting hooves and hearts" this year.“The horse sees each individual as they are that day. Your support ensures we can continue providing this unique, life-changing connection.”Ways to Help:One-Time Donation: Click the "Donate" button above.Monthly Giving: Become a "Barn Guardian" by selecting the recurring gift option to provide steady support all year long.Share: Even if you can't give, sharing this page with your network helps us reach our 2026 goal!

Rising Hope Equestrian Center

Past events

Past events

RHEC Buck Event

Team Challenge

More ways to support us

RHEC 2026 Campaign

$1,080 of $10,000 goal

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