Girard Training Stables

Girard Training Stables offers horseback riding lessons to students of all ages and abilities. We believe that horses are good for our bodies and souls, and that anyone, regardless of their financial situation, should be able to participate.

Girard Training Stables is a nonprofit horseback riding program offering lessons for special needs and typical individuals of all ages. Our program teaches riding and horsemanship skills while challenging our participants physically, cognitively, and socially. Elizabeth Girard started GTS in 2013 after seeing a need for quality, affordable lessons in the west valley. She is a certified therapeutic riding instructor through PATH International. At GTS, our students don't just show up and ride - they learn that horses are a lot of work! We teach them how to groom their horses and clean stalls, along with practicing their riding skills.

GTS is one of only two therapeutic riding programs in the west valley. What sets us apart is that while we do offer traditional therapeutic riding lessons that focus on improving physical skills, we also work with typical riders (children and adults) as well as children and adolescents dealing with mental or emotional issues. Several of our riders live with foster parents, single parents, or a grandparent, and/or struggle financially. We never turn away students because of inability to pay. If they cannot afford the full lesson fee, we have them pay 25-50% of the cost and find sponsors to cover the rest.

GTS has a Special Olympics equestrian team and our athletes participate in regional shows three times a year. DUET, Arizona's Children Association, and JFACS have partnered with us in placing riders and volunteers in our program. Therapists love to have their adolescent clients volunteer at our barn!

Girard Training Stables would like to raise $2,000 to purchase some new horseback riding equipment for our students.

At Girard Training Stables, we believe EVERYONE should be able to experience the healing power of horses. Your donations help us make that dream a reality.

Testimonials

"Always in the back corner, ever quiet and head down, my daughter struggled to fit in socially. Between her extreme shyness and her Attention Deficit Disorder, she felt inadequate both socially and academically. She desperately needed a place to shine. Quickly approaching her tween years, I worried she might begin to spiral down, not feeling like she excelled anywhere. That's when we came to Girard Training Stables. My daughter is now in seventh grade. Her grades have improved. She's made friends. She smiles a lot more and she approaches tasks with confidence. Why? I believe it's because of her time with Elizabeth Girard. She has found a safe place to take risks, express herself- an area in her life where she experiences hard work and the reward of progress. She has discovered who she in amongst horses and coaching. And she shines." -- E. Wiggenhorn

"William Cordova has been riding with GTS for (many) years. If not for GTS, William would not have the opportunity to brag about his awards and trophies that he has won. He also tells all of the other special needs adults about his great horse program and how wonderful Ms. Elizabeth is. William only has a few things that he really looks forward to every week. His riding with Special Olympics through GTS is the big one for him. He tells everyone about his riding and all of the horses at the program. William has learned so much working with this program. He is always willing to jump in and lend a hand in opening up the bales of hay for the horses. He likes to help others learn about how to groom and care for the horses. He has become a strong young man with the help of his equestrian abilities. It is such a great feeling to be successfulsomewhere. William has a difficult time with walking and balance. But when he is on his horse he can achieve anything. He loves to have the horse go fast - sometimes he has to be told to slow down. Okay most of the time he has to be told to slow the horse down. Because on his own, he can't run - but on a horse he can really fly! Thanks GTS!" -- C. Cordova

"Around the same time that I began middle school, I embarked on a new experience that changed the way I perceived the world around me. I started riding and training horses as an able bodied rider for special needs children and adults, through the Girard Training Stables program. Despite my young age, I recognized the deficits in the special needs riders around me. They were all different; some had speech impediments, some had motor skills difficulties, and some had vision impairments . What amazed me was that they all somehow they put aside their shortcomings, mustered up their strength and courage, and trusted the horse they were riding with carrying them and keeping them safe. I was dumbfounded; even as an able bodied rider I carried a multitude of reservations with me each time I saddled up my horse...