Heartland Horse Heroes Barn Dance Trots to Success

The Heartland Horse Heroes held their first annual Barn Dance on Saturday, April 26 at STEPS in Farmville as a fundraiser to aid with building an indoor arena.

Guests who attended enjoyed a night of country fun as they sat down to a catered meal and danced the night away to the live sounds of Amaris & Shiloh, joined by Michael McMeel of “Three Dog Night.”

Operating since 2002, Heartland Horse Heroes is a non-profit organization accredited by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH). Their mission is “to provide and support equestrian activities for individuals who have mental, physical, emotional, social challenges or learning disabling conditions.”

According to LaRue Dowd, the organization has a variety of programs to help special needs students, at-risk youth (Inner City Slicker Event), ongoing lessons/therapeutic riding and programs in conjunction with Buckingham County Schools.

In fall of 2013, Heartland Horse Heroes got a classroom and built an arena. The organization is always looking for volunteers to help expand their services. “We have identified committees we need to form that can focus on specific areas. In that way folks can volunteer on committees that easily suit best their time, talents and enjoyment. Serving on a committee can be both rewarding and of course fun. It can be done as your time allows, from home and as you’re out and about.”

If you are interested in helping out, please contact LaRue Dowd at (434) 983-8181.