A girl had a dream that came to pass in May of 1996, and that girl is me, Leslie Kirkland. Here is my story!
It all began, with two phone calls, one horse, a little round pen built from wood, three branches and wire, A lot of faith in God.
First phone call was to the New York area where a gentleman with Multiple Sclerosis had started a program. He revealed that he was on the board, of then, NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped). He said to read the NARHA start-up packet cover to cover then call him back if I was still interested. I read it!
My second phone call was to the Drumright Chamber of Commerce, asking if there were many people with disabilities in the area. A resounding “YES” was the answer!
Being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis myself, my first mission was to help my friends with Multiple Sclerosis.
God intervened…A friend of mine said you need a name to be a business, like maybe The Right Path, and so it was.
God intervened…Kitty was our first horse, a registered quarter mare, that my husband bought me. Who knew that she could herd cattle during the day, then be quiet enough to carry my friends in the round pen later that day.
Next, was a youngster in a wheelchair and we did not have a mounting ramp! God intervened, we did have the back porch from a mobile home and with a little ingenuity, problem solved and her riding experience began. More youngsters with a variety of developmental delays came to The Right Path and there was a need for a second horse.
God intervened…I had bred my mare, Kitty, to a stud owned by a preacher, who also had a little mutton withered mustang off the range, that had been gentled and ridden. When he learned of our program, he offered Callie, free of charge, and said “she’s yours if she works and return her if she doesn’t.” Callie safely carried many riders for many years before she got tired and went home to her Creator.
Classes were held outdoors every Tuesday, unless it rained, which seemed to happen a lot. So, the quest to build or find an indoor arena began.
God did it again…two miles due north of our little home on the same road, was an empty indoor arena, house, and numerous other horse amenities. As I was driving by on my way back from the grocery store, I heard a voice say, “it will be yours by December.” With a little persuasion, the absentee owner, who we were told never parted with anything, parted with this facility. That was 1998 and the new facility was up and running in early 1999.
Now, The Right Path Riding Academy is a premiere accredited center through Path International and provides equine-assisted services to individuals with disabilities, military veterans, and first responders.
Our mission is to empower people with disabilities and challenges to reach for their highest potential with the help of a horse.