|
During the summer of 2004, Janis Clifton
became aware of the availability of a property suitable for
development as a therapeutic riding center and shared her vision
with three friends: Jacqui Brooks, David Desmarais and Anne Perreault.
Together, the four of them envisioned Shepard Meadows Therapeutic
Riding Center (SMTRC), a therapeutic riding facility to serve the
community of Bristol and the surrounding towns, for the benefit
of challenged individuals, especially children, fulfilling a lifelong
dream of the property's late owner, Katharine Shepard. These four
individuals, joined by Sherry Lockhart, became the founding directors
of SMTRC and developed a business plan to start this venture, presented
the plan to the custodians of the property under Miss Shepard's
will, and in December of 2004 obtained permission to use it as
the home of SMTRC.
In January of 2005, the founding directors
- Janis, Dave, Anne, Jacqui and Sherry - filed for 501(c)3
non-profit status with the IRS and in the spring of 2005
established the first full Board of Directors. The
first riding program waas offered in May-June of 2006 and
additional programs have been held in succeeding fall and
spring seasons. Additional information and opportunities
to contact SMTRC may be found on the other pages of our website.
|
