Great Strides Equestrian Foundation

Great Strides Equestrian Foundation ━

Empowering Under-Resourced Youth through Polo & Horseback Riding
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Help Us Raise $15,000 by 2025

Upcoming Event
Charity Polo Match
August 30, 2024

Saratoga Polo School
72 Brick House Rd. Stillwater, NY

$10 per person at the door
Call/Text 570-878-5235 for more info

Our Mission

Fostering growth, confidence, and life skills
Our mission is to provide under-resourced teens access to equestrian sports; cultivating personal growth, confidence, and life skills, through polo and horseback riding lessons.

We have established a barn environment that promotes diversity and inclusiveness, providing a haven where teenagers can flourish without external pressures.

Recognizing the significance of extracurricular activities in nurturing personal growth and essential life skills like discipline, teamwork, and self-confidence, we are dedicated to offering opportunities in horsemanship to those who may not have had access otherwise.

"In our first 18 months, we’ve seen truly extraordinary growth in our students confidence, academics and riding skills."

We cannot achieve our mission without your generous support
It is through the kindness and compassion of our donors that we are able to provide scholarships to under-resourced teens. We cover the costs of lessons and equipment. By contributing to this program, you will enrich and strengthen, the lives of these teens and our community as a whole.
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Your Support Makes a Difference

Every young person deserves the opportunity to discover their full potential, regardless of their socioeconomic background

We introduce teens to the joy of horsemanship, develop their riding skills, and instill, important values, such as discipline, teamwork, and responsibility. We teach them horse care, grooming, horseback riding, and the sport of polo. The aim is to create scholar-athletes who may potentially go to college to play polo, or who will have the ability to travel the world working for polo teams.

Through partnerships with the Boys and Girls Club of the Capital Region, the Saratoga Polo School, Dutch Manor Stable and Saddle Up Scholars, and the financial support from our donors, we have put together a team that not only makes their polo and horseback riding lessons possible, but also improves their academic standing by leaps and bounds. Having so many people in their corner, rooting them on, makes a huge difference in their lives.

Ways to help

Donations, sponsorships, and volunteering are integral to our work in supporting under-resourced teens and helping them experience the transformative power of horses and equestrian sports.

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about us
Learn about Great Strides
Laurie Scott - The Horse Review 2024 Leading US Influential Equestrian Impact Award Honoree

About Great Strides

We are dedicated to offering polo and horseback riding lessons to those who may not have had access otherwise.

Great Strides is a 501(c)(3) charity that offers a safe and nurturing environment where teens can embark on a transformative journey alongside magnificent horses.

Led by Laurie Scott, an equestrian with 44 years of experience at the highest levels of riding and instructing, Great Strides is working in collaboration with professional polo player and instructor Mario Dino of the Saratoga Polo School and the Boys and Girls Club of the Capital Area to deliver this program.

Check out our feature Story by CBS6 Albany!

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Our Guiding Pillars

Through polo, we help teens improve their health and wellness while developing confidence, leadership, and teamwork skills.

Your contribution directly supports our program and enables teens and their horses to take Great Strides into the future. 

Our Partners

Harnessing the power of horses to expand opportunities for under-resourced teens.

Free Ride Equestrian

Our players are now proudly sponsored by Free Ride Equestrian

Our partnership with Free Ride Equestrian is more than just a collaboration – it’s a commitment to nurturing our riders’ aspirations. We are proud to have Free Ride Equestrian as a partner who shares our vision of empowering riders to reach new heights.

Saddle Up Scholars

We are excited to announce that all of our riders will receive tutoring services from Saddle Up Scholars!

Unbridling Potential. Harnessing Education. Empowering Youth.

Saddle Up Scholars provides educational services to young riders in existing equestrian outreach programs. Our mission is to make a direct and immediate impact in the lives of young horse enthusiasts from underserved backgrounds by harnessing the skills they gain from horses and channeling that into academic success.

On behalf of the Great Strides Equestrian Foundation and the teens we serve, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for considering our cause. Together, let us pave the way for a brighter future, one stride at a time.
Laurie Scott

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Reach Out to Great Strides Equestrian Foundation

Fill out the form below to get more information on all the ways to support Great Strides Equestrian Foundation.

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OUR SUPPORTERS

Meet our supporters

On behalf of the Great Strides Equestrian Foundation and the teens we serve, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for considering our cause.
Together, let us pave the way for a brighter future, one stride at a time.

Help Us Raise $15,000 by 2025

ABOUT US

Great Strides Equestrian Foundation is a 501(c) (3).
Your donation is tax-deductible within the guidelines of the U.S. law.

389 Beaver St. Schuylerville, NY 12871

CONACT

Laurie Scott
570.878.5235

greatstridesef@gmail.com