Why CHAMP needs you!

In 1981 I was involved in a car crash that left me paralyzed from the waist down. I had to give up many things including my love and great passion for riding until I heard about CHAMP. For the past 12 years it has truly been a godsend, allowing me to continue riding making me physically and mentally stronger. I am grateful to the dedicated people who volunteer their time to the program. They are key to my getting back in the saddle. They have given me something that is fundamental to who I am, something I feared I had to leave behind after my accident."

--Sheila Gorski, CHAMP Rider and Member of the Board of Directors

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There is always work to do in a barn
CHAMP Work Experience Program

      Champlain Adaptive Mounted Program (CHAMP) is best known as a therapeutic riding program for children and adults of all abilities (see below). CHAMP has, over the past year, also become an increasingly popular site for persons with disabilities who want to get work experience in a supportive but challenging environment. We currently have five adults who come to the barn for several hours each week to do work such as feeding, watering horses and cleaning stalls or assist with CHAMP riding sessions by grooming and tacking horses. Work experience participants are usually accompanied by a support person who assists them with assigned activities and works alongside them. More experienced participants may come unaccompanied and their work is guided by a CHAMP barn staff member.
       The Work Experience Program provides the opportunity for meaningful work in a supportive environment. Participants enjoy being able to work with horses and in an outdoor rural setting. Their work is appreciated and is of great assistance to the CHAMP program. Participation enhances work skills such as following directions, task completion, and awareness of the importance of reliability and attention to detail. We see our participants improve their self esteem and confidence while enjoying what they are doing and experiencing the joy of making a contribution to the welfare and comfort of CHAMP riders and horses.
        CHAMP welcomes applications for the work experience program from individuals and agencies. If interested, please contact Jean Desranleau, CHAMP barn manager, at 1-802-372-4087 for more information. There is always work to be done in a barn! We welcome the help and this opportunity to support the enhancement of work related skills.

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The CHAMP Program

        The Champlain Adaptive Mounted Program, CHAMP is a Premier Accredited Center Program of NARHA, the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, Inc.  To achieve and maintain this designation CHAMP. is required to institute stringent regulations to ensure that “basic standards for health and safety to promote the well-being of all participants and horses” are followed. Accreditation status is reviewed on a regular basis by NARHA and an Annual Statement of Compliance must be submitted. CHAMP also adheres to the NARHA Code of Ethics for Centers and confidentiality is of paramount importance.

       Our instructors are trained according to national standards set by NARHA.  In order to maintain their certification, they are required to take a CPR course annually, a First Aid course every three years and to spend a specified number of hours each year up-grading their knowledge and skills.

        Our volunteers are trained on-site with videos and demonstrations. Horse leading, side-walking, mounting and dismounting, horse grooming and tacking are tasks for which they are trained.

        All CHAMP employees and volunteers are required to pass a Vermont Criminal Information Center background check as a condition of their participation in the program.

        Interested volunteers are always welcome. Volunteer time at CHAMP qualifies for Community Service requirements. Click to download the volunteer application forms. They include the Information and Health History form, the Authorization for Emergency Medical Treatment, and the Release Forms and the Vermont Criminal Information Release form which must be notarized before being submitted.

       To participate in the CHAMP program as a rider, the Registration and Release Form, the Medical History and Physician’s Statement, the Authorization for Emergency Medical Treatment Form as well as an agreement with Good Hope Equestrian Center must be completed.  Click here to download the rider forms.

       CHAMP at Good Hope Farm holds two 8-week sessions a year, beginning in April and September. Session 30 minute classes take place on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday afternoons - Noon, 1, 2, and 3PM. Riders are asked to arrive on time, appropriately dressed (long pants, sturdy shoes), their safety helmet (supplied by CHAMP) in place and ready to mount. Volunteers assist the rider to mount and the tack is checked for fit by an instructor before the lesson. Each rider progresses according to his or her own skill and comfort level, and a horse leader and up to 2 side-walkers are available to be with the rider at all times.  Payment for the full 8-week session is required at the first lesson. Applications for scholarships are available upon request.

       CHAMP now offers a variety of summer camps.  Click the link for more information.

The Individual Lessons Program

       CHAMP at Good Hope Farm offers a wide range of individual lessons for CHAMP and able-bodied children and adults.  Watch this space for more information or visit us to see our facilities and talk to our instructors.

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Directions to CHAMP at Good Hope Farm

       Take 89 to Exit 17 (9.4 miles north of Burlington)
exit West (to Champlain Islands), merge on to US2 for 7.1 miles
       turn left onto Landon Rd (towards Allenholm Farms) at 0.7 mile
turn left onto E. Shore Rd (portions unpaved) for 0.5 mile to
       Good Hope Equestrian Center on your left.