History of RCTRC
Humble Beginnings
Having the aspirations and drive to
pursue her dreams, in 1996 as an undergraduate student at West Virginia State College
(now West Virginia State University) – Connie Gilkeson-Boggess dreamed of one day owning and operating an
experiential learning facility - that provided therapeutic horseback riding facility.
“I wanted to be able to provide therapeutic recreation services to anyone who had a challenge; that needed assistance in becoming as independent as possible. I believed then, and still do today, that a horse could and would change the lives of those he or she came in contact with,” stated Connie in a 2000 interview with West Virginia Public Television for a story about RCTRC
televised January 2001.
Pilot Program
River Cities Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3, non-profit organization that provides therapeutic horseback riding to children and adults in West Virginia. The riding center was formerly incorporated following the completion of our pilot program that consisted of four riders from BrynLee Rehabilitation.
This research project on the Efficacy of Therapeutic Horseback Riding on Children with Cerebral Palsy was presented at Marshall University's School of Medicine’s 8th annual research day in May of 1994. All of the children had a documented change
on their gross motor functional measure, which ranged from 1.5-6 %. Treatment consisted of ½ hour per week for six weeks. Researchers involved were Connie S. Gilkeson-Boggess, MS, CTRS, Dr. Kim Pauley,
M.D., and Brenda McGahan, PT.
Our Growth
We began with two horses: Aries and
Fan-Sea. We soon adopted Libbey-Sue, a retired
American Standardbred (1979 foal date). Over the years
we purchased and were given a number of horses that were
used in our programs. Aries Legacy - Connie's personal
horse has been a solid foundation to our equine
teachers/therapists. At 18 - she continues to help
people develop assertiveness and patience Lady-Jo is
Joel's personal horse that began service to RCTRC in 1999.
How funded
Since we incorporated in 1995, we have survived on program fees, donated equipment, facilities, and community donations and support.
In the beginning years our program had to move several times.
We have been blessed to be housed since October 1999 - at
Golden-Aire Farm in Milton, WV. Through all of the hardships, our program participants
have kept up with us.
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River
Cities Therapy 
