Reflecting on a Year of Giving Back at TES

As the year comes to a close, it feels like a good moment to pause and reflect on what matters most to us at The Traditional Equitation School. Beyond riding lessons and programs, one of our core values has always been giving back to the community that supports us. We are incredibly grateful to be part of such a generous and connected community, and we want to share a few of the ways we’ve been able to give back this year.

One of the ways we work to make horseback riding more accessible is through our affordable Girl Scout badge program. We’re proud to offer a program that allows troops to earn their horseback riding badge at a cost that makes participation possible for more families. Opening the door to horses for first-time riders is something we care deeply about, and we love introducing so many Girl Scouts to the barn each year.

Andrea taking donations to the food pantry in Burbank

TES is also the largest annual supporter of Star Horses, a nonprofit that provides therapeutic and adaptive riding programs. Through this partnership, we help support riders with physical, developmental, and emotional challenges by contributing lessons, horses, and resources that make these programs possible. It’s incredibly meaningful to see how horses can build confidence, independence, and joy for riders of all abilities.

Community care extends beyond the barn as well. TES partners weekly with Whole Foods to help redistribute food to families in need, ensuring that good food doesn’t go to waste and instead reaches people who can use the support. Earlier this month, we also hosted a food drive at our IEA show that resulted in a truckload of donations delivered to the Burbank food pantry. Seeing our community come together around that effort was truly inspiring.

We also believe in supporting both horses and riders throughout their journeys. TES makes monthly donations to Polo Pony Rescue, which provides lifelong care for retired and rescued horses. In addition, we help students participate in shows by lending riding clothes at no cost, removing one more barrier for families who want their children to take part. Throughout the year, we also donate lessons and birthday parties to nonprofit fundraisers and local schools, helping those organizations raise money for important causes.

Looking ahead to 2026, we’re excited to continue and expand this work. We’re partnering once again with the City to offer riding opportunities for economically disadvantaged youth, and we remain committed to finding new ways to make horses and horsemanship more accessible to our community.



None of this would be possible without the families, riders, and supporters who choose to be part of TES. Every lesson, camp, and program helps make these efforts possible. As we reflect on the year, we want to say thank you for being part of a community that believes in kindness, access, and giving back.