Hillcrest - Going Strong
Since its founding, MTRA’s primary riding center has been located on seven acres at the Hillcrest School for Exceptional Children on the southeast side of Marion County. Today, there are more than 150 clients from 5 counties and 200 volunteers participating in the program at this location.
Growing to Serve More Clients
Through a series of exciting events and much hard work
by the staff and the generosity of the community,
MTRA has added it second riding facility in early
2008 at the new Greenway Location. |
Through a series of exciting events and much hard work by the staff, the volunteers, and the generosity of the community, MTRA has added its second riding facility in early 2008. The Greenway Facility has a state-of-the-art, fully covered riding arena featuring everything under one roof to protect clients, volunteers and instructors from the elements. Thirty acres of land were generously donated by The Florida Greenway, while MTRA received a substantial Marion County Development Grant to build the structure. Ocala’s City Council voted unanimously to lease 5 acres of land with a barn and farm house to MTRA for a nominal fee, which will provide for onsite caretaking of the facility. The new facility will help MTRA fulfill its goal of doubling the number of clients it can serve, reducing the growing waiting list of potential clients.
The new facility will augment the Hillcrest facility, and enable Hillcrest to conduct a wide range of specialty programs such as HorseMPower and the Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy programs, both of which are offered through a unique partnership between MTRA and Marilyn Sokolof, PhD., a licensed psychologist.
Take a Tour!
Each month, we conduct tours of our riding facility, which are open to the public. Whether you are interested in becoming a volunteer, a client, a corporate sponsor, or simply wish to make a donation, our doors are open. Come see firsthand the miraculous benefits of horseback riding therapy. Check our calendar for the next available tour date.