Saddle Up! Breaks Ground on Expansion, Marks 35 Years of Impact in Middle Tennessee
On Sunday, April 19, Saddle Up! welcomed supporters, community leaders, volunteers, and families to its Franklin campus for a groundbreaking ceremony that signals a major step forward for the organization. As Saddle Up! celebrates 35 years of service, the expansion is designed to meet growing demand and enhance programs for children and young adults with disabilities across Middle Tennessee.
The afternoon brought together many of the people who have helped shape Saddle Up! over the years, from leadership and donors to volunteers and families who have experienced its programs firsthand. The ceremony reflected both a milestone moment and a clear look ahead at what comes next.
“This is a really historic day as we look to the future,” said Tina Doniger, Saddle Up!’s CEO, as she opened the event. “Thirty-five years ago, Saddle Up! was officially recognized as a nonprofit here in the state of Tennessee, and what began as a bold idea rooted in compassion, possibility, and a deep belief in the power of the horse has grown into something truly extraordinary.”
What is Saddle Up! in Franklin, TN
Saddle Up! was founded in 1991 to provide children and young adults with disabilities the opportunity to grow and develop through equine-assisted services. What began as a small, community-driven effort has grown into one of the region’s leading therapeutic riding centers, serving hundreds of participants each year across Middle Tennessee. The organization is accredited through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International, reflecting its commitment to safety, professionalism, and high-quality programming.
Programs at Saddle Up! include Adaptive Riding and Therapy Services. Therapy Services use horse movement to support physical, occupational, and speech therapy goals, while Adaptive Riding focuses on developing horsemanship skills and overall growth.
Other offerings, such as Adaptive Horsemanship and From the Ground Up, focus on life skills like communication and confidence through structured interaction with horses. Participants can also take part in Interactive Vaulting, Equestrian Club, and Alumni Transitions, as well as additional seasonal programs such as Fun on the Farm.
Riders work one-on-one or in small groups with trained instructors, therapists, and volunteers. The movement of the horse helps build strength, balance, and coordination, while the environment supports independence and social growth.
As Doniger shared during the groundbreaking, “Thousands of children and young adults have experienced what it means to sit tall in the saddle, to find strength that they didn’t know they had, and to achieve milestones that they once felt were out of reach.”
She also emphasized the organization’s purpose: “Saddle Up! has never just been a place. It has always been a promise that every child, regardless of ability, deserves the opportunity to grow, connect, and gain confidence.”
Saddle Up! Expansion Designed to Meet Growing Demand
As demand for services continues to rise across Middle Tennessee, the expansion project will add new, purpose-built spaces to support Saddle Up!’s work while improving the experience for participants, families, and volunteers.
Plans include a 2,300-square-foot volunteer area with training and education space, along with locker rooms, storage, restrooms, showers, and break areas. The addition is designed to better support volunteers, who play a central role in daily operations.
The project also includes a 2,000-square-foot therapy space that will expand the delivery of speech, occupational, and physical therapy services offered throughout the week. The area will feature flexible therapy rooms, early intervention spaces, and family-centered areas that support collaboration and individualized care as demand continues to grow.
At the center of the project is a 19,000-square-foot covered outdoor arena. This space is expected to extend the riding season, reduce disruptions caused by weather, and allow more lessons and riders to be accommodated each week. It will also create a more consistent environment for riders, horses, and volunteers, while helping reduce the current waitlist.
Doniger noted that the need for these services continues to grow. “The truth is, the need has never been greater,” she said. “Our community is growing, the needs of our riders are evolving, and our commitment to quality, to safety, and individualized care remains unwavering.”
Community Support Behind Saddle Up!
The groundbreaking highlighted the strong network of support that has sustained Saddle Up! over the years. From founding leaders to current partners, the organization’s growth has been shaped by a shared commitment to its mission.
Doniger recognized both early visionaries and current contributors, noting that the organization stands on the work of those who believed in its potential from the beginning.
“The vision belongs with you,” she told attendees. “Your belief in Saddle Up! has carried 35 years of impact, and your belief is what will carry us through the next 35 years.”
Brian Hubbard, Saddle Up! board chair and rider parent, also reflected on the significance of the moment, both as a leader and as a parent.
“I don’t think anybody understands except for myself how this has such an impact on families and lives,” he said. “Having my son as a Saddle Up! rider, it really means a lot to see something like this come to life.”
Volunteers at Saddle Up!
Volunteers play a central role in Saddle Up!’s daily operations. From assisting in riding lessons as sidewalkers and leaders to helping with barn care, special events, and fundraising, the program depends on consistent support from the community. Many volunteers commit to working with the same rider each week, helping create stability that benefits both the rider and the horse. Others assist with daily herd care or seasonal programs like Fun on the Farm.
“It takes 305 volunteers weekly to care for the horses, to sidewalk, lead horses, prepare lessons, and support families,” Doniger said. “The volunteers are truly the heartbeat of Saddle Up!”
Longtime volunteer Paul Tampien shared his own experience, which began more than a decade ago. “You saw the smiles and the giggles, and you go, there’s something to this,” he said, recalling early exposure to equine therapy.
After years of volunteering, Tampien marked the occasion with a personal contribution.
“I would like to make a donation to Saddle Up! to cover the furniture in the reception area,” he said, presenting a $10,000 gift during the ceremony.
Those interested in getting involved can learn more about current volunteer opportunities through Saddle Up!’s website.
Local Leaders Support Saddle Up! in Williamson County, TN
Local leaders were on hand to recognize both the organization’s impact and its future growth. Brentwood Mayor Nelson Andrews attended the event, offering remarks that connected Saddle Up!’s work to the broader character of Williamson County.
“As a mayor, having things like this going on in our community, and just knowing how much the equestrian community is at the heart of our community, but also kids and volunteerism, have been very much part of what makes Williamson County such a great place to live and work,” Andrews said.
He also shared his personal connection to the organization through sponsorship and involvement with Chukkers for Charity, Saddle Up!’s annual fundraiser.
“Seeing the impact this makes over the years has been incredible,” Andrews said. “The way it can help create connection for kids who need it, that’s something special.”
The event also included a proclamation from Franklin Mayor Dr. Ken Moore, read aloud by former CEO Audrey Kidd, formally recognizing April 19, 2026, as Saddle Up! Day in Franklin.
The proclamation highlighted Saddle Up!’s role in providing therapeutic and educational opportunities, its commitment to inclusion, and its long-standing impact across the community. It also pointed to the importance of the expansion, noting that the project will allow the organization to serve more riders and families while continuing to deliver high-quality programs in the years ahead.
What the Saddle Up! Expansion Means for Middle Tennessee
As the ceremony concluded, attendees gathered for the symbolic moment of breaking ground, marking the beginning of construction on the new facilities. Renderings and plans were shared inside, giving supporters a closer look at what is to come.
Doniger framed the moment as more than a construction milestone.
“We are not just breaking ground on a building,” she said. “We are breaking ground on opportunity, access, and hope.”
The expansion reflects both the growth of Saddle Up! and the continued need for its services. As Middle Tennessee continues to grow, the organization is preparing to meet that demand while maintaining the quality and care that have defined its work for 35 years.
Chukkers for Charity in Franklin, TN: Save the Date!
As Saddle Up! looks ahead, one of its largest annual events will return later this year. The 30th Annual Chukkers for Charity is scheduled for September 12, 2026, bringing the community together in support of Saddle Up!’s programs and ongoing expansion efforts.
Often referred to as “chukkers,” the term comes from the timed periods of play in a polo match. The event itself is built around a full day of polo, food, and community gathering, and has become a long-standing tradition in Middle Tennessee.
Chukkers for Charity benefits both Saddle Up! and the Rochelle Center, a Nashville nonprofit that supports adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Since its founding in 1996, the event has raised millions to support the work at both organizations and is considered Tennessee’s largest and highest-grossing charity polo match.
Chukkers for Charity reflects the shared mission of both organizations, bringing people together in support of programs that create meaningful opportunities for individuals and families across the region.
