Wheatland Farm

Wheatland Farm is a non-profit equestrian center that was established with the aim of providing a supportive and inclusive environment for families with special needs children. Founded by Mark and Muriel Forrest in 1999, Wheatland Farm has grown into a renowned USEF Para-dressage Center of Excellence, serving over 100 riders each week with a wide range of programs.

Muriel Forrest, a USEF Silver Para-Dressage Coach, was inspired by her own experiences of horse riding and its benefits for children with disabilities. She and Mark set about creating a program that catered not only to the needs of their children with disabilities but also to the needs of their typically developing children. This vision led to the establishment of the Faith & Family Foundation's programs at Wheatland Farm.

Programs at Wheatland Farm

At Wheatland Farm, we offer a variety of programs designed to meet the needs of all our riders, regardless of their abilities. We have an FEI-quality outdoor competition arena, an ADA-compliant indoor arena, and a fully-accessible 18-stall barn with an auto mounting lift for wheelchair-dependent athletes. We have miles of outdoor trails for riders and their families to enjoy together.

Our programs include para-dressage, adapted riding, US Pony Club, eventing, and traditional dressage. We pioneer the concept of equestrian programs for both able-bodied and disabled riders in a wholly inclusive equestrian center. We believe that this approach not only benefits our riders with disabilities but also fosters greater awareness and understanding within the community.

At Wheatland Farm, we understand the importance of family. That's why all of our programs are designed to include the whole family - riders with disabilities, their siblings, and their friends in the community. With the support of our 16 horses, 9 staff members, and over 75 trained volunteers, we provide riders with disabilities the support they need to learn and compete on equal footing with their able-bodied peers.

Additional Services

In addition to our regular riding lessons, we offer dressage shows for both able-bodied and para-dressage riders, monthly jumper shows, quarterly clinics with five-star event riders and dressage riders, and family events such as an afternoon tea every spring and a fishing tournament in the fall.

At Wheatland Farm, we believe that faith, family, and service to others are at the heart of our mission. We invite you to join us on this journey and experience the healing power of nature and God's grace for yourself.