Working in conjunction with the Monmouth County Park System, Special People United to Ride (SPUR) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that provides individuals with disabilities the opportunity to achieve personal goals through therapeutic horseback riding. The park system’s Sunnyside Equestrian Center provides a safe haven where personal strengths are accentuated by the freedom of riding and handling a horse. Students work to improve self-esteem, social skills, balance, muscle tone and posture, as well as to process sensory messages sent to the brain.

 A dedicated group of individuals works together to staff the equestrian center year-round. Instructors are employed by the park system and are certified by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) International, the governing body of therapeutic horseback riding. In addition to the staff, over 100 volunteers help with the SPUR programs every year allowing over 125 students with disabilities to be served. 

 It is the mission of the Board of Directors of SPUR to raise funds for the assistance of individuals with disabilities through need-based scholarships for SPUR’s therapeutic horsemanship programs. In addition, the Board of Directors provides material assistance to the Monmouth County Park System for the implementation of its therapeutic horsemanship programs, when deemed necessary. 

Sunnyside Equestrian Center is located on Middletown-Lincroft Road in Middletown, New Jersey. The equestrian center is part of the 135-acre Sunnyside Recreation Area. It features an 18-stall stable, an outdoor instructional ring and an 80’ x 200’ indoor arena that allows lessons to be offered year-round. The center also boasts classroom space, offices for the administrative staff and instructors, and a waiting area for participants and their families with large observation windows looking into the indoor arena.