Solid Strides Riding Programs
Solid Strides, 33826 Orchard Avenue, Eugene, OR 97402
About
Solid Strides Riding Programs offers SPRING & FALL DAY CAMPS, SUMMER WEEK CAMPS, and MONDAY – FRIDAY LESSONS that include horseback riding lessons and Pilates. Participants groom, tack, lead, do groundwork, and observe the horses and their behavior and movement as part of the program’s activities.
• Schedule: SUMMER WEEK CAMPS MONDAY – FRIDAY
Solid Strides began in 2017 focusing on training rescue horses and potential adoptees, shifted in 2019 toward creating a safe and welcoming environment for historically excluded youth to gain access to the horse world, and in 2021 added a variety of camps specifically designed as a low-barrier entry point. The program’s mission states that it strives to create a welcoming and inclusive space by actively inviting under-resourced, Black, Indigenous, People of Color, LGBTQIA+ and other historically underrepresented populations into the program and by reducing financial barriers to entry, with the goal of creating a safe environment for riders to develop the essential skills of good riding and good horsemanship to create a positive experience for both students and their equine partners. Solid Strides is a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization.
The leadership team includes Katie Ebbage, Executive Director; Kris Dunne, Assistant Program Coordinator; Addisen Painter, Lead Summer Camp Instructor, Horse Care Manager; Blue Newswander, Summer Camp Instructor; Megan Ross, Instructor; and Sonia Altenhoff, Instructor. Staff credentials include Addisen being on track to complete an Associate’s Degree in Animal Science with a focus on Horse Management at Linn Benton Community College in Albany by June 2024; Blue holding a Bachelor of Science in Cultural Anthropology and experience working with underserved and at-risk youth on the streets and in psychiatric mental health care; Megan being a published author of horse welfare-based research and teaching horseback riding lessons or Pilates; Sonia spending the last 7 years immersed in horse welfare-based education and riding on the Mt. Holyoke College dressage team; and Kris holding a Teaching Degree and Bachelors of Education in Physical Education from Gonzaga University, Level 1 Certification from EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning), and a US National C Coaching License.
The program describes unique features such as building an inclusive community of welcoming, supportive, and empowered equestrians; breaking down barriers and building up confident, skilled equestrians; actively inviting under-resourced, Black, Indigenous, People of Color, LGBTQIA+ and other historically underrepresented populations into the program; and reducing financial barriers to entry. It also states a primary focus on creating a space where historically excluded youth and families can feel safe and welcome and share their love of horses with each other, creating professional pathways for historically excluded people in the equine industry, helping reduce the financial impact of training and competition, celebrating underrepresented equestrians in the program and around the world, teaching the methodology, meaning and application of an evidence-based horse welfare-oriented, multi-disciplinary training program, and exploring the relationship between training and horse welfare. The program includes teaching riders to groom, tack, lead, do groundwork, and observe the horses and their behavior and movement, in addition to teaching riding skills, and describes programs specifically designed as a low-barrier entry point so that kids who may be interested in horses can come to learn about and interact with equine partners, as well as creating space that is welcoming and safe so that BIPOC youth can explore, embrace and grow a budding equestrian passion.
Community involvement includes Katie focusing on building trust, community relationships, and partnerships to increase opportunities for youth and families in the area, and expressing gratitude for early partners including Willamette Racism Response Network, Kids for the Culture, and Comunidad y Herencia Cultural. One testimonial states, “Thank you Solid Strides for making it possible for Lizzie to connect with horses in a balanced, positive way that is well-rounded. She had so much fun learning all aspects of being a good equestrian at your summer camps and her lessons are the highlight of her week.” Another testimonial states, “Solid Strides has changed me as a person. Teaching me patience, which is something I have always lacked, responsibility, and giving me a place where I have friends who share a common love for horses… Every horses gives you something different and helps you in a certain way which to me is one of the best things horses can give you.”
Last updated December 28, 2025.
• Schedule: SUMMER WEEK CAMPS MONDAY – FRIDAY
Solid Strides began in 2017 focusing on training rescue horses and potential adoptees, shifted in 2019 toward creating a safe and welcoming environment for historically excluded youth to gain access to the horse world, and in 2021 added a variety of camps specifically designed as a low-barrier entry point. The program’s mission states that it strives to create a welcoming and inclusive space by actively inviting under-resourced, Black, Indigenous, People of Color, LGBTQIA+ and other historically underrepresented populations into the program and by reducing financial barriers to entry, with the goal of creating a safe environment for riders to develop the essential skills of good riding and good horsemanship to create a positive experience for both students and their equine partners. Solid Strides is a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization.
The leadership team includes Katie Ebbage, Executive Director; Kris Dunne, Assistant Program Coordinator; Addisen Painter, Lead Summer Camp Instructor, Horse Care Manager; Blue Newswander, Summer Camp Instructor; Megan Ross, Instructor; and Sonia Altenhoff, Instructor. Staff credentials include Addisen being on track to complete an Associate’s Degree in Animal Science with a focus on Horse Management at Linn Benton Community College in Albany by June 2024; Blue holding a Bachelor of Science in Cultural Anthropology and experience working with underserved and at-risk youth on the streets and in psychiatric mental health care; Megan being a published author of horse welfare-based research and teaching horseback riding lessons or Pilates; Sonia spending the last 7 years immersed in horse welfare-based education and riding on the Mt. Holyoke College dressage team; and Kris holding a Teaching Degree and Bachelors of Education in Physical Education from Gonzaga University, Level 1 Certification from EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning), and a US National C Coaching License.
The program describes unique features such as building an inclusive community of welcoming, supportive, and empowered equestrians; breaking down barriers and building up confident, skilled equestrians; actively inviting under-resourced, Black, Indigenous, People of Color, LGBTQIA+ and other historically underrepresented populations into the program; and reducing financial barriers to entry. It also states a primary focus on creating a space where historically excluded youth and families can feel safe and welcome and share their love of horses with each other, creating professional pathways for historically excluded people in the equine industry, helping reduce the financial impact of training and competition, celebrating underrepresented equestrians in the program and around the world, teaching the methodology, meaning and application of an evidence-based horse welfare-oriented, multi-disciplinary training program, and exploring the relationship between training and horse welfare. The program includes teaching riders to groom, tack, lead, do groundwork, and observe the horses and their behavior and movement, in addition to teaching riding skills, and describes programs specifically designed as a low-barrier entry point so that kids who may be interested in horses can come to learn about and interact with equine partners, as well as creating space that is welcoming and safe so that BIPOC youth can explore, embrace and grow a budding equestrian passion.
Community involvement includes Katie focusing on building trust, community relationships, and partnerships to increase opportunities for youth and families in the area, and expressing gratitude for early partners including Willamette Racism Response Network, Kids for the Culture, and Comunidad y Herencia Cultural. One testimonial states, “Thank you Solid Strides for making it possible for Lizzie to connect with horses in a balanced, positive way that is well-rounded. She had so much fun learning all aspects of being a good equestrian at your summer camps and her lessons are the highlight of her week.” Another testimonial states, “Solid Strides has changed me as a person. Teaching me patience, which is something I have always lacked, responsibility, and giving me a place where I have friends who share a common love for horses… Every horses gives you something different and helps you in a certain way which to me is one of the best things horses can give you.”
Last updated December 28, 2025.
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