PNHS Foundation Supports Pal-O-Mine Horse Show
Islandia, NY — Thanks to a generous donation from the Pennsylvania National Horse Show (PNHS) Foundation, students from Pal-O-Mine Equestrian were able to proudly display their skills this summer at the organization’s Islandia, NY headquarters. Nearly 30 students, ranging in age from 10 to 50, participated in the show, with both mounted divisions and an unmounted horsemanship division for those students who do not ride.
The show was held at Pal-O-Mine’s 13-acre campus on Long Island, where professionals provide a comprehensive therapeutic equine program to facilitate growth, learning and healing for children and adults with disabilities, survivors of trauma, veterans, first responders, individuals on the autism spectrum and many others.
“Pal-O-Mine was founded with the belief that no child or adult with a disability should ever be turned away from the opportunities offered by equine-assisted therapy,” said Lisa A. Gatti, Founder and CEO of the Long Island-based nonprofit, now in its 30th year. “Our students were filled with pride and a sense of accomplishment participating in this year’s Horse Show, which would not have been possible without a grant from the Pennsylvania National Horse Show Foundation. Their support truly changes lives for the better.”
The PNHS Foundation was established as a non-profit organization in 1999 and has remained
dedicated to “Enriching Lives Through Equestrian Sport” for more than 25 years. Each year, the Foundation awards grants for charitable and educational purposes, allowing organizations to provide veterinary care, purchase therapy equipment, offer student scholarship funds, grow their program offerings and much more.
“It’s an honor to support an organization that shares our belief in the power of horses to improve lives,” said Susie Shirk, Executive Director of the PNHS Foundation. “Through their therapeutic program, Pal-O-Mine is daily living out our mission of ‘Enriching Lives Through Equestrian Sport,’ and we are continually impressed by the work they are doing for the good of their students. We know those students are also working hard, and we’re so glad they had the opportunity to showcase their skills and hard work at this year’s horse show.”
The 2025 LifeVac Therapeutic Riding Championships will be held on Foundation Friday,October 17th, at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in the Main “Harrisburg” Arena at the
Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
This year marks the Diamond Anniversary of the Championships, celebrating 10 years of
inspiration, achievement and inclusion in the equestrian community. Launched in 2016,
Foundation Friday showcases two championship divisions — Assisted and Unassisted — as well as the presentation of the prestigious Foundation Therapy Horse of the Year Award. To further celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Therapeutic Riding Championships, the Pennsylvania National Horse Show will establish a new Hall of Fame showcasing the Therapy Horse of the Year.
Riders compete for PNHS ribbons and a trophy. Riders also receive donated products from
sponsors and vendors.
To learn more about the show, visit panational.org. For more information about Pal-O-Mine, visit
pal-o-mine.org.
About Pal -O -Mine Equestrian Inc.:
Now celebrating its 30th year, Pal-O-Mine Equestrian began in 1995 as a therapeutic horseback
riding program for individuals with disabilities and other vulnerable populations. Our mission is
to provide a comprehensive therapeutic equine program to facilitate growth, learning and healing
for children and adults with disabilities, survivors of trauma, veterans, first responders, individuals
on the autism spectrum and many others. Each week, more than 400 students attend one of the
many programs offered at the 13-acre Islandia, NY, campus, which is home to 25 specially trained
horses and a therapeutic horticulture program that serves as a vocational internship site for people with disabilities. To learn more, visit www.Pal-O-Mine.org.
About the Pennsylvania National Horse Show (PNHS) Foundation:
Established in 1999, the PNHS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides support for
equine rescue programs, therapeutic riding groups and other equine-assisted services organizations.
In 2024-2025, the PNHS Foundation awarded nearly $100,000 in grants to non-profit recipients
both locally and across the nation. Foundation grants provide scholarships for therapy students,
facilitate care for therapy and rescue horses, allow for the purchase of equipment for horses and
riders and much, much more. For more information, visit panational.org/about-the-foundation.
Contact:
Jenna Rugile
PR@pal-o-mine.org
631-839-1285
www.pal-o-mine.org
