Meet the Herd: Our Equine Partners
At Celestial Equine Connections, we believe the horse is the heart of every breakthrough. While we are in the exciting foundational stages of building our dedicated non-profit organization, we are currently focused on growth and community impact.
Our Current Partnership
At this moment, our program does not officially own any horses. To ensure we can begin serving our community immediately, we operate through a wonderful partnership with Celestial Riding Academy. We are privileged to "borrow" the Academy's reliable, well-trained horses to facilitate our therapeutic riding, wellness sessions, and youth programs.
This collaboration allows our participants to benefit from a seasoned herd of equine professionals while we work toward our long-term goal of acquiring horses specifically owned and dedicated to the non-profit program.
The Future of the Herd
As we move forward with our 501(c)(3) status and fundraising initiatives, a primary focus of our roadmap is to transition to a herd owned directly by Celestial Equine Connections. Having our own horses will allow us to expand our specialized therapy offerings and reach even more individuals in the Metro Atlanta area.
Meet the Academy Ambassadors
Below are some of the incredible horses from Celestial Riding Academy that we are currently utilizing for our non-profit missions. Each one brings a unique personality and a specialized set of skills to our sessions:
River
Role: The Sweet & Patient Partner
Breed: Quarter Horse
About: River is a 13-year-old flea-bitten grey mare who joined our family in March 2021. Truly loved by everyone at the barn, she is known for being sweet, slow, and incredibly tolerant. While she is a perfect teacher for beginners thanks to her exceptionally smooth gaits, she is also a talented athlete. River has competed in many 3-phase events through the Starter Level and especially loves the excitement of cross-country!
Reno
Role: The Gentle Professor
Breed: Quarter Horse
About: Reno is a chestnut Quarter Horse in his mid-20s and is a true "gentle old soul." While he can be a little shy when first meeting new friends, he is as sweet as they come once he gets to know you. Reno has a distinguished background in eventing, having jumped up to 3’3” in his prime. While he is taking a well-earned step back from jumping, his comfortable gaits and steady nature make him the perfect partner for taking beginner students to their very first shows to gain confidence and experience.
Shine
Breed: Registered Paint
Role: The Big & Goofy Gentle Giant
About: Shine is a 10-year-old, 16.3hh registered Paint who joined the Celestial herd in October 2025. With a background in both Western Pleasure and English Pleasure showing, he is one of the most comfortable and laid-back rides you could ask for. Shine is known for his goofy personality and his love for being around people—he especially enjoys a good neck scratch! We are so excited to have him as part of our team.
Breed: Pony
Role: Small, Silly, & Great for In-Hand Work
About: Rooster is a small 10.2hh pony in his mid-teens who is a favorite for his silly and fun-loving personality. He is very smart, loves attention, and is a fantastic partner for in-hand work and ground-based learning. Don't let his size fool you—Rooster loves to jump and will confidently take on anything he is pointed at! He is a wonderful mentor for our smallest riders and has extensive experience going to shows, field trips, and community events.
Rooster
Breed: Appendix (Mare)
Role: Sweet & Willing Learner
About: Mocha is a 5-year-old Appendix mare who is as sweet as she is smart. She has a great brain and a very willing attitude, making her a versatile partner for a wide range of students. Whether she is working with our "littles" or challenging our advanced riders, Mocha always brings her best effort. She has already found success in showing and schooling off-property, demonstrating a calm and capable mindset that we truly value.
Mocha
Breed: Zangersheide
Role: The Gentle Giant
About: Shrimp is a 26-year-old Zangersheide with an incredible history as an ex-Grand Prix jumper and Hunter. Despite his size and athletic pedigree, he is a true "gentle giant" who takes wonderful care of his riders. A long-time barn favorite, Shrimp is deeply loved by everyone at the academy for his kind spirit and steady nature.
Shrimp
Breed: Paint
Role: The Gentle Guardian
About: Blake is a Paint gelding known for his exceptionally kind spirit and steady temperament. He is a versatile member of our team, transitioning easily between therapeutic riding sessions and ground-based wellness work. Blake has a special way of connecting with those who need a little extra quiet in their day, and his patient eyes tell you everything you need to know about his "gentle soul" nature. He is a true ambassador for the healing power of horses.
Blake
Coming Soon: Sponsor a Horse
We are currently working hard behind the scenes to acquire the very first horses officially owned by our non-profit program. In the next few months, we will be launching our official Sponsorship Program! Once our dedicated therapy horses are in place, you will have the opportunity to support their hay, grain, and veterinary care directly. These sponsorships will be vital in helping us provide low-cost or free services to at-risk youth and individuals with neurodiverse conditions.
Stay tuned for updates as we grow our herd and expand our mission!