One Year Update

Photo by: Sara Visconti

One Year Update:

Gallop Forward Foundation began a year ago with a straightforward mission: to provide youth in Jilotepec with opportunities to learn horsemanship and essential life skills. After twelve months, we’re proud of the progress we've made.

One of our primary achievements has been establishing consistent weekly riding lessons hosted at Rancho Saex with José Sanabria, Sabrina Viloria, and Alexis Martinez. Some students started the program with little or no previous experience with horses. Now, they understand fundamental animal care and riding techniques. Before every lesson the students must go catch their horse from nearby pastures and then adequately prep those horses for the class. Under the supervision of instructors, they groom their horse and saddle them, using the knowledge they’ve learned to independently prepare for each activity. When they enter the arena or the corral, our students practice concepts ranging from balance exercises to complex dressage routines.

Outside of the ranch, they ride through the nearby mountains, where they learn to navigate varied terrain and adapt to different riding conditions. Some days, the students take plunges into lakes or streams with their horses or other days they gallop across pastures. Our instructors balance the necessary arena time with more free range activities to encourage curiosity, but also to prepare our students for every environment they may find themselves in while on horseback.

Thanks to the dedicated support of Aketzali Robles, we recently expanded our operation by partnering with her barrel racing center: Rancho Robles. Through this collaboration, our students participate in weekly barrel racing lessons. Barrel racing has introduced our students to a competitive and exciting dimension of horsemanship, giving them a sense of achievement and community as they prepare to take part in local riding events.

We’ve also received support from Talabartería La Gloria, who generously provided our students with new cowboy boots and hats. Without the proper gear, the students would have to encounter another obstacle on their equestrian journey, but the kind people at Talabartería La Gloria stepped in to help.

On the administration side of our project, managing finances responsibly has been crucial to our foundation's success. We've depended primarily on grassroots community support and individual donations, carefully maximizing every dollar to sustain the program. These funds directly cover critical needs such as tack, feed, transportation, and ongoing training. Our lean operational model ensures minimal overhead costs, with no paid staff, allowing nearly all donations to benefit the students directly.

Looking ahead, Gallop Forward Foundation is focused on expanding collaborations with additional ranches and equestrian centers. By broadening our network, we aim to offer our students new opportunities that will encourage their growth through engaging experiences in the broader horsemanship community. Additionally, we're exploring potential partnerships to bring specialized workshops and guest trainers to enhance our existing program.

Reflecting on our first year, it’s clear that maintaining a practical, focused approach has made a genuine difference. The resilience and dedication of our students, the generosity of our supporters, and the commitment of our team have collectively built a solid foundation that truly benefits our community.

We look forward to continuing this journey and we're grateful to everyone who has helped make our first year so successful.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

– Walker Franklin