"Horses seem to know how we are feeling and
reflect those feelings back to us"
Hope Rising Horsemanship
Our horsemanship program is a 6 level program that grows with the individual, young or old. It can be done on a monthly or weekly basis. In a group or individually. The student is emotionally and technically supported by trained, caring, and competent staff.
youth/Family outdoor and AG activities and camping
-Family Camping can be done on the ranch in our RV sites or our cabins. These are designated especially for single parents that may not usually have the time or means to do family vacations. Also for veterans and their families.
Outdoor activities include a small playground/obstacle course, spending time with our small farm animals (chickens and rabbits), as well as horses are available to pet or ride in the round pen with a trained staff person. We have a bonfire pit for roasting marshmallows/ hotdogs or just enjoying a quiet evening under the stars.
-We have Country cooking and baking classes that are done periodically, for those that want to learn some good home cooking, jelly making, or holiday treats.
-We can also do Saturday day camps for youth programs to come out and have a ride on a horse, pet and feed the rabbits and chickens, do a small craft or snack, and have time to play on the playground and low obstacle course in the fresh country air.
Outdoor activities include a small playground/obstacle course, spending time with our small farm animals (chickens and rabbits), as well as horses are available to pet or ride in the round pen with a trained staff person. We have a bonfire pit for roasting marshmallows/ hotdogs or just enjoying a quiet evening under the stars.
-We have Country cooking and baking classes that are done periodically, for those that want to learn some good home cooking, jelly making, or holiday treats.
-We can also do Saturday day camps for youth programs to come out and have a ride on a horse, pet and feed the rabbits and chickens, do a small craft or snack, and have time to play on the playground and low obstacle course in the fresh country air.
Apprentice Job skill opportunities
Apprenticing for job skills on the ranch can be a weekly or monthly commitment. All sorts of trades are used on a working horse ranch, including land management, carpentry, mechanics, basic plumbing and electrical, masonry, animal husbandry and horse training. All supervising staff are certified in their fields.
Veteran/Civilian reintegration
Working with horses, or working on the ranch, in individual or group settings, lets veterans feel like they are contributing members, in the civilian world. It helps them learn to identify their feelings again, to process some of the emotions after active duty, and better connect with loved ones in their lives. Horses have a way of reflecting back our feelings so that we see them on another's face. We see the reaction from a horse when we are harsh or gentle, but they still love us unconditionally, and accept us just how we are, along the way.
Hope Raises you up to a level, that you can start to See your Future
Updates on new activites on the ranch!
December 26, 2020 Our first horses arrive on the ranch. Rocky and Harley!
Their owners even brought feed and buckets and some tack and donations! Thank you!
Their owners even brought feed and buckets and some tack and donations! Thank you!
February 6, 2021 Our first 2 rabbits are donated. Bubbles and Ghingus!
These are show bunnies that love to be petted! Their owners also donated a cage and a big bag of rabbit food! Thank you!
These are show bunnies that love to be petted! Their owners also donated a cage and a big bag of rabbit food! Thank you!
March 12, 2021 Our first chickens join us on the ranch. Galaxy and Layla!
These chickens were back yard chickens and you can even pick them up and pet them! The owner also donated (and hauled) a chicken coop and feed! Thank you!
These chickens were back yard chickens and you can even pick them up and pet them! The owner also donated (and hauled) a chicken coop and feed! Thank you!
June 7, 2021 - Donation received for Youth Saddle
We received a donation for a new saddle that has a wide tree (for our big horses, 16 hands) but also has stirrups that can go high enough for a 3rd grader! We found just the right saddle right here in Pleasanton, and the the tack shop owner even donated a saddle pad and bridle! Thank you to both generous supporters!
We received a donation for a new saddle that has a wide tree (for our big horses, 16 hands) but also has stirrups that can go high enough for a 3rd grader! We found just the right saddle right here in Pleasanton, and the the tack shop owner even donated a saddle pad and bridle! Thank you to both generous supporters!
June 11, 2021- Donation received for Playground equipment
We received a generous donation for buying the parts needed to build our playground and obstacle course. This will give the kids some free play time at the Ranch in a fun, safe space! Thank you!
We received a generous donation for buying the parts needed to build our playground and obstacle course. This will give the kids some free play time at the Ranch in a fun, safe space! Thank you!
September 1, 2021 Lumber donation for our first rustic cabin
MG Lumber donated lumber for the framing of our first rustic cabin. These cabins can be used by single parents to bring their kids out to do a little camping on a weekend, for a low cost, but high return for the time invested in their kids!
A good friend used his horse trailer to go pick up the lumber and deliver it to us! A neighbor let us borrow his tractor and auger to put the post holes in. Some teens helped us get the frame up. Thank you to all!
MG Lumber donated lumber for the framing of our first rustic cabin. These cabins can be used by single parents to bring their kids out to do a little camping on a weekend, for a low cost, but high return for the time invested in their kids!
A good friend used his horse trailer to go pick up the lumber and deliver it to us! A neighbor let us borrow his tractor and auger to put the post holes in. Some teens helped us get the frame up. Thank you to all!
October 31, 2021, Our Booth at Fall Festival
This was our first booth for Fall Festival in Pleasanton. The kids had a good time with games and candy! And it let us share with others, what our Non-profit is doing to help at-risk kids in our community. Thank you to our folks for helping us man the booth as over a 1000 people came through the Festival at Cowboy Fellowship!
This was our first booth for Fall Festival in Pleasanton. The kids had a good time with games and candy! And it let us share with others, what our Non-profit is doing to help at-risk kids in our community. Thank you to our folks for helping us man the booth as over a 1000 people came through the Festival at Cowboy Fellowship!
November 6, 2021, Our first Work day
Our volunteer crew worked all day and we got about half of the playground/obstacle course built! Thank you! We couldn't have done it without all of you!
Our volunteer crew worked all day and we got about half of the playground/obstacle course built! Thank you! We couldn't have done it without all of you!
December 4, 2021, Our First Cookie Decorating Party at the Ranch
We Invited kids from our little town of Christine to come to the Ranch for a Christmas Cookie Decorating Party.
We did 2 Saturdays for the kids and the parents. With snacks and other goodies to enjoy as well.
We Invited kids from our little town of Christine to come to the Ranch for a Christmas Cookie Decorating Party.
We did 2 Saturdays for the kids and the parents. With snacks and other goodies to enjoy as well.
December 11, 2021 Our 2nd Work day
Our volunteer crew worked into the afternoon trying to complete the playground/obstacle course. We just have the other end of the zipline to get cemented into the ground! And then we will be able to have larger groups of inner-city kids come out. Thank you to the volunteers that gave up a Saturday to come help!
Our volunteer crew worked into the afternoon trying to complete the playground/obstacle course. We just have the other end of the zipline to get cemented into the ground! And then we will be able to have larger groups of inner-city kids come out. Thank you to the volunteers that gave up a Saturday to come help!
April 30, 2022 Our 3rd Work day
Our Volunteer crew Finished the Web ladder, put in Stepping stumps, made a Balance board and finished the Zip line! So exciting to have the playground and obstacle course completely finished and open for kids! Thank YOU, Volunteers!
Our Volunteer crew Finished the Web ladder, put in Stepping stumps, made a Balance board and finished the Zip line! So exciting to have the playground and obstacle course completely finished and open for kids! Thank YOU, Volunteers!
May 20,2022 Connex are delivered
Two Connex were delivered to the ranch to be converted to Rustic Cabins for single parent families to come out to the Ranch for a low cost family vacation.
Two Connex were delivered to the ranch to be converted to Rustic Cabins for single parent families to come out to the Ranch for a low cost family vacation.
May 21, 2022 Cutting the first window in the cabin
We had some brave volunteers that came out to cut the first window into the Connex, on its way to being a cabin. It was 103 degrees before they finished. And then on the 29th, they moved donated furniture from storage into the Connex. It was another long, hot day! Thank you for such dedication!
We had some brave volunteers that came out to cut the first window into the Connex, on its way to being a cabin. It was 103 degrees before they finished. And then on the 29th, they moved donated furniture from storage into the Connex. It was another long, hot day! Thank you for such dedication!
June 9, 2022 First Connex painted
We had two of our youth volunteers come out and paint the first Connex. It looked much cleaner when it was painted. But the 2nd one has to wait because oil base paint was in scarce supply with all the fuel costs going up!
We had two of our youth volunteers come out and paint the first Connex. It looked much cleaner when it was painted. But the 2nd one has to wait because oil base paint was in scarce supply with all the fuel costs going up!
June 13, 2022 20 Acre Pasture gets fencing
Our Youth volunteers also helped us put in an 2-strand electric fence from the front to the back of the property. This encloses 20 acres. And makes another pasture for a 3rd horse (or more) to be donated to the program. Thank you for being so dedicated to work in the heat (you can see the pasture starting to dry out too)!
Our Youth volunteers also helped us put in an 2-strand electric fence from the front to the back of the property. This encloses 20 acres. And makes another pasture for a 3rd horse (or more) to be donated to the program. Thank you for being so dedicated to work in the heat (you can see the pasture starting to dry out too)!
June 15, 2022 Door and 2nd Window goes in Connex
Mr Charlie worked in the 100 degree summer weather In June and July, cutting and installing the 2nd window and the door. It is not as easy as it looks when there is thin metal and no wood to attach to! Thank you!!
Mr Charlie worked in the 100 degree summer weather In June and July, cutting and installing the 2nd window and the door. It is not as easy as it looks when there is thin metal and no wood to attach to! Thank you!!
July 2022 Kids at the Ranch
In July we had upper elementary kids come out to the Ranch for a 4 Day Camp. They spent time with the animals and had some fun activities, like a slippy slide and water fight to beat the heat! They did a little cooking in the kitchen and had a few rides down the zipline!
In July we had upper elementary kids come out to the Ranch for a 4 Day Camp. They spent time with the animals and had some fun activities, like a slippy slide and water fight to beat the heat! They did a little cooking in the kitchen and had a few rides down the zipline!
August 2022 Kids at the Ranch
We had high schoolers for the 2nd round of kids this summer so we upped the activities a bit. Horse back riding, archery, knife throwing and water wars on the zipline! They also made their own pizzas and Italian cream sodas.
I think they had fun!
We had high schoolers for the 2nd round of kids this summer so we upped the activities a bit. Horse back riding, archery, knife throwing and water wars on the zipline! They also made their own pizzas and Italian cream sodas.
I think they had fun!
Summer 2022 Tea Parties
One of the highlights when kids stay at the Ranch is having High Tea with Grandma Jean and Grandad Charles. There are yummy things to make and eat, and kids learn a little bit about formal etiquette, if they are ever in the situation. And of course, hats are highly encouraged!
One of the highlights when kids stay at the Ranch is having High Tea with Grandma Jean and Grandad Charles. There are yummy things to make and eat, and kids learn a little bit about formal etiquette, if they are ever in the situation. And of course, hats are highly encouraged!
Summer 2022 Prickly Pear Jelly Making
In July and August the prickly pear fruit get ripe and we do jelly making classes. It is pretty quick picking but beware of the pokies! The jelly tastes like a cross between berry and grape jelly. We have a lot of people that love it! Plus it is fun to teach the old art of Jelly making.
In July and August the prickly pear fruit get ripe and we do jelly making classes. It is pretty quick picking but beware of the pokies! The jelly tastes like a cross between berry and grape jelly. We have a lot of people that love it! Plus it is fun to teach the old art of Jelly making.
2022 Cooking Classes
We do some cooking classes on the Ranch as well (for kids and adults). We do candy making, cake and cooking baking, homemade pizza from scratch and Asian street food (or Dim Sum)! The kids are very creative in their baking! It also develops confidence and self esteem when they see how well their creations turn out!
We do some cooking classes on the Ranch as well (for kids and adults). We do candy making, cake and cooking baking, homemade pizza from scratch and Asian street food (or Dim Sum)! The kids are very creative in their baking! It also develops confidence and self esteem when they see how well their creations turn out!
September 6, 2022 Furniture set up in Connex
We had a youth volunteer come out and help move furniture around and set in the window AC unit. He helped move extra furniture and boxes to the other Connex. So we could start setting the inside of the first Connex up as a guest cabin. We have some exterior trim to put on and there will be a 13x10 rectangle canvas over the front as a porch shade.
Almost there! Waiting for a big loader to be available to move our tiny house cabins out along the tree line overlooking the pasture and the deer feeder. Thank you so much!
We had a youth volunteer come out and help move furniture around and set in the window AC unit. He helped move extra furniture and boxes to the other Connex. So we could start setting the inside of the first Connex up as a guest cabin. We have some exterior trim to put on and there will be a 13x10 rectangle canvas over the front as a porch shade.
Almost there! Waiting for a big loader to be available to move our tiny house cabins out along the tree line overlooking the pasture and the deer feeder. Thank you so much!