Inclusive Equestrian Activities

Todos a Galope provides free participation in a program of equestrian activities for children at risk of exclusion, using the horse as a mediator to promote social inclusion.

In Portugal, more than one out of six children live in a situation of poverty (source) and the inequality indexes report a considerable number of children at risk of social exclusion.

Group sports are an important tool for promoting social inclusion. In conjunction with the benefits of equestrian sport, establishing a relationship with the horse has a positive impact on the health and well-being of children and the development of social and personal skills. However, in our society, horseback riding is still considered an elitist sport and is accessible only to a minority.

In its social inclusion program mediated by equestrian activities, Todos a Galope has hosted, free of charge and regularly, more than 20 children at risk of exclusion, which were received in the framework of partnerships developed with institutions that carry out social intervention such as Casa Pia de Lisboa / CED Jacob Rodrigues Pereira, Irmãs Dominicanas / Lar Madre Teresa de Saldanha and O Companheiro, Associação de Fraternidade Cristã.

The program developed in recent years has been possible with the financial support of the European Commission through the project Riding Together - Solidarity on Horseback, coordinated by Todos a Galope. This funding is nearly ending and Todos a Galope is strongly committed to gathering the necessary conditions to continue this program of social inclusion.

Help us to continue this mission: Todos a Galope will integrate 30 children at risk of exclusion in the program of equestrian activities, during the academic year 2018/2019, completely free of charge. In this campaign, we are asking for your aid to support the costs of the activities of at least one-third of these children (10 children).

Your contribution will bring about a positive change in the lives of at-risk children, for whom this program will make a difference in their day-to-day and future.

Each child will participate in a weekly session of about 2 hours for 9 months. The activities will be organized and developed by a team of accredited professionals in the field of equestrian sports, education and coaching. The value of the sessions is € 80 per month per child.

How you can contribute and how your contribution will make a difference:

10€ = ½ session
20€ = 1 session
40€ = 2 sessions =  ½ month
80€ = 4 sessions = 1 month
160€ = 8 sessions = 2 months

About the author

Todos a Galope is a non-profit association created in 2014 with the mission of providing people from all socio-economic contexts the contact and benefits of the relationship with the horse, promoting equality and social inclusion through equestrian sports and health and leisure equestrian activities.

The Equestrian Center, in Monsanto's Forest Park in Lisbon, is the result of a protocol between Todos a Galope and the Lisbon City Council and its functioning, based on the values of solidarity and sustainability, advocating a model in which operation costs are borne through the income generated by the riding school, open to the general public, to provide equestrian activities for people in situation of exclusion, including children, for free.

Currently, for every 4 enrolled practitioners, Todos a Galope offers free regular classes to 1 child at risk of exclusion.

Learn more about Todos a Galope • site • fb • mail

Budget and due dates

[1] Execution Costs
7 200 € = 10 children x 9 months x 80 €
During the academic year 2018/2019, each child will attend a weekly session of about 2 hours of equestrian activities. The running costs include the Riding Coaches and other professionals involved in the activities, the maintenance of the horses and the teaching material used in the sessions.

[2] Complementary Expenses
680 € = PPL Commission

BUDGET
TOTAL [1 + 2] = 7 200 + 680 = 7 880 €

DEADLINE
To start the sessions in October 2018, the total amount must be met by 31st August. 

EXECUTION
Academic Year 2018/19, from October to June, 9 months.

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