Our Horses
Dolly is our superstar Paint horse—the kind every center hopes to find. She’s the ideal blend of traits: not too tall, sturdy in build, and wonderfully gentle, kind, and patient. Dolly’s steady temperament makes her a reliable partner for riders of many abilities. She’s truly a unicorn in our herd, and we’re grateful to have her as part of the Sunrise team.
Rocky may be small, but he’s full of heart! This mighty little horse is a favorite in our unmounted lessons, where he helps nervous participants build confidence as they learn horsemanship and safe handling skills from the ground. Rocky also loves greeting his fans—whether he’s at Sunrise or out in the community, making every interaction special for the people who meet him.
Bella is more than just a beautiful horse—she’s a perfect fit for many of our taller and larger adult riders. As a Percheron cross draft horse, Bella offers a steady, supportive presence in the arena. She’s patient and gentle with riders who need extra confidence, yet she provides just the right amount of challenge for those ready to progress and develop a stronger sense of feel. Bella’s versatility makes her an invaluable member of our therapeutic riding team.
Bailey is our talented mustang and a wonderful step-up horse for riders ready to grow. With her forward, attentive movement, she helps riders stay focused and engaged in each moment. Bailey works best with intermediate or confident riders, and she offers a rewarding partnership to those ready for a greater challenge.
Our Staff
Sara has been a valued member of the Sunrise team for three years and is one of our two full-time staff members. With a strong background in horse ownership, riding, showing, and equine care, she brings a deep understanding of our horses and their needs. She also holds a degree in Early Childhood Development Education, adding a unique blend of teaching expertise and compassion to our program. Although her title is Barn Manager, Sara truly wears many hats, and she is truly an asset to Sunrise.
Dianna has been part of Sunrise since 2019 and has played a key role in strengthening our programming and nonprofit structure. With a Master’s in Leadership Development focused on nonprofit work, she brings invaluable expertise to our team. When she's not working, Dianna loves to travel, especially to Belize, and enjoys thrifting and hunting for great yard-sale finds that often benefit Sunrise. We’re grateful for her dedication and the positive impact she continues to make behind the scenes.
Bri, our working intern, is pursuing her Master’s in Social Work and hopes to provide equine-assisted mental health therapy in the future. Her dedication, kindness, and willingness to jump in wherever needed have made her a huge help to Sunrise.
Melissa is a PATH CTRI (Certified Theraputic Riding Instructor) and OTA (Occupational Therapy Assistant). Melissa was awarded PATH Region 4 Credentialed Professional of the Year in 2025, and was the Program Director for Central Kentucky Riding for Hope. She helps Sunrise remotely with many varying tasks from her Rocky Mountain Horse breeding and trail riding farm in Kentucky.
Our Board of Directors
