Exceptional Riders Program

04/24/2026

Event Details:
Event: Great Start Family Adventure: Oden Fish Hatchery
Date: May 16th, 2026
Time: 10AM - 11:30AM
Location: Oden State Fish Hatchery and Michigan Fisheries Visitors Center, 8258 Ayr Rd, Alanson
Cost: Free! No registration is required.

04/15/2026

Great volunteer orientation last Saturday. We even had a student come to help us demonstrate how to lead and side walk. Looking forward to our first evening this Thursday! See you then!

04/08/2026

Orientation week is here:
Tomorrow night is our student orientation at Rising Hope Equestrian Center from 6-7. Please bring all your paperwork. We will also be fitting for helmets, belts and saddles.
Saturday April 11th 4-6
Mandatory volunteer orientation. We will be talking about what to expect at our first class and how to lead and sidewalk. Please wear proper footwear as we will be in the indoor arena working with the horses. 
If you have any questions please email or send us a message.
Looking forward to seeing you this week!


03/29/2026

Our Spring session is just a few weeks away. If you are still interested in volunteering we could use more sidewalkers in both our first class 615-730 and our second class from 730-830. It would be Thursday evenings starting on April 16th -May 28th.
Please contact [email protected] for more information.
Looking forward to seeing all our current and new volunteers at our volunteer orientation April 11th from 4-5 at Rising Hope Equestrian Center.

03/19/2026

Looking for family friendly fun this spring? This community calendar has everything you're looking for!!!🤩 https://greatstartcollaborative.org/event-calendar

🕵️ Your Mission, Should You Choose to Accept It... 🐰

Objective: 🍬Strategic Candy Collection. 🍭

Spring events are popping up everywhere! Use the Early Childhood Event Calendar to scout local egg hunts and bunny visits in one spot. While you focus on maximum memory-making and hassle-free family time, the kids can focus on the haul.🍬🧺

⚠️ CAUTION: This message won't self-destruct, but your kids might experience total system failure if granted unlimited sugar clearance! 🍫🚀💥

🕵️ TOP SECRET PARENTAL INTELLIGENCE: Prevent a total system meltdown with a "Candy Tax" or the "Switch Witch" maneuver. Trade a portion of the haul for a new book or a trip to the park to ensure a successful landing from the sugar zone! 🥕🌳🤫

📅 Commence mission planning here: https://greatstartcollaborative.org/event-calendar

03/13/2026

Thank you to our amazing sponsors. Without your support we could not have made our Euchre tournament such a success:

Boyne City Hardware * Jim White*
Kiwanis Club of Boyne City
Northern Michigan Irrigation, LLC *Jeremiah & Casandra Bennett*
Pat O'Brien
Ben Sackrider
Provisions Boyne
Boyne City Eagles

I know there are many others that helped Volunteer to run the tables(check in, raffle and 50/50), serve drinks and organize the food. You all were amazing and we can't thank you enough!

A HUGE shout out to Jon Simon who was an organizer and ran the tournament. We can't thank you enough for all your help and support to out program!

03/13/2026

Big shout out to our sponsors from our amazing euchre fundraising event:
Kilwins Boyne City for the wonderful gift basket for our raffle,
Red Mesa Grill Boyne City for the gift card for our raffle and Southwoods Family Restaurant for 2 gift cards for our raffle.
We appreciate these businesses supporting our program. Thank you so much!

03/05/2026

Hey all! We are still a little short in volunteers for our spring session. Please reach out to our volunteer coordinator at [email protected]

02/28/2026

Euchre tournament to benefit our amazing program!!!
Big thank you to our sponsors!

11/30/2025

Please comment with exceptional riders so we can win!!!

Only two months left of our anniversary giveaways! ⬇️
‼️Voting Open Until November 30, 2025‼️ In honor of 75 years in business we will be donating $750 each month to one local non-profit in Northeast Michigan based on your votes! Please see below for updated rules!
One comment = one nomination to go on the wheel! Comment below and tag your local non-profit nomination(s) and they will be entered in to receive $750!
Each person will be limited to one comment for each local non-profit they nominate! You can nominate (comment) multiple local non-profits if you choose!
We will post a new post each month so make sure to check our page at the beginning of the month to cast your votes!