GallopNYC Board Chair Constance Hunter and GallopNYC Executive Director Marcos Stafne honor Christine Quinn at the eighth annual GallopNYC Barn Dance held at the Tribeca Rooftop.
Photo by Chalo Chavez

New York - Oct. 5, 2023 – GallopNYC held its eighth annual Barn Dance gala on Thursday, Sept. 28, at the Tribeca Rooftop. GallopNYC is New York City's only PATH International-certified therapeutic riding organization serving children and adults with disabilities and a community of veterans and seniors at three locations. The organization serves hundreds of New Yorkers each week with life-changing equine-assisted therapy. Minsk, a gray mare and favorite of many GallopNYC riders, greeted Barn Dance attendees as they entered the event in the bustling lower Manhattan neighborhood. Guests gathered inside enjoying a photo opportunity on the red carpet, then took their seats as Spectrum NY1's traffic anchor Jamie Stetler hosted the evening's program.

Minsk, a favorite of GallopNYC riders, served as the Barn Dance greeter. Photo by EQ Media

Stetler introduced GallopNYC's Board Chair, Constance Hunter. Hunter thanked all the event sponsors. She explained that their support helps to provide scholarships for those who can't afford therapeutic riding – 60% of GallopNYC participants require financial assistance.

Spectrum NY1 Traffic Anchor Jamie Stetler hosted the program. Photo by Chalo Chavez

"We serve slightly more children than adults, but we do serve a large number of adults," Hunter said. "People do not age out of our programs. They're able to continue participating in therapeutic (riding) their whole lives."

Hunter described GallopNYC's new HERD program, a workforce development program that has employed 13 riders and gave a shout-out to GallopNYC's 700 volunteers who helped deliver 8,000 therapeutic riding lessons in the past year.

GallopNYC Council of Advisors member, Pulitzer Prize finalist and New York Times writer Sarah Maslin Nir introduced the event honoree Christine Quinn. Quinn is the president and chief executive officer of Win, the largest provider of shelter, social services and supportive housing for homeless families in New York City. She is also the vice chair of the New York State Democratic Committee and serves on the Democratic National Committee.

A member of the New York City Council from 1999-2013, Quinn served for seven years as the elected Speaker of the Council, making her the first woman and the first openly gay Speaker in New York City history, as well as the highest-ranking openly-LGBTQ+ official in New York City history. She is a lifelong rider and a supporter of GallopNYC.

"If you look at Gallop's work, what they believe is that everyone has potential," Quinn said. "They believe that with just a little help, people can succeed beyond their wildest dreams. And they believe that no one should be defined by their darkest moment or their weakest part or weakest moment. Now, that would be enough to have a program based on those principles, but GallopNYC then takes those principles and puts them into action with horses, the most magical beings on the planet, in my humble opinion. When you're with a horse, the first thing you realize is that you are loved. And then, when you look into a horse's eye, you see a well of possibility, a well of strength and you see a list of all the things that are good about you. So, I want to thank GallopNYC for being so brilliant, for helping so many and for keeping horses in the city of New York."

Sarah Maslin Nir and Christine Quinn. Photo by EQ Media

GallopNYC Executive Director Marcos Stafne thanked the audience for their generous support and welcomed Lauren Reischer, GallopNYC’s first rider turned board member to the stage. Lauren Reischer honored her father, Sol Reischer, who has been involved with GallopNYC for 15 years and recently stepped down from the board chair position. The younger Reischer was born with cerebral palsy and started riding with GallopNYC when she was 3. Since then, she has thrived. She attended Brown University, where she was captain of the equestrian team. She is now a professional on the hunter/jumper circuit and the head coach of the Special Olympics New York equestrian team. Stafne and Reischer presented honors to three GallopNYC riders, KE Plunkett, Jada Knibbs and military veteran Taina Jacobs, who have made significant strides through their sessions with GallopNYC.

GallopNYC Executive Director Marcos Stafne with honoree riders Taina Jacobs, KE Plunkett, Jada Knibbs and Board Member Lauren Reischer. Photo by EQ Media

Stafne then honored GallopNYC volunteer, Clint Kershaw. "Clint's involvement with GallopNYC has been nothing but transformative," Stafne said. "He has tackled critical tasks from fixing the water and sewer system to building fencing, insulating stalls, re-grading our site and repairing the equipment barn, as well as the equipment in it. Clint has turned our barns into an amazing place for all of our riders and horses. We cannot be thankful enough."

GallopNYC volunteer honoree Clint Kershaw. Photo by EQ Media

The program was followed by a live auction and pledge drive led by actress and auctioneer Cate Smit. This year’s pledge drive focused on GallopNYC’s beloved equine partners who provide countless lessons each year. After dinner, guests enjoyed square dancing called by David Lawrence to the music of Jaden Gladstone and Friends.

Stafne, who joined GallopNYC in 2022, was thrilled with the event. "What a fantastic evening for our community," he said. "We are so grateful to all our sponsors, donors, staff and volunteers who support GallopNYC and the life-changing services we provide to New Yorkers."

If you could not attend the Barn Dance and still wish to support GallopNYC, click the button below. Your generous support provides scholarships to children and adults with disabilities in New York City as well as support for GallopNYC’s trusty herd of horses.

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