Preserve Seaton Hackney’s Therapeutic Riding Program and Trusted Stable Community…

This petition is for signatures NOT donations  

Petition to the Morris County Park Commission

We urge the Morris County Park Commission to select Equishare USA, LLC, the current operator of Seaton Hackney Stables, to continue operating the facility, preserving its established therapeutic riding program, trusted relationships, and welcoming community.

For the children and families who ride at Seaton Hackney, this decision reaches far beyond a barn lease. It affects a place where riders find joy, develop skills, build confidence, and experience belonging.

One child’s story shows what is at stake

My daughter Estela is autistic and has limited verbal communication. For more than four years, she has participated in Seaton Hackney’s therapeutic riding program. Her weekly riding sessions have become a cherished part of her life.

Over those years, I have watched her shine. I have seen her become more vocal, enjoy her time with the horses, and flourish in an environment where she feels supported.

As her mother, these moments mean more than I can fully express. When communication is challenging, seeing your child express herself and take such pleasure in something she loves is deeply heartwarming. At Seaton Hackney, I get to celebrate Estela’s abilities and watch her grow.

Our connection to the stables now extends to my older daughters, who take weekly lessons and love every minute of them. Seaton Hackney has become part of our family—a place where all three of my daughters can learn, grow, and share their love of horses.

Preserve the relationships that make this community possible

Our experience reflects the concerns expressed in the petition organized by Seaton Hackney parents and families: continuity in instruction, horse care, and management matters.

The familiar horses, trusted instructors, and established routines are an important part of Estela’s experience. These relationships have developed over years. They deserve meaningful consideration in a decision that could change the community our children know and love.

For riders who benefit from familiarity and consistency, preserving those connections is especially important. Families deserve to have their experiences heard, and the value of the therapeutic riding program should be central to the Commission’s evaluation.

What we are asking

We respectfully ask the Morris County Park Commission to:

Select Equishare USA, LLC, to continue operating Seaton Hackney Stables.
Give substantial weight to the existing therapeutic riding program and its impact on children and families.
Prioritize continuity of the familiar horses, experienced staff, and trusted instruction that support riders.
Meaningfully consider the voices of riders, parents, and the broader community in the lease decision.
We recognize the Commission’s responsibility to evaluate the proposals carefully and serve the public interest. We believe that preserving a community where children of different abilities can participate, grow, and feel welcome is an important part of that responsibility.

You do not need to be a rider to support this petition. If you believe children deserve opportunities to flourish, families deserve to be heard, and established inclusive programs deserve meaningful consideration, please stand with us.

Sign and share this petition to help preserve the horses, people, and program that give Estela—and other riders—a place to shine.

Ana Canchola Mendez
Parent of three Seaton Hackney riders