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Great Oak Equine Assisted Programs

Aiken, S.C.

Great Oak provides equine assisted activities that promote the physical, emotional, and psychological health of individuals with special needs. 

Great Oak is located on a picturesque 40-acre farm five minutes from downtown Aiken, South Carolina. Aiken is among the foremost equestrian communities not only in the Southeast, but also in the nation. 

In the past 5 years, they have served more than 800 unique individuals through creative programming, dedicated volunteers, certified instructors, and our fantastic herd of award-winning Great Oak Horses. Great Oak now manages a facility that allows for transformative growth through equine-assisted activities in all seasons.

Their programs change lives and foster unbridled personal growth, independence, and confidence for our students. Great Oak shares their knowledge to empower those of all ages with disabilities through learning and engagement for lifelong impact.

Learn more at www.greatoakeap.org and follow Great Oak on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

News

Kiss Me Blue Wins Annual 2025 Heart Horse Award

by US Equestrian Communications Department | 11/4/2025 11:47:00 AM

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian is pleased to announce that Kiss Me Blue, fondly known as “Chrissy,” is the 2025 USEF Heart Horse Award winner. Chrissy is a 2001 American Quarter Horse and is part of the herd at Maryland Therapeutic Riding (MTR) in Crownsville, Md. Chrissy was selected as the winner by the USEF membership and will be honored during the USEF Pegasus Awards Dinner at the USEF Annual Meeting in Louisville, Ky., on Jan. 15, 2026. For 17 years, Chrissy has been the...

Kilcarna French Fancy “Arnie” Wins Inaugural 2024 USEF Heart Horse Award

by US Equestrian Communications Department | 12/6/2024 1:00:00 PM

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian is pleased to announce that Kilcarna French Fancy “Arnie”, the 2008 Irish Sport Horse gelding from Great Oak Equine Assisted Programs , is the 2024 USEF Heart Horse Award winner. Arnie was selected as the winner following voting by the USEF membership and will be honored during the USEF Pegasus Awards Dinner at the USEF Annual Meeting in Lexington, Ky., on Jan. 23, 2024. At seventeen hands high, Arnie is hard to miss when visiting Great Oak. He...

US Equestrian Announces Four Finalists for Inaugural Heart Horse Award

by US Equestrian Communications Department | 11/18/2024 10:00:00 AM

Lexington, Ky. - The 2024 Heart Horse Award will be presented during the 2025 USEF Pegasus Awards Dinner on Thursday, January 23 in Lexington, Ky., as a part of the 2025 US Equestrian Annual Meeting . The Heart Horse Award finalists were selected from applications submitted by organizations in our Community Outreach Program. These horses work daily to help their communities. From helping an inner-city child through their first ride, to being a calming influence for those who need it most, these...
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