Ms. Marquard, a retired corporate finance lawyer, became involved with GallopNYC in the spring of 2007, when the organization had just started giving lessons to New Yorkers with disabilities.
"I was immediately taken with it as soon as I saw the joy on the children's faces as soon as they got on the horse," said Ms. Marquard, 61 years old, of her first time volunteering. "I just couldn't get enough of it. It's just amazing what this does for people with all kinds of challenges."
GallopNYC had three riders when it began its riding program four years ago. Now it serves an average of 150 riders a week at three locations in the New York City area: Kensington Stables in Prospect Park, Lynne's Riding School in Forest Hills and the Jamaica Bay Riding Academy in Brooklyn's Gateway National Recreation Area. Riders range from at-risk teenagers to people with cerebral palsy.
With the lessons—for which two-thirds of the GallopNYC's riders pay minimal or no fees, thanks to rider subsidy grants—Ms. Marquard said she has observed people with emotional problems get better in touch with themselves, and those with physical challenges experience a different way of walking, via horseback. Many of the children GallopNYC serves have autism, and her anecdotes about how therapeutic riding has helped them are perhaps the most striking.
"We have children with autism who in the riding lessons will say their first words," Ms. Marquard. "They're so happy just being on the horse and are able to bring themselves to say 'walk on' or 'whoa.' "
Since she first joined GallopNYC, Ms. Marquard has become certified as an instructor with the organization.
"When we started Gallop, we had instructors, but it was clear we needed more," said founder Alicia Kershaw." Suzy was the first one we encouraged to train as an instructor."
Besides the time she has spent as a volunteer instructor, Ms. Marquard has also made significant financial
contributions. She estimates her donations over the years as approaching $60,000. She also plans to help
facilitate GallopNYC's goal to establish its own, permanent location.
"I'm committed to the capital campaign when we do go on to our own site," said Ms. Marquard, who became chairwoman of GallopNYC's board in 2009.
Ms. Marquard is also active in other charitable pursuits, notably the Brooklyn Botanic Garden; a longtime
Prospect Heights resident, she has been on the board since 2000. She spends more of her time now, though,
with her responsibilities to GallopNYC.
"What we do is so compelling [in] helping to change the lives of so many people and children," she said. "I've just become committed to making this work."
This article originally written by Kimberly Chou and published in the Dec. 16th Wall Street Journal. To find out more about GallopNYC, visit their website.
