HISTORY
S.T.A.R.S. was started in 1994 when Larry Thomas and a group of others got together and developed therapeutic and recreational horsemanship program for people with disabilities. It was two weeks of riding on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and the first session had six participants. Larry was involved with recruiting horses and the Circle H Stables which supplied the stables, pastures, and riding arena. Larry Thomas was the Executive Director of the program for the first sixteen years and during that time he provided supervision, training, and support for all the other volunteers. In addition, when STARS joined the Brookings Area Interagency Council (incorporated in March 1987) in 2003, Larry represented the program on the Board until his retirement. In 2011, he was instrumental in recruiting and hiring the first paid staff to run the program and many of the tasks he routinely did when he handed over these duties to the Director and Wrangler. In 2018, 47 riders were served and in 2021, with a shortened season due to COVID, there were 46 riders participating. Each rider needs between one to four volunteers to assist in leading, side walking, and back riding to provide stability and support. The STARS Program today has two part time staff to handle all the many details of the program and utilizes SDSU Interns as well as many volunteers. Riding takes place at the Circle H Stables West of Brookings off from US Hwy 14.
S.T.A.R.S. was started in 1994 when Larry Thomas and a group of others got together and developed therapeutic and recreational horsemanship program for people with disabilities. It was two weeks of riding on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and the first session had six participants. Larry was involved with recruiting horses and the Circle H Stables which supplied the stables, pastures, and riding arena. Larry Thomas was the Executive Director of the program for the first sixteen years and during that time he provided supervision, training, and support for all the other volunteers. In addition, when STARS joined the Brookings Area Interagency Council (incorporated in March 1987) in 2003, Larry represented the program on the Board until his retirement. In 2011, he was instrumental in recruiting and hiring the first paid staff to run the program and many of the tasks he routinely did when he handed over these duties to the Director and Wrangler. In 2018, 47 riders were served and in 2021, with a shortened season due to COVID, there were 46 riders participating. Each rider needs between one to four volunteers to assist in leading, side walking, and back riding to provide stability and support. The STARS Program today has two part time staff to handle all the many details of the program and utilizes SDSU Interns as well as many volunteers. Riding takes place at the Circle H Stables West of Brookings off from US Hwy 14.
S.T.A.R.S. is a non-profit organization under the Brookings Area Interagency Council and focuses on using horseback riding as a form of physical and emotional therapy to individuals of varying abilities. This program offers a safe, monitored environment for uniquely abled people to partake in horseback riding while also playing games, socializing with other riders, and creating bonds with the horses.
Program Director Kristine Skorseth, and Wrangler Andrea Kimball work year round to find trained, trusted, and tried horses for the program to ensure the safety of our riders. Interns and volunteers of the program go through a multiple day training to provide the safest environment and best communication for the riders and horses.
Currently, the STARS Program operates during the summer on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the Circle H Stables. In 2018, 47 riders were served and in 2021, with a shortened season due to COVID, there were 46 riders participating. Each rider needs between one to four volunteers to assist in leading, side walking, and back riding to provide stability and support. The STARS Program now has two part time staff to handle all the many details of the program and utilizes SDSU Interns as well as many volunteers. The S.T.A.R.S. Program receives funding from the United Way as well as personal donations and grants.
Program Director Kristine Skorseth, and Wrangler Andrea Kimball work year round to find trained, trusted, and tried horses for the program to ensure the safety of our riders. Interns and volunteers of the program go through a multiple day training to provide the safest environment and best communication for the riders and horses.
Currently, the STARS Program operates during the summer on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the Circle H Stables. In 2018, 47 riders were served and in 2021, with a shortened season due to COVID, there were 46 riders participating. Each rider needs between one to four volunteers to assist in leading, side walking, and back riding to provide stability and support. The STARS Program now has two part time staff to handle all the many details of the program and utilizes SDSU Interns as well as many volunteers. The S.T.A.R.S. Program receives funding from the United Way as well as personal donations and grants.
2022 BROOKINGS AREA INTERAGENCY COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORSPresident: Linda Brandt Treasurer: Twyla Gregoire Larry Ayres Brenda Buus Pat Conners Shawnalisa Adee Kelsey Klosterman Adam Landry Salinas Jan Stange Jacki Lounsbery ADVISORY COMMITTEE Brenda Buus Jane Ardry Cari Miller Emma Groen Vivian Georgalas Hailey Kruse Vivian Georgalas Cathy Strand |
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2022 S.T.A.R.S. StaffProgram Director: Kristine Skorseth
Wrangler/Riding Coach: Bobbie Chambers Wilson 2022 Interns: Tess Elliott Sydney Lynch Ahna Vig |
Contact Us
Email: brookingsstars.director@gmail.com OR by phone: Kristine Skorseth, Program Director @ 605-690-0259
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