Fun Day 2026 may be over, but the smiles, cheers, and unforgettable moments are still echoing around the ranch.
More than 250 students, family members, volunteers, donors, and supporters came together to celebrate the incredible accomplishments of our riders and help support the future of AHEAD With Horses. We are thrilled to share that the event raised more than $30,000 after expenses to help continue our life-changing programs. If you would still like to support Fun Day and our riders, donations are still being accepted (just skip the tickets, and click “I’d just like to donate”).
One of the greatest highlights of the day was watching our students proudly demonstrate the skills they’ve worked so hard to achieve. From physical milestones to increased confidence and communication, every rider reminded us exactly why Fun Day is so meaningful.
The festivities continued off the riding field as children enjoyed games and crafts throughout the day. Both kids and adults loved collecting the custom horse trading cards generously provided by New York Life Insurance Company representative Markuz Valdez, while many guests were fascinated by the handwriting analysis offered by Nostrabobus.
Our Silent Auction was a huge success, featuring an incredible variety of items with something for everyone, including dining experiences, entertainment, collectibles, toys, professional services, and more. We are deeply grateful to all of the businesses and individuals who donated items and helped make the auction such a hit. Missed out on bidding? We’ve just opened a special online “second chance” auction featuring a few remaining items, so be sure to check it out!
This year we were also proud to recognize two longtime Fun Day volunteers with special plaques honoring their years of dedication and service. Saul del Toro, a former Board Member, has been helping make Fun Day a success for 30 years. Many attendees know Saul from the t-shirt booth or from presenting achievement medals to students—this year in full Jedi Master fashion. We also honored Sylvia Hoffman, who has also faithfully volunteered for 30 years, taking on the important (though not always glamorous) role of directing traffic and helping attendees safely cross the street throughout the event. We are incredibly grateful for the commitment and heart both of these volunteers have given to AWH over the years.
This event would not have been possible without the many people who came together to make it happen. Thank you to our dedicated volunteers, generous donors, hardworking staff, supportive families and friends, event attendees, sponsors, and community partners. And most importantly, thank you to our students—the heart of AHEAD With Horses and the reason we all came together to celebrate.
And perhaps one of the most talked-about changes this year? The weather! Many attendees commented on how much they enjoyed the cooler temperatures that came with moving Fun Day to an earlier May date.
If you haven’t already completed our Fun Day survey, we would truly appreciate your feedback as we begin planning for next year. We especially want to hear your thoughts about the change in timing. Even if you were unable to attend, your input is valuable and will help guide future planning.
A huge thank you to our volunteer photographers who captured the day –
click the collage to view a Google Album with highlights of the day.
