Newsletter | Summer 2026
Written by Kathy Burkholder
TRCLA Open House
TRCLA Open House
April 19 marked a triumphant day of festivities and celebrations! TRCHB was thrilled to officially introduce our second location to support the many children, veterans, and families across Los Angeles County seeking the transformative benefits of equine-assisted therapy.Located at 1003 W. Carson Street in Long Beach, the former Dream Catcher of Los Angeles has now become TRCLA. Dream Catcher was founded and lovingly operated by Joan Blank and her husband, Jay Silverstein, for many years. After the passing of her husband, Joan began searching for a like-minded, qualified organization that shared the same mission and high standards. She chose TRCHB, and after thoughtful discussions and negotiations, the two organizations reached a mutually beneficial agreement that allows this important work to continue and grow.In addition to students with disabilities, Joan brought many American Veterans into the Dream Catcher program, recognizing the powerful healing that horses can provide for those who have served our country. We are incredibly proud to carry forward this important legacy by welcoming these brave veterans into the TRC family. We are deeply honored to serve them and remain fully open to welcoming even more veterans who can benefit from our equine-assisted therapy services.Furthermore, we are thrilled to welcome all the dedicated volunteers who faithfully supported Joan and Dream Catcher for so many years. These remarkable individuals deserve our deepest gratitude and recognition — their unwavering loyalty and commitment to our mission continues to inspire everyone at TRC.Filled with fun and excitement, the day dawned as a perfect, sunny California Sunday. We were absolutely overjoyed by the wonderful turnout! Guests of all ages enjoyed decorating hats, painting horseshoes, browsing our merchandise and TRC Trading Post, and indulging in delicious tacos from Fausto’s Tacos and refreshing Shaved Ices provided by Kona Ice.The highlight of the day, as always, was the pony rides. Arrow was a true star — happily giving rides to multiple smiling children throughout the afternoon.We extend our heartfelt thanks to TRC President Donna Brandt, along with our dedicated Board members, volunteers, and staff, who worked tirelessly for weeks to clean, prepare, and beautify our new facility — making this Grand Opening a beautiful and resounding success.TRC Welcomes Our Newest Therapy Horses: Arrow & Cash
Cash is a lively young Quarter Horse with a beautiful flea-bitten gray coat — the same striking color as our beloved Freckles (see our Winter 2026 article on Freckles). At just seven years old, this cheerful boy has settled beautifully into our program. Like Freckles, Cash came to us from the same trusted rental string. We’re so grateful to Robert, who truly understands exactly what our therapy program needs and consistently brings us such wonderful horses.Cash is especially affectionate and absolutely loves being scratched and petted.Arrow is a handsome American Quarter Horse and former barrel racer. He came to us from a private owner who could no longer ride him due to the demands of college.What makes Arrow especially unique is his striking Grullo coat color — a rare and beautiful smoky black with primitive markings. Only about 0.7% of American Quarter Horses registered annually with the AQHA are Grullo (pronounced “Grew-yo”). The feminine form, Grulla (pronounced “Grew-ya”), is typically used for mares.A Little History on Arrow’s Striking Grullo Color
The Grullo coat color has deep Spanish heritage. The name “Grullo” comes from the Spanish word for crane (grulla), the elegant gray bird — a fitting description for this smoky, muted gray-black shade.This color carries ancient roots, with similar dun-patterned horses appearing in prehistoric cave art thousands of years ago. These horses have proudly retained their striking primitive markings, which include:• A prominent dorsal stripe running down the back• Leg barring (distinct zebra-like stripes on the legs)• A dark facial mask, cobwebbing on the forehead, and dark ear tips with barring• A shoulder stripe or transverse striping over the withers• Subtle dark mottling or shadowing along the neckThis rare, wild-looking coloration is highly sought after by horse enthusiasts.Beyond their beauty, Grullo horses are often known for their calm, gentle, and curious nature. They tend to be highly trainable, responsive, and versatile — qualities that perfectly describe our sweet Arrow. His kind temperament and smooth, steady gaits make him an ideal match for both our lead-line riders and independent riders in the TRC program.Both Arrow and Cash have found their forever home at TRCLA. With their gentle spirits, kind temperaments, and willingness to help others, they are already bringing joy and healing to our riders. We couldn’t be more grateful to welcome these two special horses into our TRC family.
Thank You Spotlight:
Fred’s Mexican Cafe Presents $10,000 to TRC!
The Therapeutic Riding Center of Huntington Beach (TRCHB) extends our deepest gratitude to Fred’s Mexican Cafe for their generous $10,000 donation in support of our programs. This contribution came as part of Fred’s inspiring 25th Anniversary celebration in 2026, during which they are donating $10,000 each month to a different local nonprofit.Fred’s Mexican Cafe has been a beloved Huntington Beach landmark since opening in 2001. Located at the iconic corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Main Street, Fred’s offers fresh Mexican cuisine, ocean views, lively music, and a vibrant atmosphere that captures the true spirit of Surf City. Over the past 25 years, they have become more than just a restaurant — they are a community cornerstone committed to giving back.Manager: Arika Nabors | Location: 300 Pacific Coast Hwy, Suite 201, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 | Phone: (714) 374-8226 Website: www.fredshb.comThe generous check was proudly presented at Huntington Beach City Hall during the February 2026 Mayor’s Spotlight Awards ceremony. Fred’s team members (including Brayden, Jordan, Marco, and Stephanie) handed the donation to Mayor Pro Tempore Butch Twining and TRCHB Board Members, including Donna and her daughter (a longtime student), Jamie Brandt, Darrin Spurgeon, Kathleen Petullo, and yours truly, Kathy Burkholder.Also present was Zechariah Jauregui, District Representative from Senator Tony Strickland’s (36th District) office, who presented an award during the ceremony. A highlight of the evening was the moving speech given by a young TRCHB student, Karl S., who shared how therapeutic riding has transformed his life — a powerful moment captured on camera by the City Channel.We are incredibly thankful for Fred’s ongoing commitment to local causes and for choosing TRCHB to help continue providing life-changing equine-assisted activities for individuals with physical and developmental challenges.Thank you, Fred’s Mexican Cafe, for your generosity and for being such a wonderful community partner! Your support helps our students build confidence, strength, and joy through their relationships with horses.
Volunteer of the Session
James
We’re excited to recognize James as our Volunteer of the Session! James shows up to Saturday lessons with a positive attitude and always ready to support our students. He takes the time to greet each rider, offering encouragement and helping create a welcoming, supportive environment in the arena.
James is wonderful with our horses as well; his calm, kind demeanor has earned their trust and makes him a natural part of the team.
Thank you, James, for the energy, care, and dedication you bring to TRC every week. We’re so grateful to have you as part of our Saturday crew! 🐴💙Ted & Emily
This session, we’re excited to recognize Ted and Emily!This father-daughter volunteer team is always willing to lend a hand and can be counted on to get things done. Their reliability, positive attitudes, and initiative make them an incredible asset to our program. Whether it’s tackling arena tasks without being asked or jumping in wherever help is needed, Ted and Emily are always there to support our riders, horses, and staff.Emily especially loves leading Cruise, and the bond they’ve built is a joy to watch. 🐴💙Thank you, Ted and Emily, for your dedication, hard work, and the heart you bring to TRC. Volunteers like you help make our mission possible!Out With the Old, In With the New!
TRC Merch Giveaway
Thank you to everyone who participated in our recent TRC Merch Giveaway! We were thrilled to see so much excitement from our community as we cleared out some of our classic merchandise to make room for a fresh new collection featuring our updated logo.Congratulations to all of our giveaway winners, and thank you to everyone who liked, shared, commented, and helped spread the word. Your support means so much to our organization and helps us continue our mission of empowering individuals with disabilities through the healing connection between horse and rider.Missed out on the giveaway? Don't worry! Our new TRC merchandise is now available for purchase at the arena. Stop by to check out our latest apparel and show your support for TRC in style. Every purchase helps support our horses, riders, and programs.