HOPES HORSEMAN
At 75, at a time when most people are winding down, Rick Schemel has taken on what he considers to be the most important work of his life: connecting special needs children with horses.
Rick founded The Hope Therapeutic Horsemanship Center with his wife, Claire, last year.
Although Rick has always had one foot in the stable—he began riding horses at the age of three—his career took him as far from horses as one might imagine. He’s worked as an aeronautical engineer and managed a construction company. The success of that company allowed him to retire at age 52.
But in 1992, Rick and Claire reinvented themselves again: they began breeding Black Arabian stallions. Claire imprinted foals and Rick sold stallions all over the world.
Three years, ago, however, after looking around and seeing how much they had built, they reflected on their good fortune and decided it was time to give back.
Thus, the Hope Therapeutic Horsemanship Center was born.
Schemel remembers the first time he saw a young girl with autism ride her horse solo. As she came around the corner of the paddock, she raised her hand triumphantly in her mother’s direction. The memory still moves him to tears.
Perryville, MO. Rick Schemel, 75, pauses in front of the horse trailer at The Hope Center in Perryville, MO on Friday, September 25, 2015. Although he has many years of experience and is the founder of the Center, he still considers himself a volunteer, saying, “Service to others is the best work of life.” Rick served in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1961. He became an aeronautical engineer and then a construction company owner. When business thrived, he retired at age 52 and founded Schemel Stables with his wife Claire, breeding rare Arabian Stallions selling them as far away as Asia and even a few to the Royal Guard in Qatar. Two years ago when they shut the doors on that business, they built the Hope Center on Schemel Stables.
"Beau" one of several training horses at the stables at the Hope Therapeutic Horsmanship Center in Perrryville, MO
Schemel holds a ring for Kate, who has autism, to catch as she rides her horse, Hickory. The children with disabilities that come to the Hope Center are challenged in a supportive environment says Schemel, “we give them as much as they can take.”
Mechanical horses are part of the inventory at the Hope Therapeutic Center. Many beginner students start on a mechanical horse before advancing onto a real one. According to Rick Schemel, the mechanical horses are set to mimic the gait and pressure of a horse to help improve confidence, core strength and balance.
Diablo in the stall at the Hope Center.
A portrait of Schemel in front of the 4-H training ring at the Hope Therapeutic Horsemanship Center.
Jerry Hornberger, a Vietnam Veteran, who manages crippling PTSD by going to equine therapy, became a board member of the Hope Center last year. Once a patient and now a full-time volunteer, under the guidance of fellow veteran Rick Schemel, Jerry trains the horses, and helps children and adults who are also dealing with disabilities. After years of struggling with nightmares and thoughts of suicide, War Veteran Jerry Hornberger finally listened to his therapists, who knowing his affinity for horses suggested he go to the Hope Center. He finally worked up the courage to go and thought to himself if no one is there then I won’t ever go back. That’s when he met Rick who welcomed him right away. It’s been more than year now, and Jerry has become an integral part of the Center.
Rebel returns to the stable after a training session.
Rick is a consumate jokester. Rick and his friends help Claire at the Ladies of Charity food pantry to distribute bags of groceries to those in need. The weekly meeting is as much social gathering as it is a charity event.
Jerry Hornberger assists Rick Schemel during a ring therapy session with student Danny Huber.
Rick Schemel on his way to gather the horses from the fields. Schemel walks the grounds of the 36-acre land that is now The Hope Therapeutic Horsemanship Center, former site of Schemel Stables. The Center was named after Hope Hudson, a young girl with a passion for horses who was diagnosed with a rare tissue disorder.
Rick Schemel is both affectionate and firm with his horses, saying having "a routine is the key to a good horse and a good man."
Schemel talks to Beau before bringing him back into the stables.
Claire and Rick Schemel have been married since 1963. Rick attributes most of his success to Claire, saying she is the spiritual director of the family.
