Welcome to the Next Big Thing

OUR FOREVER HOME

We are developing our new Forever Home to provide sustainable, substantial and meaningful therapeutic, learning and well-being opportunities for children, adults and veterans. This multi-phase project will position Ride On St. Louis to continue as the community organization that Jefferson County and our surrounding neighbors count on for the highest standards of quality and care in equine-assisted services.

FAQ

Relocation

Rick and Marita Wassman founded Ride On St. Louis in 1998 in Oakville, Missouri. The center operated at their private home residence on a volunteer basis for four years. From 2002 to 2018 Ride On St. Louis was privileged to call the Anheuser Estate in Kimmswick our home. Past Mayor of Kimmswick Brian Selsor and Dorothy Hatfield (niece of Fred and Mable Ruth Anheuser) invited Ride On St. Louis onto the Anheuser Estate and Park at a philanthropic lease. Throughout the 17 years on the estate grounds, Ride On St. Louis was able to grow and develop in many areas including: herd variety, staffing, volunteer support, client base and program offerings which directly affects corresponding needs with respect to space, safety and further developments. However, the area is prone to frequent flooding, which is disruptive to services and requires expensive ongoing repairs. From 2013 to 2018 the space Ride On St. Louis utilized had been violently flooded on four occasions. Ride On St. Louis is relocating the center to a new site to avoid recurrent, costly damages to the facility, grounds and programs, and ensure continuous, uninterrupted service for those in need. We are thankful to have avoided three floods already.

Yes. We have adapted programming, as well as introduced new programming, to continue providing service during our Forever Home project.

Our Forever Home is under active construction as we complete necessary land and building improvements to safely reinstate additional programs.

Concurrently with renovations and improvements to our Forever Home, Ride On St. Louis's programs continue with community partners and participants. As we settle into our Forever Home, we are excited to continue and expand programming.

We are building our new Forever Home with you in mind and appreciate your support and understanding as we strive to enhance our center and services!

Our Forever Home is located at 9000 Grab Lane, Hillsboro, MO. At this time we are unable to accommodate walk-in or drive-by visitors. All visits are by appointment only. The property is undergoing active renovation and improvements. Heavy equipment and construction crews may be present throughout 2025-2026.

🚀 We are excited for our ongoing and upcoming programs, and look forward to welcoming you at an open house TBS—stay tuned for more details as we continue towards our $3.4M goal!

⭐ Capital Campaign Success — After chronic flooding in 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017 forced us to leave our previous home in 2018, we launched a major gifts campaign (2021-2024) to secure a permanent, sustainable location.

⭐ Community Awareness & Support — We hosted numerous events to raise awareness and funds for this relocation and our growing community needs.

⭐ Forever Home & Improvements — In 2024, we secured our Forever Home and immediately began vital improvements to make it move in ready, including:

Reconstruction of a dirt-floor shed into a beautiful 6-stall equine-assisted services barn
Excavation and land management, felling trees, clearing brush, and designing functionality
Trenching utility lines, repositioning power lines
Demolishing and removing unsafe structures (second phase in process)

⭐ Committed Service to the Community — Despite the demands of our capital campaign and relocation efforts, Ride On St. Louis remained committed to providing services, growing program partnerships, and ensuring top-tier care for our herd—this meant our passionate staff managed operations, commuting back and forth, of separate locations daily throughout 2024!

⭐ Advancement Milestones: Over $1.7M was raised from 2023-2025 funding programming, campaign efforts, and critical property acquisition and improvements. We are over halfway to our $3.4M goal!

While we’ve made remarkable strides, additional funding and work are needed to fully prepare the property for our immediate and long-term vision:

🌱 Fencing Program Zones & Pastures — Our new Forever Home had no livestock fencing. Over 5,000 ft is required, with one large pasture complete and additional pastures and program areas awaiting excavation and installation. Partial funding secured; more needed.

♿ Accessible Parking & Facilities — Plans are underway to remove a knee wall foundation and develop an accessible parking area (for guests and the minibuses that transport many of our participants who using wheelchairs or mobility devices.) Currently, the grass “parking” area cannot accommodate multiple vehicles—especially when the ground is wet. In the future, we plan to construct accessible bathrooms. Partial funding secured; more needed.

🏗️ Operations Storehouse — Our current two-sided post frame structure, originally built as a hog shelter, is unsuitable for our machinery, equipment, and hay storage. Plans are being developed for a purpose-built storage and workspace. Funding needed.

🌦️Arena — The first phase of a training/program area is in progress, with long-term plans to add coverage for year-round use in varied weather conditions. Funding urgently needed for excavation and installation.

The projects and plans, set for 2026 and beyond, are essential to safely reinstitute programs that require added support staff, horses, volunteers, and infrastructure.

We’re glad you asked! There are many ways you can be a part of this needed community project. Financial support by ways of major gift donations or planned giving in wills/bequests are meaningful ways to support your legacy, as well as the legacy of Ride On St. Louis.

Volunteers fuel our program and play a big role in many project tasks of this move. Check out our volunteer page for more information on upcoming events and needs.

Help us enlarge our Crusader Circle. Becoming a part of the Crusader's Circle allows you to join a dedicated group of supporters who understand the importance of making a sustaining commitment to provide quality of life improvements for those in need. You'll receive updates from the field we don't share with anyone else, as well as surprise gifts, photos & videos of the people and communities you've impacted and more!

Spread the word! Share with others this exciting news and invite them to get behind our mission.

Through the mercy and goodness of our God, and for His glory, we exist to serve. An abundance of prayer is always appreciated and welcome.

FUNDRAISING & A RARE 70% TAX CREDIT OPPORTUNITY

We are raising funds to complete necessary infrastructure improvements mentioned for the safety and success of our programs.

Ride On St. Louis has been awarded 70% tax credits through the Missouri’s Neighborhood Assistance Program. This extremely rare opportunity allows people, firms, or businesses with Missouri income to liability to save significantly while making a lasting impact.

🛑 This incentive is limited by time and availability.

💡 Interested? Call Marita at 636.464.3408 to secure your tax credit benefits

For more ways you can get involved check out our Get Involved resource page.

FUNDRAISING & A RARE 70% TAX CREDIT OPPORTUNITY

We are raising funds to complete necessary infrastructure improvements mentioned for the safety and success of our programs.

🛑 This incentive is limited by time and availability.

💡 Interested? Call Marita at 636.464.3408 to secure your tax credit benefits

One Time Gifts

Gifts of cash usually are given in the form of a personal or business check. Some donors may use credit cards, although Ride On St. Louis does incur 3-4% in fees on every credit transaction. Gifts of appreciated securities (shares of stock, mutual funds or other marketable securities are examples) are another means of making a gift that can be used immediately.

Gifts of real and other property are often beneficial, as well. Some property gifts can be used in programs, such as equipment, vehicles, and supplies. Carefully planned real estate gifts can be valuable immediately or in the long term.

Pledges

Most donors will choose to make gifts over several years. A pledge is a formal declaration of intent to contribute. Some donors fulfill their pledges over a short timeframe. Others make payments over 3-5 years.

Appreciated Securities

A gift of long-term securities has two major advantages: 1) it provides the donor with an immediate income tax deduction and 2) eliminates capital gains taxes to the extent allowed by law.

Closely Held Stock

A gift of closely held stock to Ride on St. Louis may result in a current income tax deduction for the fair market value of the stock as well as elimination of capital gains taxes on the appreciated value of the stock. Your financial advisors can provide more information.

Planned Giving

Planned gift arrangements have specific tax advantages and often include lifetime income to the donor and beneficiary(ies) named by the donor. A planned gift maximizes your giving potential and can even allow you to ensure future financial security for yourself and your loved ones.

Retirement Accounts

Naming Ride On St. Louis as beneficiary of a retirement account is an easy way to make a substantial gift and to eliminate situations in which a distribution results in tax consequences.

Real Estate

You may give a residence, land, income property or other real estate as an outright gift or with the right to occupy the property for your lifetime. The gift of a remainder interest in a personal residence, farm or other building provides a current income tax deduction for the present value of the remainder interest. It also permits the donor to eliminate capital gains taxes on the appreciation.

Tangible Personal Property

By giving personal property such as artwork, rare books, or antiques, you may receive desirable tax deductions. The allowable deduction will require a qualified appraisal.

Insurance

The gift of a life insurance policy to Ride On St. Louis provides you with a charitable contribution of the present cash surrender value. Premiums paid after the transfer are tax-deductible if you wish to maintain the policy value but transfer ownership.

Bequests

Providing for Ride On St. Louis in your will may enable you to make a substantial contribution without diminishing assets you may need during your lifetime. Bequests are deductible from the value of your estate which may result in a significant tax advantage.

Charitable Lead Trust

A charitable lead trust is a method of funding a gift over a specific period of years. Income is paid to Ride On St. Louis each year during the life of the lead trust. When the trust terminates, the assets revert to you or to a beneficiary you choose.

Charitable Remainder Trust

An irrevocable trust may be used to provide annual income to you or a loved one at either a fixed or variable rate. A portion of the trust qualifies for an immediate tax deduction. At death of the last income beneficiary, the assets in the trust are distributed to Ride On St. Louis to be used as the donor has designated. Please consult your tax advisor regarding how this may benefit you.

Honoring Important People In Your Life

Your gift may be used to honor a family member, friend, colleague, pastor, or other community leader—someone who has made a difference in your life or in the life of our community. Many people make gifts to commemorate a business or special occasion.