UCP Saddle Pals
Adapted Horseback Riding

The simple act of riding a horse can have intense positive results for a person with disabilities. Adapted riding and other equine-assisted activities (EAA) benefit those with cognitive, physical, and psychological disabilities. These may include, but are not limited to: cerebral palsy, autism, Down syndrome, visual or hearing impairment, traumatic brain injury, spina bifida, or learning disabilities. Learning to ride a horse has been shown to improve coordination, balance and posture, and it helps the student to develop better self-awareness and self-esteem.

How Saddle Pals works
Nationally accredited by NARHA, UCP’s Saddle Pals program promotes growth, independence and improved quality of life for riders, helping them:

Offering weekly adapted horsemanship lessons to people age 4 and up, Saddle Pals serves 65 people each week. Expert staff members create individualized lesson plans that help riders meet their short-term and long-range goals and overcome fears and challenges. Many of the skills learned in the riding arena even transfer to other areas of the riders’ lives.

We operate our program at two different facilities to better serve the needs of the community. Our program in Orangevale operates six days a week. In addition, our Grass Valley facility is open one day a week.

Riding Application

Annual Program Schedule and Calendar

Directions to Orangevale location

Directions to Grass Valley location

UCP Saddle Pals is proud to be recognized by NARHA as a Premier Accredited Center. NARHA establishes industry standards for horsemanship program safety, administrative guidelines, facility requirements, and instructor training and certification. Of the nearly 700 NARHA member centers throughout the world, only approximately 200 have the distinction of Premier Accredited Center status. We are proud to be one of those centers! Visit NARHA for more information on equine-assisted activities (EAA).

Mission Statement
The mission of Saddle Pals, a division of UCP of Greater Sacramento, is to provide equine-assisted activities in a safe, goal-oriented, professional environment for individuals with developmental or acquired disabilities resulting in growth, independence and improved quality of life.

Meet Our Team

Jodi Wong
Program Manager- Orangevale
Jodi Wong grew up riding and showing horses in New Hampshire, eventually obtaining an associate's degree in equine management from Mount Ida College in Massachusetts. While in college, she competed on the intercollegiate and eventing equestrian teams and later worked as an assistant trainer at a Paint and Quarter breeding and showing barn. After attending Sacramento State University for a bachelor's degree in psychology, Jodi began working in therapeutic riding in 1997 and became a certified therapeutic riding instructor at the advanced level. She worked with four different therapeutic riding programs before joining Saddle Pals in 2000. She is now a NARHA certified instructor evaluator and is married with two kids, two dogs, two cats and one horse.

Sariah Hathaway
Director of Operations - Orangevale
Sariah Hathaway grew up with her own horse, participating in the local 4-H club, and focused primarily on western pleasure and trail. She has a bachelor's degree in recreation management. Before coming to Saddle Pals more than 5 years ago, Sariah was a trail guide and outdoor educator. She enjoys the joys and challenges found in teaching therapeutic riding, especially witnessing the sense of achievement on the faces of the students. 		 
Jane de'Zell
Program Manager - Grass Valley
Jane de'Zell began her career in mental health, finding her work with children diagnosed with autism the most rewarding. Yet she soon began a new career in fire fighting, and upon retirement, decided to return to her first love - horses. She returned to school and received an associate's degree in equine sciences. She began looking for an opportunity to combiner her love of horses and her interest in working with people with special needs, and in 2001, found Saddle Pals. She began volunteering as a sidewalker, even bringing her Tennessee Walking horse, Red, to the program. In 2005, she became a NARHA certified instructor, and in 2009 she accepted the position as director. Through Saddle Pals, she has been able to combine her love for horses and her interest in helping people with special needs. 		 

Contact Information

Orangevale location:
Barn Address - 7616 Telegraph Avenue, Orangevale, CA 95662
Mailing Address - P.O. Box 1565, Orangevale, CA 95662

Jodi Wong, Program Director
Barn Phone: 916-988-7734
Voicemail: 916-726-7257

Student Applications
Volunteer Services
Sariah Hathaway, Director of Operations
Jodi Wong, Program Director
Instructor/Program Message
New volunteers
Facility Coordinator 		Extension 1
Extension 2
Extension 3
Extension 4
Extension 5
Extension 6
Extension 7


Grass Valley location:
Barn Address - 17761 Grizzly Bear Drive, Grass Valley, CA 95949
Mailing Address - P.O. Box 1464, Grass Valley, CA 95945

Jane de'Zell, Program Director - 530-268-8785