By Ross Creech
In this YourDressage series, we are highlighting the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Para-Equestrian Dressage Centers of Excellence (COE), established through their COE initiative. Established in 2015, the COE initiative was designed to grow the sport of para-dressage throughout the United States. By recognizing centers of instruction and technical dressage training, COEs provide athletes with disabilities the opportunity to discover competitive para-dressage at the national and CPEDI level.
The COE initiative, and the nine facilities currently designated as COEs, play a critical role in pipeline development – from grassroots through elite level athletes, and coach education and support. Unicorn Therapeutic Riding was the ninth institution, and the only one in New Jersey, to be recognized as a COE, in the spring of 2024.
Unicorn Therapeutic Riding
Located in Pennington, NJ, Unicorn Therapeutic Riding was founded in 1988 by Erin Hurley, OTR/L. Originally formed on a small farm in Burlington County, NJ. Since its inception, Unicorn’s services to children and adults formed a backbone of therapeutic services to individuals with disabilities, with ARC of Burlington Country, YALE School, Burlington Day Training, and Githens Center, BCSS all participating in their programs, in addition to over 85 individual students per week. This participation and their success led to Unicorn’s accreditation by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA), later taken over by current overseeing body PATH Intl. (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, International).
In May of 2016, the Hurley’s purchased a new farm in Hopewell Township, constructing a brand new barn and indoor facility, which opened its doors later that year. Unicorn, operating in their new facility, has been classified a Premium Accredited Center under PATH since opening in Fall 2016.
Currently, Unicorn has 25-28 riders per week and operates with an amazing volunteer staff including a physical therapist, two occupational therapists (including Erin), and two PATH certified instructors. As an accomplished dressage rider herself (Sidebar: Erin Hurley), Erin’s understanding of the basics and the importance of position and aids provides her a solid foundation for working with her riders and incorporate dressage and para-equestrian into their programs. Unicorn also hosts a weekly dressage clinic at the facility, featuring a Grand Prix rider/trainer.
Unicorn hosted a Para-Dressage clinic in December 2024 which featured Shannon Dueck, international Grand Prix rider and trainer and was made possible by funding and support from the USEF. The clinic was an overwhelming success. Riders attended from Maine, New York, Texas, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, with 9 rides in total, representing Grades 1 through 5.
A Classification event was also held the following day at Unicorn Therapeutic Riding, when classifiers Joann Benjamin, PT, HPCS, and Colleen Wright, MPT, NCS, arrived from California to classify 6 athletes.
To learn more about Unicorn Therapeutic Riding’s programs, events, and how you may be able to support or get involved, visit UnicornRiding.com, or follow them on Facebook.
About Erin Hurley
Erin Hurley is a licensed Occupational Therapist (OTR/L), having graduated from the University of Colorado and the Thomas Jefferson University Occupational Therapy School in Philadelphia. In addition to founding and operating Unicorn Therapeutic Riding, Erin is an FEI rider, USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist, L Graduate with Distinction and currently in the USDF “r” program.
Having ridden her entire life, Erin began in eventing, working with well known coaches Phillip Dutton, Emily Hamel, and Sally Cousins. After 30 years of eventing, she made the transition to dressage and has never looked back. Erin currently competes with her homebred, 16.1hh, bay KWPN/Thoroughbred gelding, Merlot (above) and her imported Damascus. In addition to her competitive goals, Erin eventually hopes to become a Grand Prix dressage rider and an FEI Para Dressage Judge.
