Alumna Kimberly Giron returns to TTR with guests and a purpose.

Alumna Kimberly Giron was so moved by her experience at Taking the Reins as a young girl that she recently brought students from a local school, Sonia Sotomayor Arts & Sciences Magnet, where she works. Along with wanting her students to learn farm skills and gardening techniques, she reflected...

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2024: The Year of Yes

Taking the Reins likes to take on a mantra or theme each year. In 2023, we celebrated 25 years of serving Los Angeles girls. This year we are celebrating all the unique opportunities and experiences our girls have the chance to say “YES” to. We will feature our YES (Youth Education Services)...

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Girls surrounded by daily violence find solace at Taking the Reins

Taking the Reins is focused on getting inner-city girls involved with horses and urban farm life, knowing the multi-faceted benefits it provides to young girls. Therefore – in order to grow the number of girls who utilize their services – community outreach is a large priority. Taking the Reins...

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Sally is not a burden #GivingTuesday

The young kids who Sally H. teaches at Taking the Reins would probably be shocked to know that she was once so afraid of the animals and environment that she didn’t speak. She is far from shy as she shows them proper equine etiquette. Knowing the details of her transformative story may make some...

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Inner city girls need your help this #GivingTuesday

Giving Tuesday is tomorrow. Our girls need you. Friends – Many of the girls who come to Taking the Reins have experienced complex trauma in other areas of their life – some at extremely young ages. Throughout my 10-year tenure as executive director, I have learned their stories. Amidst their...

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Taking the Reins Junior Board Hosts Career Fair

On Saturday, August 26, Taking the Reins’ Junior Board hosted their inaugural Career Fair. More than 30 careers were represented with professionals hosting booths, answering questions, and interacting with the guests. TTR and the Junior Board opened attendance to teens all over Los Angeles. The...

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It takes a Village: TTR Youth Qualify for National Competition

The age-old phrase “it takes a village” applies to many things that Taking the Reins girls get to do. Taking the Reins has a dedicated team of staff and board members, but also relies on their greater community to make things happen for their girls. Southern California Arabian Horse trainer, Dana...

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EVERYONE HAS A STORY: This is Gail’s

Healing and growth are common themes in girls’ experiences at Taking the Reins. Board member, Gail Mills not only enjoys witnessing that, but also feels she can relate to girls at TTR on a deep level. Mills’ mother died when she was young. She says one of the most therapeutic things that her...

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A message from Jane Haven

Hi friends – I recently had the honor of joining Dr. Nancy O’Reilly on her podcast Smart, Amazing Conversations with Dr. Nancy. I first came to know this wonderful woman as a fellow Arabian Horse owner and breeder. Over time she and her foundation, Women Connect4Good have become supporters of the...

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Taking the Reins alumna Sarah is drawing her own storyboard

Sarah is a junior at Cal State Long Beach pursuing her degree in animation and preproduction. She also is one of many Taking the Reins alumni who credit the organization with giving them valuable life skills. For Sarah, she says her work ethic and confidence are the two most significant things to...

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Did you know Taking the Reins has a youth judging team?

Competition season has kicked off for the Taking the Reins youth judging team. There are four girls on the team this year – Sally, Lacey, Tai, and Kaeli. They travel locally, and hopefully nationally, to adjudicate horse competitions. The first competition for 2023 was held at California Polytech...

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