Stephanie Cook's Support Fund
Donation protected
On May 23 Stephanie and Glorious Unfolding competed in a local schooling show. After winning 3rd in the first 3-foot Jumpers, they proceeded into the second class, where an unpreventable tragic accident occurred. Both Stephanie and Gretel went down, and Gretel unavoidably rolled on Stephanie, who fractured 12 ribs, pelvis in 2 places, and C5 vertebrae. Of course, Stephanie’s first question after the accident was “Is Gretel OK?”.
Fortunately, yes, Gretel is OK, however Stephanie is currently at San Antonio Military Medical Center, recovering from pelvic/ hip surgery, and faces months of rehabilitation before she can return to her passion which is teaching and riding. Meaning a loss of income as well as mounting medical bills. Her faith and her spirits are strong even with all that she is going through. Stephanie is firm though she does not know why it happened she knows God has a plan.
Stephanie graduated with a Bachelor's degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY. While there, she represented West Point in Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) shows as the leading open equitation rider for the team, qualifying for IHSA nationals all four years. As a cadet, she had the unique opportunity to train with world-renowned trainers including: Colonel Neumann-Geissen of the German Army, Olympians Iris Kellet (the first women ever on the Irish National Equestrian team) and Robert Hall, (trainer to Prince Charles and trained by the Spanish Riding School) and spent weekends training for IHSA Nationals with Centenary College's accomplished riding team. As the coach for Trinity University's Equestrian Team, Stephanie still competes in Intercollegiate Horse shows and represents USMA in the Alumni division.
Stephanie Cook has been riding and training horses since the age of six, in Central New Jersey. There, she had opportunities to work with off-the-track thoroughbreds and train them to perform as hunters and jumpers. She began teaching beginner riders at age 10 and founded Hill Country Riding Academy, with husband David, in 2008.
At Hill County Riding Academy, Stephanie teaches positive reinforcement-based training for both students and horses “Gentle hands, strong legs” is a motto her students hear often. In addition, Stephanie also continues her passion for training thoroughbreds and rescue horses. As a member of the Take2 Thoroughbred League, an organization whose motto is “taking care of retired racehorses”, Stephanie Cook and her thoroughbred, Texas Checkmate, are currently in First Place for points in the Jumper Division.
In August of 2014, Stephanie came across an emaciated,18hh, chestnut horse at a rescue facility during a trip to Kentucky. Although all of her horses are geldings, this sweet mare immediately won her heart. Stephanie rescued and brought the mare home to Texas, where she was renamed “Glorious Unfolding”, after hearing the Steven Curtis Chapman song on the radio on the trip home.
Over the past year, Stephanie has given new life to Glorious Unfolding, a.k.a. Gretel, and after months of rehabilitation and weight gain, Gretel and Stephanie have become an amazing hunter/jumper team.
Stephanie not only rescued Gretel but most of the horses at her barn are rescues who were either left or dead or were going to be put down for behavioral issues which she has given new life to and are loved in and out of the arena by all. Not to exclude her 5 dogs whom are all rescues as well.
Stephanie has a heart for helping others and many times puts the needs of others before her own. She is the first to assist with fundraiser charity shows, donate items or even her beloved horses to those who have lost their own due to tragedy. In addition she is constantly serving her church and family of 7.
Teaching and training is what she loves and is how Stephanie makes her income. Sadly she will no be without any income for the next several months while she recovers. Let us help her as she would be the first in line to help us.
This fund is to help support the family. Please consider supporting the Cooks, and most of all, continue to pray for Stephanie's recovery. Thank
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord
"Plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Fortunately, yes, Gretel is OK, however Stephanie is currently at San Antonio Military Medical Center, recovering from pelvic/ hip surgery, and faces months of rehabilitation before she can return to her passion which is teaching and riding. Meaning a loss of income as well as mounting medical bills. Her faith and her spirits are strong even with all that she is going through. Stephanie is firm though she does not know why it happened she knows God has a plan.
Stephanie graduated with a Bachelor's degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY. While there, she represented West Point in Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) shows as the leading open equitation rider for the team, qualifying for IHSA nationals all four years. As a cadet, she had the unique opportunity to train with world-renowned trainers including: Colonel Neumann-Geissen of the German Army, Olympians Iris Kellet (the first women ever on the Irish National Equestrian team) and Robert Hall, (trainer to Prince Charles and trained by the Spanish Riding School) and spent weekends training for IHSA Nationals with Centenary College's accomplished riding team. As the coach for Trinity University's Equestrian Team, Stephanie still competes in Intercollegiate Horse shows and represents USMA in the Alumni division.
Stephanie Cook has been riding and training horses since the age of six, in Central New Jersey. There, she had opportunities to work with off-the-track thoroughbreds and train them to perform as hunters and jumpers. She began teaching beginner riders at age 10 and founded Hill Country Riding Academy, with husband David, in 2008.
At Hill County Riding Academy, Stephanie teaches positive reinforcement-based training for both students and horses “Gentle hands, strong legs” is a motto her students hear often. In addition, Stephanie also continues her passion for training thoroughbreds and rescue horses. As a member of the Take2 Thoroughbred League, an organization whose motto is “taking care of retired racehorses”, Stephanie Cook and her thoroughbred, Texas Checkmate, are currently in First Place for points in the Jumper Division.
In August of 2014, Stephanie came across an emaciated,18hh, chestnut horse at a rescue facility during a trip to Kentucky. Although all of her horses are geldings, this sweet mare immediately won her heart. Stephanie rescued and brought the mare home to Texas, where she was renamed “Glorious Unfolding”, after hearing the Steven Curtis Chapman song on the radio on the trip home.
Over the past year, Stephanie has given new life to Glorious Unfolding, a.k.a. Gretel, and after months of rehabilitation and weight gain, Gretel and Stephanie have become an amazing hunter/jumper team.
Stephanie not only rescued Gretel but most of the horses at her barn are rescues who were either left or dead or were going to be put down for behavioral issues which she has given new life to and are loved in and out of the arena by all. Not to exclude her 5 dogs whom are all rescues as well.
Stephanie has a heart for helping others and many times puts the needs of others before her own. She is the first to assist with fundraiser charity shows, donate items or even her beloved horses to those who have lost their own due to tragedy. In addition she is constantly serving her church and family of 7.
Teaching and training is what she loves and is how Stephanie makes her income. Sadly she will no be without any income for the next several months while she recovers. Let us help her as she would be the first in line to help us.
This fund is to help support the family. Please consider supporting the Cooks, and most of all, continue to pray for Stephanie's recovery. Thank
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord
"Plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Organizer and beneficiary
Christine Middlebrook Mott
Organizer
New Braunfels, TX
David Cook
Beneficiary