Where Love Meets Purpose

Champ's Heart was born from a remarkable convergence of love, loss, and divine calling. When our founder Larry Cudmore, a pastor of 38 years, faced a life-threatening cancer diagnosis in 2016, he met a brave young patient named Emily and shared stories of his beloved horse, Champ. Though both Emily and Champ passed away before Larry could fulfill his promise to bring them together, their memory inspired something beautiful.


In 2019, Larry launched Champ's Heart in loving memory of Emily, his dear friend Michael, and faithful Champ—the gentle horse who had already brought joy to hundreds of people throughout it's life. What began as one man's calling has grown into a thriving ministry serving over 300 participants on a monthly basis, supported by 250+ volunteers who believe in the extraordinary healing power of horses.

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Our Sacred Calling

Champ's Heart is an equine-based ministry offering children with limited abilities, veterans of war, and their families the opportunity to feel safe while connecting with horses, and experience well-being and independence in a welcoming environment.



We believe that healing happens in relationship—between horses and humans, between volunteers and participants, between families and community. Our mission is to provide a sanctuary where every person, regardless of their challenges or abilities, can find acceptance, love, and the freedom to simply be themselves.

A Future Filled with Hope

We envision a community where every child facing life's challenges, every veteran carrying invisible wounds, and every family seeking healing knows there is a place where they belong. Our vision extends beyond individual healing to community transformation—where the ripple effects of equine healing experiences create stronger families, more resilient communities, and a culture of compassion that extends far beyond our arena.



Through strategic partnerships like our collaboration with Bridle Up Hope, we're expanding our reach to serve girls and women, building bridges between generations, and creating sustainable programs that will serve families for decades to come.

A Future Filled with Hope

We envision a community where every child facing life's challenges, every veteran carrying invisible wounds, and every family seeking healing knows there is a place where they belong. Our vision extends beyond individual healing to community transformation—where the ripple effects of equine healing experiences create stronger families, more resilient communities, and a culture of compassion that extends far beyond our arena.



Through strategic partnerships like our collaboration with Bridle Up Hope, we're expanding our reach to serve girls and women, building bridges between generations, and creating sustainable programs that will serve families for decades to come.

Transforming Lives, One Heart at a Time

Children and Families

Our Children's Program serves families facing some of life's most challenging circumstances—children with special needs, cancer diagnoses, developmental disabilities, and other life-altering conditions.


In our arena, fearful children learn to trust, anxious parents find peace, and families discover joy in the midst of struggle. We've watched non-verbal children speak their first words to a horse, seen wheelchair-bound participants experience true freedom, and witnessed families find strength they never knew they had.

Veterans and First Responders

Every Friday, our facility becomes a sanctuary specifically designed for veterans and first responders through our Warriors Program. We serve approximately 40 veterans weekly, many of whom struggle with PTSD, physical injuries, or the challenges of transitioning back to civilian life.


Our Veterans Helping Veterans model ensures that participants are supported by volunteers who understand their unique experiences. Through quarterly appreciation events and our memorial wall featuring 175+ veteran memorial stars, we honor service while providing ongoing support.

Veterans and First Responders

Every Friday, our facility becomes a sanctuary specifically designed for veterans and first responders through our Warriors Program. We serve approximately 40 veterans weekly, many of whom struggle with PTSD, physical injuries, or the challenges of transitioning back to civilian life.


Our Veterans Helping Veterans model ensures that participants are supported by volunteers who understand their unique experiences. Through quarterly appreciation events and our memorial wall featuring 175+ veteran memorial stars, we honor service while providing ongoing support.

Volunteers and Community

Our 250+ volunteers represent the heart of our organization—retired teachers, active service members, healthcare workers, students, and community members who give 2,200+ hours monthly. Many volunteers describe their time at Champ's Heart as equally healing for them, creating a beautiful cycle of mutual support and growth.

Become a Volunteer
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Blond woman smiles, wearing a black shirt. In a barn-like setting with horses and a Costco sign.
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Man with a gray beard wearing a black shirt smiling, in front of a textured wall.

Meet Our Team

Elderly man with glasses, smiling, wearing a blue button-down shirt. Standing in front of a textured wall.
Woman with glasses, smiling, wearing a colorful sweater and a white shirt against a textured wall.
Elderly woman with glasses smiles, wearing a pink vest, in front of a wood panel.
Woman in red shirt hugs a gray donkey, both smiling.
Woman with glasses smiles, wearing coral shirt with pink embroidery against a gray stucco wall.
Woman in blue
Woman smiles next to brown horse outdoors; they appear to be posing, and she is holding the horse’s bridle.
Elderly man with glasses smiles, wearing a blue shirt, against a textured wall.
Man with a white beard and black shirt smiles in front of a textured wall.
Woman in a blue
Woman in red shirt smiles, hugging a fluffy gray donkey in barn setting.
Elderly woman with short white hair, glasses, and red vest, smiles indoors.
Smiling older man with a gray beard, wearing a plaid shirt against a neutral background.
Woman with glasses, smiling, wearing colorful floral cardigan and white top against a neutral wall.
Woman with glasses, pink shirt, smiling in front of a textured grey wall.
Man in glasses and blue blazer smiling, in front of a blurry background.
Woman smiles next to brown horse, wearing a t-shirt. Outdoors, sunny setting.
Logo of Champ's Heart. Heart-shaped horseshoe frame, horse and rider silhouette, mountains background. Text: Champ's Heart.