Evie's Story

Larry Cudmore • January 15, 2026

There is so much in the lives of others that we miss seeing with only the occasional observation. It never ceases to amaze me what the parents say about how horses have touched their children deeper and more meaningful than any of us human beings could ever touch. Horses are so intuitive. They can see deeper, feel more sensitively, accept unconditionally beyond the abilities of the best of us. I give thanks for the gift Champs Heart is gifted to provide for these families. I give thanks for the support of you who gift us in ways you can to make sure these families, children and Veterans can keep coming at no cost. I certainly hope you are blessed for being a blessing. Sincerely, Larry Cudmore, Founder of Champs Heart, Larry’s Hitching Post.

The following is written without edit from Mom: “When we first came to Champs Heart, my oldest daughter (Evie) was in the middle of the hardest trial she had ever experienced in her six years of life. Evie had been diagnosed with epilepsy 18 months earlier and was under immense emotional stress from frequent hospital stays, multiple anti-seizure medications, a stomach tube, and continued uncontrolled seizures.

She fell in love instantly with the soothing feeling of riding a horse or riding in the buggy on days when she felt too sick to be on a horse. Almost immediately, I began to notice a change in her countenance. After visiting Champs Heart, she was less stressed, more relaxed, and visibly happier.

I initially signed up for Champs Heart hoping it would be therapeutic for Evie, and it truly was. What I didn’t expect was how therapeutic it would be for me and my other children as well.

My two younger children were experiencing their own struggles as the siblings of a very sick sister—one who required a great deal of time and attention and who was hospitalized several times a month with one parent or the other. On our very first day at Champ’s Heart, they invited my other children to sign up to ride too. They explained that they recognized how important it is to care for the entire family when one member is sick. That meant more to me than I can express.

Before long, all my children were counting down the days until they could return to see “their horses.” Watching the joy and peace it brought them helped bring peace to my own heart during a very tumultuous season of life.

My youngest daughter, Gracie, quickly bonded with Laddie. She now carries toy horses named Laddie nearly everywhere she goes and rarely wants to ride any other horse. It became clear early on that she had a unique and special connection with the horses.

This past July, disaster struck when sweet Gracie was injured in an attack at a friend’s home. Since that day, Gracie has had a great deal of emotional healing to do. Even so, she still gets excited every single week to visit Laddie, the donkeys, and the other horses. Champs Heart is one of the only places that truly brings her peace right now.

I could go on and on about the ways the animals, volunteers, and spirit of Champs Heart have blessed our lives, but it would be impossible to put it all into words. Champs Heart has carried my family through some of our hardest moments and helped us find peace and joy even in the midst of trial. We could not be more grateful for this incredible program.” (a thankful mom, Mrs. Williamson)

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boy on a hose with a volunteer holding the lead rope

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