Community Impact: Courage Rock Stable

Veterans are the cornerstone of a community, providing strength and dedication to serving and protecting their home. However, many veterans often face unimaginable struggles that are outside of their control on a daily basis, such as PTSD, severe anxiety, and depression. An organization in Monticello, Courage Rock Stable, aims to recognize and help these veterans through equestrian methods.

Courage Rock Stable is a beautiful demonstration of the bond between humans and nature, specifically horses. Courage Rock is a nonprofit organization that serves as a therapeutic riding center for veterans and individuals with disabilities of all forms.

In 2012, Kim Markham, Director and Founder of Courage Rock, lost her son, Seth, while he was serving in the US Army. One of the avenues Kim found solace in this time was through the Solid Rock Therapeutic Riding Center in Ohio. There, she gained a vision of the good that could come from a service similar in White County. 

In 2016, Kim approached Scott Allen, the current chairman of Courage Rock and a marine corps veteran, about starting an organization for veterans. She said she wanted to offer veterans therapeutic services and help them find peace like how they did for Kim. Scott naturally became the first client of Courage Rock, learning how impactful the horses could be on mental wellness. 

After years of build up and work behind the scenes, Courage Rock officially opened on June 17, 2017. 

There are multiple programs that the organization offers individuals. Horses to Heroes is the primary program, in which Scott Allen is the facilitator for, where veterans can engage in activities with the horses. They can ride with the horses or relax and share stories with the other veterans and each Friday, they perform and work drill routines. In an interview with the Community Foundation of White County, Allen expressed there is no pressure, expectations, or limitations, “this is their place.” The horses know more than most people think. They know when you’re upset and they help you calm down. Allen says, “The horses do all the work. You’re just along for the ride.” Many of the veterans and first responders that go out to Courage Rock have seen combat and might suffer with mild to severe trauma as a result, but the horses give grace and serenity to ease their minds and spirit.

Other services include the Therapian Therapeutic program in which the staff and horses at Courage Rock work with both special needs kids and adults, such as individuals in wheelchairs or who have autism. Twice a year, they put on a camp for kids, ages 8-14, where they can be introduced to Courage Rock, have both classes and experience riding the horses, and at the end of the week, perform a horse show for parents and attendees. Ponies and Pals is a service where young children can come and read books to the horses to grow their reading comprehension and further their bonds with the animals. In October, they have an annual “Horsetober Fest” which draws a large crowd due to the horse shows that are put on and their famous chili cook off. They even host birthday parties and weddings on occasion. 

Courage Rock has grown from an idea of how to bring hope to individuals who have lost it to a community of strong bonds, shared experiences, and mutual love for the animals that help them in return. When they first started, they only had 3 horses, but now they have up to 15 at a time. They have done so much work for the community, but they didn’t do it alone.

One of the great challenges that the organization faced was the intense weather conditions during rain throughout the year, and bitter cold in the winter months. It’s been a dream since 2019 to have an indoor riding arena that was safe to ride in year-round, but due to conditions outside of their own, the process had to push back plans all the way until 2023.

Courage Rock applied for two grants from the Community Foundation of White County in 2023. One of which was a $1,000 general support grant from the Governing Council’s Mini-Grants cycle, in which they were invited from the Community Foundation to move forward and apply to their very first Mental Wellness cycle. As a result of that process, the Community Foundation of White County was pleased to grant them $25,000 to fund their indoor riding arena and be represented as one of the very first awarded Mental Wellness grants at the Foundation.

The Community Foundation’s funds primarily went towards filling the 150 foot by 60 foot arena with sand for the building to be made on and functionable. Allen said the Community Foundation of White County was “a foundation” as it built their foundation for the arena.

Without the support of your Community Foundation, the arena would not have been built and Courage Rock wouldn’t be able to offer its many vast amenities to its clients year round. Alongside the Community Foundation of White County, Courage Rock receives support from multiple other veteran organizations such as AMVETS, AMVET riders, and the patriot guard which help them tremendously.

Courage Rock Stable is healing the community, one equestrian ride at a time. Kim, Scott, and the rest of the team will continue their efforts in community outreach until they can’t anymore. Allen states that he just wants people to “come out and see what we have, what we do, and be part of it… It all comes from the heart, what everybody does out here. That’s what it’s all about, taking care of our veterans and other clients.”