Little Bit’s 50th Anniversary - 50 stories for 50 years!
This year, Little Bit turns 50 years old! We have been reflecting on what we have faced in our community since 1976, the positive impact Little Bit has had on thousands of individuals to date, and imagining what the future holds for our beloved organization. We have interviewed individuals who have made a difference throughout the past 50 years so we can tell the stories of our history through their eyes.
Below, find stories from Little Bit participants and their families, staff, volunteers, supporters, horses, our barn cat, and others. We will update this site weekly throughout the year, so please continue to visit this page to join our journey of reflection on Little Bit’s past and inspiration for Little Bit’s future.
If you are interested in sharing your Little Bit story, please email paulad@littlebit.org.
Spencer
Little Bit Herd
Spencer joined Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center in November 2002 and served with distinction until his retirement in March 2015. A Norwegian Fjord known for his calm demeanor and steady presence, Spencer became an invaluable member of our herd and a trusted partner in both Therapy and Adaptive Riding programs. Spencer’s journey to Little Bit was as special as he was. He was generously donated as part of a family’s annual tithe - a family with an exceptional herd. . . Read More
Jean Kelley
Adaptive Rider, Volunteer, Staff
Jean Kelley has been a part of Little Bit since she started participating in the Adaptive Riding program in 1993, when her family heard about the program through friends. In 2015, she became a volunteer and started as a staff member in 2016. Being an adaptive rider herself, Jean really appreciates the program and understands what it can do for people over the course of years, having been able to ‘grow up’ with Little Bit herself. Today, Jean is an adaptive rider, class assistant. . . Read More
Sally Gregg
Former Little Bit Board of Trustees Chair
Little did Sally Gregg, former Little Bit Board Chair, know when she joined her friend, Mary Sabol, on the Tolt Pipeline Trail for Little Bit’s annual “Ride-a-Thon” in 1992 that in years to come she would play a pivotal role in the history of the organization. Sally and Mary heard about the Ride-A-Thon and thought, “Oh how fun! Riding for a cause. Horses and kids! Mary was a teacher all of her life. These were passions we could meld easily. It was fun!” Sally recalled. . . Read More
margaret dunlap
Little Bit Founder
Little Bit founder Margaret Dunlap was captivated by the stories of early work being done to understand the therapeutic benefits of riding horses. She began learning about therapeutic riding programs in 1974 both from a radio program in England and from an article in the “Western Horseman” magazine about a woman who had multiple sclerosis and rode her Tennessee Walking Horse. Margaret had developed multiple sclerosis in her 30s and found that being on the back of a horse slowed the advance of her disease. . . Read More
Karol Flynn
Long-time Little Bit rider
Karol Flynn is remembered by some as a bit of a legend at Little Bit. As her family recalls, Karol was always into horses, starting from a young age. A strong-willed spirit, her drive to be with horses was so strong that she once “borrowed” a horse from a neighbor without asking permission. After that, her family decided to move to a five-acre property where she could have her own horse. Karol participated in 4H, and bred her own horse, Blaze. . . Read More
