Patient Half Day Horse Camps

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In the Fall of 2018, thanks to the generous support of the Miami Cancer Institute, Sofia's Hope joined forces with Whispering Manes Therapeutic Riding Center and began offering children in treatment the opportunity to spend time at the barn with horses.  Patients, who must be accompanied by a parent/ legal guardian, will not only spend time riding a horse, they will be participating in unmounted activities (i.e., grooming, making horse treats, etc.), as well as having lunch before heading back home. 

​Patients and their families can sign-up through their respective Child Life Specialists or by clicking here to download the necessary forms.  Our next half day of camp will be on Wednesday, February 5th with first pick up at UM/alex's place at 8:30am.  Activities at Whispering Manes will start at 10am until 1pm.  Patients and families can expect to be back at respective hospitals by no later than 3:00pm.

Transportation will be courtesy of Miami Tour Company and will be to/from NCH, Baptist/MCI and UM/alex's place.  

Space is limited to a maximum of fifteen (15) children and is on a first come first serve basis so register NOW. 

Sibling Half Day Horse Camps

​In response to feed back received after our very successful Half Day Horse Camps for patients, Sofia's Hope launched pilot program for siblings.  The Half Day Horse camp was similar to ones for patients however, program was exclusively for siblings.

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Pilot Horse Camp took place on Wednesday, July 24th from 10am - 1pm at Whispering Manes Therapeutic Riding Center in cooperation with Tally Ho Farm, riding barn connected to WM.  Lunch and transportation were provided courtesy of Miami Tour Company. 

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Siblings and their parents enjoyed one on one time together as the kids groomed and feed the horses, lead the mini ponies through obstacle courses, rode horses and spent time with visiting jockeys from Gulfstream park.  Please click here for short  video.

Horseback Riding Lessons

Riding horses, especially her beloved Princess, was Sofia’s passion. Besides being with family, friends, Sofia loved nothing more than spending time at the barn. Riding and horse therapy have been shown to improve the quality of life for those struggling with physical and emotional illness and stress. Seeing the freedom in a child’s eyes when they are on a horse – freedom from thoughts of illness and cancer treatments – inspired us to fund this program. As we see it, and to paraphrase Winston Churchill, "there really is nothing better for the inside of a child than the outside of a horse".

For more information you can call us at 305 798-6725, email us by clicking the Contact Us button to the right or simply download the Riding Lesson Release Forms.