The Humans

Meet the Staff at New Hope Horse Shelter!

Fall 2023.  Welcome Jessica!


and welcome back Sarah!



Jessica and Sarah both have excellent horse experience and previous experience working in a barn situation.  They both have full-time jobs in Sioux Falls but give us a couple of days/shifts each week, which we very much appreciate.
Sarah was a college intern here a few years ago, so we were overjoyed when she called to see if we could give her any weekend hours here.  Of course!

August 2023 - Our college intern, Demiah.


Demiah is finishing up her equine degrees at Lamar College in Colorado, and she chose us to help her fulfill her internship requirement.  She has a lot of horse experience including working in barn settings.  She will be leaving us this Winter and moving out of state.  We need to fill her hours!  Call us if you are interested in working, volunteering, or interning here. (605 359-0961.


Summer 2023 - Thank you Hannah!

When Shelby got sick in June, area high school student Hannah stepped up to help us out here.  And she keeps a few shifts during the school year.  Thanks Hannah.  We appreciate your being here very much!



Super Volunteer Zenna



Zenna is our teenager super volunteer! She has been coming to help with chores many Sunday mornings - in rain, snow, and shine - for 2 or 3 years now. Zenna was born and raised in Sioux Falls. She attended Tri-Valley for a few years, then moved closer to town and now goes to Roosevelt High School.  She has always dreamed of working with horses, and now New Hope Horse Shelter is helping her learn the basics of horse care, making that dream come true. Thanks for all your help, Zenna! We love having you here.



Autumn helps us with morning chores and is learning how to ride!
her family lives just a few miles from us.


Cooper helps us with chores too. His family also lives just a few miles from us.




Greg and Ralphie.

Greg – Resident Volunteer Manager of New Hope Horse Shelter
Also known as the "Cat Guy," the "Dirt Guy," the "Tractor Guy," and the "Hay Guy."


Darci – Resident Volunteer Manager at New Hope Horse Shelter
& Founder/President of Double HP


August 2022 - Welcome, Shelby!
 Shelby is from North Carolina and has a background in Eventing.
She helps with morning & afternoon/evening chores. And also with some riding lessons. update: in June 2023 Shelby became very sick and ended up in Mayo Clinic with a rare bone marrow disease.  She is getting better but has been unable to return to work and we miss her very much.  Shelby was able to leave Mayo and return home to North Carolina.  She continues to recover and we wish her the best though of course we still miss her.
Shelby riding our Spirit Horse, June 2023, right before Shelby got sick.