Challenged Champions Equestrian Center
Ottawa, Ohio
Challenged Champions Equestrian Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Ottawa, Ohio. Its mission is to improve the lives of children and adults with mental, physical and emotional challenges through equine activities. It offers therapeutic riding lessons, physical, occupational and speech therapy that uses hippotherapy, and a free Horses for Veterans program.
- Group therapeutic riding lessons
- Private lessons
- Horse and stable management lessons
- Physical, occupational and speech therapy using hippotherapy
- Horses for Veterans program
- Summer programs
- Special group activities
- Children and adults with physical challenges
- Children and adults with mental and emotional challenges
- Veterans
- Active-duty service members
More about this center
About the Program
Riding lessons, which the center calls equine-assisted activities and therapies, can include mounted work, ground activities and grooming. Group lessons are the most popular option and run in four sessions a year (winter, spring, summer and fall). Each session lasts 6 to 10 weeks with one hour-long lesson per week, and groups are limited to four riders. Private lessons and horse and stable management lessons are offered as needed. Riders must be at least 4 years old.
The center's physical, occupational and speech therapists use hippotherapy as a treatment tool, using specific equine movements to work on functional therapy goals. Participants must be 3 or older.
Horses for Veterans
Horses for Veterans began in 2014 and is open to all veterans and active-duty service members at no charge. Participants learn horsemanship, including handling, grooming, saddling and riding, and the program is shaped around each person's needs. To get started, veterans can call or email the center to schedule a barn tour. See also equine therapy for veterans.
Facility and Staff
The center sits on 35 acres and has a heated 70' x 90' indoor arena for year-round therapy and lessons, a classroom and gross motor room with viewing windows so families and therapists can watch sessions, a sensory room for therapy, and a hydraulic lift with an 8-foot platform that accommodates wheelchairs for mounting.
Laura Luginbill is the founder and executive director. Program director Amanda Sizemore is listed as a PATH International Certified Instructor.
Location
The center is at 11913 Rd 6, Ottawa, OH 45875. Listed hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday, closed on weekends.
From public records, not yet reviewed by the center · Last updated Oct 2026 Suggest an edit
Common Questions
Answered from the center’s own website and public records.
How much do lessons cost?
As listed on the website, group lessons are $30 per lesson, private or horse/stable management lessons are $35, and PT, OT and speech therapy sessions are $30 per treatment session. Horses for Veterans is free.
What are the age requirements?
Riding lessons are for participants 4 and older. The therapy program that uses hippotherapy is for participants 3 and older.
How do I sign up?
Call 419-456-3449 or email programdirector@challengedchampions.org. Group lessons run in four seasonal sessions each year.
Location
Ottawa, Ohio 45875
Questions to Ask When You Call
The center is the best source for these answers.
- Are you running now, and taking new riders?Start here. We couldn’t confirm a current schedule.
- Which ages and needs do you work with?Ask about experience with your rider’s specific condition.
- Is a licensed PT, OT or speech therapist involved?Therapist-led hippotherapy is usually the only kind insurance may cover.
- What does a session cost, and are there scholarships?Many nonprofit programs offer sliding scales or sponsored spots.
- Do you have a mounting ramp or lift?Important for riders who use a wheelchair or need help mounting.