This is a paid release.
Dream Riders of Kentucky has expanded its herd with the addition of two new horses, Star and Tater Tot, following support from Southern Star Cares.
The Owensboro-based nonprofit was awarded a $13,416 grant through the Southern Star Cares grant program in December 2025. Organization leaders said the funding allowed Dream Riders to add larger horses to better serve riders as program participation continues to grow.
Dream Riders provides equine-assisted activities and therapies for children and adults with disabilities throughout Daviess County and surrounding areas. The organization’s mission focuses on ensuring individuals of all physical abilities can benefit from therapeutic riding programs.
“As our riders grow and mature, they get taller and heavier. While our riders were maturing, our horses were struggling,” Dream Riders riding instructor Haley Rigling explained. “By expanding our herd with larger horses, Southern Star is helping us close that gap. It gives us the literal strength we need to grow our programs and make sure that no one is left behind, just because they grow up. We aren’t just adding horses to our herd; we are opening doors that have been closed for a long time.”
Southern Star Cares, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit formed by Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Inc., funds its grants through employee contributions. Since launching its inaugural fundraising campaign in 2022, Southern Star team members have donated nearly $500,000 to nonprofits across the company’s service region.
“Dream Riders demonstrates the heart of what Southern Star Cares stands for — community, compassion, and meaningful impact. We’re proud to partner with them and support their mission through this grant, made possible by the generosity of Southern Star team members,” said Rebekah Tanner, Southern Star Cares 2026 Board Chair.
Dream Riders officials said the addition of Star and Tater Tot will allow the program to accommodate more riders while improving safety and comfort for participants.
Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Inc. is headquartered in Owensboro and operates approximately 5,800 miles of natural gas transmission pipeline across multiple Midwestern and Mid-Continent states.
