The farm is a place
where a child can find a friend

Victory Gallop is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing therapeutic and recreational horseback riding for children facing behavioral and emotional challenges, as well as life- threatening illnesses.
Located in Bath, Ohio, Victory Gallop opened its doors in January 1995. Co-founders David M. Miller, DVM; Susan J. Miller, M.Ed.; and Kimberly A. Gustely, M.S., had witnessed the powerful impact horses and compassionate volunteers could have on children with physical and cognitive impairments. Yet they recognized a significant gap in services for children with “invisible” impairments and serious illnesses—children who were often overlooked and underserved.

Victory Gallop was created to meet that need.

For 30 years, Victory Gallop has been a place where children ages 3–18 are accepted exactly as they are. It is a place where they can learn, grow, and succeed through a meaningful relationship with a horse. On the farm, children find more than riding instruction—they find connection, encouragement, and a friend who listens without judgment.

High expectations for effort and responsibility are paired with a strong framework of compassionate support. Dedicated volunteers walk alongside each rider, helping build confidence, resilience, and self-esteem as children learn to ride and care for their horses.

At Victory Gallop, healing happens in the saddle—but hope is built in the heart.

The Staff

Woman with red dress

Sue Miller

Co-Founder
Sue is co-founder, co-director and a PATH certified Advanced Instructor. She began teaching therapeutic riding at the Rocky River Metro Parks in 1983. After receiving her M.A. Degree in education from Kent State in 1986, Sue was hired to help develop and teach at Pegasus Farm. She left Ohio briefly, starting another program in PA before returning to OH and joining Kim to start up Victory Gallop.

Kim Gustely

Co-Founder
Kim is co-founder, co-director and instructor at Victory Gallop. She holds an Advanced Instructor certification from PATH and began teaching therapeutic riding in 1990. Kim has a M.S. Degree in sports psychology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Prior to Victory Gallop, she was the head instructor at Pegasus Farm.
Maria Nixon

Maria Nixon

Maria began volunteering at Victory Gallop when she was thirteen. She continued volunteering all the way through high school. She attended The Ohio State University where she competed on the hunt seat equestrian team and graduated in May of 2016 with a degree in special education. She currently works at Pfeiffer Elementary School in Akron as an intervention specialist for grades K-3. She received her PATH certification in August 2016.
Mackenzie

Mackenzie Roach

Volunteer Coordinator: Mackenzie graduated from Jackson high school in 2022. She rode at Victory Gallop for eight years. In her free time Mackenzie enjoys volunteering, baking, and watching movies. Her favorite things about Victory Gallop are helping with camp, getting to know the riders, working with the volunteers and especially getting to take Willie Nelson to visit patients at Akron Children's Hospital.
Julie Anne Vanyor-Petersen

Debbie Nowak

Debbie has loved horses her whole life. She began riding as a child and purchased her first horse when she was 19 years old. Her passion is trail riding. She has made a career out of her enjoyment for horses and is the owner of Crystal Falls Stable in Richfield, OH where she provides board and excellent horse care. She has been a huge assets to Victory Gallop taking care of the stables and horses.
Jenna

Jenna Hete

Jenna began volunteering at Victory Gallop in summer 2022 before she became an instructor for the fall session. Jenna holds her M.Ed., as well as Ed.S., licensure in the area of School Psychology. She works for Akron Public Schools as a School Psychologist where she supports two elementary schools and is one of the lead psychologists supporting Autism identifying within the district. Jenna is also presently the President- Elect of the Ohio School Psychologists Association, where she continues her advocacy for students with disabilities.

More...

Jenna has been an avid equestrian since she was five- years-old and currently owns two horses. She most recently became a United States Dressage Federation Bronze Medalist and has hopes to obtain her Silver Medal with her horse, Stuart, in summer 2023. Her horse, Pemmy, is a recognized Western Dressage champion for the local regional association. Jenna plans to obtain her PATH instructor certification in 2023.

Sponsors

Foundation Support

  • Akron Community Foundation
    Akron Community Foundation Capital Fund of ACF
    Alberty Family Foundation
    John & Karen Bader Family Fund
    Thomas L & Annette M Bader Charitable Fund
    Barberton Community Foundation
    Bath Community Fund of ACF
    Bath Volunteers for Service
    Kathleen & Edward Becker Charitable Fund
    The Frank P. & Marie L. Bevilacqua Family Foundation
    Glenn R. & Alice V. Boggess Memorial Foundation
    Kenneth L. Calhoun Charitable Trust
    Carper Family Charitable Fund
    The Carson Strong Foundation
    The Henry V. & Frances W. Christenson Foundation
    Stephen A. Comunale, Jr. Family Cancer Foundation
    The Mary S. & David C. Corbin Foundation
    The Delaney Family Fund
    The Mary & Dr. George L Demetros Charitable Trust
    Elise’s Corner Fund
    Fairlawn Rotary Foundation
    Rita & David George Family Fund
    Peter Goumas & Jennifer Goumas Family Fund
    GPD Employees’ Foundation
    The Chady & David Hall Foundation

Foundation Support (Continued)

  • John Hinds
    Kaulig Foundation
    The Lehner Family Foundation
    Bill & Anne Lowery Family Fund of ACF
    The Maynard Family Foundation
    McGann Family Fund
    The Millennium Fund for Children of ACF
    Laura R. & Lucian Q. Moffitt Foundation
    R.C. Musson & Katharine M. Musson Charitable Foundation
    Mark & Tina Oelschlager Fund
    MG O’Neil Foundation
    The Reinberger Foundation
    Charles E. & Mabel M. Ritchie Memorial Foundation
    D&M Scheible Family Foundation
    The Sisler McFawn Foundation
    The Slanta-Murray Family Fund
    The Sutowski Foundation
    Tifft Family Fund
    Tom & Gail Tobin Family Fund
    Tuscora Park Health & Wellness Foundation
    James R & Evelyn F Unger Charitable Fund
    The Welty Family Foundation
    WITAN
    Women’s Endowment Fund of ACF

Horse Sponsors

  • Jack & Brenda Delaney
    Jim & Evelyn Unger
    Jeff & Beth Berno
    Bill & Nancy Byrd
    Steve Comunale
    The Tobin Family
    The Worley Family
    Baird & The BCJC Group
    Rex & Leslie Carper
    The Carson Strong Foundation
    The Mikut Family
    Ed & Kathy Becker
    Ritchie Memorial Foundation
    Terry Fritch

Contact us

  • Phone
    (330) 666-0300
  • Fax Number
    (330) 668-6068
  • Address
    1745 N Hametown Rd.
    Akron, OH 44333
Victory Gallop
© 2026 Victory Gallop, Inc. All rights reserved.
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