MEET OUR DIRECTOR

                                                         Observation by: Helen Thompson 

                                 You can tell a horse owner by the interior of his car. 

                                 Boots, mud, pony nuts, straw, items of tack and a 

                                 messed up waxed jacket of incredible antiquity.  

                                 There is normally a top layer of children and dogs.  

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                                     Karen S. Cates, Founder, Executive Director  

   Karen is a native of Yazoo City, Mississippi where she grew up with horses since the 

age of 5.  She is a graduate of Manchester Academy and Delta State University where she 

received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice with an emphasis in Juvenile 

Corrections and Social Work.  Karen has been married to Dennis Cates of Cleveland, Ms. 

for 25 years and they have five children.  She has given the last 25 years to being a mother 

and to volunteer service in the 4 states in which they have resided.  She taught piano and 

music for 20 years, was church choir director, pianist, and youth director.  She has been 

PTO President and Vice President for three different schools her  children attended.  She 

has served as a classroom volunteer and tutor as well as a substitute teacher and has taught

 music at the junior college level in Cumberland, Maryland.

   Karen has traveled extensively at home and abroad with her husband in his business and

has assisted him with corporate relations and worked as a customer liaison within the corporate

environment.  Her experience has given her the knowledge and ability to begin Heart's 

Desire Therapeutic Riding Center with professional excellence.  She understands the 

heart of volunteerism and the importance of developing community relationships that 

will sustain a direct service program.  Her leadership skills inspire people to commitment 

while encouraging their own personal development and achievement in their focus area.

At the same time, she challenges them to stop out and above to discover new skills and

 abilities that will empower the therapeutic riding industry and personal growth.

   Since beginning Heart's Desire Therapeutic Riding Center in 2001, Karen has been a 

presenter at state and regional conferences.  She has served as the North American Riding

for the Handicap Association State Chair and served as the founding President of the Ms.  

Therapeutic Equine Association.  Karen has consulted and mentored multiple therapeutic 

riding programs and instructor candidates across the midsouth area and is committed to  

the safety and excellence of this industry in the state of Mississippi.

            

                

       

               Would you like to be a volunteer, donate a horse, equipment, supplies, etc., become

  a student or make a monetary contribution?

                                                  Please click here:

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                      Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the Desires of your Heart.

                                                                   Psalm 37:4