Harnessing Dreams Through Horsepower

Welcome to Desert Dreams Riding Academy, where youth in southern New Mexico embark on a transformative journey through equestrian arts. Our unique free programs foster self-respect, communication, and emotional intelligence.

Impactful Equestrian Academy in New Mexico

Desert Dreams Riding Academy is a beacon of growth for young minds in Alamogordo. Offering free ten-week empowerment programs, we nurture self-respect and emotional intelligence through equestrian arts. Join in sculpting confident futures. Contact us at our email or call us.

Empowering Your Hearts and Minds

Standing as an unparalleled program, our services impart invaluable life skills. Children gain more than riding prowess; they harness and build empathy, teamwork, and effective communication. Join our heartfelt mission, building bright futures where character thrives and is our priority.

Our Five-Year Journey of Empowerment

For over five years, we have been sowing seeds of personal growth and empowerment among New Mexico’s youth. Our non-profit journey is marked by a dedication to making transformative learning experiences accessible to all, emphasizing community impact and positive change.

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Riding Toward Self-Discovery

Unlock new horizons for your child through equestrian empowerment. Desert Dreams Riding Academy nurtures emotional intelligence and self-respect, offering free access to Thrilling, transformative experiences. Join a supportive community devoted to young people's development in southern New Mexico.

Riders of Change

Jessica Gillespie, PhD


Initially Jessica started her education journey as a means of being competitive for promotion in the Air Force. She chose Organizational Leadership. By the time she finished her bachelor’s she was hooked, and when she finished her masters, she had a few of her own ideas which brought her to the doctorate. She found that she really enjoyed the quantitative and statistical analysis functions of research, which fuels the trend analysis and process improvement efforts of this organization.

Christine M. Corbett, DNP Program Advisor

Dr. Christine Corbett has been a tremendous asset to Desert Dreams Riding Academy since its inception. Drawing upon her extensive healthcare experience as a Doctor of Nursing Practice, she has played a vital role in shaping the academy's vision, curriculum, and long-term strategy.

Dr. Corbett's expertise in Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), trauma-informed care, and behavioral health provides a strong foundation for the academy's youth programming. Her passion for both healthcare and equine-assisted services has helped strengthen program quality and effectiveness. Her leadership approach is heavily informed by her credentialing as a HeartMath Trauma Certified Practitioner, which focuses on somatic grounding, autonomic nervous system regulation, and emotional resilience. Equine-assisted therapy relies inherently on these same principles—creating safe, non-verbal feedback loops to process stress and build trust and resiliency. Dr. Corbett holds extensive experience managing grant funded clinical projects, navigating collaborations, and ensuring rigorous program evaluation and outcome assessment.

Her guidance continues to influence the development of future outreach initiatives designed to serve veterans, healthcare professionals, first responders, and other populations facing emotional and psychological challenges.