2023 SMILES Sweetheart of the Year
Chili AKA Chili Pepper
What is it?
It's that time of year when people become extra aware of love.
This year SMILES is encouraging our therapy horses to put themselves out there. To help find their perfect match, each horse has their own dating profile.
Did someone catch your eye? Well, try to impress them by sending them a valentine or two! Your valentine or valentines will be put on their stall door to show them how loved they are!
The horse that has the most love on their stall will be named SMILES 2023 Sweetheart of the Year.
2023 Eligible Bachelors and Bachelorettes
April
AKA Miss Chatterbox
Occupation: Therapy Horse
Age: 17 Years Old
Hobbies: Knock, Knock jokes on my stall
About Me: I'm an extrovert. I always have the "tea" to spill. Ask me a question and I am sure to have the answer. Although I love to talk, I love to listen to my riders and leaders.
Ben
AKA Benji
Occupation: Therapy Horse
Age: 16 Years Old
Hobbies: Practicing my class skills to reach “Rio status”.
About Me: I feel like I was born to help others. My mom was a longtime SMILES class volunteer and it became my calling too.
Bullet
AKA Prints Dun by Sam
Occupation: Therapy Horse
Age: 22 Years Old
Hobbies: Getting from point A to point B in the pasture as fast as I can!
About Me: I'm cupid's bow and he never misses the bullseye on our hearts. I was a jumper before my career at SMILES took off.
Buster
AKA Buster Brown
Occupation: Therapy Horse
Age: 18 Years Old
Hobbies: Giving my volunteers an arm workout when trying to make me trot. (you’re welcome for the muscles!)
About Me: What's that saying? Slow and steady wins the race? I like taking things slow. Stop and smell the roses.
Chili
AKA Chili Pepper
Occupation: Therapy Horse
Age: 15 Years Old
Hobbies: Unzipping Coats
About Me: I love to add a little “spice” to life! I always “bring the heat” with my dashing good looks and equally saucy personality!
Doc
AKA Docmeister
Occupation: Therapy Horse
Age: 18 Years Old
Hobbies: Personal Trainer: Helping my volunteers get their cardio in with powerwalking.
About Me: "Adventure is out there"- UP
I'm a nature enthusiast. I love being active as I spent most of my life as a trail horse before starting my career at SMILES.
Faith
AKA Diamonds for Valentine
Occupation: Therapy Horse
Age: 21 Years Old
Hobbies: Trying to win over Rose’s friendship. (Year 5 of being unsuccessful)
About Me: Fun fact about me, I was born on Valentine's Day so I am full of love!
I give my riders faith that they can do whatever they put their mind to!
Freckles
AKA Frecks
Occupation: Therapy Horse
Age: 20 Years Old
Hobbies: Modeling
About Me: I'm a barn favorite. My white coat is being SMILES' white knight coming to my special rider's rescue every week.
Henry
AKA Handsome Henry
Occupation: Therapy Horse
Age: 12 Years Old
Hobbies: Leading the gelding herd to trouble
About Me: Don’t let my sweet little face fool you, I love stirring up trouble in the herd. Deemed SMILES official “bad boy”! I’m as cute as I am naughty, but my rider’s sure get a kick out of my antics!
Holly
AKA Holl Doll
Occupation: Therapy Horse
Age: 14 Years Old
Hobbies: Sunbathing and getting a pedicure
About Me: I’m the most beautiful diva you’ll ever meet! “She’s a 10, but she hates her herd mates”. In Holly’s perfect world, she would be the center of all her rider’s attention, no other horses ever needed!
Lincoln
AKA One Eye Wonder
Occupation: Therapy Horse
Age: 18 Years Old
Hobbies: Juking my volunteers when they try and pick up my hooves
About Me: Two Truths and a Lie
I have one eye
I trail rode in Central Park in New York
SMILES is my first therapeutic riding center job
Nugget
AKA Chicken Nuggie
Occupation: Therapy Horse
Age: 13 Years Old
Hobbies: Modeling & Detective
About Me: I may be small, but I'm mighty... mighty cute! I am a big advocate for freedom. Even the small hoomans should have a trustee steed their size.
Penny
AKA Lucky Penny
Occupation: Therapy Horse
Age: 18 Years Old
Hobbies: Snacking at the hay barn (food is LIFE!)
About Me: "See a penny pick it up, all day long you'll have good luck!" That's me, I'm the good luck my riders need.
Rio
AKA Sweet Man
Occupation: Therapy Horse
Age: 24 Years Old
Hobbies: Providing coaching on “how to be the best therapy horse” to my herd mates.
About Me: The forever favorite! There isn’t a rider or volunteer who doesn’t love me. I would be voted “most reliable” in the SMILES yearbook!
Rodney
AKA Rockin Rodney
Occupation: Therapy Horse
Age: 24 Years Old
Hobbies: Giving the feed pan back for more treats
About Me: I'm the kind of guy everyone can get along with. Laid back and chill. I'm a horse that anyone can trust.
Rose
AKA Rosie Posie
Occupation: Therapy Horse
Age: 27 Years Young
Hobbies: Being THE boss
About Me: Do you have a place to be? Me too, let's go! I love the feeling of sand under my hooves and wind blowing through my mane, so I try to keep it that way by getting my rider to point A to B quickly.
Sarah
AKA Cedar Lane's Sarah
Occupation: Therapy Horse
Age: 18 Years Old
Hobbies: Bossing the boys around
About Me: Hi! My name is Sarah. I'm a big girl, but that means I have a big heart. I am very sweet and lovable. They call me a gentle giant. Adults love me. Kids love me. You'll love me!
Sport
AKA Sports Network
Occupation: Therapy Horse
Age: 17 Years Old
Hobbies: Practicing my facial expressions
About Me: My strides are as smooth as my charm. I am a gaited horse with a loud personality. If you are looking for a peaceful ride, I'm your guy.
Turtle
AKA Turtle Sundae
Occupation: Therapy Horse
Age: 24 Years Old
Hobbies: Turning into “the hare” during relay races! (I love to win!)
About Me: I'm that typical shy guy. I like taking things slow in a relationship, but once I get to know you, I am as sweet as a turtle sundae.