In communities across America, there are places where magic happens—where children discover confidence they never knew they had, where horses find purpose in healing young hearts, and where supporters see their generosity create ripple effects of positive change. Compton Junior Equestrians (CJE) is one such extraordinary place, standing as a beacon of hope and transformation in Compton, California.
The CJE Story: More Than Just Horseback Riding
Compton Junior Equestrians represents far more than a traditional riding school. It’s a comprehensive youth development organization that harnesses the profound therapeutic power of horses to transform young lives. CJE programs leverage horse programming to deliver self development services that include activities that promote general wellness, academic achievement, character building, discipline, self-esteem, and leadership. The organization was built on a foundation spanning over three decades of understanding that horses possess an almost mystical ability to reach children in ways that conventional programs sometimes cannot.
At its core, CJE operates on a simple yet powerful principle: horses are natural teachers, therapists, and mentors. These gentle giants require respect, patience, and responsibility from those who care for them—qualities that naturally transfer to other areas of a young person’s life. The relationship between a child and a horse becomes a mirror, reflecting back lessons about trust, communication, empathy, and perseverance.
Comprehensive Programming That Changes Lives
The Basic Equine Program (BEP)
CJE’s Basic Equine Program (BEP) serves up our core programming for empowering individuals and promoting their growth. It includes field trip, afterschool and summer camp programs. This foundational program introduces children to the world of equine care and riding while simultaneously building essential life skills. Participants learn everything from basic horse anatomy and behavior to advanced riding techniques, but the real education happens in the subtle moments—the patience required to gain a horse’s trust, the responsibility of daily care routines, and the confidence that comes from overcoming initial fears.
Holistic Development Through Five Core Areas
CJE’s mission is to use the majesty… enriching the whole person through their five core areas of growth: academic enrichment, career skills, mentorship, character building, healthy and sustainable living. These pillars ensure that every child who participates in CJE programs receives comprehensive support that extends far beyond the ranch.
Academic Enrichment: Our sessions combine hands-on horsemanship training, homework support, organic gardening activities, and self-development workshops. Children receive tutoring and academic support, often seeing improvements in focus and study habits as they learn the discipline required in horse care.
Career Skills: Through hands-on experience in ranch management, animal husbandry, and business operations, young people gain practical skills and explore potential career paths in agriculture, veterinary science, business management, and equestrian sports.
Mentorship: Experienced staff and volunteers serve as role models and guides, providing the consistent adult support that many children need to thrive.
Character Building: The honest feedback that horses provide—they respond only to genuine kindness and consistent behavior—helps children develop authenticity, empathy, and emotional intelligence.
Healthy and Sustainable Living: organic gardening activities and Gardening, Planting and harvesting teach children about nutrition, environmental stewardship, and the interconnection between all living things.
Year-Round Impact
Yes! We offer year-round programming including Fall, Winter, … ensuring that the positive influence of CJE extends throughout the entire year. This consistency is crucial for building lasting relationships and maintaining momentum in personal development.
The Science Behind Equine-Assisted Development
The benefits that children experience at CJE aren’t just anecdotal—they’re supported by growing scientific evidence about the power of equine-assisted therapy. Equine Assisted Therapy provides unique non-verbal opportunities for the client to enhance self-awareness, recognize maladaptive behaviors, identify negative feelings, and face self-defeating cognitions.
Research shows that interactions with horses can provide remarkable benefits for children’s mental and emotional health. A scientific analysis published… equine-assisted therapy programs and interventions included improved balance, well‐being, quality of life, trust, self‐efficacy, self‐esteem, pleasure, and a sense of accomplishment.
For many children, especially those who have experienced trauma or struggle with behavioral challenges, Horse therapy can help troubled youth build social skills, increase emotional awareness and learn problem-solving skills. It can also improve impulse control, instill confidence and help teens learn how to manage stress in healthy ways.
The therapeutic relationship with horses is particularly powerful because working with horses helped individuals develop emotional regulation, build trust, and improve self-esteem. Horses are incredibly sensitive to human emotions and energy, providing immediate, honest feedback that helps children learn to regulate their own emotional states.
The Complex Needs of a Working Ranch
Operating a facility like CJE involves numerous ongoing expenses and needs that many supporters might not immediately consider:
Daily Horse Care Requirements
Nutrition and Feed: Each horse at CJE requires approximately 20-25 pounds of hay daily, plus specialized grains and supplements. With multiple horses in the program, feed costs can exceed several hundred dollars weekly.
Veterinary Care: Beyond routine vaccinations and dental care, horses require regular health monitoring, emergency medical attention, and specialized treatments. A single veterinary emergency can cost thousands of dollars.
Farrier Services: Horse hooves grow continuously and require professional trimming every 6-8 weeks. Horses that work regularly need protective horseshoes, which require even more frequent attention.
Facility Maintenance: Stalls must be cleaned daily, fencing requires regular repair, and equipment needs constant maintenance and replacement.
Program-Specific Needs
Safety Equipment: Every child participating in CJE programs requires properly fitted safety equipment, including helmets, boots, and protective gear. As children grow, equipment must be replaced regularly.
Educational Materials: Books, videos, workbooks, and hands-on learning materials support the academic components of CJE programming.
Transportation: Field trips and off-site educational opportunities require reliable transportation.
Professional Staff: Qualified instructors with expertise in both horsemanship and youth development represent one of the program’s most significant ongoing expenses.
Your Support Creates Lasting Change
When you contribute to CJE, your donation becomes part of a carefully orchestrated system designed to maximize impact for both children and horses. Your support for the CJE General Fund makes a world of difference in the lives of young equestrians by providing flexibility in our ability to execute our operations.
Looking Toward the Future
The vision for CJE extends far beyond its current operations. Randy would like to see the CJE be able to produce top level equestrian athletes and expand their program to other inner city communities across the country. “I’d love to be able to get the ranch in a place that it can sustain itself financially with a good business model and be able to get these kids college scholarships. We’d like to use the same model in different inner cities in the country, and even around the world, where there is such a lack of nature”.
This ambitious vision includes the possibility of developing competitive riders who could earn college scholarships, creating sustainable funding models, and replicating the CJE approach in urban communities nationwide. The ultimate goal is to demonstrate that the combination of equine programming and comprehensive youth development can transform communities on a scale that has never been attempted before.
The Ripple Effect of Your Generosity
Supporting CJE means investing in a model that creates expanding circles of positive impact. Children who gain confidence and life skills at the ranch carry those improvements into their families, schools, and communities. Horses who might otherwise face uncertain futures find purpose and care in their work with young people. Staff members and volunteers develop professionally while contributing to meaningful change.
The measurement of success at CJE isn’t just in riding skills acquired or horses cared for—it’s in the teenager who discovers a passion for veterinary science, the shy child who learns to speak up for themselves, the struggling student who finds focus and motivation, and the young person who chooses a positive path forward because they experienced unconditional acceptance from a horse.
How to Get Involved
Supporting CJE is straightforward and impactful. All donations are tax deductible, and you can contribute through their secure online donation page at https://comptonjrequestrians.org/donate-page/.
Beyond financial support, CJE welcomes volunteers who can contribute time, skills, or expertise. Whether you have experience with horses, education, construction, administration, or simply a desire to help, there are ways for you to become part of the CJE community.
Your support—whether a one-time gift or ongoing monthly contribution—becomes part of a larger movement to prove that innovative youth development programs can create lasting change in communities that need it most.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What age groups does CJE serve?
CJE programs serve children and youth of various ages, with specific programming designed for different developmental stages. They offer after-school programs, summer camps, and field trip opportunities that can accommodate elementary through high school ages.
2. How often do programs meet?
We offer year-round programming including Fall, Winter, and other seasonal programs. The frequency varies by program type—after-school programs typically meet weekly, while summer camps may be daily for several weeks.
3. How does working with horses benefit children’s mental health?
A: Working with horses helped individuals develop emotional regulation, build trust, and improve self-esteem. Research shows that equine-assisted therapy programs and interventions included improved balance, well‐being, quality of life, trust, self‐efficacy, self‐esteem, pleasure, and a sense of accomplishment.
4. Are donations to CJE tax-deductible?
A: Yes! All donations are tax deductible. CJE is a recognized nonprofit organization, and donors will receive appropriate documentation for tax purposes.
5. Does CJE serve only Compton residents? A: While CJE is based in Compton, Local communities, including Compton and adjacent areas can participate. The specific service area may vary by program, so it’s best to contact CJE directly to discuss eligibility for specific programs.