“A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove... but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.”
— Forest E. Witcraft, Teacher, Scholar
In the heart of the Adirondacks is a group of women who sacrifice much of themselves to raise money by competing in rodeos to support charitable organizations like Double H Ranch.
Double H was co-founded, in 1993, by Charles Wood and Paul Newman. It is a ranch, located in Lake Luzerne, New York, for children with life-threatening illnesses. They have hosted over 80,000 children since opening. Activities are plentiful for these children who come to the Southern Adirondacks to escape the day-to-day uncertainties of their illnesses. During the summer there are many outdoor activities from swimming to horseback riding. During the winter they have a ski slope along with a staff of trained ski instructors.
Kids are selected for Double H Ranch Summer Camp based on a combination of factors, including qualifying medical diagnoses, age, cognitive function, and the ability of the camp to provide a safe, medically sound experience. Applications are reviewed by the camp's medical team, who consider the child's specific needs and the camp's capacity.
To volunteer at Double H Ranch, new volunteers need to complete an online application, submit references, and schedule a Zoom interview with the Volunteer Office. Returning volunteers also need to submit the online application where their existing information will auto-fill. Applications are processed on a rolling basis.
The rodeo season in the Northeast begins in March and ends with the Adirondack Stampede, in November at the Cool Insuring Arena, in Glens Falls, NY. It's a two-hour roller coaster ride of thrills, complete with hardcore competition, crowd-pleasing entertainment and a show for all ages to enjoy. The event draws a substantial crowd every year with the arena holding 4,774 people. While the exact number varies year to year it typically sees its capacity filled and the atmosphere is bustling.
The Adirondack Stampede has been raising money for organizations, like Double H Ranch, for thirty years. They are always looking for volunteers and event sponsors. They’ve raised hundreds of thousands over three decades.
To compete professionally in rodeo, athletes need to become members of organizations like Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) or the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) and compete in sanctioned events, earning money, and qualifying for higher-level competitions like the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR).
Additionally, they need to develop strong skills, have the right equipment, and be prepared for the significant travel and financial costs associated with professional rodeo.
Theresa Stannard is one of those women who are giving it their all to make the lives of others more enjoyable. She has been competing professionally since 2014, but she started competing in local events at twelve years old and for jackpots at sixteen. She is a retired New York State Trooper and along with her husband, George, they recently built a ranch deep in the Adirondacks.
She competes eight months out of the year; however, the care of the horses and her own preparation is endless. With as many as five horses that she rides, the conditioning is several hours per day. Their ranch includes an indoor arena for days when the weather isn’t ideal; however, most often the workouts occur outdoors.
To keep herself in tip-top shape she works as a fitness instructor teaching Indoor Cycling, Kickboxing, and TRX, which is a form of total body resistance. “To compete at this level, it’s necessary to be both physically and mentally solid. Hundredths of a second can be the difference between first or tenth place,” she says.
As winter turns to spring it’s time to hit the road, which sometimes requires driving several hundred miles to compete. Theresa’s home away from home is a 24-foot horse trailer equipped with a kitchenette, bathroom, bunk area, and all her equipment. Quite often her youngest son, Tristen, goes along to help with the horses and cheer for his mom.
In 2024, Theresa tied for sixth place at the Adirondack Stampede. On her way to this finale, she finished in the top 12 of the Women's Pro Rodeo Association (WPRA) First Frontier Circuit, which includes thirteen states in the Northeast.
Theresa hopes to one day compete at The National Finals Rodeo, which is held each year in Las Vegas. It is the premier championship rodeo of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and showcases the talents of the PRCA top 15 of the season for each event.
Theresa’s passion is contagious. Adults, both young and older, identify with her work ethic and strive to emulate her persona to feel like they too have a meaningful life filled with purpose.
According to Theresa, “It’s more than competing, it’s a way of living.” As a result of her dedication she is having a positive impact, especially by raising money for the kids who desperately deserve a day filled with laughter and fun. She has even started to build a program to host kids at her own ranch to help instill pride and joy in caring for horses. “They are learning compassion, at the same time as developing grit,” she adds.
Double H’s Adaptive Winter Sports Program, established in 1998, offers children ages 6-16 dealing with chronic and serious illnesses the opportunity to participate in alpine skiing and snowboarding in the beautiful Adirondacks. The magic of the program is made possible through the dedication of over 200 volunteer instructors, National Ski Patrollers, equipment technicians, and more. These programs are provided with the generosity of people like you, so please donate now!
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