We ride from Bentonville to Little Rock.
1,634 children between the counties we will ride through — each one with a name, a story, and a future still being written.
Why The Long Road Home Exists
The Long Road Home exists because too many kids have had to walk hard roads alone.
Across Arkansas, children in foster care are moved, uprooted, and overlooked—while the people who step in to care for them often do so quietly, without recognition, support, or rest. The system keeps moving, but the weight of it all lands on kids, families, and frontline workers who are rarely honored for carrying it.
The Long Road Home was born to slow things down and bring honor back into the conversation.
This is not a protest.
It’s not a stunt.
It’s an act of respect.
We chose horses because horses don’t rush. They feel the ground. They carry weight honestly. They’ve been part of hard work, long journeys, and American backbone for generations. Riding across Arkansas—mile by mile, county by county—is a visible reminder that some things are worth taking the long way for.
Every mile ridden honors:
Children navigating foster care
Families who open their homes
Caseworkers and advocates who show up day after day
Stories that deserve to be carried, not forgotten
The Long Road Home exists to carry those stories with dignity, to remind our state that foster care is not an issue on paper—it’s lived, felt, and deeply human.
Under the same sky, on the same roads, we ride for the ones who didn’t get to choose their journey—and to remind them they were never meant to walk it alone.
This is about honor.
This is about legacy.
This is about taking responsibility for the road in front of us.
The Route
With safety being our number one priority, our trail bosses have mapped out a route to get us from NWA to Little Rock. We would love to see you as we pass through your area- or follow us on social media for updates!
April 8: Bentonville to Tonitown
April 9: Tonitown to Fayetteville
April 10: Fayetteville to Washington County Fairgrounds
April 11:
April 12:
April 13: Clarksville to Knoxville
April 14: Knoxville to Pope County Fairgrounds
April 15: Russellville to Atkins
April 16: Atkins to Conway County Fairgrounds
April 17: Morrilton to Horse Powers Equine Rehab and Fitness in Conway
April 18: Conway to Camp Robinson
Our Trail Bosses
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Hailee Mason
Benton & Washington County
Horses have always been more than a hobby to me — they’re a way of life. I teach riding lessons rooted in fundamentals, grit, and respect for the animal, helping riders build confidence both in and out of the saddle. From arena work to rodeo roots, I believe in doing things the right way, even when it’s not the easy way. My goal is to grow not just better riders, but good humans.
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Katie Center
Washington & Madison County
I’ve been on the farm my entire life, it’s all I know. My kids grew up showing, rodeoing, trail riding, camping...if it had horse's we were probably doing it. My passion is to offer families a way to have horse's in their lives even if they can't afford it. Seeing the joy on people's faces from their first time seeing and touching a horse makes it worth it.
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Lakimbra Baldwin
Clarksville to Russelville
I am a lifelong horsewoman that enjoys time out on the trail with my Mustangs and German Shepherd. Recently we relocated to Arkansas with my husband of 35 years and our son. I am a licensed realtor with 25 years of experience. Very excited to be a part of this ride.
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Mary Lawrence
Russelville to Conway
Horse lover happiest in the saddle, seeing the beauty that God created by horseback. Horses are more than a hobby. They are my way of life Raising quality, trail horses and Mules.
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Jessica Sullivan
Atkins to Conway
Jessica Sullivan is an Arkansas-based photographer with a deep love for horses and the stories they carry. Through her photography, she preserves the stories of people and their animals, capturing the bond, trust, and journeys that connect them. She is honored to support The Long Road Home Project and contribute to its mission.
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Melissa Cowper-Smith
Johnson, Pope, Conway and Faulkner Counties
Melissa Cowper-Smith is a realtor who carries a dedication to Arkansas and its people into her work. Horses have shaped much of her life; she has ridden since childhood and worked as a trail guide, wrangler, and stable hand, building practical horsemanship along the way. She continues to love the elegance of dressage while currently riding endurance, drawn to the discipline, partnership, and long miles it requires. Family is important to her, including a personal family story connected to foster care. She keeps two horses on her property north of Morrilton.
Meet the Herd
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Copper, Flint Creek Youth Ranch
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Felina, Flint Creek Youth Ranch
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Soldier, Flint Creek Youth Ranch
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Justice, Flint Creek Youth Ranch
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CT, Flint Creek Youth Ranch
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Woodstock, Flint Creek Youth Ranch
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Cinnamon, Flint Creek Youth Ranch
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Twilight, Flint Creek Youth Ranch
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Apollo, Flint Creek Youth Ranch
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Athena, Center of Attention Farms
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Pistol, Center of Attention Farms
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Chip, Center of Attention Farms
A Big Partnership : Flint Creek Youth Ranch
One major win for The Long Ride Home was the partnership with Flint Creek Youth Ranch, a working horse ranch that provides guided trail rides and leases well-trained horses to camps so that as many people as possible can experience horses.
The heart of their mission is that every child should have access to the joy of horses- financial limitations should not be a barrier. Leo, the founder, has been helping youth find purpose, joy and healing for decades. This ride is close to his heart.
There is a lot of maintenance and cost on Leo and his team so we are ever grateful for him, and we are hoping to help support his mission as well- to make this ride for awareness possible for years to come.
Flint Creek Youth Ranch could use new bridles!
Donate used bridles or learn more here!
Meet the Riders
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Andrew Martin
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Leo Nash
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Taylor Jones
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Brooks Owens
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Allyonna Couvrette
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Phil Burke
