Meet Loren Hitchcock | Development Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Loren Hitchcock and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Loren, what’s the end goal, career-wise?
I think if you’d asked me over a decade ago when I graduated from college, I would have said the corner office, with the big title, the high heels, and a six figure salary.

My priorities have shifted definitely in that time. Over time, the desire to leave a good mark on this world began to become the priority.

I’ve worked for several non-profits in many sectors, but my current role as Development Director for Stable Strides Farm is simply the best. I’ve traded in the high heels for boots, but the love and devotion that everyone on our staff has for our riders and our horses is second to none. I get the privilege of waking up every day and getting to tell the Stable Strides Farm story. All it takes is one day out at the farm for me to remember what’s really important in life.

So I’d say, this. This is the end goal. To help grow our program and help as many riders in Dallas-Fort Worth as we can!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I graduated from college with an English degree and said to myself, “Well, you’re on your own, kid.”

I had a tiny apartment, and even tinier Fiat, and an inside sales job that was not my cup of tea. I knew I was fortunate to have a job post grad as I graduated in a time many of my peers did not. I knew I didn’t want to use my degree to teach, but I did know I possessed creative skills that could be useful in the corporate world.

When my time there ended, I accepted my first full time marketing/development job at a small construction services firm in Fort Worth, Texas .. My boss came to me and told me he needed a flyer. I googled “best flyer software”, Adobe InDesign popped up, and I was hooked.

Since that day, I’ve created websites, social media content, promotional material, planned events, and done business development in the private, non profit, and higher education sectors.

I’ve been creative since I was a child. I was definitely the student doodling in the margins of her notebook or writing a never ending story. The other defining characteristic of my childhood? Horse girl.

I’ve ridden and shown horses since the 1999 Fort Worth Stock Show when my dad asked, “Is this something you’d like to do?” I said yes, and as they say the rest is history.

Winston Churchill once said, “There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.” I am not sure that truer words have ever been spoken. These incredible creatures have brought me a treasure trove of memories, life skills, friends, and now a new career path to my story.

I’ve worked a lot of jobs since I was that doe eyed college graduate unsure of what to do with herself, but my favorite has to be my current role as Development Director at Stable Strides Farm. Stable Strides Farm is a therapeutic riding center located in Pilot Point, Texas. We assist riders of all ages, disabilities, and skill levels.

Every day I have the pleasure of getting up and telling our story. The little girl doodling in the margins of her notebook with big dreams about spending her time with horses all day finally gets to do both. It has been one of the biggest privileges of my life to work in this role. We have an amazing string of horses, but the best part has to be our riders. They greet each lesson with such enthusiasm and excitement. They are always willing to work past the challenges and relish in the goals achieved. I see so much of my younger self in our riders. My biggest goal now is to grow our program as much as I can so that we can help as many riders as possible!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am team Fort Worth all the way!

There is so much to do and see! I would highly recommend the Fort Worth Museum of Science & History as well as the Fort Worth Modern Art Museum. Dickies Arena is a a great place to catch your favorite band.

My favorite restaurants are Simply Fondue in Sundance Square, The Jazz Cafe (best greek food you’ll ever have!) off of Montgomery Street, 151 Coffee in Westworth Village makes great coffee, and Dutch’s over by TCU and Kincaid’s on Overton Ridge are tied for my favorite burger joints. You can get a good steak at Hoffbrau off of 377. Piatello’s Italian Kitchen in Waterside has great Italian food.

I would highly recommend attending a TCU Baseball game. We usually have a pretty robust team and there’s not a bad seat in the stadium. My favorite movie theater is the AMC at Clearfork. Heated reclining seats are the way to go! There’s a lot of culture and history in the Fort Worth Stockyards and Joe T Garcia’s features an amazing patio to drink margaritas when the weather is nice!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Stable Strides Farm and Mandy Cleveland! Mandy has given me this incredible opportunity in a year where opportunities seemed pretty scarce. She’s an amazing mentor who also offers great support. It’s been my privilege to call her a friend for nearly twenty years!

Website: https://www.stablestridesfarm.org

Instagram: StableStridesFarm

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StableStridesFarm/

Image Credits
Brittany Hirst Photography
Loren Hitchcock