JIM BARTON
“Riding Unlimited creates an environment where the participants, whether they be riders, volunteers, or staff can motivate themselves to set goals, and then reach those goals.”
–Jim Barton
Jim Barton built Riding Unlimited on a simple but powerful belief: never place limits on what a person can achieve. Those who knew him remember his determination, his humor, and his refusal to ever let his disability define the boundaries of his dreams.
Born in Detroit in 1946, Jim lived with athetoid cerebral palsy and used a manual wheelchair throughout his life. Despite significant physical challenges—he could not feed himself or sign his name—Jim graduated from the University of Michigan in 1971 with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. He went on to enjoy an 18‑year career as a computer programmer and analyst with IBM. He taught himself to drive, moved to Texas at age 36, and began riding horses at 38—fulfilling two childhood dreams he once thought impossible.
Jim understood firsthand the therapeutic power of the horse’s movement, and in 1990 he founded Riding Unlimited to bring equine‑assisted services to the Dallas–Fort Worth area. What began as a dream shared among riders has grown into a thriving nonprofit with 14 therapy horses, nearly 46 acres in Ponder, and a dedicated team of volunteers.
His influence extended far beyond the arena. Jim served on the boards of United Cerebral Palsy of Metropolitan Dallas and the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Texas. He inspired countless volunteers, instructors, and future program directors—including those who went on to establish centers of their own. His approach to disability was honest and empowering: “Let them discover what their limitations are. Don’t put limitations on them.”
Jim’s determination was legendary. He refused to use a motorized wheelchair, choosing instead to propel himself backwards with his feet. Friends recall him saying that in college he would crawl if he had to. Even as his body weakened and he could no longer ride, Jim continued visiting the barn to talk with parents, encourage riders, and share in their victories.
He competed internationally, including representing the United States at The World Cup for the Disabled in Sweden in 1987, but he was most proud of founding Riding Unlimited and helping shape the equine‑assisted services community across Texas and beyond.
Jim passed away on August 25, 2018. His legacy lives on in every rider who discovers their strength, every volunteer who gives their time, and every dream that becomes possible at Riding Unlimited.