Community Service & Charitable Works

Colleen B. Kelly

Community Service & Charitable Works

40+ YEARS OF DONATED SERVICE • DISABILITY • LIPIZZANERS • YOUTH • DISASTER RELIEF • ANTI-SLAVERY

For more than four decades, Colleen B. Kelly has donated professional rider-biomechanics teaching, safety education, classical equitation instruction, fundraising assistance, disaster relief coordination, and practical community service across Australia and internationally.

Disability, Riding for the Disabled & Para-Sport

  • 40+ Years Disability Support: Free coaching, education, fundraising, and practical support from beginners through Paralympic riders across seven consecutive Paralympic games.
  • Riding for the Disabled NSW (Tall Timbers Centre): Keynote presenter at the RDA NSW State Workshop and holder of five separate Disability & RDA Awards.
  • Susan Seipel Reference: Free after-hours teaching and substantial fundraising assistance documented in a signed reference from Paralympic medallist Susan Seipel.
  • Sprout Therapeutic Center (Virginia): Donated rider-biomechanics lessons and hosted wine-and-cheese fundraisers for therapeutic riding programs.
  • Para-Athlete Support: Direct fundraising support for riders with disabilities, covering international participation and horse travel costs.


RDA Awards

RDA Awards


Susan Seipel Reference

Susan Seipel Letter

South African Lipizzaners & Classical Tradition

  • Classical High School Tradition: Donated rider-biomechanics masterclasses to the South African Lipizzaners in Johannesburg, whose classical riding tradition dates back to military cavalry roots.
  • Donated Seminar Proceeds: Donated all proceeds from the Johannesburg seminar directly to the South African Lipizzaners association.
  • Special Friend Recognition: Named a “Special Friend of the Lipizzaners” by Directors Judy Vertue and Lilian Möller for her generosity and organizing joint supplement support for the horses.
  • Gala Evening Honor: Honored guest at the Lipizzaner gala evening, invited onto the dance floor by the riders in their famous red coats.


Lipizzaner Masterclass

Masterclass


Lipizzaner Letter

Official Letter


Gala Honor

Gala Honor

World-Tour Community Fundraisers

  • Friday-Night Fundraiser Model: Donated evening lectures and demonstrations during clinics so host clubs, Para-equestrian groups, and therapeutic centers could raise vital funds.
  • River Cities Therapy & Recreation (WV): Hosted community potluck fundraisers.
  • Virginia Tech: Donated public lecture/demo at Alphin-Stuart Arena.
  • 4-H & Community Groups: Organized pizza fundraisers, potlucks, and silent auctions with all proceeds donated to Stars & Stripes 4-H, Graymour Acres 4-H, and the Fidelis Foundation.


World Tour Brochure

Tour Brochure


Graymour Acres

4-H Fundraiser

Youth, Pony Club & Scholarships

  • Queensland Youth Orchestra: Backstage fundraising assistance at Brisbane Town Hall for the orchestra’s first international tour to Switzerland.
  • KidSafe Safe Riding Program: Developed child rider-safety education incorporating free demonstrations and club fundraising.
  • Annual Scholarship Program: Provided approximately US$30,000 per year in educational scholarships across therapeutic coaches, Pony Club youth, university students, and community achievement categories.
  • Free Teacher & Private Lesson Scholarships: Awarded free scholarships for teacher training and private lessons during clinics.


KidSafe Program

KidSafe Program


Symposium Brochure

Scholarship Brochure

Disaster Relief & Anti-Slavery Leadership

  • Northern Rivers Floods Disaster Response: Head Volunteer Coordinator at Mullumbimby Civic Centre during flood response operations, coordinating volunteers, medical packs, baby supplies, and emergency deliveries across Wilsons Creek, Wardell, Brunswick, Nimbin, and surrounding regions.
  • International Anti-Slavery Commission: Unpaid leadership organizing international conferences, global Freedom Awards, and community human trafficking awareness days.
  • Heart Research Institute: Helped establish the Institute’s early office at Camperdown Hospital and organized the Wall Street Gala premiere fundraiser.
  • Channel 7 Telethon: Multi-year donated time supervising volunteers and staffing telephones.

Animal Welfare & Community Support

  • Pet Help for Seniors & People with Disabilities: Free behavior advice, practical pet care, and emergency animal housing when clients are hospitalized.
  • Big Ride for Autism: Provided a solo support-vehicle role driving from Queensland to Western Australia.
  • Veterans & Military Support: Supported The All Glory Project for wounded veterans at Equine Extravaganza with free admission for active military.
  • Tutu the Trickster: Donated community and charity entertainment performances.
  • Paris Vaulting Club & Marathon Station: Hosted fundraisers to acquire a vaulting horse and managed an official marathon water/refuge station at Black Pearl Farm.

© Colleen B. Kelly — Community Service Archive

Certificate of registration for Amber, a service dog trained by Colleen Kelly, confirming her registration with the Service Dog Registration of America as of January 4, 2016.
Formal letter of thanks from the South African Lipizzaners addressed to Colleen Kelly, expressing gratitude for her donation and support for a seminar. It includes signatures from the directors and an image of a white Lipizzaner horse.
Colleen Kelly giving a presentation on elite police horse training.
Promotional flyer for free scholarship lessons with Colleen Kelly, highlighting rider biomechanics with details on dates, locations, and pricing.
Menu for the South African Lipizzaners Annual Ball 2010, listing horses on auction for upkeep in 2011.

40 years of free clinics, lessons & fundraisers for police

A person in a wheelchair interacts with a friendly dog in a scenic outdoor setting, promoting support for NDIS recipients. Text highlights the benefits of gentle and practical assistance.
Letter from Sharon Harding, Volunteer Program Coordinator of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, thanking Professor Colleen Kelly for recognizing the Metro Volunteer Program with the Global Medal of Freedom Award.
A woman in a wheelchair interacts joyfully with a golden retriever wearing an 'Assistance Dog' harness in a park setting. Text on the image highlights community support services for seniors and NDIS participants.
Flyer for a 5-day police training course, featuring details about the course, testimonials, and resources for potential attendees.
A letter from the United States Equestrian Federation dated October 1, 2009, addressing Ms. Coleen Kelly regarding her role as a speaker at the USEF Youth Council's 2nd Annual Convention. The letter highlights her presentation on biomechanics and its relevance to riders of all levels.
A person standing next to a banner that states 'This program is USDF University Accredited' in an indoor facility with a clock visible on the wall.
Hundreds of hours researching, developing & teaching got me all this way – my clinics recognised as official sign off hours for the United States Dressage Federation. Not bad for an old farm girl.

Four women, including Colleen Kelly, stand with a horse in a therapy center. They are smiling and waving, with a warm and inviting atmosphere in the background.
Three people posing together at an event, holding awards. The man on the left is in a blue suit, the woman in the middle is wearing a black dress with sparkly details, and the man on the right is in a uniform with a badge.
International Anti-Slavery Commission Awards Night, Mirage Casino & Resort, Las Vegas
A group of South African Lipizzaner riders in red coats interacts with a woman at a gala event, creating a joyful atmosphere.
Promotional poster for a presentation on South African Lipizzaners, featuring Adjunct Professor Colleen B. Kelly's work in rider biomechanics and equestrian education.

Donating judging since 1992.

A formal letter from the N.S.W. Dressage Council dated March 19, 1993, congratulating Mrs. C. Kelly on her accreditation in the National Judges Accreditation Scheme 'D' level examination and outlining the successful assessment details.

Fundraising Committees & Events

Promotional poster for the 2015 Gala Supper Ball and Awards Night, featuring event details, dates, and sponsors.
Four Years on the International Society of Rider Biomechanics Conference Committee
A letter from People with Disability Australia (PWDA) addressed to a member, welcoming them and providing details about involvement opportunities, membership, and contact information.
Collage of promotional materials highlighting support services for clients with disabilities, community engagement, animal-assisted functional support, and training programs for seniors and their pets.
An informational graphic about dog training, featuring a trainer explaining a four-step process: Read, Request, Reward, and Retreat. The visual emphasizes calm, confident interactions between the trainer and dogs in a park setting.
An elderly woman interacts with a small dog while a caregiver assists her. In the background, other elderly residents are engaged in the activity. The setting is a bright, cheerful common area with tables set for a gathering.
A blue certificate of appreciation from the Riding for the Disabled Association (NSW) recognizing Colleen Kelly for her support and presentation at a 2008 workshop.
Four certificates of appreciation from Arundel Park Riding Centre Inc. for training clients with disabilities.

Two certificates of completion awarded to Colleen Kelly, recognizing her completion of NDIS training modules, dated February 5, 2025, and April 6, 2026.
A letter of recommendation from Susan Seipel, an Australian Paralympian, praising Colleen Kelly for her contributions to sports biomechanics and her role in organizing events for athletes with disabilities.
Letter from the Austin Police Department recommending Colleen Kelly for a United States Visa, detailing her expertise in equine biomechanics and its importance for mounted police units.
A formal letter from Sergeant Leslie G. Wills of the Houston Police Department, dated November 14, 2012, recommending Colleen Kelly's unique rider biomechanics program designed for Police Mounted Units. The letter highlights Kelly's contributions to police training and her expertise in improving officers' posture and riding techniques.
A letter dated February 22, 2025, from Luis Lucio, a two-time Olympian and sports trainer, expressing gratitude towards Colleen Kelly for her assistance in organizing events and accommodations for the International Society of Rider Biomechanics.

An outreach image for the International Anti-Slavery Commission featuring a young girl smiling in the foreground with a group of people behind her, promoting the message of ending modern slavery through education and global action.
I am honoured to have served from the formation in 2010 – a group of young and enthusiastic university lecturers trying to change the wrodl.
A dog wearing a bright yellow vest that reads 'Ruu the Auslan (Sign Language) Dog' sitting on a ramp in a park with trees in the background.
Colleen Kelly’s Tutu the Trickster – Trained to the AUSLAN sign language to bring joy and fun to the deaf and hard of hearing community.
Promotional flyer for the 2022 Shauna T. Kelly Memorial Writing Competition in Nevada, detailing participation information, essay topics for junior and senior divisions, and prize details.

40+ years of Free Education Community Campaigns…

Infographic titled 'Tutu the Trickster: The Pet Professor Method' featuring a dog named Tutu. It outlines three steps for training pets: 1. Calm the brain, 2. Guide the choice, and 3. Reward what works, along with explanations for each step.
A colorful illustration featuring Tutu the Safety Dog encouraging kids to make a Pup Promise to be kind and safe with dogs. The image includes spaces for kids to write their name and promise, surrounded by playful graphics of paw prints and hearts.


I support the following
causes & fear-free pledges:

Banner promoting child dog bite training, featuring a child standing calmly near a dog with educational text about safety around dogs.
A French Bulldog wearing an oxygen mask, accompanied by a veterinarian in pink gloves. The image promotes the 'Love is Blind' campaign for healthier dog breeding practices.
Illustration featuring two cartoon characters standing in front of a stylized tree, with a slogan promoting dog-bite education for children and parents.
A promotional graphic for the Pet Empowerment Pledge featuring a dog and a cat, emphasizing a commitment to safe and respectful pet care. Text includes 'I Signed...', 'Make the Pledge', and details about community support.
Infographic advocating for reward-based dog training, highlighting research on stress from harsh methods, and mentioning legal changes regarding training practices.
Banner promoting the Shock-Free Coalition with the message 'Sign the Pledge!' to eliminate electric shock in pet training, featuring various dogs and a cat.
Graphic promoting the 'Shock-Free Dog Collar Pledge' by the Pet Professional Guild Australia, emphasizing a commitment to force-free training methods. Features illustrations representing no shock collars, no prong collars, and no whips.
Promotional image for C-BARQ, offering a free online temperament and behavior test for dogs and cats, in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania.