The Tikhomirov Fund Equestrian Sports Centre was founded in the 1990s, becoming the first organization in Irkutsk Region to practise equine therapy and adaptive sports. Rehabilitation of children with special needs now holds a prominent place in the Centre’s operations. The Centre is also developing Olympic equestrian disciplines. In addition, the Centre’s head, Olga Tikhomirova, initiated creation of the Irkutsk Region Equestrian Sports Federation and currently serves as its President.

The Tikhomirov Fund Equestrian Sports Centre is a family project. How did it come into being? Do you act solely as the project’s chief investor or do you go beyond that role?

My mother Olga’s idea started it all. I invested in the project at each stage of its development. In addition to providing financial support, I am involved in managing it: helping set up systems, form strategies, solve complex management issues. One might say I’m fully engaged. The Tikhomirov Fund operates on planned subsidies and I do not expect any income from it in the future. This story is primarily about creating something meaningful.

For over 25 years now, the Centre has remained subsidized. Why so? Is your focus mainly social?

Our equestrian sports centre follows two directions: sports for kids without health restrictions and equine therapy. Equine therapy sessions are free, while regular lessons are at a price. Ideally, we aim for the Fund to break even by developing commercial-sports activities. Even so, running stables is inherently challenging owing to the high costs and unpredictable factors related to horses’ health and their eventual retirement. Approximately ten per cent of our horses live purely for their own pleasure. In regions like ours, there are fewer wealthy people compared to Moscow, making horse riding unaffordable for many potential clients. Even without charitable initiatives, maintaining stables remains difficult in regional areas.

Some Muscovites buy horses and pay for them to be kept at private stables, only visiting them at weekends. Does such revenue exist in Irkutsk?

Yes, though on a much smaller scale. We also have horses owned by external owners who board them here; we feed them, train them, and provide veterinary check-ups.

Equine therapy is a key focus of the Tikhomirov Fund. Notably, you were among the pioneers not just in the Irkutsk Region but nationwide. Your Centre opened in 2000 when the first Russian centre was launched in 1991. Have you developed methodological frameworks for rehabilitation through therapeutic horseback riding? Do you share experience with other equestrian centres interested in advancing this crucial area?

My mother came across an article about equine therapy that inspired her. She gathered information online, read printed materials, and got in touch with representatives of equestrian clubs in Western Russia. Back then, skills regarding working with horses were generally less developed, and everyone learned from one another. Nowadays, the community openly shares knowledge, while medical professionals collaborate closely with trainers. Since equestrian sports are included in the Paralympic Games, globally recognized skills are well-established. Thanks to the Internet, access to worldwide expertise is readily available. In Eastern Siberia, our Centre acts as a hub for equine therapy specialists, who visit us frequently. We host numerous competitions.

What is the demand for your services? Are there waiting lists?

We do, indeed, have significant waiting lists for equine therapy. Our capacity, in terms of both infrastructure and personnel, is limited. Around sixty children undergo therapy sessions each year. Horses used for child therapy, including those with mental challenges, must be extremely calm. Specialized training for instructors is equally critical. These are factors limiting growth.

On the initiative of your Fund, the Equestrian Sports Federation of the Irkutsk Region was set up, led by your mother, Olga Tikhomirova. Why was this Federation needed?

A Federation serves as a repository of skills and standards, centralizing expertise. It regulates collaboration between industry players, sets competition rules, evaluates athletes. So, formation of a regional federation was a logical step in the evolution process. Some of our athletes have won awards at national events, transitioned to Moscow-based clubs or joined the national team. Amongst individuals with disabilities, too, we have strong competitors winning gold medals at World Games.

Children with disabilities have few opportunities for self-realization, which makes finding happiness more complicated. When such a child starts achieving results in equestrian sports, their pride, dignity and joy all grow. For us, that’s what matters most.

What horse breeds do you have?

We have various breeds: Latvian, Orlov trotter, Akhal-Teke, Hanoverian. Many horses reach high standards, some born right here in our stables. We don’t breed specifically for sale; everything happens naturally. Training begins early, under careful and professional conditions. They grow up gentle, balanced, perfectly prepared for sports.

Different breeds suit different equestrian disciplines, especially if we’re talking about top-tier professional levels. But for riders aspiring to become master sportsmen and the like, many breeds can suffice.

Does the Tikhomirov Fund have a broader mission beyond its current goals?

Initially, the goal was simple: create an equestrian sports centre and make it operational. That objective has been achieved. Soon we’ll organize a strategic session to formulate a new vision. Foundations often proclaim, “Our ultimate goal is to cease to exist”, implying that the problems that promoted their establishment would no longer persist.

I don’t believe this applies to equine therapy. Our collective task lies in continuing to develop and strengthen the organization. We want to bring the Fund to a sustainable level where nothing threatens its existence. To members of our family, it’s become a lifelong commitment, a personal responsibility. It’s important for it to continue developing for another fifty years.

Do younger generations of your family share this interest?

Mostly yes. My youngest sister Anastasia is the master of sports and the senior trainer at the Equestrian Centre. Her seven-year-old daughter participates in competitions and recently won a gold medal. My fourteen-year-old son regularly helps out with grooms’ chores. Hopefully, they’ll carry forward the family legacy.

Regular interaction with horses changes a person, doesn’t it?

Absolutely. That’s one unique feature of equestrian sports: they involve interacting with living creatures. There’s even a term called “hippovention”. Caring for a horse strengthens the character, fosters leadership qualities, instils responsibility. Engaging with animals twenty times larger than oneself requires courage. Horses typically prefer doing things their own way, while the child needs to encourage them to behave according to the rider’s needs. It’s a partnership; coercion doesn’t work. Moreover, caring for a horse teaches responsibility. Taking care of horses is one core value in our club.

You’re part of the Noôdome community. How important is this community to you?

It’s one of the major discoveries I’ve made in recent years. Noôdome revolves around values. People aren’t united by wealth or status but rather by shared purpose. Essentially, everything comes down to meaning-making, with creativity at the forefront. Each member interprets these principles differently, which is normal. Being surrounded by others contemplating deeper questions appeals to me because it’s rare. The overall calibre of participants adds tremendous value and inspiration. It’s uplifting to belong to a group whose members think profoundly and creatively, prompting further personal growth.

Would you consider fellow Noôdome members as potential customers?

Not really. If someone visits Lake Baikal, I’d happily meet them without any commercial interests. Many Noôdome members are involved in philanthropy and territorial development. It’s great to gain insights and receive support from such a network.