About 45 riders signed up for the fundraiser, which included jumping and obstacle courses at Riding for the Disabled’s home near Alexandra.
The day was "really good fun", the organisation’s group co-ordinator and a volunteer Josie Lake said.
Although final numbers were still being crunched, Ms Lake was confident it had brought the organisation very close to its fundraising target.
A goal of $35,000 would help the organisation buy material to resurface the horse riding arena to make it safer for both horses and riders.
Ms Lake said the project was 18 months in the making, and volunteer and in-kind labour would finish the job once the money for construction materials was banked.
At present, Riding for the Disabled provides therapeutic horse riding to 26 people with disabilities in Central Otago.
With more volunteers, its reach could be further.
"At the moment, there is a waiting list," Ms Lake said.
"We run 20 weeks of the year, two days a week. More volunteers would mean we could put more on."
Riding for the Disabled filled a gap that mainstream sports and recreational services often could not, and connection with a horse provided both physical and mental benefits to riders, Ms Lake said.
Riders were matched with a horse whose characteristics and gait would suit their needs.
"That could be anything from really high physical needs, such as a wheelchair user, right out to a neurodiverse learner," Ms Lake said.
Volunteer Shannon Kelliher said she found working with riders and their horses to be "so fulfilling".
"It’s great because you’re learning so much, not just about what to do with the horses but about our riders, and the special needs they have and how riding helps them in so many ways."
