Edgemont Farms LLC members JoAnn and Paul Claeyssens created The "Joy Riders" Foundation as a 501-C3 non-profit back in 1990 to provide completely free horseback riding experiences to physically and mentally handicapped children and young adults. At its peak, there were 16 Volunteers and 54 "Athletes" that would converge on the Claeyssens' 200 Acre ranch in Bloomfield, CA on Saturdays during Daylight Savings Time. The Claeyssens provided an employee part-time, and maintained some 25 horses and ponies for the program. They recognized from first-hand experience with their Downs-Syndrome boy, James, that families with disabled children find it hard to make ends meet, so it was free. JoAnn and Paul also could see how the horseback riding experience could improve the chidren's outlook on life and promote growth and positive changes in their physical and mental health. An unexpected benefit was the strong positive effects it had on the lives of the volunteers. There were some amazing transformations and long-lasting positive effects. These were rewards enough for the Claeyssens.

The entire family was involved in running the Joy Riders: JoAnn, Paul, James, and daughters Joanna and Danielle. JoAnn, Joanna and Danielle have a strong passion for horses and riding. JoAnn's father was a horseman who trained and traded horses during her childhood. He would trailer them in from Wyoming and Montana each year for training and resale. JoAnn was often the first one to ride these strange horses when they arrived in Seaside, or Petaluma. Her favorite horse was her father's Appaloosa Stallion "Robe", whom she would ride cross-country from ranch to ranch. Daughter Joanna started riding early with Pony Club in Petaluma, and started going to shows, first riding Western ponies and horses, then taking to Hunter-Jumper and Equitation. Danielle showed a liking for horses too, although she is ten years younger than Joanna. Danielle started riding Hunter-Jumper on ponies in 2000 at the age of 8 with Bitsy Shields. James would ride exhibitions for the Joy Riders, showing how he could guide a pony and take low jumps. Paul assisted with the riders in the arena, as he and JoAnn had become certified Handicapped Riding Trainers with NHRA (National Handicapped Riders Association) in Southern California. Paul also arranged for the "Float" used when the Joy Riders participated in Petaluma's Butter and Eggs Day parade each year. The riders and volunteers would lead four horses with disabled riders on them in front of the float down Petaluma's main streets to give them the thrill of all the attention. It was also a crowd pleaser.

Joanna and Danielle became very active in riding and went to shows nearly every weekend during the Summers after the year 2000, so JoAnn and Paul had to suspend regular meetings of the Joy Riders and help the two daughters instead. The Joy Riders Foundation still exists, but meets infrequently for the time being.