FALL 2004 NEWSLETTER
Changing Seasons, Falling Leaves, Cooler Temps, and Shorter Days.
Gauby is Certified NARHA Instructor: Terri Gauby, of Washington, has received her NARHA Registered Instructor’s Certification. She has successfully completed an evaluation that illustrates her instructional as well as riding skills, in the field of equine assisted activities. She is to represent the industry in a professional manner and to continue to participate in NARHA activities and comply with the NARHA’s Instructor Code of Ethics. Terri has been serving under Independence Farms’ first certified NARHA instructor, Michelle Woerner of Linn. “The testing was tough,” says Gauby. “It covered the following areas of knowledge: 1-Horsemanship and Riding Skills; 2- Understanding and being familiar with disabilities, both physical and mental; 3- Knowing and following NARHA Standards and 4-Being able to conduct and lead a class session. Testing was done in sections, and one couldn’t move onto the next section until the previous was completed and passed.” First, there was exam, followed by two video demonstrations. The exam covered all the areas of knowledge and was very lengthy. The video portions were to show that she had a significant level of riding ability in both the Western and English styles of riding; that she knew and followed NARHA Standards while teaching and that she could successfully teach horsemanship skills to the riders. Gauby was familiar with the Western Style of riding, but had to educate herself on the English style, determining that she enjoys it. Terri would like to thank the following people for assisting her successfully completing her certification. Marlene Stamm, Lynn Sawin and all the 4-H horse kids, who put up with her practicing with them; the Washington Co. Fairboard, for letting her use their facilities and all the Independence Farms Volunteers, who by doing their job successfully, help her do hers.
Hosting the State NARHA Meeting: Saturday, August 14th was the day Washington and Independence Farms Inc., School of Therapeutic Riding, hosted the State NARHA Meeting in the First National bank basement. Michele Woerner, the State NARHA representative, and Certified NAHRA Instructor for Independence Farms, along with Members of the Board from Independence Farms, coordinated the festivities. The bank basement was decorated with Independence Farms colors of red, white and blue. The tables were decorated with children’s cowboy boots, bandanas and small American Flags. It started at noon with a BBQ beef meal prepared by Dieck’s Catering of Linn. The meal provided plenty of fellowship, laughter, and sharing of ideas. Michelle made introductions after the meal. Cecile Komara, NARHA Region 7 Council Member began the meeting at 1 PM by updating all present on several current items of NARHA business. She talked about giving and getting Region 7 news and information. She provided details about the upcoming NARHA National Conference and Annual Meeting that will be held in November the 15-20th, in KC, MO and on the next Region 7 Conference scheduled for next January in Omaha.
The next speaker was Phyllis Burdge, of Washington, accompanied by her service dog, Justice. Phyllis is a Vista volunteer, currently working at KSDS and Justice, her service dog, was born, raised and trained by KSDS. Phyllis shared her struggles and victories over MS with the group. She gave the group some very good insight and ideas on how to work with people with disabilities. Justice demonstrated to the group how she extends Phyllis’ independence by accompanying her. At 3:00 PM, we moved to the Gold Barn at the Fairgrounds, where we watched, listened and learned from Corrective Horseshoer, Anthony Lechman, of Lechman Enterprises, Leonardville, KS. He told the group about things to be wary of when looking over a horse with the intention of putting him into a therapeutic program. He touched on things that could be done or couldn’t be done to correct any feet problems a horse may have. The meeting wound up about 4 PM, but many stayed to talk and visit till about 5 PM. All were anxious about incorporating some of the new things they had learned and excited about sharing all the information they had learned from the speakers throughout the day.
Riding Sessions: Class # 3 flew by. With the heat and the stormy weather, we moved back into the Gold Barn. That way we could keep everyone out of the sun and dry. All the riders and the volunteers did well with all our time changes. We started out with evening sessions, but moved into the afternoons, as school started and as temperatures got cooler. We tried to keep a water jug available and Rosie, one of our volunteers, brought along all her neck coolers to help keep us all a little cooler. Thanks, Rosie.
Class #4 brought with it a full house when it started up on October 3rd. Our riders that had taken a summer break were back. All the current riders returned but one, and that opening filled quickly. Six riders fill the Sunday afternoon sessions. We start at 1:30 and finish up at 5:15. Our volunteers’ hectic summer schedules have now ebbed enough to allow them to get back into our scheduling. We’re ever so glad to have them back! Without their help we couldn’t do what it is we do. We as an organization greatly appreciate them, but if you as a parent or a rider, could pass your appreciation along to them, it really would make their donation of their time and energy much more meaningful. It takes 18 people to fill our needs on Sunday afternoons, but many of our dedicated volunteers, help with more than one session and when they do, they are putting 2 to 3 hours of walking and assisting the riders. With all the good assistance our riders are receiving, we have seen increased strength, stability and flexibility in their bodies. We have see better understanding and comprehension of tasks given to our riders during our activities. We have seen riders overcome some of their fears and do some problem solving during tasks they are given. A couple of our riders are moving into independently reining their horses. What wings they have developed! Voices too, as we have incorporated some song activities into some of the sessions.
2005 Annual Fundraiser: Yes, the board has started making arrangements for our Annual Fundraiser. Seems like we just got done with our 2004 fundraiser, but we’re already tossing around ideas of what to do and when and where to have it. Steph Ohlde has again agreed to purchase, green break and train a horse for us too. We’re so excited. You all remember the fine job she did with Oakley. Rumor is she’s got her eye on another paint mare, one from the Fairbury areas. Stay tuned for more details.
Training and 2005 Riding Sessions: No training is scheduled at this time. Between now and the first of the year, we will be taking a break, sort of. We don’t have a lot scheduled for our riders or our volunteers, but there are things are in the works. We are reviewing the 2005 calendar and trying to set up next years’ schedules. We busy looking at dates checking for conflicts. We know we will be scheduling a CPR/First-Aid Class. We know we have a Volunteer and Family Event schedule for Feb. 20th at KSDS. Everything else is still up in the air. Check back late January, as we should have the Winter Newsletter out by then and new schedules.
Holiday Wishes: We here at Independence Farms, wish you and all of yours, all our riders and their families, and of course all our volunteers and their families, a blessed holiday season and a prosperous New Year.