(Newsletter)

Spring 2005

 

Riding Sessions: 

Riding Class #1 for 2005 is almost behind us.  We started April 3rd and will conclude May 8th.  Boy, has this first class flown by.  Mother Nature has cooperated nicely for us this spring; we had no cancellations due to weather.  We got along in t-shirts and sweatshirts.  Let’s hope that they continue to look favorably upon us for the rest of the year.  We had six riders participate in Class #1.  Due to the riders’ individuality, the availability of certain horses, and the specialized tack that the riders used, we had 4 private sessions and one group session for Class #1.  We have a couple of riders who are working hard to be totally independent.   Part of their riding time in the area is spent riding without lead walkers or side walkers.  They are experiencing true independence, and gaining confidence in their abilities every Sunday.  They have sprouted their” Wings”, and will be flying off by themselves sometime in the future.  Those that helped us by volunteering for this class, left home around noon, so they were ready for the first rider, who began riding at 1 PM.  These class sessions ran until 5 PM and were followed by clean up and put away, that got most of our volunteers home about 6 PM. 

 

We’re gearing up to begin Class #2 on May 22nd and it will run through June 26th.  We will only ride five Sundays this time instead of six, as we will be giving everyone off for the Memorial Day Weekend.  We will be done and out of the facilities before all the fair festivities begin.  The times of the session will change too.  We will be starting at 2 PM and running longer as the days have become longer and it stays light longer.   Looks like all our previous riders will be returning and we’re in hopes that we can work in another couple of riders.  We will only be offering private sessions for Class #2, as to accommodate our riders, horses and volunteers as the temperatures rise and summer sets in.    

 

Please see the News, Events, Etc. page for more class session scheduling. 

 

Fundraising:

We have purchased another colt to be auctioned off as a fundraiser for us.  It is a 2-year-old filly named Rosie.   Stephanie Ohlde, of Linn, is training her for us.  After a rather slow start, Rosie, is progressing forward now.  Saddling and riding has become easier and Stephanie is riding her now with no major problems.  She is behaving quite well.  So we’re working on putting together a fundraiser for sometime this summer.  We’re trying to coordinate a time and a facility to hold the event in.  We’re thinking it will be some type of evening entertainment, a meal or some type of refreshment and an auction.    Watch for further details.

 

We’ve also purchased a DVD player that we are selling chances for it. It will be in Schooky’s display window and chances can be purchased at the Beauty Knook, a couple of doors down the street from Schooky’s .  The winner of the DVD will be announced at our summer fundraiser.

 

We served many a plate of Biscuits and Gravy at the Washington Co. Health Fair April 2nd.  Thanks to all who helped support our cause and to those who helped us prepare and work the event, the Washington High School Cafeteria and Staff, the RSVP volunteers,  and our own families, friends and volunteers.  It was a success.  We’re already thinking about next year and adding items to our menu.

 

Visitors: 

On April 24th, the Happy Spirit 4-H Club from Barnes, KS came to watch a couple of our sessions and brought us refreshments.  They wanted to see first hand what it is all about and to increase their knowledge of what we do and how we do it.  There was many a comment about not realizing just how involved a riding session could be and how wonderful it was to see the SMILES.  Thanks for coming folks, we were glad to have you and to speak to you.    Thanks to the parents who brought you in.  Thanks for the goodies, they were delicious! 

  

Training for Volunteers:

We’ve taken a new approach to training prospective volunteers.  We are having them come and visit a session on a Sunday to see, first hand, what it is we do, and how we do it.  We talk to them afterwards and make sure it is still something they want to do and find out which position(s) they’d like to fill.  After watching, most people say it is something they’d like to do; so then we set up a group training session with other prospective volunteers.  The training sessions will follow the regular Sunday riding sessions as we are already at the facilities and so are the  horses.  This training will be done in one or two hours, on one or two different Sundays.  Then we will mentor the new volunteers in with seasoned volunteers  until they themselves are seasoned volunteers and feel comfortable with our riders, horses and other staff personnel.  We want to make it an enjoyable experience for all, keeping it efficient too.  Looks like the next training will be happening the first of May.  If need be, we can carry it forward.  We try to get a group of 3-4 prospective volunteers together before we schedule a training session.  Scheduling is always a conflict, but we do make adjustments to accommodate if we can.    We don’t ever want to turn down volunteers, but we want to make sure your trained properly too.

 

Training for our Staff:

Our instructors, Michelle and Terri, attended the NARHA Region 7 Conference in Omaha, NE March 4-6.  They split up and attended as many seminars as they could.  They learned some new things that they were anxious to get back and try.   Some they have already incorporated into the riding sessions and they have solved some tack or horse issues.  Administrative issues and Fundraising things are in the works also.  Who knew you could learn so much in just a couple of days.  They got to see a demonstration of Therapeutic Driving while they were there.  What will be next?  

 

 

NARHA State Meeting Set for August 27th: 

One of our very own is the NARHA State Representative.  It is our lead NARHA Certified Instructor, Michelle Woerner. It’s a duty of hers to arrange a NARHA State Meeting.  The meeting will be a place for camaraderie, fellowship, sharing and learning.   Last year she had a speaker, Phyllis Burdge, of Washington, and a local professional horseshoer, Anthony Lechman, do presentations.   She’s researching speakers and topics now.  Check back for further details at a later date or call Michelle at 785-348-5789. 

 

Next Board Meeting: 

Set for Monday, May 16, 2005 at KSDS at 7:30 PM.

 

Public Forum is set for the first fifteen minutes of each board meeting.  What is public forum??  It’s a chance for volunteers, riders, parents or just interested person, to come and talk to the board.  This is a time for the board to listen to you, intently, one on one.  The board just listens at the forum.  No action is taken. 

Why public forum?  We’re interested in what you have to say, your ideas, concerns or your suggestions.   At a riding session, it’s very hard to listen and remember things when you have so many other responsibilities.  It’s also better to hear your comments straight from you, not a third party.  If you plan on coming to a public forum, give the Pres. Terri Gauby a call, at 325-2719, to let her know your coming.  If meeting location or time gets changed at the last minute, she can notify you of the changes too. 

 

Annual Board Meeting Date Set for August 15, 2005:

Election of officers, etc. will take place at this date and time.  Watch for future details or call Terri Gauby at 785-325-2719 for more information.