Spring 2004

Spring has sprung - the fun’s begun.

Annual Fundraiser:  The fundraising committee is planning our annual fundraiser so mark your calendars.  It will be April 17^th starting at 3 PM at the Washington Co. Fairgrounds Arena. 

The schedule is as follows:

3:00 Charlie Trayer Working Cow Dog Demonstration and Silent Auction

4:30 I.F. Presentation by Michelle Woerner

4:45 Auction of donated items

5:15 Auction “Oakley”, 3-year-old green broke breeding stock paint horse filly

Follow with remaining Auction items, Announce silent auction high bidders.  Announce winner of drawing (TV / VCR). 

Riding Sessions:  Evaluations have been completed and the first six-week riding class started March 14^th and will run through May 2nd.   There will be no sessions April 4^th or 11^th as we break for Easter.   We have five returning riders and one new rider.  The sessions will start at 1:30 PM and wrap up about 5 PM, with the exception of March 21, where we will start at 2:15 PM.    There are four six-week classes scheduled for this year.  Mark you calendars with these dates, Class #2 runs May 23 through July 11^th, Class #3, Aug. 1^st through Sept. 12^th, and Class #4, Oct. 3^rd through Nov. 7^th.  Class #2 will have an afternoon schedule but move to evenings as temperature rise and Class #3 will start with an evening schedule and move to afternoons as temperatures become cooler and schools starts.  Class #4 will be back on an afternoon schedule. 

Training:  The afternoon of February 22^nd we had volunteer training in the 4H rock building instead of the Gold Barn because of the earlier weather that week. Approximately 15 volunteers attended.   Due to the mud and snow, we weren’t able to bring horses and work with them like planned, but Michelle Woerner, lead instructor and volunteer trainer, adapted the training to some team games that we all had a lot of fun and laughs doing.  The teamwork games involved - saddling and assisting the rider safely, guiding the horse, which gave an appreciation for the number of cues a horse receives while going through an obstacle course; and a game of H-O-R-S-E, which offered a chance to experience some of the rider’s difficulties to complete a task and to show side walkers how to assist for success.  We gave away door prizes and awards that afternoon.  Volunteers were asked to vote for the rider, horse and volunteer of the 2003 year.  The results were- 2003 Rider of the year was Justin, 2003 Horse of the year was CB, and 2003 volunteer of the year was Vern.  All received small tokens of appreciation. 

Party:  An appreciation pizza party, organized by the Independence Farms Board was held for our volunteers following the training session on February 22^nd.  Drinks and a variety of pizza were provided. 

All of the volunteers who attended the training session stayed for the pizza party.  After all the training fun, no one was in a hurry to leave, and the weather that day was beautiful. It ended up being a great day and evening to be out. 

Scholarship:  The Happy Spirit 4H Club has donated a riding scholarship to be used for a minor.  We are happy to report it’s already being put to good use.  Thank you Happy Spirit. 

Region 7 Conference:  We are proud to report that we sent lead instructor, Michelle Woerner and board member, Terri Gauby, to this year’s NARHA Region 7 Conference February 6^th through the 8^th in St. Peter’s, Mo.  Michelle attended all the instructor seminars and Terri, all the administrative seminars.  They were both pretty excited, as they have returned with many new ideas and much information to share.  

Also at the conference Michelle received her appointment as the new Kansas NARHA State Representative at the state meeting following the annual meeting that was held Sunday morning.  Her position involves answering questions and/or directing people to the appropriate people with the Region 7 membership.  She will be responsible for scheduling and hosting a state meeting that invites all Kansas NARHA Centers.  That state meeting has been set for Saturday, August 14^th at the Washington Co. Fairgrounds.  

More Fundraising:  We will be at the Health Fair, March 27^th in the high school cafeteria serving Biscuits and Gravy.   So after you finish with your blood work and your long fast, come look us up for breakfast.  We will be serving from 7:30 AM to Noon.    If you can be of help contact Melissa Ditmars at 325-2593. 

Why Volunteer?? Do you know why most people volunteer?  It’s because someone asks them to.  Well, if that’s the case, then we’re asking, I’m asking.  Would you please volunteer??  We need you. 

We need your expertise, your creativity, your caring and sharing.  If you come from a horse background, we can use you as a lead walker or to warm up/cool down horses.  If you like working with people and helping them achieve things or to help them enrich their lives, we can use you as a side walker.  If you like to do paperwork, we can use you to help with thank yous, grant writing, and website updates.   If you like to surf the net, we can use you to do research for us.  If you like to party and raise money for good causes, we can use you.  If you like to take pictures and capture smiles, we can use you as a photographer.  There are many areas in which you could help.  Sit back and ask yourself, what am I good at?? Can these attributes help this organization??  If you need me to talk you into it, I’d be glad to do it.  Please contact me, Terri Gauby, at 785-325-2719.    Most centers accept volunteers 14 years of age and older.  However, children younger than 14 who have a strong horsemanship background are often considered.  By volunteering, you can learn about disabilities, horses and make new friends.  Needless to say wouldn’t it look good a college scholarship application?  You’ll gain tremendous satisfaction from watching your riders improve physically, mentally and emotionally.  But most of all, you will be making life brighter for individuals with disabilities.