SUMMER 2004 NEWSLETTER
Riding Sessions: Class #1 of 2004 is now behind us. The class started March 14th, beginning with the riders getting re-acquainted with the horses and the volunteers. They got right to work; grooming was their first chore. Their horses were petted, brushed and talked to. The bending and stretching that is done during grooming helps the riders warm up before mounting. Reviews were given on how to properly mount and dismount a horse. Some riders did their activities from the back of a horse. Those session activities included learning the names of the parts of the horses, learning colors, learning right from left, doing simple matching and working on reining their mounts. Some riders did their activities from the ground. Activities from the ground included the same as those that were mounted with the exception of reining, but added to their activities were saddling, leading their horse and and giving rides to “Mr. Bear” to build confidence. As we were in the Gold Barn, and the arena is smaller, riders learned to be patient and take their turns at the activity. The cooperation was great! All riders had a home base from where they started and stopped. Speaking of stopping, that was another activity that was worked on, communicating with your horse to get them to go or to stop. Many riders now can say WHOA, with loud, clear and confident voices.
Class #2 started May 23rd, and we’re about half way through it. With the warmer, nicer weather, we moved to the outside arena. It has plenty of space to move around in. We started out beginning at 4 P.M in the afternoon, but warm temperatures forced us to move to our evening times earlier than we’d planned. By starting at 6 P.M. we hope to avoid the heat of the day. Activities that the riders have been working on outside include letting their horse walk out and keeping their posture and balance. To improve their reining skills, they’re weaving among barrels and making figure eights around them. They continue to work on learning their colors and their right from their left. Various games and songs are helping them to learn with this. A reward of making a right color choice, leads to one of the riders favorite games. “SHOOTING BASKETS”. Shooting baskets allows the riders to work on their hand-eye coordination. Some of our riders are becoming very good at making baskets from a moving horse. Wonder if this is the start of a new sport? A new activity has been added, a “Scavenger Hunt”. The rider reads a picture map and follows the directions to find and collect various items.
Class #3 will be starting Aug. 1st and run for six weeks, through Sept. 12th. Class #4, our final one of the year, will begin Oct. 3rd and run through Nov. 7th. 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 and more than likely will be back inside the Gold Barn. .
Annual Fundraiser: Who would believe that it could be so hot and windy on April 17th, but it was. The temperature that day lead you to believe it was July instead of April but that didn’t seem to bother those that came to see the Charlie Trayer Working Cow Dog Demonstration and neither did it hinder those that came to bid on “Oakley”, our three year old green broke filly. Comments were made from several that this was the best working dog demonstration that they had every seen. The dogs worked diligently for Charlie that day, but due to the heat, they made several trips to a nearby water tank to cool off, much to the crowds’ amusement. The bidding on “Oakley” seemed to be as heated as the day. Her new owner is Lori Gerleve of Washington. Lori got a two for one deal, as we found out shortly before the auction that “Oakley” was bred. We weren’t able to figure out to whom, but Lori has informed us that “Oakley” has had a beautiful paint stud colt, that she’s named Chief. She and her family are enjoying them tremendously. Our fundraiser brought in $4100.00. We were very pleased with this. Many supporters donated to our cause and many bidders came to show their support. We had many nice items to auction off. It’s great to have so many supporters. Thank you everybody, and because of your generosity, we can continue to help give our riders “Wings of Independence”.
Local Fundraiser: Independence Farms was the beneficiary of the First National Bank of Washington’s 4th Annual Fun Run to Benefit The Community Race. The race was held June 5th and started early in the morning. It drew twenty-six runners. Thanks to the First National Bank’s generosity, we have added $370.00 to our fund to purchase a new portable ramp. We still need more money to make our purchase, but they have started us on our way. If you’d like to make a donation towards the purchase of this portable ramp, you may do so. Just send your donation to Independence Farms, P.O. Box 35, Washington, KS 66968. Be sure to label it “Portable Ramp Fund”.
The results of the 5K Race are as follows:
Age under 15 1st Caleb Wilson, Washington 22:40.37
2nd Katie Wilson, Washington 23:07.81
3rd Brian Navinsky, Washington 28:13.22
Ages 16 to 29 1st Ovy Meyer-Heisler, Hanover 20:50.29
2nd Kyle Alexander, Washington 22:30.19
3rd Jason Miller, Emporia 23:18.99
Ages 30 to 54 1st Larry Joe, Fairbury 23:39.80
2nd Don Brax, Washington 25:23.40
3rd Derrik De Boer, Fairbuy 25:31.50
Ages 55 & up 1st Carson Johnson, Abilene 29:21.38
2nd Carol Zanker, Marysville 33:51.57
3rd Jerry Zanker, Marysville 37:43.56
The results of the 10K Race are as follows:
Ages under 15 1st Clint Frye, Haddam 41:08.83
Ages 16 to 29 1st Dani Starck, Fairbury 57:34.21
Ages 30 to 54 1st Mike Dunn, Clifton 38:26.43
2nd Wiley Alexander, Washington 47:20.74
3rd Scott Bokelman, Washington 52:26.58
IN MEMORY OF CASH.
The first of April marked the passing of one of Independence Farms’ noble steeds, Cash. Cash was owned by Kevin and Michelle Woerner of Linn, KS. He was a big horse with a heart to match. He was a very tolerant and patient horse. Everyone, regardless of his or her size, big or small, could trust him. He made a great babysitter for those of us that had children at home or cousins from the city that wanted to ride a horse. Independence Farms used him to help train all our volunteers when we started our training and pilot program. We used him frequently in our first year and a half of operation. Everyone loved him, both riders and volunteers a like. We all knew we could count on him to do the job we asked him to do. Unfortunately Cash developed a knee problem and had to be retired from Independence Farms. The trailer rides to town were too much for him, but he could still give rides to our children at the farm. Cash was a gentle giant that’s for sure, with a big gentle heart to go with his size. He may no longer be able to give our children rides, at least here on earth, but he will live on in our hearts forever….
Training: Our next training session for anyone interest in becoming a lead or side walker will be Sunday July 18th at the Washington Co. Fairgrounds. Please contact Michelle at 785-348-5789 to pre register and we can notify you about the time. It will be depend on the heat and weather.
Why Volunteer?? Volunteers are very special people – it is often said that they are a breed apart. Be it in hospitals, at museums, in schools or at a NARHA member center, volunteers perform vital tasks and functions and offer organizations the service of a paid employee – without actually getting paid.
There are many ways of “getting paid”. At NARHA centers, the payment for our volunteers comes in many wonderful ways, making our volunteering opportunity ideal for a large number of people from all walks of life. NARHA center volunteers: 1). Contribute positively to the quality of life of NARHA Center participants. 2). Spend productive time in a beautiful outdoor farm environment.
3). Have an opportunity to interact with and care for horses. 4). Apply personal skills in various areas of a NARHA center. 5). Form friendships with other great people at the center.
All the money in the world can’t replace a genuine sense of doing a job well. It’s called job satisfaction. Yes volunteers are special people indeed – but a breed apart? No. The truth is that, while making money is necessary for survival, it is the intangible rewards that make people feel successful at whatever they to. Taken from “VOLUNTEERS ARE A BREED APART.” By William Scebbi, NARHA CEO, NARHA Strides, Winter 03/04