Winter 2006-2007

Our final class session of the year took place November 12^th. The barn was then cleaned up and things were put into storage for the winter. The horses have been turned out and their shoes removed for the winter. The riders, volunteers and staff have been given some time off to enjoy the holidays with their families and their friends. Things at the arena pretty much came to a stand still then, but for the Board of Directors and the instructors, they had a little work to do before they could take off for the holidays. The Board held several meetings and went to work on the annual fundraising campaign. Business for the year end was completed and some planning for the New Year was discussed. There was an educational opportunity for the instructors. The NARHA National Conference was November 8-11, in Indianapolis, IN at the Westin Hotel. Terri Gauby was able to attend it.

Terri Gauby reported on the NARHA National Conference. She was able to go out early and attend some of the pre conference workshops and the networking opportunities besides the regular educational sessions. Things got started every morning by 8 am and ran through 4 or 5 pm. There was a short break then, but by 6:30 pm the networking opportunities or the business meeting or the banquet started and you were busy till 9 or 10 every evening. During the day, there were at least 4 to 5 educational sessions going at a time. One could choose from the Hippotherapy, Instructor, Administrative or the Mental Health tracks. Actually one could mix and match the tracks as one needed to, to maximized ones opportunities to learn. On Saturday, Terri attended the Horse Fair at the Hendricks Co. 4-H Fair Grounds and Conference Complex. Educational opportunities at this fair were strictly equine related and again, there were several session going on at once. Some were one time sessions and others were repeats to allow all to partake. Therapeutic Driving was the main repetitive topic for the day. It is fast becoming a popular activity with many centers and their clients. NARHA has just prepared its standards manual on driving so it was reviewed also. Handicapped accessible carts and wagons, what will they come up with next?

After the holidays, the board and the instructors will meet to set up plans, schedules and meetings for the organization. An Appreciation Dinner will be planned for riders and volunteers. A fun night for all the long hard work they have put in this past year, this is tentatively set for February 25^th. Educational training will be scheduled for all seasoned and new volunteers. Horse Evaluations on all program horses and prospective program horses will be conducted to ready the equine for the upcoming year. No dates have been set for these yet, please watch for further details. Our instructors will have another opportunity to fulfill their educational requirements in February at the NARHA Region 7 Conference in Waterloo, IA. Both our instructors are planning on attending this conference. Before long things should be in full swing again and the next thing you know the riders will be coming. Classes are scheduled to begin sometime in April.