High Hopes Therapeutic Riding
Annual Report 2012 - 2013
About High Hopes High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Inc. is a premier
We offer the PATHIntl. app roved instructor training
therapeutic riding center and international instruc-
course, attracting students from all over the wor ld
tor training site. We have served people with phys-
as well as continuing professional education for
ical, emotional and developmental disabilities for
anyone seeking increased education and lifelong
more than a quarter of a century.
learning. Our training is conducted by highly qual-
Our year round programs in equine assisted activities include therapeutic riding, carriage driving and equine
ified professionals, widely recognized in the field of ther apeutic riding.
learning. We also offer experiential learning through
High Hopes is a place where people come to heal,
outreach programs , an integrated summe r camp
to learn and to make friends that last a lifetime. We
program and a variety of volunteer opportunities.
strive to provide support and growth opportun ities for all of our participants, families and caregivers.
Ages of our Riders
Primary Disabilities of our Riders
Neurological& PhysicalImpairments
4-13 years 56%
IntellectualImpairments CerebralPalsy DevelopmentDisabilities Learning Disabilities SensoryDisorders
62-100 years 2%
Language Disorders 0
5
10
15
20
25
Moving Beyond Boundaries Most of us learn experientially, through challenging
experience for our riders. Pushing ourselves to look be-
ourselves to go beyond what is known and what is com-
yond what we are current ly offering takes High Hopes
fortab le. For a well-established organization like High
into uncharted territorie s, but also forces us to examine
Hopes, we are pretty comfortable at our wonderful fa-
our fundamental values and mission. Accepting new chal-
cility on Town Woods Road in Old Lyme with our amaz-
lenges and embracing change is a critical step in every
ing staff, well trained horses, committed volunteers and
organ ization's life. It is also what so many of our partic-
the generous support of our community . For us, moving
ipants, staff and volunteers learn to do each time they
beyond our physical boundaries, considering providing
walk into High Hopes' riding arena. The stories with in th is
servicesat additional sites, developing distance education
report highl ight our ability to explore and expand bound -
opportunities , venturing into other service areas, can all
aries as we challenge ourselves to go beyond our comfort
seem a bit overwhelming at fir st. Here at High Hopes, we
zone and develop opportun ities that will increase High
run a pretty tight ship and we look to control our environ-
Hopes' positive impact on an ever expanding community .
ment, allowing us to offer the safest and most rewarding
High Hopes Boardof Trustees FOUNDER
MEDICA L ADVISOR
Mary K. "Sis" Gould t
David E. Walker, MD
OFFICERS Cha irman
Cheryl Kelly Heffernan Vice Chairman for Development
James M. Childs Vice Chairmen
Michael V. Ganey
Chairmanof the BoardLetter
Barbara Earle Ballard Secretary
For the past few years High Hopes has focused on pro viding the highest quality service to our participants while developing
our staff, governance
and infrastructure
to
Sally Aubrey John C. Evans Lyttleton B. P. Gould, Jr. t Frank W. Hamilton, Jr. t Grace Hamilton t Judith F. Lightfoot Roger M . Smith Wayne 0. Southwic k, MD
Margaret (Mac) Mummert Treasurer
Susan S. Tyler
CHAIRMEN EMERITI
John C. Evans Sherley Furgueson
best sustai n High Hopes during times of uncertai nty and TRUSTEES
into the future . It is now very excit ing to be looking at
HONORARY TRUSTEES
Sarah Hill Canning
Betsy Horn Barbara Kashanski t
and evaluating opportun ities that expand and deepen the
John Catlett
Judith F.Lightfoot
spectrum of those served by High Hopes. It amazes me
Christopher M. Coyle
Pete Pierson t
when I consider the number of people who can be posi -
Jeb N. Embree
tively affected by what High Hopes has to offer, from our community
here in Old Lyme to children served by High
Laura Giordano Jonathan Jewett Penny Nelson
Hopes trained instructors
in South Korea! The next few
Dyanne Rafal
yea rs should be an exciting time for High Hopes and I look
Jeffrey Ridgway
forward to the hard work and the huge return!
Roger Roche
A. Rives Potts Jeffrey Ridgway* Roger M. Smith Anthony C. Thurston Kelvin N. Tyler t Deceased • Currentlyservingas a Trustee
Hugh Scott Seymour Smith Deborah Welles Cheryl Kelly Heffernan, Board Chairman
Barbara Willkens
Programslike High Hopesattempt to shift the risk-reward equation in a way, that maximizespotential growth, while minimizing risk.
Emma'sJourney Most forms of personal growth involve some
defeated but Emma's ability to talk, sit, stand, walk, hear
sort of risk and, most of us would agree, fear of that risk
and see were all impaired. From the beginning Emma was
should not keep us from trying. It has been Emma's dream
dete rm ined t o regain her physical independence and fo-
for many years to cante r on her horse and she, along with
cused her considerable spirit into achieving that goal. A
her family and High Hopes specially trained staff, volun -
year after her diagnosis Emma came to High Hopes and
teers and horses, were wil ling to accept the risks inherent
here she found a community that allowed her to try, fai l,
in fulfilling this wish. At age six Emma was t reated at Yale/
try again and eventually succeed. You see, Emma d idn't
New Haven Hospital for t he surgical removal of a large
fear failing. Her biggest fr ustration and fear was that too
brain tumor. After months of treatment the tumor was
often she wasn't being given the chance to even try. Try and try again she d id and this past spring , ten years after her surgery, Emma cantered around the High Hopes arena to an app reciative aud ience of fam ily members and High Hopes supporters.
Now nineteen, Emma has made remarkab le gains since her surgery and coming to High Hopes, howeve r she cont inues to struggle with physical and psycholog ical challenges consistent with recovery from a trauma tic brain inju ry. Like most tee nagers Emma also strugg les w ith bot h the academic and social side of school. People often mistake her shy demeanor and flat facia l appearance (a linge ring affect of her brain injury) for lack of understand ing and don't give her active and curious mind a chance to join in the conversation . According to Michael, Emma's father, at High Hopes she fee ls both heard and
understood and the confi dence she has gained in th e rid-
faith in the horses, faith in the programs, st aff and vol-
ing arena allows her to take critical and rewarding risks at
unteers. Faith that we all deserve the opportunity to push
home and school.
our personal boundaries, regardless of the risk.
Programs like High Hopes attempt to shift the risk-reward
In the photo above Emma holds her right hand on her
equation in a way that maximizes potential growth, whil e
hip to help stabilize her ataxia and improve her posture
minimizing the possibility of harm. There is nothing magi-
when riding at a posting trot .
cal about thi s but it does require a tremendous amount of dedication, expertise, talent and resources. It also requires fa ith in wh at can be accompl ished - fait h in the riders,
A year after her diagnosisEmmacame to High Hopesand here she found a communitythat allowed her to try, fail, try again and eventuallysucceed.
High Hopesand Beyond riding and caring for horses. Several years ago t he rid ing program was discontinued, the barns were shuttered and the pasture grass grew tall. Last year, look ing to b ring horseback riding back, the Camp adm inistrators and High Hopes devised a program where campers were bused to our faci lity in Old Lyme. The responsewas overwhelmingly positive and th is year,with the State of Connecticut's enthusiasticsupport, High Hopes brought the horsesto the camp. The logistics of load ing horses and equipment, scheduling volunteers and staff have been reminiscent of our
Surrounded by the gently rolling sounds of surf, the buzz of electric wheel chairs and the laughter of family and friends, Candy, Lightning, Buddy, Half Pint and Hummer have all experienced life away from High Hopes this past summer. Each week they travelled down Route 1 to the beautiful, waterfront campus of Camp Harkness in Waterford and the site of High Hopes' first pilot satellite program. Camp Harkness is one of only a few state parks in the country dedicated exclusively to providing a summer camp experience to people with disabilities and
beginnings when we were nomadic. Taking our services to anothe r location to positively impact a population that migh t not be able to enjoy the recreational and therapeutic benefits of the horse has been a wonderfu l opportunity for High Hopes. For those campers who enjoyed a ride on Buddy or a drive with Candy, anot her dimension was added to thei r summer experience and for t he accompanying High Hopes staff and vo lunteers the experience opened their eyes to new ways of prov id ing services to a wider popu lation.
for many years provided campers wit h the experience of
High Hopes quick facts:
67 2
volunteers contributed t heir time and talents for approximately
31 ,600 hou rs.
The pastoral setting of nearby Lord Creek Farm in Lyme offers another opportunity for High Hopes to expand its service. For many of the part icipants at High Hopes riding within the safety of the arena and on our well groomed, relatively flat trail system is challenging and promotes critical skill development. Howeve r, for some of our participants w ith mo re advanced skills who are looking for addit ional challenges, riding at anothe r location with variable terrain, or even jumping, is the next horizon. This past spring High Hopes began collaborating with the Lyme Trails Association, a newly created nonprofit
ticipants to other non-therapy programs outside of High
charged with preserving the trails and jumps within the
Hopes governance. This graduat ion frequent ly poses a
280 acres of Lord Creek Farm to explore ways in which
new challenge to ou r participants as they leave our safe,
both organizations can mutual ly benefi t from a partner -
accepting environment and find their confidence shaken.
ship. High Hopes recognizes that as an individual achieves
The use of the miles of beautifu l trails and cross-country
proficiency in one area, the need to seek additional chal-
riding at Lord Creek Farm offers these graduates the chal-
lenges is necessary to promote learning and growth. In
lenging terrain they seek and allows High Hopes to expand
the past, we have accomplished this by graduating par-
its service model and keep these riders w ith in the "family."
16,739
hours w ere g iven to our programs as horse leaders, side walkers, carriage driv.ers, and unmounted class assistants.
BuildingToward the Future During 2012-2013 High
At each crossroad, every juncture or addition to pro-
Hopes fulfilled a long range
grams, our aim has been to subsume change within the
goal of creating a planned
framework of exacting standards for excellence. Today
giving program, the Legacy
we provide servicesfor people fro m 4 to 84, wit h a broad
Society, that wil l help ensure
range of disabilit ies, wi th the same care and enthusiasm
our future sustainability. Members of the Legacy Society have made a financial commitment that underscores their deep belief in High Hopes' mission and the positive impact we make on our participants, volunteers and community .
as we did for our original 10 riders almost 40 years ago. It is t hrough the High Hopes Planned Giving Program and the Legacy Society that we seek to create the fin ancial stability to contin ue our work into the futu re. With a
In 1974 High Hopes began with an after school program
proven track record and increased demand fo r services,
for eight riders, 10 volunteers and borrowed horses and
every corner of our facility is utilized to its maximum ex-
equipment. Over the intervening 39 years, we have devel-
tent. Our current challenges are to continue programs
oped into a 120 acre facility with 27 horses, indoor and
and instruct ion t hat set the bar for excellence well into
outdoor rings, sensory trai ls, over 650 volunteers serving
the future, whi le evaluat ing viable expansion options for
240 participants and a renowned training and education
developing servicesoff site. To do this we need t he securi-
program that attracts students from around the world to
ty of knowing that the needed resourceswill be available.
come here to learn to become certified instructors.
4,539
hours were spent in the barn working on horse care and facility management.
The Legacy Society has 35 current members who believe in our fu t ure. Perhaps you have a friend or family member who has been helped by our program. Perhaps you are a volunteer whose time at High Hopes has helped you grow. Or maybe you j ust love horses and want to ensure they continue to be part of the peoples' lives who need them most.
Sue Chodorov was one of the first Legacy Society members, having established a gift to High Hopes even before the Society was officia lly launched. A vo luntee r since 2007, here in Sue's own words are her reasons for choosing to leave a planned gift.
"I began as a volunteer
in 2001,
with duties such as feeding horses, working in the barn, side walking, leading and long -lining . For a horse lover, these physical tasks were heaven. I've also been privy to exciting times that ushered in changes and
Matt~ '-fonor or Ja ew Sco te//a
-4nu':-'e".: SScote// a cote11 8
improvements in the training of staff, volunteers and the sophistication of the programs. "Today, I'm no longer as active in the barn as I'd like to be and my volunteer responsibilities have shifted, but I carry on as a member of the Legacy Society because I believe this "horse magic" must be fostered and allowed to continue. It is here that I can make an enduring difference by helping to secure a future for the life-changing programs offered at High Hopes. "It is here, at this most special place fittingly named High Hopes, where many children and adults with a variety of challenges in their lives reap the benefits of some "wonder and magic."
1, 56 5 hours were spent working
in the office and on special mail ings.
InstructorTraining Training and Education has been embedded in the vision and mission
existing centers and center administrators. One example is the relationship that has developed w ith staff members from Horseability in Long Island, New York.
of High Hopes for many years. Katie, Executive Director of Horseability, attended our As a PATH lnt'I Premier Accred ited Center and premier
Business Management Workshop in February 2012. The
training facility, High Hopes has the unique opportunity
consulting relationship began with a conversation at the
and abil ity to attract instructor candidates from around
wor kshop w here Katie and High Hopes staff discussed
the world . In turn, High Hopes provides high quality ed-
new challenges at her center, and her desire for some
ucation and experiences to the students, who take the
gu idance. Horseability, one of the o lder, more establ ished
High Hopes tenets of equestrian instruction and the phi-
cente rs in New York, had just moved to a new facility
losophy of treating individuals with disabilities back to their respective communities and countr ies. Until last year prospective st udents appl ied for and were accepted into scheduled sessions. Since 1996 High Hopes has trained hundreds of students from 14 countries in this formalized class structure. The ever expanding field of equine assisted activities has generated a need for new ways to meet the industry 's educational demands. To meet this need High Hopes has responded by implement ing 'On -Demand' mentoring and cert ifica t ion to individuals, as well as providing targeted consulting services to new and
6,452
hour s w ere given in committ ee meetings, board meetings, and plann in g special events.
which brought significant changes. Having the oppor-
tions. This exciting phase of building upon our st rengths
tunity to utilize the expertise and talent of a cent er like
allows High Hopes to share our valuable expertise both
High Hopes appealed to Katie and the objective perspec-
on-site and off-site as opportun it ies present themselves
t ive would enhance Horseability's ability to thoughtfully
rather than on a fixed schedule. Looking ahead we expect
manage the transition process.
that technology will provide us with even more pathways
From here, several phone consultations resulted in High
to deliver quality education.
Hopes staff traveling to Horseability to meet on-site to consult with Katie and her staff and make recommendations to meet Horseability's challenges. Said Katie,
"It is amazing to work with people who 'speak our language.' So often we must adapt and take relevant 'pieces' from mentors ... they are either experts on nonprofits or on the special needs community or on horses. We are so fortu -
As we approach our 40th anniversary, High Hopes main-
nate that High Hopes' mentorship has
tains a posit ion of leadership by not only increasing its
offered our organization expertise in all
breadth beyond the trad itional boundaries of training
three areas. The support given to us has
and education but by also imparting its values of quality, innovation, teamwork and sense of pride in its own
been everything we need it to be. "
community. High Hopes str ives to serve as a source of know ledge and inspiration to people and centers globally
The next step of the process involved members of the Horseability staff traveling to Old Lyme to work directly with High Hopes staff in similar positions. This process pro-
who share our commitment of serving those with disabilities through the transformative experience of therapeutic equine instruct ion.
vided multiple oppo rtunities for sharing knowledge and experiences, which ultimately benefitted both organiza-
Belgium
Canada
Croatia
Germany
Guatemala
~ ,\. /// ~ ~ ~ ///
Japan
Ireland
Israel
Turkey
~
~
South Korea
Mexico
Panama
Serbia
United States
f
High Hopes has train ed over
2 00 instructors from throughout
the United States and internationally.
Statement of Financial Position
year ending June 30, 20 13
Assets
Liabilities and Net Assets
CURRENT AS SETS
CURRENT LIABILITIES
$316,1 4 3
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Accou nts Payable
$37,445
Accounts and Ot her Receivables
31,832
Accrued Expenses and Deposits
36,792
Prepaid Expenses
12,651
Advance Fees for Services
41,576
Unconditional Promises to Give
29,330
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
$115,8 13
$389,956
TOTAL CURRENT A SSETS
NET ASSET S
Property and Equipment - Net
$1,660 ,342 Unrestricted
LO NG-TERM AS S ETS
Cash and Cash Equivalents Donor Restricted
$324,718
Unconditional Promises to Give
$1,946,284
Tempo rarily Rest rict ed
1,363,589
Permanently Restricted
1,563,118 $4,872,991
TOTAL NET A SS ETS
15,000
Investments
2,598,788 $ 2,938,506
TOTAL LONG-TERM ASSETS
$4,988 ,804
TOTAL ASSETS
Support and Revenue
$4,988 ,804
TOTAL LIABILITIES ANO NET ASSETS
Functional Expenses
Corporat e Support
12%
Foundati on Support
16%
Program Services
75%
Contributions from Individuals 48% Fund raising 13%
I>
Adm ini strati ve
12%
OurStaff Kitty Stalsburg, Executive Director BarbaraAbrams, Instructor/Exp ressive Art s Therapist Liz Adams, Program Director Alicia Barrows, Development Coordinator Courtney Bernard, Volunteer Coordinator Leah Booth, Speech Language Pathologist Sarah Carlson, Special Programs Coordinat or Courtney Collins, Instructor Patti Coyle, Training and Education Director lmanol Echeverria,Instructo r Jonnie Edwards,Instructor Megan Ellis, Volunteer Manager Lauren Fitzgerald, Lesson Manag er Patty Ganey, Instructor Liesl Grigerek, Barn Assistant Sarah Hallwood, Instructor Carolyn Jagielski, Physical Therapist/Instructor Donna Latella, Occupational Therapist/Instructor Tracey Martineau, Finance Director Rachel Moser, Off ice Coordinator Laura Moya, Instructor Dawn Nelligan, Instru ctor Jeanne Nerkowski, Office Coordinator Juanita Paris, Barn A ssistant SaraQua, Development Director Elizabeth Quinn, Caretaker Holly Ridgway,Instructor SusanShulman, Communica tions Coordinator Holly Sundmacker, Equine Opera tions Director Mary Washburn, Instru ctor Staff Changes
Debbie Hansen Caretaker through February 14, 20 13 Sierra Hulstein Instructor through May 4, 2013 Audit for fiscalyear ending June30. 2013 was performed by CohnReznick. LLP . Copiesare available on request. Report design & principal photography Michael Fanelli
ThisYear at High Hopes
1/72 5 8 34 3 3 1/60 0 59 %
People served
1
Equine Assisted Activities and Therapy Sessions
Volunteer hours donated
of Riders received scholarships
High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Inc. 36 Town Woods Road • Old Lyme, Connecticut 06371 Phone 860-434-1974
• www.highhopestr.org