Winter / Spring 2013
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Inside this issue: More Than Just Classmates Interactive Vaulting The Legacy Garden Learning to Fly Hoedown & Holiday Mar ket Report High Hopes Happenings: ■ Concert ■
Pro f essiona l Deve lopme nt
More Than Just Classmates
■ Horse Show Days ■
"Patty " Wagon
Ready to Ride What Each Day Brings
In accordancewith the Americans with Disabilities Act, The High Hopes Rider is available in alternative formats upon request. Pleasecontact Susan Shulman at Ext. 128.
HIGH
H OP E S
Therapeutic Riding.Inc. Phone: 860 .434 . 1974 Fax: 860 .434 .3723
www .highhopestr .org
S
imple things give clues to a cherished friendship between High Hope riders Sean Slusarz, 11 and Carson Swope, 12. Their friendship is strong, yet nuanced with thoughtful traits, such as carrying a backpack, helping out with a helmet or even enjoying quiet times playing video games. The pre-teens, both from Old Lyr:ne, knew each other as acquaintances before they started riding together in Jonnie Edwards' class, but the camaraderie formed at High Hopes helped forge a friendship. For Sean, that means he has a friend who appreciates his quirky sense of humor, said his mother, Linda Slusarz. And for Carson - who never carries his own backpack because that is something Sean likes to do - he has a friend who quietly helps out. "They're a good influence on each other - they complement each other," said Carson's grandmother, Joann Lishing, who sat amicably with Sean's mother to watch the boys take their group lesson one day in December.
Carson has been riding since he was 4 years old, and Sean has been riding since age 8. "Sean is very sensitiv e to Carson's lack of balance," noted Joann. Linda agrees, laughing at the way Sean cleared a swath of stairway at a school concert so Carson could negotiate the stairs without being jostled by passersby. Carson, said Sean's mother, is a positive influence on Sean, whose social skills can get rocky, an area where Carson is quite adept. "Carson allows Sean to be Sean," said Linda. And Carson, said his grandmother, is careful to never expose any of Sean's social weaknesses. Both boys have made great progress as riders, said their instructor Jonnie Edwards, and take pride in their gains. "My belief is that horses are truly magic, I get joy out of watching what these horses do for the riders - they give them so much freedom." "I think it's a very safe place for them, for everyone. They don't have to worry about other people looking at them and thinking they're different - because everyone is different here - nobody cares."
Interactive Vaulting!
Mary "Sis" Gould
Chairman
Cheryl Kelly Heffernan Vice Chairman for Development
James M. Childs Vice Chairman
Michael V. Ganey Vice Chairman
Barbara Earle Ballard
Secretary Margaret (Mac) Mummert
Treasurer
Susan S. Tyle r Sarah Hill Canning John Catlett Christopher M. Coyle Jane Davison Jeb N. Embree Laura Giordano Jonath an Jewett Margaret Mummert Penny Nelson Dyanne Rafa l Jeffrey Ridgway Roger Roche Hugh Scott Seymour Smith Debora h Welles Barbara Willkens Sally Aubrey John C. Evans Lyttle ton Gould, Jr. t Fran k W. Hamilton , Jr. Grace Hamilton t Judith Lightfoot Wayne South wick. M.D. Roger Smith John Evans Sherley Furgueson Betsy Horn Barbara Kashanski t Judith Lightf oot Pete Pierson t
A. Rives Potts Jeffrey Ridgway • Roger Smith Anthony Thurston • Kelvin Tyler
Char les Kingsley, Legal Advisor David Walker, M.D., Medical Adv isor Kitty Stalsburg, Executive Director Barbara Abrams, /nstructor/Expreu lve Arts Therapist
LizAdams, Program Director Alicia Barrows, Development Coordinator Courtney Bernard, Volunteer Coordinator Leah Booth, Spe«h Language Pathologist Sarah carlson, Spec/a/Programs Coordinator
Jonnie Edwards, Instructor Megan Ellis, Volun teer Manager Lauren Fitzgerald, Leuon Manager Patty Ganey, Instructor Liesel Grigerek, B1m Assistant Deborah Hansen, Caretaker Sierra Hulstein, Instructor car olyn Jagielski, Physic;,/ Therapist/ Instructor
Donna Latella, Occupat/ona(Therapist/ Instructor
Tracy Martineau, Finance Directo r Rachel Moser, Office Coordinator Laura Moya,Special Programs Manager Dawn Nelligan, Instructor Juanita Paris, Sam Assistant Sara Qua, Development Director Holly Ridgway, Instructor Susan Shulman, Commun/c;,tl ons Coordinat or Holly Sundmacker,Equine Operations Director
Mary Washburn, Driving Instructor f decused
2
•currently serving as a Trustee
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eam oriented . Thought provoking. Creative. Fun. These are just a few of the words that describe Interactive Vaulting, the dynamic new equine assisted activity offered at High Hopes. Interactive vaulting is a specialized activity that brings new challenges to participants physically, cognitively and socially. Groups of four to six participants work together as a team with one specially trained horse. Horses that are used for interactive vaulting possessmany of the same traits as our therapeutic riding horses. In addition, the horse needs to be trained to work on a lunge line, a long rein that connects the horse and the instructor. This line prescribes a circle that the horse can walk, trot and canter on while working with the participant and the instructor, allowing part icipants great freedom and independence. Another element of interactive vaulting is the gymnastic movements that are practiced first on a stationary barrel and then on the moving horse. These movements, called compulsories in competitive vaulting, are designed to work on balance, strength and flexibility which align with the goals of many of our participants. Moves with names like mill, kneel, flag, scissors,shark, star and even stand are utilized. Many participants come to the unconditionally accepting environment of High Hopes to work towards en hancing their self-esteem, increasing social skills and improv ing communication. Vault ing helps participants realize these goals through working together as a team wi t h the horse and each other playing var ious games and prov idi ng positive peer support to those that try the compulsor y movements on top of t he horse. Volun t eers who assist in these activities receive specialized training that includes how to "spot" riders doing the gymnastic movements and how to be passive during the group interact ion process. Helping with these unique and dynamic lessons offers volunteers a chance to be part of a cooperative group wit h participants, not to mention being able to run the arena! An interactive vaulting lesson may be a fun midsemester activity for one group, a weekly activity for another group or a team building activity for new groups. Keep your eyes peeled for opportunities to see interactive vaulting in action!
Legacy Garden - Growing a Tribute ike all nonprofit organizations, High Hopes relies significantly on donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations to support our programs. The successof our annual appeals, special events and grant applications enable us to manage annual operations. In 2011 High Hopes launched the Legacy Society, a program for planned giving that will support our efforts to build on our heritage and guarantee our future. Members of the Legacy Society make a planned gift to High Hopes that can take many forms. Basically it is any major gift, made in lifetime or at death as part of a donor's overall financial and/or estate planning. Chaired by Roger Smith, the Legacy Society is currently comprised of 29 members. The High Hopes Legacy Garden is one of the ways we have chosen to honor these members. 7he magnoliatreeis the gardenfocal point Located to the right of Hartman Pond, the garden is now a focal point on the grounds in a spot that was formerly part of the front lawn. The garden was conceived after many discussions about where and how to create a landscape that was both accessible and inviting. A restful spot, complementing the beauty of High Hopes campus and therapeutic environment, as well as a place to recognize the generous donors who help sustain High Hopes' mission. As with all things at High Hopes, the Legacy Garden could not have been realized without the help of many people. A volunteer, who has chosen to remain anonymous, together with Christopher Hoff, of Latitude Design Services, conceived the design, specifically creating a plan that could be expanded in the future. The garden went forward funded, in part, by a $10,000 grant from the Richard P.Garmany Fund. Planted in the fall, this is the Legacy Garden's very first winter. Joey Madore, operations manager at Shoreline Landscape, installed the garden. Mr. Madore used particular care in selecting materials . "What we wanted to do was have it be accessible, inviting and have everyone enjoy it." It was he who chose the magnolia grandiflora that is the focal point of the new space. The magnolia remains evergreen, its glossy leaves still on the tree despite winter's icy blast. In the late spring it will bloom with fragrant blossoms. The garden paths are lined with . . . . boxwood, and Madore left space for volunteers to plant a variety of annuals to add Seate/la boysand the brickgiven zn their honor continuous seasonal color to the garden . Solid stone benches and the youthful magnolia tree are framed by a familiar icon, a sculptural horse. There is a wheelchairaccessible path constructed of pavers engraved with the names of members of the Legacy Society and the names of individuals who have left significant bequests to High Hopes. The pavers circle around into a pathway which, with additions from existing circles will, in time, be expanded to form an elongated figure eight. "It gives it a little twist on a simple design" said Hoff. "Knowing that the desire to add onto the garden as funds became available helped inform the garden design," said Hoff. The Garden will grow and change with the passage of time and seasons, a sustainable tribute, open and accessible to all, to those who sustain us now and in the future.
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Learning to Fly sually, returning to work from a week long holiday break: can be challenging. Sleeping in, catching up with friends and family, having the leisure to read that long put aside book and taking in the latest holiday blockbuster movie have been our daily "tasks". Getting up at 6am on a cold New England morning seems a little harder than usual. This year our first day back was made brighter by some wonderful gifts directed to the High Hopes annual appeal and one gift in particular stood out. It wasn't the amount of the gift (albeit very generous) that lifted our spirits but rather the donor's words expressing the reasons for her gift. The donor was a former participant who came to High Hopes after being diagnosed with a progressive muscular disease and who rode with us for several years. Her time at High Hopes helped her deal with her physical challenges, but more importantly gave her the emotional support she needed . In her words, "High Hopes gave me wings and I wanted to say 'thank you '." Today she is riding independently and showing Quarter Horses competitively. Our former ride r, and now donor , is flying high and her story made our hearts soar as well. Since 1974 High Hope s has relied on gifts, like th e one above, to advance our life-changing mission of provid ing equine assisted activities and therapies to people w ith special needs. Each week over 250 children and adults benefit physically, emotionally , cognitively and socially from time spent with the horses and instructors at High Hopes. The Annu al Appeal underwrites 70% of every participant 's costs and is our most imp ortant fina ncial resource . To date we have raised $160,000 to wards our goal of $271,000 and w e need yo ur suppo rt. Please consid er a donat ion t o the High Hopes annual app eal. Your contribution will directl y impact the lives of our participants .
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HIGHHOPES
H*LIDAY . HOEDOWN 1&MARKET,
.J,Novetnbe
It was the Place to be to Ki1 For the second year, High Hopes was the place to be to kick off the holiday season! , ate and tapped a toe or two to Silver Hammer's live music on November 18th.
Now that we have had time to catch our breath and tally up the numbers, we're pleai participants, with vendor and food truck sales topping last year's numbers and raffl truck with over 2,000 pounds of food donations. More importantly, we forged stron ! to our facility and mission.
Be sure to reserve Sunday, November 17th fo.
Aiyana Essentialsofferedits line of all naturalproducts
Âźndor.rreportedsales toppedlastyear's
Kate Nicholsproudly displaysher special horseshoewares
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Registering/orthe doorprizes drawing
Member.ro'J'(he iJConn Dressageteam who helpedwith the chi!drens'games
HIGHHOPES
H%LIDAY
ck off the Holiday Season! 'Vellover 1,000 local residents, friends and neighbors strolled around, shopped,
;ed to report that we netted over $30,000 to help support our programs and e sales totaling over $9,000. And, oh yes, Shoreline Soup Kitchens filled their Jer ties within our community and introduced new families and area businesses
r next year's Hoedown and Holiday Market.
tttyStalsburgarui Theresa ~.!feeof Coffee'sCountry 1arket on the setof CT Style
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SilverHammer performedfor the crowd
JeffRidgway& Debbie Welles,event co-chairs
Sarah CarlsondrivingRocketaruiRex.from Foxglove forms
High Hopestfolunteersand staff with Dave Roberge,OL FireMarshall
.&vin HoganofWFSB MC'd the doorprize drawings
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For more than two decades Terrance, a 8th generation Louisiana Creole, has been leading his Zydeco Experience Band and become one of the most respected and internationally recognized recording artists in roots music today. His eclectic fusion of Zydeco takes you on a multicultural musical tour of the world and will force you out of your seat and onto the dance floor. During the past 25 years Simien has shared studio and stage with Robert Palmer, Stevie Wonder, Los Lobos, Taj Mahal, Dr. John, the Meters, Alan Toussaint, Paul Simon and the Dave Matthews Band to name a few. He has been featured in dozens of films, including the blockbuster hit "The Big Easy". His recordings have been praised by Rolling Stone, Billboard and other notable music industry publications. Co-Chairs Erica Tannen Semple and Jacqueline Kangley have put together an amazing team of volunteers for an event that will fill your senses with the joy and spirit of New Orleans. For information about becoming a corporate sponsor or to support this event as a ticket buyer, auction donor or volunteer, please contact Sara Qua at: squa@highhopestr.org or 860-434-1974 x 122.
Semina r on Nonprofit Administration February 21-22, 2013 This affordable two-day seminar is designed for nonprofit business professionals, ·new and experienced therapeutic riding instructors, instructors who want continuing education hours and volunteers seeking advancement. Topics will include governance, staffing, fundraising, m·arketing essentials and more ... For more information visit www.highhopestr.org
May 18-24 This very special week celebrates the achievements of riders and provides them with an opportunity to demonstrate the skills they have worked hard on all semester. Open to families, friends and the public, the week includes riding and driving demonstrations, awards, and special activities:
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What's green and will be seen around High Hopes this spring? Connie Corbett, long time High Hopes volunteer, wanted to do something to honor her mom Patty, who passed away a year ago . While helping with morning feedings she saw that there was a need for new equipment to service the grounds and decided to donate a new Gator that will be appropriately known as the "Patty Wagon." Arriving at High Hopes in late February, expect to see it helping out around the farm.
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Awards for our participants Refreshments & goodies for riders, families and friends A teacup raffle of goods and services VIP guests, ribbon presenters . and the opportunity to highlight rider skills for families, neighbors, teachers and friends A commemorative program filled with a schedule of the week's events along with the good wishes of individual a'nd business horse show supporters.
Contact Alicia Barrows at abarrows@highhopes.org to recognize your participant with an ad in the program or to sponsor a prize.
This is a free event!
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Ready to Ride
W
e all know the importance of exercise in maintaining health and fitness. Did you know that at High Hopes each horse has a carefully planned exercise and schooling program to help enhance productivity and promote successin class? Prior to the start of a semester, a plan is created for each horse that calls for 20 minutes or more of exercise to warm up muscles and experience a different mental stimulation than occurs during the therapeutic riding lessons. Plans are then continually modified during the semester based on several factors including the weather, how much each horse has worked during the week and the objective for each class that the horse will be ridden in. There are several exercise options available to the High Hopes staff. One option is for the instructors, with the help of specifically designated volunteers, to ride the horses before they go into a class. Ideally, the ride takes place immediately before class and can last as long as a half hour. During this time, the instructors follow a prescribed set of exercises that change every week, which help to prepare the horse to be the most responsive for the riders. Often this is also an opportunity for the horses to be ridden outside the arena on the trails, in the fields or around the pond. These rides help keep the horses engaged and provide a different type of outlet for them than is possible in the therapeutic riding lessons. On those occasions when the horses cannot be ridden before class, there are other methods that help keep the horses fit and ready for lessons. Lungeing, in which the horse is attached to a long line and travels on a circle around the staff member, allows the horse to warm up at the walk, trot, and canter. This can release excess energy and helps the horse focus on one person. Lungeing also enables the horse to become attuned to voice aids, which is very helpful for our riders. The horse is worked in both directions to ensure that the horse is balanced and responsive. Free lungeing is another way to work the horses. A horse is taken into the indoor arena or the outdoor round pen and is allow to run free. This is a great way to allow the horse to stretch its legs and be playful. The horse is allowed to roam around the arena or pen at the walk, trot and canter while a staff member helps influence what the horse is doing through the use of voice aids, body cues and a whip. Factors that help to determine whether the horse will be free lunged or round penned include the size of the horse, the horse's personality and willingness to move around an open space. Lastly, horses may be worked in hand just prior to their lessons by a staff member or volunteer. This can help get the horse and leader in tune with each other. Regardless of which exercise method is used, these measures help the horses prepare for class and help maximize communication between horse and rider to insure a successful lesson.
''were
What Each Day Brings
it not for the good people and patient, forgiving horses of High Hopes, I would not be in such a happy place in my life - to you I am most grateful for the belief that life is indeed good, and for bringing into clearer focus all of the things that are important to me." Shirley Biddle, a vivacious woman "of a certain age," was selected as the 2012 recipient of the Bill Shearer "Zest for Life" scholarship award. The award was established in 2009 by Petra B. Shearer, a long time member of the High Hopes community, in honor of her late husband and his indomitable spirit. This scholarship is given annually to an adult participant who greets each day with a zest for life and who otherwise would not be able to continue to take part in High Hopes' programs. Recipients, focusing on what each day brings rather than what it does not, embody a philosophy that describes Shirley to a "T". . . . . Enrolled in the weekly carriage driving program working with horses Candy and ShirleyBuidlednvmg At Al, Shirley has been participating at High Hopes since 2007. Throughout her time here Shirley's participation has always been defined by what she can do instead of what she cannot do. In an eloquent letter addressed to "all the good people (and horses!) who make up the High Hopes community", Shirley's enjoyment of the program and infectious optimism show why she was selected to receive this award. " ... as soon as I take up the reins ... I can believe that, despite my obvious physical shortcomings, I AM capable, I AM whole, and I am smart enough to take on not only the horse, the carriage, the course set down for the lesson, BUT ANYTHING ELSE different, challenging or a little bit scary that life puts in front of me!"
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NON-PROFITORG. U.S. POSTAGE
~ ÂŽ
PAID PERMIT# 119 DEEP RIVER, CT
High opes Therapeutic Riding, Inc. Sis Goul.d Center for Therapeutic Riding 36 Town Woods Road Old Lyme, CT 06371
February 13, 2013
Volunteer orientation and training
February 14, 2013
Winter Lecture Series: Facility, Standards and Risk Management (1/2 day)
February 15, 2013 Advanced Horse Handler Workshop February 21 -22, 2013 Seminar: Business,Development and Administration for the Therapeutic Non-Profit Organization February 23, 2013
Spring program begins
March 5, 2013
Volunteer orientation and training
March 7, 2013
Volunteer Enrichment: Yoga for Equestrians and Volunteers, with Lisa Bragow .
March 23, 2013
Volunteer orientation and training
April 12, 2013
Cultivation Event/ Demo
April 23, 2013
Volunteer orientation and training
May 7, 2013 May 11, 2013
Volunteer orientation and training Volunteer orientation and training
May 17, 2013 May 18-24, 2013 May 28-30, 2013
Donor cocktail party and demonstration Horse Show Days PATH Intl. Advanced Certification for Instructors
June 8, 2013 June 12, 2013
June Benefit Concert Volunteer orientation and tra i ning
June 15, 2013 June 19, 2013 June 20-23, 2013
Volunteer orientation and tra i ning Board of Trustees Meeting
June 24-27, 2013
Summer Immersion Program
July 8, 2013
Summer Camp begins
August 18, 2013 August 28, 2013
Lord Creek Farm Horse Trials Instructor Training Course begins
September 22, 2013
Lord Creek Farm Hunter Pace
Octob er 20, 2013
High Hopes Arinual Meeting
November 17, 2013
High Hopes Hoedown and Holida y Market
PATHIntl. Registered OSWC
Contributors to the High Hopes Rider Winter / Spring 2013 Contributors Liz Adams Lauren Fitzgerald Sharma Howard Sara Qua Susan Shulman
Photos Susan Magaziner Susan Shulman Don Smith Jeannine Unghire, J9 Studio
Editor Sue Chodorov Designer Liz Pester EssexPrinting
This newsletter is underwritten
by