The Lower Connecticut
J
. . Valley Educational
Riding Association,
Inc.
L.C.V .E.R.A. Hadlyme, Ct.
06439
Vol.
2 No.
Nonprofit. tax exempt organization
December
4
his name, ori~inally "Gringo", had become "Leroy - Big Bad Lerer Brown. How to turn this troub e maker into an appropriate mount for handicapped riders? He could not be caught, could not be trusted around other horses - but he had once been the beloved back yard horse of a Lyme family with three children and had carried a Downs Syndrome teenager over many miles of trails. It seemed worth a try. And it worked! After six months of rehabilitation, Santa became a LCVERA horse. The redeeming regimen included hand grazing, daily grooming, lots of fiuman company and being ridden in the company of one other horse who finally became his pasture mate. Once it was safe to allow him time out in a pasture. he was caught, rewarded and rel~ased without being ridden until he learned, or relearned, to trust the approaching human. And now Santa Claus is one of our most versatile and popular horses. His almost human expression of curious interest has drawn the most fearful close enough to touch him. His own trust in the people who handle him has made it possible to put two full grown adults on his back one with Multiple Sclerosis, and 1our side walkers alongside. Santa remains calm while others fall apart, but throws himself with coltish enthusiasm into relay races. And on a hot summer day 1 Santa can be found carrying multi-handicapped preschoolers around the paddock at Brazillai Farm where just a few years ago he was such a bad actor. All offers to appear in beer commercials have been turned down. Merry Christmas,
THEREYESI~ VIRGINIA ~ A SANTA CLAUS ••• AS every LCVERA rider knows, there truly 1s a Santa Claus and, although he does not come sliding down through soot and creosote to leave longed-for toys beneath the Christmas Tree, he does ~ive sacks full of gifts, and year ·round. Our Santa Claus is a horse - an elderly but spritely Morgan Percheron cross whose fuzzy body and twinkling eyes have gained the trust ~nd d~vot10~ of everyone who sees himj rides him or leads him. Santa came to Lyme via the city streets of New York where he ser~ed his term as a New York City police horse. All NYPD horses are Bay Geldings and come to the force through donations or from auctions or from a dealer in Oklahoma. Be c ause . of a b~and, an inverted heart with a line through it, on his right shoulder, Santa probably f~lls into the last category. From h~s Morgan ancestors he inherits his deep barrel, big heart and from the Percheron, first used as a war horse by the Moors about 730 A.O., he takes his massive neck, s~or~ st~ong legs and the distinctive long bones of his face. . W~at is the appeal of this big animal with flowing mane and tail, feathered fetlocks and a coat like a Persian lamb? There a~e ~hos~ who feel sure he is a ~istinguished psychiatrist dressed in a horse s ~ it. One day he'll take that suit off and share with us his warm. understanding insights into human nature. But this adorable docile creature was not always this best of all possible therapists. a d;sa~led rider's best friend. When first donated to the program he had lived without other horses for too long and apparently had forgotten his herd manners. Usually a new horse introduced into an establ~shed herd will , aft~r . the requ~site gesturing, s ~riking ~he air, squeeling and b~ting, find his place in the hie~achy. Not Santa; he agitated ponies , horses 1 mares and geldin~s. keeping the whole herd in a stale of confusion and fear. After jumping two four foot paddock fences to rejoin his adversaries, he was confined to a time stall 24 hours a da y . By this
1983
Santa
Claus!
At the November 3, 1983 meeting of the LCVERA Board of Trustees a letter of resignation from our instructor, Anne Wright, was read. The Board accepted Anne's resignation with deep regret thanking her for her years of dedicated teaching, her devotion to her students, the volunteers, and to the entire program not only as an instructor but as a fund raiser, public speaker, and number one spokesman for therapeutic riding.
to
The following letter Anne at the meeting:
A transition committe chaired by Marianne Pfeiffe'. has bee~ meeting regularly since Anne s announcement and will report its recomendations to the December 7 meeting of the trustees. If you have any ideas for Marianne for her committe, please let her know. I'd love to hear from you also. Judy Lightfoot
PRESIDENT'S
was read
Our fall program is going well. In addition to our regular sessions on Monday nights at the Westbrook Hunt Club, Tuesdays at the Goulds, now at Kingswood Stable (formerly Cricklewoodl, Wednesdays at Westbrook, Thursdays at the Goulds, we have two new sessions taught by two volunteer instructors. Nat Bieber is teaching the physically disabled on Tuesday mornings in Lyme. Patti Peoples is working with three students at her farm in Killingworth. They are concentrating on barn maintenance; proper use, care and cleaning of tack; and horseback riding with employment and work attitude their goal. The program is part of the Guilford School System's Vocational Training Program. Ted Braun, a representative from Special Services visited the program recently giving it his wholehearted approval. We have two physical therapists working with us, Kail Cadman and Susan deLaurentis. They provide a much needed service to the program, and we feel that with their guidance we are furnishing a better therapeutic program to our physically disabled riders. LCVERA is sending Nat Bieber, !<ail Cadmen and Holly Ridgeway to a seminar of Therapeutic Horsemanship for the Handicapped presented by Winslow Therapeutic Riding Unlimited. The seminar will concentrate on Learning Disabilities and Emotional Disturbances, and on Equine
Dear
Anne, The Board of Trustees accepts your resignation as instructor with deep regret. We appreciate yoLtr proposal for an orderly . transition. A board committee has been appointed to review that proposal and will no doubt work with you in implementing transition. On behalf of the board, the volunteers and especially the riders I want to thank you for your years of dedication to the program. You have given a_lot of people many e><periences with successes they thought unattainable. Just think of Dottie Burgess riding independently. Her last note said "I want to thank you and all my friends for giving me the will to live.'' Then too, think of a confident Paul Burkarth trotting with a triumphant ''And away
we go!
11 ..
Yo1.,r sense of humor has given confidence to the timid, your ability to reach your students has enabled them to overcome difficult obstacles. I hope you know how much your work has meant to LCVERA. We will miss you. Good luck in yc;,ur new endeavors.
With
love
from
all
REPORT
of
us.
Affectionally, Judy
?
VOLUNTEER ENRICHMENT AND POTENTIAL INSTRUCTOR'S COURSE
Facillated Therapy: Therapeutic Principles Applied to Horseback Riding for the Disabled. As always I close with a earm thank you to all our volunteers, Without you, there could be no LCVERA. I look forward to seeing you all on December 15 at St. Ann's Church at our special volunteers meeting. Judy Lightfoot
Letters Students
Natalie Bieber and Anne Wright have announced the offering of a ten week course designed to introduce potential therapeutic riding instructors to the unique challenges of teaching the handicapped. The course is open to all LCVERA volunteers and interested persons from other disciplines. A modest fee of $25.00 for the full course and $10.00 for auditors who wish to attend only some of the lectures has been established to cover the costs of printing, materials and special events and guest lecturers. Through evening classes, selected readings, a team project, observation of students in other ¡ settings and practice teaching, participants will become acquainted with the nature and needs of specific disabilities, curriculum development for winter
from Center School in Old Lyme, Ct.
Over the summer me and Billy and Mark went to Mr and Mrs Lightfoot house, We went on a_ trail ride. We had trouble going over the brook. We went to a field and we trotted, Then I cleaned the horses with the hose. Romey had cuts from the girth. At the end of riding we had a drink and some peanL,ts~
Daniel
Sligar
Grade
'esterday .,l.: Mrs
we went Gould's
classroom
5
horseback
farm .. The
riding name
of
the farm is Brush Patch. We went on a trail ride. On the ride we saw beech trees, tulip trees, mitten Âľine,
trees, moss, fern, ground pine trees, muchrooms, oak
trees and pricker bushes, At the top of the hill we saw the Connecticut
River.
Mark McAlpine Grade 3 Horseback
riding
is
fun,
You
shoL<l d go and see Santa. He is very big. It is like he sheds all the time, Sonny is a big pony. Poncho
is
very
small,
he
is
a
little pony. Now we go to Mrs Gould's farm. We were going to Cricklewood farm. We go in the woods for rides. We clean the stalls but I don't like it because we need to pick up removals. Annie Elskamp Grade 4 JR SALE: Fine Morgan Mare, twelve years old. Full sister to former LCVERA mount "Hello". Accustomed to children. 13,500, Carol Champion 642-6918 mornings.
programs,
program
organization (selection and training of horses, training volLmteers, special equipment, stable management, funding, and selection of students), sequential lesson plans, teaching techniques (voice, style, humor, discipline, reading danger signals) and student response. This last element will take place through dialogue with riders themselves. Nat's and Anne's special areas of expertise will be supplemented by lectures in physical therapy, occupational therapy, child development, learning disabilities and training the mentally handicapped. For further information contact Nat (434-8321) or Anne (434-9132).
LCVERA HANDBOOK: All
LCVERA and a
3
volunteer's
about job.
Amusingly illustrated. In report binder. $5.00 by mail or at classes. Benefits LCVERA. Marianne Pfeiffer 132 Whipporwill Road Old Lyme, CT 06371
fln viewo; the announcement just made,wefelt that you wouldlike to knowmoreabout this very special person whowe hopewill never be very far away,edl
to snag a handsome Naval Officer whom I married in 1957, and started the whole process of family again. Our children were spared the Victorian regimen, being brought up according to Spock, Ginnot, Piaget and Barry Goldwater - and a lot of travel. In 17 years we moved 17 times, finally coming to roost where I now write this piece. Rll!
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF ANNE WRIGHT or
Where Did She Come From and Where Is She Going?
Once upon a time, let's say in the first third of the twentieth century, I woke up to find I was the daughter of an MIT engineer and the daughter of a college president, with a ready-made brother who was 18 months along in the rigorous upbringing process which included regular meals and impeccable manners, but they came a little later. My father, who died of TB when I was 12 and handsome, generous
hard, always was
But what of the in-between years? Lots of study - University of Hawaii for Japanese Village life, Music and Philosophy of Literature, directing and acting, dance classes for children, Yoga, poetry workshops, relocation assistance for the 200 families who found themselves thousands of miles from home with Daddy a couple of hundred miles under the sea for three months at a time, Volunteer Organizer at Tripler Army Hospital in Hawaii,director of a women's singing group which sang to Vietnam wounded in the Charleston, S.C. Naval Hospital, singing in the chorouses of the Honolulu and Omaha Symphony Orchestras. Most of that happened before my amazing children captured all my attention and then the scene shifts to zoos and camping and museums and trips to England, Italy and Japan, swimming, ballet and piano lessons, Pony club and lots of standing by admiring the feats that three children can perform when left to their own devices. Another scene shift: in 1971 I
he was 48, was a man who worked
played hard and seemed to be singing. My mother
a pre-Liberation
Wonder
Woman
(still is) - Girl Scout Leader, memoer of the School Boar¡d, focmder of the local chapter of the Audctbon Society, hostess to the newcomer, the breaved or lonely at Thanksgiving and Christmas and, when left a widow with the income of a wealthy c.hurchmouse,
she
signed
on as
the
Housemother at a private girl's school, tugging her less than enthusiastic 13 year old daughter along with her. Five years later graduated
from
that
11
nunnery
11
I
,
having finally grasped that urge to e;;cellence that has dogged my heels ever since. Taking with me the echoes of Most Likely to Succeed, Cum Laude Society and Most Versatile Student, I made the natural step to a female college, Mount Holyoke, where, in two years, I managed to exhac,st the Speech and Drama Department and left to pursue theatrical studies at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City. A meteoric career seemed only months away but after a year and a half I had to confess that I just didn't have it - not the legs, the face, the stamina or the drive. So after some interim employment as manager of a bookstore, The Litchfield Outdoor Traders, gift wrapper at Peck & Peck, I enrolled at Barnard College
That
as
lasted
an Economics
just
long
major.
enough
for
got
4
real
serious.
I
"transferred"
from Mount Holyoke to George Washington University after a 17 year hiatus, becoming the oldest living undergraduate in the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology. With my desk next to on the drier and the typewriter the ironing board I managed to get through two full years at GW with the help of a 3, 7 and 8 year old. My clinical e;;perience during those years deepened my interes' in language as the essential component in the realization of human potential. Stroke therapy, language development in the severly disturbed child, speech reading (lip reading) for the
SIXTH ANNUAL DAY IN THE COUNTRY
deaf, speech therapy for the developmentally delayed, head trauma, cerebral palsy, aphasic child occupied 350 clinical clock
Smooth as silk, pretty as a picture, neat as a pin - 1983's Day In The Country was all of that and more. Barzillai Farm saw another clear day gathering of devoted old friends and new who came together ta feel the shared joy of those who help and those who are helped by LCVERA's therapeutic riding program. The morning walk with Dr. Richard Goodwin held some 20 participants enthralled by the revealed mysteries of the surrounding woodland, returning just in time for all observers to assemble along the flowered dressage arena which provided the setting for an unusual exhibition of the variety of disabilities as well as skills that LCVERA's riders represent. Riders performing on that Sunday afternoon were Jenny Hotchkiss, Karen Ekstrom, David and Steven Vandel, Kurt Zieman and Colleen Quigley - each rider telling a different tale of conquest over the inequitable distribution of hc,man frailities. Triumphs over fear, spasticity, developmental delays, lack of vision, hearing, balance and strength and mental handicaps were reflected in the glowing faces and life-filled eyes of the youngest and oldest riders. The 'audience' felt drawn into the experience of the disabled, closely following the struggle to
1urs.
And then, and then, and then with my diploma still wet, I packed up all our household Gods and moved to Connecticut to the home of my dreams. We poured seeds into the earth and grew millions of pounds of vegetables, put four Herefords into the pastures and raised thousands of pounds of beef,
put
50
Hubbard
chickens
into
a chicken house and gathered hLmdreds of eggs a week. Meanwhi 1 e the above-mentioned Naval Officer, having
served
on four
submarines,
one as a Commanding Officer; one surface ship; a tour of the Pentagon and at CINC LANT Headquarters in Norfolk, Va. took a position of teaching at the Na.val War College in Newport, R. I., having completed his course in International Studies. And while our children slogged away at the
joys
school
and in
terrors
rural
of
elementary
America,
I did
a
"our as President of the League of Jmen Voters, provided therapy for three
stroke
patients
and
a young
girl who was profoundly deaf and volunteered myself and my pony and cart to a newly formed therapeutic riding program - and the rest is modern history and anyone reading this
newsletter
will
have been instructor for seven years. I submitted a letter to the LCVERA Board I feel that I must employment and hope be in the field of or- ed1-tcation
that
the
change.
..
only
It
sure
I welcome
know
that
I
for LCVERA have recently of resignation of Trustees as find full time that it will human service
has
been
thing
succeed~
An abundant and carefc,l 1y planned lunch was prepared and served by Grace Hamililton, June Hotchkiss and Pecky Schwartz, diners finding their way to tables under the trees or curling up on the lawn. And then came the AUCTION •••• wheedled and warned, chafed and chided by brillant auctioneer Ashton Edwards, some 30 people bid a total of $1400 on such items as a week's lodging in Jamaica, a day's sail on the Sound or Fall cruise on the Connecticut
said
is
change,
as
my
life has taught me to, but I hold cert<>.in parts of me cmchanging my dedication to the development of the human potential, my respect for the individual and my love for all animals but especially the horse
for
what
about
our
awn
eedom and .dpti vi ty.
he
can
teach
behav1.or,
dignity
River, butler
us
finding
within
Anne Talcott Wright Barz1llai Farm November 26, 1983
5
a day~s leaf raking and and maid for- a dinner
party. High roller, John Angier, who bid against Senator Richard Schneller for a dinner for four prepared by local gourmet chefs, Karen Rockwell and Molly Francisco, set the pace for the First Slave Auction.
a
Music during lunch and after th 7 au 7tion was provided by local gu1tar1st and song writer, Chris Cole, who hung a speaker high in maple tree to let his voice and guitar carry softly over the guests and far off into the hills beyond.
A letter a
down
from Middleburg,
Andy Weyer
Va, tells
now us
she is still very much involved with helping the handicapped, Sh says: "I have been assistant instructing with the Old Dominion Program two days a week, trying to tie down some new skills in "'developmental vaulting". After the Christmas break, I will be taking over for one of the instructors who is working in this area but will be moving to New York., ••• ! want very much to thank Ann and Nat for the time they spent teaching me, and LCVERA for sending me to Winslow last spring - a truly unforgettable and educational experience. I owe thanks to "the gang" too, for being such an OUTSTANDING group of people." Andy would like anyone in the area to make use of the "'Weyer Hotel", Her address is: P.O. Box 978
A SMALL MIRACLE (This is Lightfoot November)
in
a letter sent to Judy dated the 3rd of
My dear Judy, A small miracle took place yesterday and I had to tell you about it. Jonnie, Stu and I took Jenny to look at a pony with the idea of possibly buying it for her. Jenny walked into that strange ring, amongst strangers, mounted the strange horse independently, rode both at a walk and trot independently full of confidence and self assurance. All the wonderful people in LCVERA - instructor, volunteers, horses and friends made this possible, and we want to thank everyone of you. With our love. June (Hotchkiss)
Middleburg,
Phone
(703)
Va. 22117 687-6877
Wednesday's Susie-of-the-black-curls is trotting after weeks of watching others perform this feat while she stood fearfully in the center of the ring with her team. Could it be Tim radiating masculine charm that created the impetus?
HELP' Wanted - a volunteer who can letter with skill and precision on qccassional LCVERA posters, cards announcemen~s. I've been told that mine look like the scroll of a five year old. Marianne Pfeiffer 434-5621
Joey has rejoined our Th1..\rsday afternoon class. A Down's Syndrome child, Joey goes to school at the Little White School House in Waterford. We hear that he is quiet and withdrawn. But Frank, his LCVERA volunteer, is his friend and his demanding drill sergeant and Joey responds with considerable verve and interest steering Cinnamon this way and that. 6
When we left Thorncroft we were glowing, having spent a memorable morning with people who are very professional in their field and at the same time express love and care. A very happy experience visiting a happy place! Sis Gould
ANNUAL MEETING OF NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped) The weekend of November 4, 5 and 6, Judy Lightfoot, Edi Griswold and I went to the annual meeting of NARHA held in Philadelphia. We enjoyed the meetings very much, but the best part, as always, is the friendly exchange of ideas and the realization of mutual problems shared with other people running new or well established
ANNE One warm, golden fall day some years ago, a friend invited me to hike with a group of her friends to benefit a handicapped children's program. It was my first introduction to LCVERA and to Anne - two happy events which have enriched my life ever since. Anne is a person of great competence, a leader of intelligence and considerable organizational ability. She has the power to inspire loyal co-workers and friends, and to earn admiration, love and respect from students old and young. Her love of animals and children comes
programs.
The round table discussions of different disabilities with Marge l<ittredge and John Davies are always enlightening. Marge brought with her a copy of the new beautiful film about the U.S. Equestrian Team, sponsored by Insilco Corporation. A treat for us all. The highlight of our trip was the Saturday morning visit to Thorncro¡ft Therapeutic Horseback ~iding Center in Malvern. We drove in the gate of the beautiful farm to first see a happy group of pony club types cantering
ring. indoor
around
in
the
across
outdoor
We walked into the large arena and were told that
Saunders ir1structor
Dixon, of
the
owner
Thorncroft
and was
presence,
head in
mesmerized
by
involved
surviving
child,
while
at
tne
child
¡elaxation
could
take
the
caring
a fine
theatrical
sense.
even
times
of
personal
and complications. I think of that hike as a special day in my life - the day I found an interest of soul satisfying value and first met a most unusual person, a personality to remember, a human being to emulate. An Admiring Friend
watching
positioning
and
struggle
Beth Stanford backriding her little C.P. client while they, the leader and two side walkers, all sang "Old MacDonald''. Watchinn Beth support this severely time
a solicitous
Her committment to the LCVERA program is strong and enduring,
a
stall down the aisle to the right. We stopped ne><t to the stall and waited for Saunders to finish overseeing a child untacking. From then on we were swept into his Saturday morning routine. We walked beside Saunders on a mini trail ride with his diminuitive student on an equally small pony. We were
as
attitude, her easy tears, which she tries hard to save for appropriate times - sometimes unsuccessfully, attest to her warm hearted emotions. Anne has a humorous sense of fun, a vital
same
so that
place,
wonderful. This 1s why it is essential that the backrider knowledgeable in backriding.
WELCOMETO NEW VOLUNTEERS - Nancy and Tim Cole, Sabrine de Landevoisin, Beverly Metz and Caroline Spellers.
was
be
7
TRUSTEES MEETING
Don Rankin in his MEDICAL REPORT repeated the April 4th date for the annual meeting of the Pediatrics Association. This is a great opportunity to "spread the word" and LCVERA is being asked to put on a program in the afternoon.
Judy Lightfoot, Chairman, welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m. at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Madison, Conn. on November 3, 1983. The minutes were and the Treasurer's given.
approved report
and read was
BRAVO FOR THE HANDBOOK! What a fine job Marianne and her many helpers have done. A great piece of work available for all to purchase and inwardly digest.
The INSTRUCTOR'S REPORT indicated new students in most every spot and Anne blessed the good weather which allowed for so many outdoor sessions.She praised the PTs for their support and most valuable contributions. The gymkana was rained out and will hopefully be rescheduled. A wonderful note from Dottie Burgess was read. The barn and tack room work at Patti Peoples'is progressing very well and the three students are enthusiastic and making great pr-ogress
day and
Anne reported on the sixth in the country - a successful profitable day.
Under NEW BUSINESS Judy read Anne Wright's letter of resignation as paid instructor, addressed to the Executive Committee on October 30th. The Board understood the situation, was overwhelmed and very saddened, but deeply appreciative for all that Anne hac done over the years for LCVERA. A warm letter of regretful acceptance, written by Judy was read, This along with Anne's letter will be sent with a covering letter to all volunteers so everyone is apprised.
Sis gave the DIRECTOR'S REPORT. The former Cricklewood, now Kingswood, is being rejuvenated and will be ready for use some time in the near future. The Tack Committee bought saddles and grooming equipment. Sis, Judy Lightfoot and Edi Griswold will be going to Philadelphia for the annual N.A.R.H.A. meetings. Sis read the contents of the seminars at Ginny Martin's and said we will be sending two teams - an instructor and a PT.
Did you know that certain wasps lay eggs inside an oakleaf which responds by growing a gall w1th1n which the egg develops into a worm which feeds on the inside of the gall then pupates and turns int? an adult wasp which lays eggs inside an oakleaf? K. knew, and Wel 1, Barbara now so do all the riders and vol Ltnteers who were lucky enough to have their classes go trailriding on the Grand View Trail at Brush Patch one glorious Tuesday in November.
Jake gave the DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE report. He thanked everyone for their help last year and agreed that the need was clearly there to again raise some funds. Along with a campaign to raise corporate funds, Jake and June are working with the High Wheelers Club (the single high wheel bike) who have offered to lead a Bike-a Thon for LCVERA in the spring
8
October
4,
Because she in all our lives, LCVERA teams say Dottie". Marianne
1983
Today is a red letter day at Tuesday morning class' Dot rode Ltnai ded, without a leader or sidewalkers, guiding Romy around the ring at Anne's commands - while Anne played it c-o-o-1. Dot Burgess joined LCVERA three years ago. Her body is severely afflicted, she lives in a wheel chair, her speech is impaired, she communicates with board and typewriter. Dottie was born with Cerebral Palsy. "Never,but never, will ne
we put
this
woman on
a horse
11
I cannot walk, or run, or play a game of tennis every day. I cannot dance or ride a bike, I'll never know what skating's like I have no soccer boots or ball. they are no use to me at all, I'll never ski the waves or snow, so many thrills I'll never know. I'll never sail the wind or surf or chase a ball across the turf, nor climb the snow capped peaks above, so many things I'll never love. But I can ride through forests trails to see the fox and rabbits tails and watch the geese and ducks take flight while leaping stags and deer take fright. And I can follow mountain tracks past climbers weighed down with their packs, to trace the river to its source astride the broad back of a horse. Yes I enjoy the "sport of kings" when carried high my feet take wings. To fly me on a pleasure course, for I can mount and ride a horse. John Anthony Davies
was
since,
forcing
her
intractible muscles to obey her commands, filling all of us with sense of wonder, awe and pride. Dottie was a competitor at the Regional CP Games in Massachusetts last Spring and won the right to compete in the National Games in Texas
in
August.
Anne,
a
¡Judy
Lightfoot and Jonnie Edwards accompanied her. The fierce Texas summer heat laid Dottie low cancelling her rides, but not other enjoyments. Back in Connecticut's gentler climate, Dottie has been working this fall to improve her forn, - no mean task ~hen nature has thrown every 3Ssible impediment in her path. She wants to compete in the International Games in New York next year. She wants to be off the lead, she wants to ride unaided, she wants to trot! She'll do it too!
Pfeiffer
I CAN
all I could think when she first arrived. Nat and Anne thought otherwise, and so Dot was up there and two of us were holding her steady in an agony of fear. We just didn't know Dottie then' Dottie has an indominable spirit, endless cour¡age, fierce determination, and a wonderful ense of humor. After three ,essons she insisted we sidewalk without cl L<tchi ng her and we learned this was not impossible because Dottie has an impeccable sense of balance (not to mention a tough fist to whack clutchers). Dot has progressed steadily ever
is an inspiration all the Tuesday "Thank you,
9
Lovi"'.1