Summer 2019 In this edition: Horse Show Days Big Barn Bash Meet Mac Derby Day New to the Board
2019
High Hopes is honored to have been recognized as a 2019 EQUUS Foundation Guardian. The purpose of the Guardians’ Program is to encourage equine organizations to be transparent and accountable to the public through the disclosure of their equine care and use practices, and to reward equine organizations that are operating at the highest standards for horse care and use. Only those organizations that receive this designation are eligible to receive financial support in 2019 from the EQUUS Foundation.
Sarah Carlson
Immersion
The first week of “camp” at High Hopes is always an extraordinary program run in conjunction with staff from the Yale NewHaven Health – Lawrence+Memorial Hospital. This program is designed especially for children with developmental delays, on the autism spectrum, or with sensory challenges. It is not uncommon for a child to speak their first words to a horse through the gentle connection they form with an animal many times their size. In the picture below, Instructor Marie Manero plays a game of Clue & Seek – whispering a clue to each participant so they can find and retrieve a small furry animal hidden somewhere in the arena. For some, over excitement is tempered by the gentle and controlled movement of the horse. For others, hearing the clue whispered, and then steering their horse (and volunteers) to find, retrieve, and identify the toy is a multi-stage processing and communication challenge.
Training & Education Director Congratulations to Sarah Carlson who has been appointed new Training & Education Director at High Hopes. Sarah’s first task? To implement the major changes to the PATH Intl. Education and Certification processes which she and Patti Coyle have been working on for over a year. Starting in September 2019, Sarah will be implementing one of the USA’s first “PATH Intl. New Format” Modular Instructor Education Courses. Our first inquiries? From potential participants in Israel and Australia! Check out High Hopes’ website, follow us on social media, or sign up for our T&E Emails for more information coming out over the next few months about the new “modular” education options which volunteers may also find of interest.
During May we celebrate Horse Show Days - a week-long celebration of our participants’ achievements - with their friends, families, volunteers and supporters. We love seeing visitors new and old at the farm and demonstrating how Horses and Humans working together Improve Lives.
Horse Show Days
Carolyn Jagielski, long time participant Sylvia, and Patti Coyle
Mr. Madden’s Class from New London District Schools
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Volunteer Orientation /Sidewalker Training
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Week 5 Summer Camp
Horse Sense Camp
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Summer Opera Southern Program meets Program starts Holiday PATH Intl. BBQ at Ends Broadway Hadlyme Individuals/schools Market ESMHL
The Big Barn Bash The numbers are in and the Big Barn Bash was the most successful gala yet! Our Event Chairs, Hannah Childs and Emily Jewett, really changed it up this year with a new layout for the barn, specialty cocktails, a new menu, complimentary valet parking, and our new auction platform. Check Facebook and Instagram, but if you are not on social media, here is the Gala in eight pictures.
buy now & auction events ONE PLACE 07/28/2019 Join Alison Zack Darrell on a 20 mile bike tour of bucolic Stonington & North Stonington. Begin at Stone Acres Farm with a stop in North Stonington Village at Carl’s Cafe for coffee & homemade goodies. Finish with a picnic from Mystic’s Grass & Bone at the historic farm and gardens.
ONE NIGHT
08/24/19 Enjoy the beauty of Hayden’s Point, Essex, the gorgeous music of Brian Cheney - Tenor and Simon Holt - Pianist, mouth-watering hors d’oeuvres & gourmet picnic.
ONE OF A KIND
It’s an ol’ fashioned Southern barbecue with all the fixins’. Sip on specialty cocktails and after dinner, dance the night away to the groovy accoustics of Jamie’s Junk Show - from reggae to blue grass. 09/13/2019 5:30-10:00 p.m. $100 per person.
Invitation Enclosed, $100/person
Call Kerrie at 860.434.1974 x 119 to “buy now!”
Meet Maclean Sarr by Lauren Fitzgerald
Although it is hard to imagine now, when Mac first came to High Hopes in the Spring of 2016 he was quiet and not very sure of himself. He would only answer questions asked of him and did not offer much in the way of initiating conversation. Over the past three years, there has been remarkable growth in who Mac has become.
HOW DO
Horses
HELP?
When Mac first came to High Hopes he had already participated in a therapeutic riding program in New Mexico, so he knew what to expect; he decided to try carriage driving. Though some of the equestrian skills he learned previously are transferrable, there is a distinct difference in the feeling of riding in a carriage versus on a horse. It may look easy, just sitting in a carriage and steering the horse, but looks can be deceiving, as Mac found out! The driver must learn to find their own balance so that any feedback the driver is giving to the horse is to steer rather than being used to balance. At first, Mac struggled to find and maintain his balance when performing circles, serpentines or driving at the trot. Three years later, Mac has progressed into a competent driver who easily navigates turns and multiple ring figures at speed and with minimal, if any, assistance. In addition to the physical benefits, Mac has developed strong relationships with his entire driving team: instructor, header, and able-bodied whip. From the soft-spoken, reserved individual of 2016, Mac has blossomed into a charismatic and sophisticated adult who can banter with the best of them! Anyone
Mac and his family were guests of honor at the June Gala - as Mac’s Story was screened followed by a record-breaking scholarship drive!
Meet Lauren:
Originally from New Jersey, Lauren moved up to Connecticut “to be a part of the great organization that is High Hopes.” Lauren received a Bachelor of Science from Centenary University with a degree in Equine Studies and a concentration in Instruction and Training.
Five things you didn’t know about Lauren ... who passes by the arena during his lesson is sure to hear laughter from both Mac and his team. Mac has assumed a leadership role in his group lesson and is often heard spurring on his classmate to ensure the best performance out of both of them. Mac’s fun-loving personality is contagious to all those who have the pleasure of knowing him.
• Lauren has dual citizenship: United States of America and Australia. • Lauren is the youngest of 3 children. • Lauren’s first pony was named Patches. • Lauren has two dogs, Finn and Ladybug and a cat named Minnie Mouser. • Lauren enjoys running and has run several half marathons.
Share Hope Endowment May 4, 2019, and it’s “Derby Day” – the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs and the launch of High Hopes’ Endowment Campaign’s Public Phase. Committee Chairs, Jeffrey Ridgway and Jamie Childs, reminded everyone how important the campaign is, enabling us to provide services regardless of our participants’ ability to pay. Sophia gave an excellent demonstration, and her brother had the room in tears, reading from a speech he had written explaining what Sophia’s time at High Hopes means to their family. The event could not have taken place without the support of: Guilford Savings Bank Grand Wine & Spirits, and Woodford Reserve. Since its launch in September 2018, the Share Hope campaign has raised just over $2.4 of our $3m target. Our grateful thanks to everyone who has contributed so far.
Endowment Committee Chairs Jamie & Hannah Childs, Jeff & Holly Ridgway
Beth, Chris and the Friday Family
Our grateful thanks to our Endowment Donors (as at 07/01/2019) Diana Atiles Patrick and Natasha Avelange Barbara and Robert Ballard The Bingham Trust Keith and Jane Bolles Stephen and Alison Brinkman Lois Brockmann Todd and Trudy Burgess Sarah Hill Canning Sarah Carlson John and Athana Catlett Stephanie and Francis Chan Jamie and Hannah Childs Susie Childs Judith Cohen Brian Cole Joseph and Katherine Connolly Chris and Patti Coyle Sarah and Jeremy Crisp Ted and Rebecca Crosby Peter J. Curley and Hon. Elaine Gordon Andrew Donkin Robert and Barbara Donohue Scott and Wendy Douglas Buck Drummond and Michael Dudich Megan Ellis ESSENCE for Beauty and Wellness Mark and Suki Fader Emily Fisher and Evan Griswold Lauren Fitzgerald David and Elizabeth Frankel Elizabeth Frankel Michael and Sherley Furgueson David Garamella Karena Garrity Andrew and Katherine Gibson Richard and Koko Gildersleeve Laura Giordano Beth Hart Mitchell and Cheryl Heffernan Brita Herman
Lamar and Lisa Lamont from Guilford Savings Bank with Kitty Stalsburg, Executive Director
Inge Hieret Joanne Ives Carolyn and John Jagielski Frank Jarrabeck and Francis Cowgill Jacqueline Kangley Steven Kase and Terry Klee Lois Kelly Laurie LaTerza Kevin and Joan Levin Craig and Katherine Lifland Richard and Judy Lightfoot Todd and Becky Machnik Mr. and Mrs. Alasdair Macphail Marie Manero Michael and Joanne Masin John and Amy McCauley Thomas and Joy McConnell Barbara McGhie Bruce and Renee McIntyre Lucy Metcalf Gail Miller Dorothea Moore Richard and Jean Moore Sandy Mulligan Earl and Mac Mummert Norm Needleman & Jaqueline Hubbard Penny Nelson Newman’s Own Foundation Matthew and Vicki Newton Northstar Wealth Partners Lesley Olsen Robert & Margaret Patricelli Susan Peacock Dennis Pough and Adam Calkins Sara Qua Jeff and Holly Ridgway Gary and Linda Rogers Daniel Russo Robin Schonberger Renny and Judy Schoonmaker Peter Scotella and Jennifer Curley Seymour & Tia Smith Roger & Marcia Smith Donna Specia Kitty Stalsburg Holly Sundmaker The Foxboro Foundation The Kitchings Family Foundation The Jin Hua Foundation The LaBoiteaux Family Foundation Sharon Tracy Amy Tripson Greg and Tara Varga Maris Wacs and Dan Marderosian Peter Watt and Gerard Cattie Deborah and John Welles Eugenia West Peter Wieschenberg & Constance Wright Barbara Willkens
New Chair of the Board of Trustees Jacqueline Kangley Jackie was introduced to therapeutic riding by her Essex Elementary School classmates and has been a volunteer at High Hopes since 2004. She has been a Trustee since 2015 and currently volunteers in the therapeutic riding program and serves on the Program, Marketing Advisory, Event, and Development Committees. She has cochaired the ‘Concert in the Barn’ and served on many Auction, Décor, and other Benefit Committees. She is a past recipient of the Sally H. Aubrey Award and the 2018 Path Intl. Region 1 Volunteer of the Year for her outstanding contribution to High Hopes.
“High Hopes is a unique, vibrant community with an important mission. For over 15 years, I’ve watched participants, instructors, volunteers, and horses work together to improve each others’ lives in very measurable ways. I am grateful to be a part of the High Hopes team and value this opportunity to help guide the organization,” said Jacqueline of her appointment. As her first order of business she thanked John Catlett, outgoing Chair, as well as outgoing trustees, Seymour Smith and Katherine Gibson. John is stepping down as Chair but will continue as a Trustee.
Trustee News Margaret (Mac) Mummert
Sarah Kitchings Keenan
Lyme resident Mac Mummert is a veterinarian with special interests in internal medicine and oncology. She has served in many local civic organizations including the Lyme Garden Club and the Child & Family Agency. She is past President of the SE Connecticut Professional Women’s Network and was District Commissioner of the Connecticut Valley Pony Club. Mac has two children, Brian and Anya. Anya has been a participant at High Hopes since she was five and is now a volunteer.
Newly appointed Trustee, Sarah Kitchings Keenan, and her husband, Christopher Keenan, reside in Essex with their three children, Ryan, Maggie, and Ashley. Her son, Ryan, has been an active High Hopes participant for five years; both of her daughters have attended the High Hopes Unified Summer Camp. Sarah has served as a member of the High Hopes Development Committee and is currently Treasurer of the Essex Elementary School Foundation.
Ten ways to help High Hopes that don’t need to cost you a penny! ¨ SHARE OUR EVENTS ON FACEBOOK - this saves us money in advertising. ¨ VOLUNTEER IN PROGRAM - our programs cannot run without you. ¨ START A FACEBOOK FUNDRAISER - Facebook doesn’t charge you and we get 100% of yours and your friends’ donations. ¨ DONATE UNUSED SADDLERY - we can use it or sell it at the Lyme Hunter Pace. ¨ REVIEW US ON GREATNONPROFITS.com - Foundations love seeing your stories and that increases their grants to us. ¨ BRING A FRIEND TO VOLUNTEER - word of mouth is the best possible way to share your love of High Hopes.
¨ DONATE USING YOUR RMD - if you are over 70 yrs old, this is a great way to help us and help yourself. Call Sara Qua on 860.434.1974 x 122. ¨ WRITE A REVIEW ON FACEBOOK - the more good reviews, the more often we will appear and that helps everyone. ¨ LIKE AND SHARE OUR INSTAGRAM POSTS - the more you like and share our sponsors’ and vendors’ posts the less we have to pay to advertise our events. ¨ MORE HAY OR CARROTS THAN YOU NEED? Our horses love them. If you don’t need them we don’t have to buy them!
NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT # 119 DEEP RIVER, CT
36 Town Woods Road Old Lyme, CT 06371 860-434-1974 www.highhopestr.org
RAFFLE
WE REALLY NEED MORE VOLUNTEERS for the rest of the Summer and the Fall semester - sidewalkers & horse handlers in particular. Can you spare an hour or two to help our participants? Call: Rachel Butler 860.434.1974 x 121
11 am - 4 pm
NOV
17
DRAWING
at 3.45 pm