11 minute read
HorseFriends working for future
HorseFriends working to secure its future
Fundraisers such as a ‘Sweet Spring Gala’ on Friday, April 9, are hoped to help fi ll fi nancial gaps
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by ANNETTE JOYCE
Lisa Bunch became involved with HorseFriends of North Carolina Therapeutic Riding Program about 16 years ago. At the time, her 10-year-old son, Simon, was dealing with multiple mental issues including Asperger’s syndrome and bipolar disorder, and his counselor mentioned HorseFriends might be helpful in improving his condition.
Simon’s growth through the program was phenomenal. In fact, over time he moved from being a participant in the program to becoming a volunteer and helping others.
“Watching my son grow up in the program was such a blessing. He program was such a blessing. He gained confidence in himself as he learned to ride, and the smile on his face after winning a ribbon in a horse show was priceless,” said Bunch, who lives in Stokesdale. “Simon worked hard and eventually became a volunteer as a sidewalker.”
A faith-based organization, HorseFriends works with individuals – most, but not all of whom are children – who have special needs such as autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and traumatic brain injury. Through equine therapy and educational programs, the organization has been extremely successful in developing confidence, physical and emotional strength and a sense of joy shared by its participants and volunteers.
Located at Still Water Farms in Summerfield, HorseFriends offers classes in which participants, with the help of
Photo courtesy of HorseFriends Grace takes a ride on Tucker, while volunteer Rebecca (left) and HorseFriends’ operations director, Mandy Crews (right), walk alongside for safety.
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volunteers, spend time riding trained therapeutic horses and engaging in activities such as dropping balls into buckets and grabbing rings – activities that further enhance the therapeutic benefits of horseback riding.
The main thing that sets HorseFriends apart from other such organizations is that its services are absolutely free. The program currently has a full slate of participants and a list of kids waiting eagerly to join the program. Limited funding is hindering its ability to handle everyone who is interested, and also brings into question the organization’s future.
HorseFriends relies on grants, donations and fundraisers to keep its program going.
“Because of COVID and donations being down, we are having to do whatever it takes to keep the doors open,”
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Photo courtesy of HorseFriends Zachary prepares to go for a ride on Jet, one of the trained therapeutic horses at HorseFriends. said Bunch, fundraising director for HorseFriends.
Doing “whatever it takes” means more frequent fundraisers and looking at completely different types of events. The group recently held an Easter Egg Hunt as a fund raiser and volunteers and staff plan to assist at this weekend’s Oak Ridge Easter Horse Show.
Bunch and her team are also working on their first Sweet Spring Gala, which takes place Friday, April 9, from 6 to 9 p.m. at The Colonnade at Revolution Mill in Greensboro. HorseFriends is partnering with Pepper Moon Catering and Revolution Mill for “a deliciously sweet evening of music, dance performance” and both a live and silent auction – all to benefit the group’s free therapeutic riding program.
“This is completely unlike anything we’ve done before,” Bunch said. “We wanted to have something fun and cultural.”
The event takes place in The Colonnade’s large, two-level room. Weather permitting, the Gala will spread out into the adjoining garden and fountain area. During the evening, attendees will enjoy tasty hors d’oeuvres, sweet treats, beer and wine selections while being treated to dance performances by the Greensboro Ballet and Dance Project.
According to Bunch, local bakeries have been very generous with their support. As a result, attendees will have the opportunity to bid on some tasty sweets.
“We have 20 cakes and sweet confections for our silent auction,” Bunch said. “Winners will be able to take them home that night.”
There’s also a live auction which features an array of exciting items including artwork from Greensboro artists Mary Beth Boone, Linda Spitsen and Laura Pollak. And there’s a collection of Kate Spade accessories, a handsome cooler/beverage cart and a special weekend getaway to Oak Island, North Carolina.
Tickets for the event are $75 per person and are limited due to COVID restrictions. Masks will be required and social distancing encouraged.
Bunch is extremely excited about the Gala and looks forward to a good turnout and a fun evening for everyone. As planning for this event winds down, she’s already turning her attention to the next big fundraiser – the third annual Boots and Buckles Benefit scheduled to take place Oct. 8 at Summerfield Farms.
want to go?
HorseFriends Sweet Spring Gala Friday, April 9 | 6-9 p.m. The Colonnade at Revolution Mill 900 Revolution Mill Drive, Greensboro Tickets – $75 Purchase online at horsefriendsnc.org (Tickets are limited due to COVID) HorseFriends is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit corporation.
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going on hiatus in 2013, there has been talk of reviving the show, but plans were never cemented. That all changed in August 2019, when Oak Ridge native Isaac Bennett found himself with a lot of time on his hands after being involved in an auto accident. Wanting to put that time to good use, Bennett decided to tackle the revitalization of the Oak Ridge Easter Horse Show.
Bennett, 31, has a long personal history with the show and his family’s involvement goes even further back. His great grandfather, Major Meadows, was part of the show’s beginning and his grandmother, Nancy Mooney, was a long-time volunteer.
“Ever since I can remember, I was attending and helping any way that I could at the show,” Bennett said. His fond memories of past horse shows include winning the Mutton Busting contest in which he managed to stay on a sheep longer than his competitors.
“The horse show was something I looked forward to every year,” Bennett said. “Everyone was happy and enjoying themselves. There just aren’t any words to describe the feelings I have for the horse show.
“The Oak Ridge community has always been good to my family and bringing back the horse show is a way for me to pay that back,” he added.
Bennett started his quest to revive the show by simply talking to people and sharing his plans. Before long, he had brought together a group of like-minded people to form the Oak Ridge Horse Show Association (ORHSA), a non-profit focused on revitalizing the horse show and dividing its profits among worthy causes within the community.
“We’ve got a solid board of directors. Just a heck of a team,” Bennett said. “It really takes someone with passion to make this happen and these people have gone to great lengths.”
Bennett said preparations started in 2019 when the group secured Steeple Hill Farm as the show site. After owner Renee Weidel offered to donate the use of her facility, board members began preparing the farm for the show that was still over a year away.
During this time, they also had to raise enough money to pay for all the upfront expenses.
“It takes a lot of money to put this show on,” Bennett said.
The group has been creative in raising funds. Using social media, they set up a GoFundMe page and reached out to the community via Facebook. They sold “support eggs” – paper Easter eggs that individuals could purchase as a donation ranging from $1 to $100. While Bennett is grateful for all donations, he expresses special appreciation for all the small businesses that have been so supportive through their sponsorships.
With the show quickly approaching, the group has spent the past few weeks making sure the show grounds are ready to dazzle.
“We’ve been doing a lot of bushhogging, mowing grass, washing fences and putting up arena panels,” said Richard Isley, an ORHSA member and owner of Equine Event Planning in Stokesdale.
Both Isley and Bennett are committed to doing everything possible to make sure this weekend’s show leaves the best impression.
“My thing is that you have to have a great first show to have a good second show,” Isley said. “You’ve got to put everything you’ve got into that first show.”
The group has a full lineup of events for this year’s comeback. During the day, the Piedmont Horseman’s Association will host a number of riding competitions for both youth and adults. As riders compete for points in two show rings, a third ring will feature the popular Mutton Busting and Calf Scramble for youngsters.
The Draft Horse Pull takes place on Saturday, beginning at 2 p.m. As evening closes in, the Southern Extreme Bull Riding Association (SEBRA) sanctioned bull riding and barrel racing begins.
Along with the competitions and contests, the horse show will have an ample selection of vendors and food trucks. Hot dogs, hamburgers, Philly cheese steak sandwiches, barbeque, tacos and pizza are only a sample of available edibles. And to satisfy the sweet tooth, there will be funnel cakes, cotton candy and candied apples on the menu.
From the start, ORHSA has been focused on making sure the family event is not only fun, but COVID safe. Bennett was very happy with the easing of the state restrictions but still wanted to go above and beyond to ensure the safety of everyone involved.
“Dove Medical Supply (based in Summerfield) is doing all the COVID screening,” Bennett said. “They’re supplying about 20 people to do temperature checks and questionnaires. Every single person will be given an American-made mask and a gift bag.”
When he first started talking about the horse show, Bennett said he received lots of warnings to steer clear.
“I had so many people say, ‘you’re beating a dead horse’; ‘the Oak Ridge Horse Show is not coming back’; and, ‘you’re going to embarrass yourself,’” said Bennett, who refused to listen to the naysayers. “If everything turns out the way it’s looking, this will be the best horse show we’ve ever had.”
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want to go?
Oak Ridge Easter Horse Show Friday and Saturday, April 2-3 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Steeple Hill Farm 7000 Belford Road, Summerfield Purchase tickets at www.oakridgehorseshow.org (Due to COVID restrictions, only a limited number of tickets will be available)
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