Overherd

Silver Linings at a Therapeutic Riding Center During a Pandemic

In February 2020, the world as we knew it shifted dramatically. As the pandemic spread across the globe, we saw travel restrictions put in place and schools and businesses began to close their doors in an effort to stem the spread of the COVID-19. In March, just weeks from the start of our spring semester, Manes & Motions Therapeutic Riding Center in Middletown closed its doors too, with only essential staff required to care for the horses. The challenges were many for both nonprofit and for-profit equestrian programs, but the most obvious and significant for Manes & Motions was how to continue quality care for our horses with no revenue stream.

Silver linings appeared. Manes & Motions is fortunate to be part of the Hospital for Special Care, an acute care rehabilitation hospital located in New Britain. This affiliation proved critical in our ability to continue quality care for our horses during an historically difficult time. And, as winter turned to spring and the prospect of offering limited services seemed possible, we had to address the question of what our re-opening plan would look like. None of us had been through this before, but again, our affiliation with the hospital proved significant as we sought guidance from their Incident Command Team in implementing COVID-19 policies and safeguards.

Other valuable support systems also surfaced. The State of Connecticut issued well thought-out guidelines for equestrian programs, which dovetailed well with the hospital’s policies. And, most heartwarming was the tremendous support that came from other professionals in the equine-assisted services industry, with centers from all over the United States sharing policies and documentation to assist each other with safety strategies.

But by far the most poignant was our volunteers reaching out to us, eager to return to serving their riders and help the center in any way possible. I’ll never forget the feeling of joy I experienced the first day we welcomed back our first few riders, volunteers, and staff. Symptoms screening and disinfecting riding equipment may have become our new norm but seeing the smiles behind the face

masks brought a renewed sense of hope that we all so desperately needed. It’s hard to say where we will be in six months or even a year, but I believe we’ve developed a deeper sense of appreciation for each day and each other.

For information on our services or volunteering, please contact us at (860) 685-0008 or manesmotions@hfsc.org. Please visit hfsc.org/sports-andfitness/manes-and-motions. n Jeanna Pellino

courtesy of Manes & Motions Therapeutic Riding Center

Manes & Motions Therapeutic Riding Center rider Liz Smith on Truman with instructor Janice Anderson and volunteer Shawn Newton.

H.O.R.S.E. of Connecticut’s Events

The Humane Organization Representing Suffering Equines (H.O.R.S.E. of Connecticut), now celebrating its 39th year,

will hold its annual Spring Open House on Saturday, May 15, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a rain date of Sunday, May 16. This is an event you won’t want to miss! The fun starts from the minute we open the gates for Hourly Tours (with a maximum of four people per group) to meet our newest arrival, Delilah, a rescue from the Texas kill pens, and her friends, from Miniature ponies to draft crosses. We’ll have our popular bake sale, OMI Jewelry from the talented Lise, bracelets and necklaces by Amy, and tie-dye T-shirts and bags will also be available. Remember, all the proceeds from your purchases go directly toward helping to care for our many horses! The tack shop is packed with too many items to list so be sure to stop in and check it out.

The Summer Horse Parade on Saturday, July 24, from 1 to 3 p.m., is an opportunity for folks interested in adopting, leasing, sponsoring, or volunteering to meet our many fabulous horses aged 6 to 29, from Miniatures to draft crosses, with many available for the advanced beginner to experienced rider. Our leasing program is for adults who ride regularly and want to find out what is involved in caring for a horse, while adoption is for the experienced horse owner looking for a lifetime companion. Sponsoring is an introductory op-tion for those who would simply like to groom and hand walk a horse.

A few of our featured horses for the Summer Horse Parade include Montana, Legend, and Star. Montana is a 20-year-old, 16.3-hand, draft-Thoroughbred Paint gelding that loves working the trails and will go for miles. He’s traffic safe, happy to lead, follow, or go solo, and loves attention. Montana is available for sponsor or adoption, and requires an intermediate rider and 24/7 turnout.

Legend is an 18-year-old, 16.1-hand, Appendix gelding that rides English, for an experienced rider. He’s a very handsome boy that loves to go for strolls and get lots of attention. Legend will be shown under saddle and is available for sponsor or lease.

Star is a 16-year-old, 13.3-hand registered Morgan/Arabian cross gelding that rides English or western and loves to ride for miles on the trails. He’s easy to load, happy to lead or follow, and loves water. Star is available for lease, sponsor, or adoption, and requires an intermediate rider under 150 pounds.

In addition to the horses, you will meet several of our dedicated volunteers and learn the many ways you can help. From grooming and cleaning stalls to helping at fundraisers, many of our volunteers have learned so much from their four-legged friends. Interested in a career in the equine industry? You can gain valuable hands-on experience working with our many rescues, and the personal rewards are immeasurable.

H.O.R.S.E. of Connecticut is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization funded entirely by charitable contributions. All funds raised go directly to the horses — from feed and blankets to farrier, dental, and veterinary expenses. If you’re looking for a lifetime partner, what better way to show your love than to support to a local equine rescue!

H.O.R.S.E. of Connecticut is located at 43 Wilbur Road, Washington. To learn more or to make a tax deductible donation, visit horseofct.org or call (860) 868-1960.

courtesy of H.O.R.S.E. of Connecticut

Montana, available for sponsor or adoption at H.O.R.S.E. of Connecticut in Washington.

n Kathy Diemer

The Fairfield County Hunt Club June Benefit Horse Show

The Fairfield County Hunt Club is looking forward to welcoming returning friends and new exhibitors for an exciting week of horse showing on our beautiful property

June 22 to 26! We’re excited to announce our charity beneficiary partnership with the EQUUS Foundation. The June show committee has been working hard this past year to deliver to our exhibitors both a safe experience, compliant with COVID-19 guidelines, and an exceptional offering of competition classes. Some highlights for this year include our $30,000 Fairfield Grand Prix, $10,000 Welcome Stake, $5,000 3'3" Hunter Derby, $1,000 2'9" Hunter Derby, new 2'6" Hunter Derby, and the EQUUS Foundation Charity Team Challenge. The beautiful program and prize list original cover artwork entitled “High Style” created by Leslie Alexander, lkafineartcom. Complete prize list coming soon! Advertisement and sponsorship opportunities available. To learn more, visit huntclubonline.org or email juneshow@huntclubonline.org.

Local Equestrians Win UPHA Scholarships

Willow Allen of Tolland won the $2,000 Becker Brothers Saddle Seat Equitation Youngest Participant Award. She competed in Lead Line riding LHS The Mistress under the direction of Scott and Danielle Neidlinger of Lingering Hill Stables in East Windsor.

Maya Tasch of Ridgefield won two scholarships, the $1,500 Dave and Sarah Patton American Saddlebred Breed Performance 13 & Under Award and the $1,000 Independent Equine Agents Performance Youngest Participant Award. She showed CH Extremely Fortunut in the Junior Exhibitor Country Pleasure division and The Mask in the Road Pony Under Saddle division.

The United Professional Horsemen’s Association (UPHA) Ribbons of Service program is a wonderful example of how young people can use their passion for horses to help the children of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and learn to give back to their communities. To date, UPHA youth members have raised more than $550,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and almost $150,000 for other nonprofit charities.

Scholarships are graciously donated to reward those participants raising the most funds or completing the most community service hours.

To raise money for the UPHA Foundation, Willow’s community service project was selling homemade maple syrup and honey to others in the barn family and in her community. Her mother helped her with this project.

The kindergartener will put the scholarship money toward her future education.

This is the fifth year Maya has participated in the UPHA Ribbons of Service program. This past year, for her community service hours, Maya volunteered at a local horse rescue, and wrote letters and made Valentine cards for a local Meals on Wheels Program. Maya will put the scholarship money away in her college fund.

For additional program information, visit uphaonline.com/ribbons-of-service.

n Suzy Lucine

NEER North Earns TAA Endorsement

New England Equine Rescue North (NEER North) has become one of 81 organizations in North America — with only three in New England — to earn accreditation from the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA), a North American association that inspects, accredits, and awards grants to approved organizations to retrain and rehome retired Thoroughbreds.

To qualify for the distinction, NEER North has met what TAA president John Phillips calls, “the gold standard in Thoroughbred aftercare.” TAA-accredited organizations go through a detailed application and on-site inspection process that covers operations, education, horse health-care management, facility standards and services, and adoption policies and protocols. Organizations that earn TAA accreditation are eligible to receive grants to support the rehabilitation of Thoroughbreds in their care. TAA is funded by responsible Thoroughbred owners, trainers, breeders, aftercare professionals, and industry groups.

NEER North president and founder Mary Martin welcomed the recognition, saying, “We’ve worked with many

Thoroughbreds in crisis over the years. Helping these extraordinary animals heal inside and out and transition to appropriate homes is tremendously meaningful work. Earning TAA accreditation is an honor that strengthens our ability to help at-risk Thoroughbreds and give them a new start in life.”

In addition to the TAA distinction, NEER North also holds accreditation from the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, a platinum rating from GuideStar, a fivestar top rating from Great Nonprofits, and EQUUS Foundation’s accreditation and guardian status.

Founded in 2011, NEER North is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a mission of res-

cuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming horses and donkeys in need throughout New England. The rescue is based in West Newbury and has affiliated training and foster barns in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine. Information about adopting a NEER North rescue or requesting assistance with an at-risk equine is available at neernorth.org.

courtesy of NEER North

Thoroughbred mare Zella (registered name My Zealous Storm) gaining skills for her post-racing life with NEER North trainer Issy Cless.

n Deborah Blagg

Fuller’s Horse Facility Under New Management

Fuller’s Horse Facility in Westhampton has been renamed Fuller Family Equestrian. This beautiful property is now managed by Emily Coggins and Lori Brogle. The facility, originally Fuller’s Country Horse Farm in the 1950s, was owned and run by Percy W. Fuller, Jr., who trained and bred Morgan horses. In 1963, Percy and his wife, Marilyn, began Fuller’s Country Horse Camp, a resident summer horse camp for girls, which ran successfully for 25 years. Their daughter, Carolyn Fuller Coggins, who worked with her father training and showing Morgan horses, took over running the residential camp from 1980 to 1988, and then as a day camp from 1998 to 2014, under the name Fuller’s Horse Facility. Throughout the years the Fullers have provided boarding, training, lessons, trail rides, hay and sleigh rides, as well as horse sales and leases. After the indoor arena was built, the facility became a full boarding facility with lessons in hunt seat and dressage. Carolyn founded the Williston Fuller IEA Equestrian Team, bringing the Williston Northampton School’s riding program to the farm in 2003, where they hosted the team until August 2020.

Today, the farm has been passed onto its third generation with Carolyn’s daughter, Emily, and Lori Brogle, long-time Fuller’s rider and friend, taking the reins. Emily rides in the adult hunters and dressage, and competed on the Mount Holyoke College IHSA team from 2009 to 2013, gaining championship titles in her divisions.

The facility includes 10 stalls in the carriage barn, renovated in 2012. Riders in all disciplines, all ages and abilities are invited to visit and inquire about the facility. The farm offers all-day turnout in dirt or grass paddocks, matted stalls, indoor wash stall with hot water, indoor arena, jumping field, outdoor arena, and miles of private trails.

This spring Fuller’s welcomes Chrysanthi Gavagan of Gavagan Eventing as their resident trainer. Chrys is a Preliminary-level eventer and third-level dressage rider. She specializes in the training of young and green horses in eventing and dressage disciplines. Chrys helps riders develop a fundamental basis of riding, good communication between horse and rider, and strong equitation to develop the tools to be successful as a rider and competitor. Outside riders are welcome to trailer in.