1985 (Winter) Newsletter

The Lower Connecticut

Valley Educational

Riding Association, Inc.

L.C.V.E.R.A. Ridge Road Centerbrook, CT 06409 767-1974

Nonprofit, tax exempt organization

Vol. 4

L.C.V.E.R.A.

HONORS

On November 13, 1985 the Annual Meeting of LCVERA was held at the White House Restaurant, Westbrook as a tribute to Sis Gould, a founder.

Certainly there was no question of a quorum as 140 people gathered to pay tribute to our Sis. Cocktails were served, followed by dinner, during which time LCVERA President, Judy Lightfoot, welcomed everyone and thanked them for coming to honor a " very special spark plug" .There were toasts and messages read - one of which was a wonderful letter of congratulation from R. Speed Davis, the President of NARHA; a special poem from Anne Wright, LCVERA's second instructor, was read by Barbara Kashanski.

Sis responded with her poem "Who is LCVERA?"

No, 3

SIS

GOULD

Judy continued; "Ladies and Gentlemen, friends of Sis. Behind every great organization is an inspiration, LCVERA is no exception.

Twelve years ago plans for a program of therapeutic horseback riding in the Lower Connecticut Valley were only dreams of Sis's, Today thanks to her those dreams are a reality and we are very proud of the work that LCVERA does for our disabled community.

To be the founder of any organization is never easy. It takes hours of planning, telephoning, organizing, persuasion, tact and determination. This has never stopped Sis. Sis is more than LCVERA's founder, however.

Sis is our most faithful volunteer giving warmth and encouragement to every rider; she trailers two horses wherever and whenever they are needed at least

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once a week; she is mother" to three LCVERA horses who live in her barn; she is responsible for much of our gear which means hours of transferring heavy saddles in and out of cars and tons of laundry every weekend; she has spent hours on the telephone in support of LCVERA always seeking to make life better for each of our riders.

Sis is Vice President of our Board of Directors; Chairman of the Horse Committee; a past board member of NARHA, the National Board for Therapeutic Riding and has visited centers in England and New Zealand, This has been done with the support and goodwill of Lytt who is not on the sidelines himself.

All of the above has made LCVERA what it is today, a significant Therapeutic Riding Program in the United States.

Sis we are thrilled to honor you tonight for all you have done for LCVERA and all of us. We love you and thank you.

The Board of Directors with love and gratitude for enriching the lives of those you touch is pleased to announce that the LCVERA Endowment Fund will now be known as the MARY K, GOULD ENDOWMENT FUND in honor of our dear friend and founder of LCVERA," Molly Francisco put together a great collage of many pictures representing the program and showing many volunteers, students and animals. This was presented to Sis.

THOUGHTS OF A NEW VOLUNTEER My first "session" or "semester" of volunteering for LCVERA has been an extraordinary learning experience for me. I have never worked with handicapped people before and I must admit I was nervous the first night I arrived at LCVERA. This nervousness, however, vanished as I walked in the door and was greeted by warm smiling faces. Little did I know that during those next two hours, any previous doubts that I had had about handicapped people were proven ridiculous.

Each and every one of the people I have worked with have heartwarming, personable characters, and some of the most charming senses of humor I have ever encountered.

Needless to say I have loved every minute of the time I have volunteered for LCVERA. There have, of course, been a few fleeting frustrating moments, but on the whole it has been one of those terrific experiences where the triumphs outweigh the tribulations ten times over. It leaves one with an incredible sense of pride to watch their rider conquer fears and doubts and get on that horse and ride. Not only that, but even a non-horse person would melt at the amount of love those faithful horses receive for their patience.

The few hours I have spent volunteering this past fall have never once failed to leave a smile on my face for the rest of the week.

I have to thank Judy Lightfoot for helping me get involved in LCVERA. It has been an experience I will never forget, and an organization to which I will never hesitate to volunteer my time.

Donna Cline is a beautiful, blond TV reporter at the NBC station in Las Vegas, Nevada. She is also MS Wheelchair America and she appeared on the Today Show, Dec, 6th.

Although she cannot walk, she does sidewalk interviews and "remotes" from her wheelchair.

She said that it is not legs that make one a good reporter but enthusiasm and love of people, She calls people like herself "HANDICAPABLES".

Hannah

?

Cashman

RIDER OF THE YEAR AWARDS At the Annual Meeting and dinner honoring Sis there were two "Rider Of The Year" presentations.

After dinner Marianne Pfeiffer, our extraordinary volunteer and the family of gallant Paul Burkarth, presented the first annual awards to be made each year to riders who have shown the most progress during the past year. Each instructor selected one rider from each of her classes and explained to the other instructors, our physical therapist, Carolyn, and Lytt Gould why their rider should receive the award. Based on their own observation a vote was taken and two riders were selected.

Mr and Mrs Robert Burkarth presented the Paul Burkarth Memorial Award, in honor of their son to Lisa Adrian. Marianne Pfeiffer gave the award in her honor to Dottie Burgess.

Paul Burkarth was a rider with LCVERA for a number of years. He has endeared himself to everyone who has seen our movie, "I Think I Can" in which he stars. Paul not .mly thought he could but he did.

When he died shortly, after the film was made, all of the LCVERA volunteers and instructors who knew him were saddened.

It is to give another handicapped child a chance to experience that same joy that Paul's parents have instituted the Paul Burkarth Annual Award. To see the smile on Lisa's face as she received this year's accolade must have made them feel very proud.

"')~

I.

LISA ADRIAN

DOTTIE BURGESS

Marianne Pfeiffer won her award for outstanding dedication to LCVERA. She is one of our most beloved volunteers - working in every facet of the organization.

She is an accomplished artist and has spent long hours designing our LCVERA pins and jewelry; paper machier figures (even a full scale horse); working as an active volunteer; writing articles and presently heading up our Guidance Committee.

In presenting her award Marianne said," I am very happy to present this award - The Outstanding Rider Of The Year Award -to Dottie Burgess. Dottie won the award for the incredible work she did on her riding skills, but I'm especially proud to have her name on my first annual award because Dottie, who comes to LCVERA to learn, has taught us all a great deal about courage, determination, grace and beauty that comes from within. We all say congratulations and Thank you, Dottie."

In response a note from Dottie was read. "I'm no good at writing speeches, but I want you to know that I'm grateful, happy and proud to receive this award. Thank you for tonight, and for the help and support you have given me. All of you are beautiful people,"

NARHA CONNECTICUT CONFERENCE WHO IS LCVERA ?

Who is LCVERA ? a mysterious lady oh, no, she's a symbol of hope a showing of kindness of caring, of love. no cerebral palsied child growing wheelchair bound mental, emotional, learning disabilities: success pride better self image improved relationships.

On Saturday September 21st, the Lower Connecticut Valley Educational Riding Association (LCVERA) acting for the states of Connecticut, Rhode Island, greater New York City, Westchester and Nassau counties put into effect the new "NARHA Network System" by hosting a conference at the Country Squire in Killington.

After a warm welcome by Judy Lightfoot, President of LCVERA and a NARHA Board member, the first speaker was Natalie Bieber (head of the Medical and Research Committee for NARHA) who presented an amusing and interesting account of the International Conference on Riding for the disabled held in Milan at the beginning of June.

Octavia Brown (secretary of NARHA) chaired a pertinent discussion on riding at the Special Olympics sharing with us her wealth of experience and good organization in the State of New Jersey.

Her advice was most welcome.

Dick Lightfoot gave everyone some excellent advice on the ever present problem of Fund Raising. He urged us to solicit our entire communities, not only horse people or people who are interested in disabilities.

We ended the day with Octavia's wonderful slides of the Special Olympics in Michigan, Sue Burroughs fascinating tape on Driving for the Disabled and finishing with LCVERA's award winning film "I Think I Can".

Everyone enjoyed the day ancf' went away thinking of next year's conference under the chairmanship of Susan Gordon Ryan from Long Island Riding for the Handicapped Association (LIRA) who was duly elected for the year 1985-86.

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adults with limited daily life better quality of life strength a raison d'etre. all students stimulation of mind awareness of body energizing of spirit incentive to live. volunteers and staff dedicated patient loving unselfish exhilarated horses indulgent understanding forgiving only asking for a square meal, a clean bed, a kind word. spouses ever helpful ever tolerant of the phone ever supportive lean cuisine yours truly greatly blessed. for LCVERA we all have the time dear friends, is that not the bottom line?

(Read

WILL YOUR COMPANY MATCH YOUR GIFT TO LCVERA? MANY DO.

Sis Gould

by Sis at the annual meeting)

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SHE DID IT

Andantin;----:-:-.

SHE RODE ALONE !

Riders, volunteers, and instructors experience small achievements each week during the LOVERA sessions, but every so often a monumental milestone is reached that has all involved grinning from ear to ear, misty eyed with joy, and feeling overwhelmed with the spectacular accomplishments this program can achieve with our riders.

Just such a milestone was reached during the regular Tuesday afternoon session, November 19th - a date long to be remembered by Michelle Roy and all those who worked so hard with her for the two years she's been in the program -she rode alone! No leader, no sidewalker - just Michelle astride dear, dependable Apple.

The triumph of this moment cannot be fully appreciated by those unfamiliar with Michelle's background.

Michelle was a challenge from day one for she had the briefest of attention spans; had very poor coordination, flopped all over the horse and saddle; yanked every which way with the reins; was unable, or often unwilling, to follow directions; and usually wanted to get off the horse before the session was over.

Was this the same child proudly riding around the ring alone, eyes shining, face radiant with the biggest smile, sitting up straight, hands clenched so tightly on the reins they were turning blue, concentrating so hard to make this large animal do what she wanted?

It sure was! Best of all were her comments: "I,m so happy.''. "I,m so excited." "My Mom would be so proud."

And at the end of the lesson she asked if Apple was proud of her - of course he was and so were we all. Don't ever try and tell anyone who was there that Tuesday that this special riding program doesn't build confidence, coordination, independence and a sense of self worth. We have proof in the new Michelle who now rides alone.

SYMPHONY IN THE MEADOW The Concert Committee of the Lower Connecticut Valley Educational Riding Association will present a gala event on the evening of Friday, June 27th 1986 at Twelve Mile Island Farm in Hadlyme for the benefit of LOVERA and its programs for the handicapped. The event will include a cocktail party, boxed gourmet dinner, silent auction, and a concert by the New Haven Symphony Orchestra.

According to Richard Lightfoot, Chairman of the New Haven Symphony, the concert will consist of familiar light classical music.

A large committee is hard at work preparing for the event under the chairmanship of Grace Hamiliton.

A few of the items donated for the auction are: a house on Block Island during the New York Yacht Club Race Week; two weeks in an Irish Cottage; a case of Premium Chardonnay Wine; and a landscape design with four shrubs of the successful bidder's choice.

Proceeds from the event will be used to defray the cost of LCVERA's programs.

WATCH THE NEWSLETTER FOR DETAILS !!

~~:

~ashanski Volunteer)

p).:r@ I J J !I

LOVERA TO HAVE ALL DAY HORSE SHOW IN MAY. PLAN AHEAD TO ATTEND.

* Hats off to instructor Edi Griswold who sensed the time had come to take a chance and gave Michelle her moment of glory.

Barbara (Tuesday

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A THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO VOLUNTEER A HELPING HAND October 1985 This summer I visited the White Mountains of New Hampshire with a friend.

We took the tram up Cannon Mountain, a 4000 foot peak towering above precipitous Franconia Notch.

My friend wasn't feeling too well and waited in the tramway lodge while I walked the little quarter mile circular path through the altitude stunted alpine trees, shrubs and flowers to the lookout tower.

It was cold; a pebbly snow ripped eastward on a biting wind.

Misty clouds tore and leaped from the deep valleys below over every mountain notch intermittently hiding portions of the unsurpassed views which spread miles in all directions.

The narrow path was bounded on the inside by granite blocks with windtorn spruce and fir, azalea and other alpine treasures rooted precariously in every crack and crevice, all sloping upwards towards the very summit. The outside of the path was also bordered by spruce and fir in a border sometimes five or ten feet wide edged on the outside by a sudden, dizzying drop-off hundreds of feet deep.

My heart pounded a little, for I am afraid of heights, but I pushed forward exhilarated by the fierceness of the elements, delighted by the beauty and tenacity of the plant life, and filled with the desire to reach the summit tower.

As I walked, the outside border of the evergreens began to shrink in height and width. Soon a single line of battered firs reached only to my knees and offered an unobstructed breath-taking view of the precipice beyond.

Frightened, I looked steadfast!,? only to the inside. The path curved gently around a granite outcrop.

The outside border was gone!

The path, smooth stone sloping outward along the edge of the cliff, disappeared around a snowy corner to unimaginable perils.

I froze as I tried to fight off the unnerving sensation of flying off and out, urging myself on, reminding myself that children and little old ladies walked here daily.

My senses would have none of it.

After five minutes of agonizing, I backed up shakily, now desperately clinging to every inside rock and twig with eye and hand until I reached the merciful shelter of eye high trees.

Slowly I returned the way I had come and took the reverse, easy, way to the tower. Here I regained calmness and confidence and decided to try the cliff walk from this, the opposite, direction.

But fear is not a forgiving enemy. In short order I was faced again with high exposure and equally high terror.

Again I tarried, agonizing, trying to calm my pounding heart. Finally, beaten again, I backed up and returned to the tower -disappointed, My friend stood there, recovered, looking for me. Ruefully I told him of my inability to circumnavigate the peak. "Come on 11 , he said "Of course you can do it, I'll hold your hand."

And he did; and I did; and we were happy with ourselves and each other.

Today at LCVERA Susie finally made it .to the top of her horse after months of agonizing efforts and disappointing failures.

Of course she could do it! All she needed were some understanding hearts and helping hands, We all need those at times.

And that's why we send a grateful thanks to all those who generously volunteer their hearts and hands.

Marianne Volunteer

Pfeiffer Chairman

VOLUNTEERS! Have you got a good idea for improving LCVERA? Have you got a problem that needs solving in order for you to work effectively and happily at LCVERA? Would you like to be involved further? or less? or differently?

THEN talk to Marianne Pfeiffer 434-5621, head of volunteer and guidance committee,

And yet it is all so very basic.

One of Sally Swift's favorite words is "allow" and she uses it in many ways. Allow time, allow awareness, allow understanding, allow things to happen. And this is something we can all apply to our work in LCVERA - stand back and allow your rider time and space in which to explore his world and internalize his learning experiences.

Allow mistakes. Allow the unexpected.

Allow experiments.

Allow the horse and rider to communicate.

Remember that word "allow" when you become impatient or even bored.

Remember "allow" when you wonder why I'm not "doing" anything, because as long as I'm not lying down and snoring, I am at work, following my instincts and allowing something to happen.

SALLY SWIFT CLINIC From September 11 through late 15, I was afternoon of September once again at Winslow, attending a Sally Swift clinic for instructors in riding programs such as LCVERA. Getting to see Sally Swift has been an obsession of mine for a couple of years; when her book CENTERED RIDING was published earlier this year, I immediately ordered 2 copies: one for me and one to donate to LCVERA, To quote from the Winslow flyer, Sally Swift "has incorporated a variety of diverse influences to help riders gain body awareness ... Her methods include elements of the Alexander technique, oriental martial arts brain learning."

Every morning and afternoon Sally worked with mounted riders; every evening Sally conducted body awareness sessions; and every night I learned a few things from the other participants.

I returned aware of new dimensions to be explored and awed at the unused powers within us. I also made a lot of new friends, and I was thrilled to be reunited with many of them at the November NARHA meeting in NYC. Making new friends is an integral part of any Winslow seminar.

Unfortunately, despite my efforts, I cannot fully share my Sally Swift experience in an article for the news letter. I have changed and so I have my powers of observation. have more confidence; I am able to put my powers of concentration to much better use. I have learned how to touch and where to touch for what effect, how a movement block in one area can affect another area.

I shared my experiWhen I returned ences with our therapist Carolyn. We spent hours together one evening, and many times I surprised her with not only what I could do to her to make her more comfortable and realign her posture, but also with the I had to use on my own techniques self before I could effectively influence her. But this is all a very intense and personal experience; it comes from inside; it thrives on trust and give and take between two people; it comes from feel, intuition, and observation.

A mood is set, a spell is cast.

Edi Griswold

HEAVEN'S VERY SPECIAL CHILD A meeting was held quite far from earth.

"It's time again for another birth."

Said the Angels of the Lord above.

"This special child will need much love."

His progress may seem very slow.

Accomplishments he may not show.

And he'll require extra care, From the folks he meets down there.

He may not run or laugh or play.

His thoughts may seem quite far away.

In many ways he won't adapt.

And he'll be known as handicapped.

So let's be careful where he's sent.

We want his life to be content.

Please, Lord, find the parents who, Will do this special job for You. They will not realize right away, The leading role they're asked to play' But with this child sent from above, Comes stronger faith and richer love.

And soon they'll know the privilege given, In caring for this gift from Heaven Their precious charge so meek and mild' Is Heaven's very special child.

Edna Massimilla 7

Bill stayed at Nel's for nearly eight months, Our prospects near our home fell through and we settled into a routine of driving to East Haddam to visit Bill. Gradually, demands on my time became greater and the urge to ride more became stronger, so once again I began to look for a place for Bill that was nearer our home. At last we found a farm where Bill could live and it was only 10 minutes from our house.

Bill has become part of our family. He comes home on weekends for a visit and we try to see him every day. It would be nice to have him with us all the time, but it is just not possible right now. I am glad we can sponsor him for LCVERA. I feel very proud when he gives a child a happy ride or when some eager rider says, "I want to ride Uncle Bill." I have such joy when I see our own children riding him and it makes me feel happy and free when I get up on his back for a ride of my own. I love it when he whinnies, "Hello", or when he nuzzles me, or sniffs in my pocket for a carrot. Oh yes, I have fallen in love with our horse.

The best part of all the LCVERA horses is that they have to be "special" to be part of the program.

They cannot be bad mannered, unruly or unreliable in any way because our riders need trustworthy steeds.

LCVERA is often offered good horses that have to be refused because there are not enough sponsors.

Would YOU think about becoming a It is a wonderful, rewarding sponsor. way to have a very special horse of your own.

Charlotte Quigley

SPONSORING UNCLE BILL Two or three years ago I told Sis Gould I would like to sponsor one of LCVERA's horses. When I said this to Sis, I thought that by the time a horse arrived we would have more land with a nice barn for a horse, maybe even two horses.

Last January Jonnie Edwards telephoned to tell me ¡that she thought they had a nice horse for our daughter Colleen. Jonnie and Holly were going to try him out, would I like to go too? My husband said it wouldn't hurt to look, so off I went trying to remember what a "bay" looked like. I was happily surprised to find a dark brown horse with black mane, feet and tail, not the cream colored one I was picturing.

I hadn't expected to be one of the people test riding this new horse, but Jannie's back was hurting and they needed someone to ride while Holly tried lunging. I mounted Bill facing his head, bounced everywhere at the trot and bounced so hard at the canter that poor Bill had no idea what was being asked of him: I still remember Holly telling Jonnie, if Bill were going to do something bad, he had every opportunity to do so. I was pleased to hear that they liked Bill because I was ready to take him home.

Our major problem was that we still had no land and did it did not look as if we would have any for a long time. I spent a day on the telephone and finally had a reluctant "yes" from a neighbor who said we could keep him on her property.

In the meantime, Jonnie had arranged for Bill to go to a temporary home at Nel Herbst's in East Haddam. There he could be ridden and tested for a two week trial period.

On February 1st, I drove up to Nel's, introduced Colleen and myself and waited for Bill1s arrival. It was not long before Judy Lightfoot and Sis drove up and delivered our new horse. I remember having the same strange feeling in my stomach that I had when we took our first child home from the hospital.

Fortunately Nel took us under her wing and soon Bill was right at home in his new stall and paddock and was getting acquainted with Nel's horses Pepsi and Zipper.

NEEDED!!

SPONSORS FOR SWEET GENTLE LCVERA HORSES ADOPT a HORSE WATCH the STUDENTS BLOSSOM CALL 434-1407

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Swider learned of the Lower Connecticut Valley Educational Riding Association after its director, Judy Lovelace of Essex, spoke at a Junior Women's Club meeting.

Since Jesse joined the program two years ago, Swider said, his "self-esteem has improved and so have his motor skills."

As Jesse trots around the ring popping up and down in the saddle, instructor Edi Griswold calls out "Look straight ahead. Guide her around the circle ••••Don't let her stop ••••You're doing ·it. Great. Great."

A broad grin spreads across Jesse's face.

"Once you do it, you get hooked," said John Kashanski.

The retired East Haddam man was not speaking of horseback riding. He was, instead, ex~s, gets from being association prog drawn into the J "I look forw: It's great to see along. It gives y Kashanski said.

(The following is an article from the Hartford Courant: Saturday, November 9, 1985 written

by Courant Correspondent Claudia Van Nes) PROGRAM HAS DISABLED RIDING HIGH Lyme - When Sylvia Lachapelle was born, doctors did not believe the fragile child would live through the night.

Forth-three years later Lachapelle, who has cerebral palsy, is a slight and still delicate-looking woman. Her mother has to turn her over in bed each night. Her speech is difficult to understand.

She arrives at her weekly therapy session slumped in a wheelchair.

But then Lachapelle is helped onto a horse.

She smiles as she maneuvers Apple around the riding area, which is ringed with maple trees, in a wooded corner of Lyme. She sits taller as her session progresses.

Her curled limbs relax. She grabs the reins and turns Apple to the right.

Volunteers in the Lower Connecticut Valley Educational Riding Association walk alongside Lachapelle, offering more than physical therapy.

They joke and talk with her as she rides round and round the ring. Her infirmities seem to fade.

Riding therapy is "wonderful" for Lachapelle, said her mother, Alice Lachapelle, who lives with Sylvia in Voluntown.

"Sylvia would rather ride horses than anything," she said.

People of all ages with learning disabilities, Down's syndrome, traumatic brain injury, visual or hearing impairments, mental retardation and other problems have participated in this and similar programs around the country.

Jesse Swider, 6, unlike Sylvia Lachapelle, has no readily apparent reason for receiving the intense instruction, companionship and therapy offered in the nonprofit 11 yearold program.

But his mother, Caroline Swider of Old Lyme, waiting on the sidelines for her son's lesson to conclude, says her son has 11expressive and receptive language delay," a learning disability that makes it hard for Jesse to communicate.

'WANTED!!

DEEP SEATED SADDLES ANY SIZE GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED for LCVERA (all donations tax deductable)

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LCVERA LIBRARY BOOKS on RIDING CALL 767-1974 CHILDREN DISABILITES

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