2000 (Feb) Newsletter

HIGH HOPES HAPPENINGS

VOLUME4, NUMBER1, FEBRUARY2000 Melissa Everett, Editor Alison Zack Darrell, Executive Editor UP

Coming Events - Put these dates on your calendar. More information inside.

Saturday and Sunday, January 22 & 23, 9:00 - S:00- Professional Workshop - Physical Disabilities: Precautions, Contraindications and Neurological and Orthopedic Concerns Tuesday, January 25 - Tack 'n Talk 'n Tea, 11:00 - Winter Horse Care Friday, January 28 - Winter Lecture Series, 6:00 - Nutrition and Feeding with the Blue Seal Representative Tuesday, February 1- Tack 'n Talk 'n Tea 11:00-A Rider's Story Friday and Saturday, February 4 & S, 9:00-5 :00-Professional Workshop - Cognitive and Psychosocial Disabilities Tuesday, February 8 - Tack 'n Talk 'n Tea, 11:00 - Horse Handling Thursday and Friday, February 17 & 18, 9:00- S:00- Sensory Processing in Therapeutic Riding, Part I Saturday and Sunday, February 19 & 20, 9:00 & Overnight - Sensory Processing in Therapeutic Riding, Part II Wednesday, February 23- Volunteer Orientation, 5:00 - 8:00 PM Friday, March 3 - SPRING SESSION BEGINS Thursday, March 16 - Volunteer Orientation, 5:00 - 8:00 PM Tuesday, March 21 - Volunteer Training - Effective Sidewalking Techniques , 5:00 - 6:30 (Hands-on, dress appropriately) Wednesday, March 22-FOUNDERS' DAY Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 31 and April 1 & 2 - Region I Conference in Scarborough, ME Monday, April 17 to Saturday April 22 - NO CLASSES Thursday, April 27 - Volunteer Orientation, 5:00 - 8:00 PM

Highlights in this issue: ♦

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PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOPS

♦ CLAUDIA MORIN TO VISIT HIGH HOPES

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WINTER LECTURE SERIES

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WE SAY GOODBYE TO AN OLD FRIEND

KITTY GOES TO JAIL

TACK 'N TALK 'N TEA TO RESUME

HIGH HOPES THERAPEUTIC RIDING, INC. 36 TOWN WOODS ROAD, P. 0. BOX 254, OLD LYME, CT 06371-0254 (860) 434-1974 FAX (860) 434-3723

HIGH HOPES FOLKS

Honorary Board Members

Board of Directors Officers President, Roger Smith Vice President, Jane Bolles Vice President, Jeffrey Ridgway Vice President/Secretary, Elizabeth David Vice President for Development, Cheryl Kelly Heffernan Treasurer, Charles Terrell Directors

Sally Aubrey Maureen 0. Augusciak Barbara Earle Ballard Linda F. Bierrie Jane I. Davison John C. Evans Geraldine U. Foster William D. Irving, M.D. Charles Kingsley Judith F. Lightfoot Rives Potts Ann Rice Wayne Southwick, M.D. Kelvin N. Tyler Gurdon B. Wattles

Lyttleton B. P. Gould, Jr. Frank Hamilton, Jr. Grace Hamilton

Staff Alison Zack Darrell , Executive Director Kitty Stalsburg, Program Director Petra Shearer, Business Manager Kristin Elliott Leas, Barn Manager Helene Fenger, Campaign Associate Dawn Zornig, Program Associate Melissa Everett, Program Coordinator Judie Driscoll, Administrative Assistant Barbara Abrams, Instructor Ann Bailey, Instructor Patti Coyle, Instructor Jonnie Edwards, Instructor Bill Nelligan, Instructor Holly Ridgway, Instructor Amara Alpert Cohn, Driving Instructor Carolyn Jagielski, Physical Therapist Heather Rice, Barn Assistant Carol Brining, Barn Staff/Administrative Carol Gilchrist, Barn Staff John Driscoll, Caretaker

Assistant

SUMMER CAMP 2000 NEWS Registrations for Summer Camp are coming in like gangbusters! One session is already full, another is nearly full, and there are students registered in all of the others. Please remember that registration into Summer Camp is on a first-come, first-served basis only. We regret that we cannot take registrations over the telephone. Once a session is full, any other students interested will be put on a wait-list, again on a first-come, first-served basis. If you're interested in having your rider participate in Summer Camp, I urge you to get your Registration in as soon as possible. If you have not received registration material, or if you have questions, please call 860-434-1974. Please note: Registration deadline is March 1, 2000.

PROGRAM NEWS FROM KITTY Greetings! And welcome to a New Year full of fun and excitement at High Hopes!

This year's winter program promises to be a full session with new riders and several school groups participating. We have extended the winter lesson series by a week, making this a sixweek semester. Dawn and Patti have been working diligently with our ever-faithful core of hardy volunteers to ensure that our volunteer needs will be met during the blustery months.

The curriculum for the winter series will revolve around a popular seasonal song!

Plans are underway for the spring semester. Classes begin on Friday, March 3, 2000. Letters to riders will be sent out in early February. Please notify the office immediately if there are any requests for schedule changes. The ¡spring semester will culminate in Demonstration Days during the week of May 15th with our Annual Horse Show scheduled for Saturday, Ma; 20th .

Our teaching staff will be augmented for the first few months of the year by Instructor Candidates, who will be readily identifiable by their navy blue vests. Please help us by welcoming them into the High Hopes family and enriching their educational experience.

I look forward to seeing each and every one of you as the year progresses. As you can see, we haye a lot of wonderful things planned. (And that isn't even mentioning the Symphony In the Meadows . .. ) Cheers!

SPRING SEMESTER 2000 BEGINS IN A FEW SHORT WEEKS AND WE NEED YOU/ COME VOLUNTEER AT HIGH HOPES/ LET US HELP YOU ACHIEVE THAT SECRET DESIRE TO HORSE-HANDLE, SIDEWALK, OR GROOM AND TACK. IF THERE'S NOTHING YOU LIKE BEITER THAN A FRIENDLY HORSE, THEN JOIN OUR BARN CREW AND HELP GIVE LOTS OF LOVE AND CARE TO OUR HERD. WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU/

A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR It is a special privilege for me to write my little piece for this newsletter, because not only am I looking back into the past millenium to give you my view on some of High Hopes' highlights. but I'm also reflecting on our passage into our ne:-..1 quarter century of existence as an organization.

As you know, I 999 marlcedour first 25 years of history as an organization, and we celebrated that milestone throughout the year. Our celebration culminated at our 25th Annual Meeting. held on October 30th at Aleia' s Restaurant in Old Saybrook.

More than 150 people attended the sit-down dinner. The program began with our honored guest speaker, Dr. Paul Pierson, who was the first Board President of what was then L.C.V.E.R.A. He reminisced about the origins of L.C.V.E.R.A., recollecting the days when the original few board members held their meetings in a local school (often going home long after the janitor had left!).

Following Dr. Pierson's walk down memory lane and his inspiration over how far we've come, we enjoyed a slide presentation highlighting our 25th Anniversary Year. The Annual High Hopes awards were then presented by Kitty Stalsburg and myself, with our winners' photos displayed to music. AND THE WINNERS WERE: Kelsey A Fournier - Paul Burkharth Rider of the Year Marilyn Conklin - Patrick Moreno Sportmanship Award Eleanor Bonafonte - Office Volunteer of the Year John Sturges - Barn Volunteer of the Year Linda Ward - Program Volunteer of the Year April & Bosco - tied as Horse of the Year We then bid fareweLJto two of our longtime Board Members, Jack Rodgers and Tia Smith, who have more than served their due terms for High Hopes. We also imposed upon them the fact that although they were relinquished from their formal board duties, we will never let them entirely out of our grip.

After that came the happy duty of welcoming on two new, but well-seasoned, Board Members, Sally Aubrey and Rives Potts.

The beauty of this 25th Anniversary Annual Meeting was the combination of people old and new that came together within the context of paving the way for our future. High Hopes' progress over the past 25 years has exceeded all expectations to the point where our founding members scratch their heads in awe at how far we've come. But at this gathering, they came •to know how important our deep roots, meaning them, are to High Hopes' future. They are the ones who laid down the values of commitment to our community, sharing our expertise with others for the purpose of the greater good, and never excluding anyone from the ranks of our "family." And these are the same values that will explain High Hopes' incredible successes as we enter the new century.

A Merry Millennium and Thousands of Thanks to all of you who continue to make High Hopes a special place.

INMEMORIUM

SO WHO NEEDS SNOW?

by Petra Shearer

It is with heavy hearts that we at High Hopes mark the passing of our good friend, Kea, who was laid to rest on December 3 1.

1999. He will be missed, but we know that his spirit will always be here, keeping an eye on things and lending his

support.

NOT the people in the High Hopes family. of which over JOO th came to the December 11 Holiday Party. And NOT even Santa needed snow as, drawn in our carriage by Julianna , he arrived with his annual guide, driving instructor Amara Alpert Cohn.

The party was the family event the staff had planned - riders, parents, brothers and sisters, volunteers , Board members and staff all together. Many said that it was the official start to the holidays, and all sampled the love that is High Hopes at all times of the year.

Jordan Thompson was a big hit - masquerading as a reindeer and delighting instructor Bill Nelligan with a reindeer toy that brought out Bill's wealth of imagination as he tested the toy 's ability to take on different positions .

Kristin Elliott Leas thanked everyone who decorated stalls (judging which one is the best is one of her hardes t jobs) . This year ' s prize went to the Catlett family, who decorated April's stall with a string of handmade , miniatur e feedbags - one for every horse in the herd

Rest in Peace, dear friend.

KEA A Fond Farewell December 31, 1999

The annual Wish List\was generously attended to . The horses received their most-needed items, some scholarship gifts were made, and program crafts and office supplies also appeared under the tree. One alarming thing did occur as the holiday season progressed - the goodies from the party and other thoughtfully provided treats disappeared incredibly fast!

Your last job was in teaching us how to let go.

It was the hardest, and yet the easiest, of decisions, as it was the humane thing to do.

You had purpose - you touched so many lives.

You were admired and loved by so many.

The staff and Board join me in hoping that the Year 2000 began happily for everyone in our family with the same love, support and enthusiasm that the holiday season brought to High Hopes.

Your work days are over and your hoojbeats are silent.

We will miss you so terribly.

We will find comfort in knowing that your spirit rides with us daily at High Hopes, as we hopefully continue your work with the same loyal devotion and big heart that you demonstrated so endlessly by your gentle actions.

DID YOU RECEIVE 2000 CALENDAR?

You are now .free to run in pastures white with clover, and once again see the light of day, and hear the sounds of nickering - You were so long deprived of these simple things.

Your years of faithful service have been crowned with a peaceful end Peace to you , a true champion.

Your.friend forever , Linda Almeida Volunteer

The High Hopes 2000 Appeal in December . contact Petra Shearer calendar for a friend, available for $5.

YOUR HIGH HOPES

Calendar was mailed with the Annual If you did not receive yours, please at 860-434-1974 . If you 'd like a or someone in your family, they are

SYMPHONY IN THE MEADOWS! JUNE 10, 2000 SAVE THE DATE!

WORLD GAMES VOLUNTEER RIDERS IN CAROLING

LEADS

HIGH HOPES' ANNUAL APPEAL ANOTHER RIDER SUCCESS STORY

by Petra Shearer

by Petra Shearer Jim Lewis became a High Hopes volunteer at the 1995 World Games and has worked with us ever since. Most recently, he helped us provide a caroling activity for the High Hopes Teens, a recently formed group of riders who are meeting to get to know one another. Jim and his wife Jean arranged for our carolers to go to the Senior Center at Ryefield in Old Lyme.

On December 10th , Lindsay Bolles, Derron LePoutre, Anne McHutchison, and Casey Snyder shared their love of holiday songs with the Ryefield Seniors. I accompanied them on my magic keyboard, and Casey's mom, Lois, provided transportation.

I can only sum up this experience as a wonderful example of High Hopes' riders going the extra mile, reaching out to each other and doing their best for people who believe in them and our programs.

NARHA ANNUAL CONFERENCE

by K"tJJ.y Stalshurg The National Conference on Therapeutic Riding, held in Cleveland, Ohio, November 17 - 20, 1999 was a terrific affair! Education sessions were offered on an amazing number of varied topics. High Hopes staff took advantage of both the tremendous educational and networking opportunities offered during the event. In addition , we kept busy sharing and presenting in many areas.

Physical Therapist Carolyn Jagielski was recognized at the AHA (American Hippotherapy Association) annual luncheon for receiving her certification as a Clinical Specialist in Hippotherapy. Expressive Therapist Barbara Abrams was active with the EFMHA (Equine Facilitated Mental Health Association) pre-conference workshops. Executive Director Alison -Zack Darrell presented a pre-conference administrative workshop. -Therapeutic Recreation Specialist Dawn Zornig was busy in her role as the NARHA Region I Representative, and presented at the Volunteer Forum. Business Manager Petra Shearer ran the High Hopes booth at the Exhibit Hall.

Barn Manager Kristin Elliott Leas won many categories with her wonderous photography representing our program, and I participated in the On-Site Instructor Evaluation process and was active in my role as NARHA Vice President and Member of the Board. We were also able to catch up with many of our graduates and other professionals in the field with whom we share ideas throughout the year, but rarely get to meet face to face.

The Annual Conference culminated on Saturday with a day at Fieldstone Fann where we were able to learn from their recent building experiences, and the awards banquet. Lytt Gould journeyed to Cleveland to present the Sis Gould Driving Awardto Debra Gadus.

The High Hopes 1999-2000 Annual Appeal is another rider success story , which starts with the sharing and commitment to our mission of those riders, volunteers and staff members who appear in our Year 2000 calendar . The success story continues as we try to keep pace with the processing of contributions to our Annual Appeal. It is too early to be more speci.4i.cabout the Appeal 's success, but we are confident that it will be one of our strongest ever .

One of the most heartwarming things about the appeal is that it places an emphasis on as many people giving as possible - it is really important to us to know how many folks .care about our mission and come forth to support it as they are able . If you would like to support the appeal this year , and have not already done so, just let us know .

Just as heartwarming is the tremendous volunteer effort that goes into the design of our Appeal In acklition to the work of the Development Committee, chaired by Board member Cheryl Kelly Heffernan, most of the Appeal design and photographic work are contributed . The cost savings which we realize because of these contributions enable us to print our calendar and distribute it to everyone in our family . We thank in particular Ash Darrell , Kristin Elliott Leas, Bob VanKeirsbilck, and Liz Michalski .

PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOPS These full-day lectures , conducted within the NARHA Approved Instructor Training Course at High Hopes , are open to volunteers and professionals in the field

Physical Disabilities: Precautions, Contraindications and Neurological and Orthopedic Concerns - Saturday and Sunday, January 22 & 23. Presented by Carolyn Jagielski, RPT.

Cognitive and Psychosocial Disabilities -

Friday and Saturday, February 4 & 5. Presented by NARHA Advanced Instructors Barbara Abrams (Expressive Therapist) and Dawn Zornig (Therapeutic Recreation Specialist) .

Each workshop lasts from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and costs $60. For more information, or to receive registration material, please contact the office directly at 860-434-1974 .

TACK 'N TALK 'N TEA RETURNS/ Please join us on Tuesday mornings at 11:00 for an opportunity to talk, listen and leam. These are infonnal sessions during which we' ll be helping to keep our tack sparkling clean, so dress accordingly .

January 25 - Winter Horse Care - Presented by Kristin Elliott Leas. High Hopes ' own intrepid Barn Manager will discuss the management philosophies specific to the horses at High Hopes. The basic requirements of the horse during the winter months will be reviewed.

February 1 - A Rider's Story - Presented by Marilyn Conklin. Meet one of our riders and learn more about what riding means to her. There will be a frank discussion about the value of therapeutic riding and a time for questions.

February 8 - Horse Handling - Presented by Kristin Elliott Leas. An exploration of the relationship between horse and handler . Various effective techniques for working with horses will be examined. This will be a hands-on session , so please dress accordingly.

NARHA REGION I CONFERENCE MARCH 31, APRIL 1 & 2 BLACK POINT INN, SCARBOROUGH, ME JOIN US FOR EDUCATION AND FUN (INCLUDING A BEACH RIDEi) FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT DAWN ZORNIG, 860-434-1974 OR STEPHANIE LARIVEE, 207-883-7102

CLAUDIA MORIN TO PRESENT AT HIGH HOPES! Claudia Morin , MHE, OTR/L , Director of Occupational Therapy at the Medical College of Georgia Hospital and Clinic in Augusta, will present a two-part, four-day workshop on "Sensory Processing in Therapeutic Riding."

Part I, February 17 & 18, is designed to provide professionals in the field with a problem-solving approach to the concepts of sensory processing. Participants will explore the ways in which the sornatosensory and vestibular systems contribute to sensory processing, and examine sensory processing difficulties and subsequent behaviors. There will be a handson opportunity to focus on horse and movement choices, equipment options, activities, and positional ideas. Emphasis is placed on teaching techniques and methods that can be used to improve sensory processing of the rider with the riding environment.

Part II, February 19 & 20, includes sessions with riders who have sensory processing dysfunction . The first session will be videotaped and subsequently discussed, using these riders to illustrate sensory processing issues frequently encountered in therapeutic riding lessons . The second session allows for the opportunity to apply new techniques to these same riders, thus seeing the results of what has been learned . (Please Note:

Participants in this session are required to stay over housing and two meals are provided - in order to allow them to "experience" some of these riders' challenges by

working through and actively participating in a series of simulations.)

The cost for Part I is $150. The cost for Part II is $200. which includes overnight accommodation. and Saturday night/Sunday morning meals . Please note that participants in Part II MUST have taken Part I prior to 2000. Part II is limited to 12 participants.

During the past 15 years, Claudia Morin has served NARHA as Board Member , AHA Board Member, and Accreditation and Medical Committee Member. She is the recipient of the James -Brady Award for Outstanding Professional Achievement in the field of therapeutic riding. Her special interest area is in the application of sensory integration techniques to Hippotherapy and therapeutic riding with children.

For more information, or to receive registration material , please call High Hopes at 860-434-1974.

WORDS OF LOVING PRAISE Children from the Cohanzie School in Waterford rode with us in the Fall and fell so deeply in love with their horses that they were moved to write poetry. We thought we would share some of it with you.

Apache, My horse

by Zachary M. I love your soft coat of cinnamon Sprinkledwith the wbitness of sugar When I hug you you feel like a cozy, warm blanket Protecting me from danger When I brwh your silky mane, You dream Dreams of Peaceful spring forests And you bear the birds caUingyou.

My Soft Horse Doug

by Dale F. You are white a5 the sky on a clear winter morning.

You take me to a castle where everything is safe and we find treasures exploding with secrets.

When I brush you, your coat of satin shines like the sun.

My heart feels loving when you are near me.

You tum my waves of sadness into sun drenched dreams of morningsnow crocuses.

His coat is gleami ng like the midnight stars .

He takes me to the playgroun d where he is my friend Always.

ChocolateBars .

by Christie P.

by Caitlin A. Your eyes of rich cocoa look at me seeking love Your pale mane flows gently when we ride in the autumnearth.

The brilliance of th e crescent moon engraved into your warm coat, Your special mark Does it remind you of the indigo sky spattered with wishes?

Together we carry my oceans of melancholy far, far away.

Honey, My horse byTroyC .

Honey my horse is taking me to Horse land where everything is spilling rainbow colors My horse has wings and we fly, way up into the organdy sky.

We swoop down to the castle below, where we see lollipops of jasmine beginning to grow.

Together we follow, a shimmering rainbow of protection.

•••• ~

byDustynL.

My horse is strong like me-

I love to ride on your big, strong back I feel happy in my heart when I see you I love you Do you love me?

KRISTIN SEZ . . . "BE A HORSE BARN BUDDY/" Every horse in our herd is looking to have a budd y. This program is designed to match an individual (the Buddy ) to a horse, which they can then pamper and provide with TLC. The Buddy must commit to a schedul e of coming in a couple of times a week to groom and give their horse some muchneeded love and attention. Additional jobs include clipping , mane pulling and, possibly , in-hand training as your skill level increases . This is a great opportunity to give back to those who give us so much - our horses! If you ' re interested in becoming a Horse Barn Buddy, please contact Kristin , the Barn Manager .

WINTER HORSE CARE

by Kristin Elliott Leas Believe it or not, winter horse care begins with taldng care of yourself. Being properly dressed for the barn is important whether you 're riding or volunteering . Choose warm clothing that allows freedom of motion . Gloves and a hat are essential.

Boots with good tread will prevent slippage in icy conditions , and heavy socks are needed to keep your toes warm.

Now tha t you ' re all set, what about our equine friends ?

A healthy horse can cope with winter temperatures when given enough time to adapt . A horse in good condition, with protection from the wind , can withs tand temperatures as low as 40 degrees below :zero! They can remain quite comfortable with temperatures in the teens, provided their coat remains dry.

A human ' s comfort zone , where no additional energy is needed to regulate body temperature , is 50-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Horses are designed like a moose , with a blocky bod y that can produce and maintain heat. Lightly muscled legs require less blood circulation and, thus , less heat loss.

Horses have a massive digestive tract (as our volunteers know only too well!) . processine a fibrous diet that generates heat .

only too well!) , processing a fibrous diet that generates heat.

This gives the horse a much broader comfort zone than that of people - 15-60 degrees Fahrenheit.

A horse ' s winter coat actually sprouts in late spring . After the Summer Solstice , around June 22, the shortening of days triggers the shedding of the summer coat. The temperature in Fall affects the length of coat. If blanketed , or kept inside a warm barn , the coat will not grow in heavily . But if the horse is allowed to be outside in the cold, the coat will grow in thick.

After the Winter Solstice, around December 22, longer days trigger the growth of the swnmer coat and, therefore , the winter coat cannot get heavier.

The depth or "loft" of a coat traps insulating layers of warm

air. The importance in having a wind -block is to prevent high winds from releasing the trapped air. A horse blanket will flatten the horse 's coat and its natural insulating ability, causing the horse to become cold. The blanket must be heavy enough to make up for what it is taking away from the horse 's natural warming mechanism . A horse whose coat has been clipped needs to be blanketed. If a horse is kept outside , a waterproof blanket is the most effective since a wet blanket is useless in keeping a horse warm.

Feeding to keep a horse warm should be accomplished by increasing their hay, not their grain (though the horse would Jove for you to believe otherwise) . The digestion of the hay fiber produces heat , while increasing the grain will unset the carbohydrate balance and can cause lamin.itis. Underweight, sick or old horses have less body mass and their ability to insulate themselves is drastically reduced. Water is important to have available for the horses , and winter provides an added challenge with freezing buckets unless heaters are installed.

Stabled horses can have several problems. A barn that is closed to keep the warmth in often leads to poor ventilation and a build up of ammonia , causing respiratory problems.

Keeping horses active is essential in the winter . Inactivity enforced by confinement in a stall reduces the flow of food along the digestive tract. This slowing down can lead to impaction and deadly colic.

As you trudge to the barn in your winter woolies, take a look at your horses frolicking in the pasture. Nature has provided for them a thick coat. Given proper shelter and plenty of water and hay, horses will remain happy and content even on the cold winter days.

BARN VOLUNTEERS NEEDED/ Your horse friends need your help. Volunteers are needed to work with the barn staff to help with scheduled feedings , grooming, and pasture and barn work. If you 're interested in getting some behind-the-scenes equine experience and learning about the High Hopes herd from those who know it best , give Barn Manager Kristin Elliott Leas a call at 860-4 341974.

WELCOME NEW VOLUNTEERS! Please join me in welcoming these new members of the High Hopes volunteer family : Mert Alakan , Todd Annis. Susan Battles , Kevin Birch. Jessica Bogucki , John Brailsford Patti Brunson. Pamela Lynn Cheney, Stephanie Ciccotti , Phil Cocchiola , Alison Congdon .

Lyle Congdon . David Cwnmings , Jessica Cunningham.

Dennis Daesiner , Katie Davis. Katie Deegun. William DeJesus , Carmine DeStefano , Arin Doherty , Emery Duguette.

Rebekah Fielden , Kate Fillmore , Wayne Gallup , Jake Gay, Georgia Hanna , Bonnie Hiltz , Cynthia Howard , Jenni Johnson, Jeff Kent , Kara Kochanski, Wyanti Leary , Lewis Levine , Andrea Lipsky, Mark Lull , Kristin Malaro , Rachel Miller , Charles B. Milligan, Ill , Andrew Montanaro , Graham Mooney , Janine Palmer , Debra Parkinson, Janet Patalano , Lori Pinski , Rusty Reynolds , Sherrie Roderich , Yanira Santiago , Matt Sarti, Emma Sellers , Jeremy Shoemaker , Susan Somerville , Reba St. Onge , Cory Sparrow , Katie Stephenson, Rhonda Sussman , William Villa, Jr., Derik Waterman , Nicole Williams , Emily Zatursky.

(If you 're a new volunteer, and your name has somehow been left off the list inadvertently , PLEASE LET US KNOW!)

WELCOME, TOOto Carol Gilchrist , who joins our staff as part of our hardworking and incredibly vital barn crew. Carol comes to us via our Instructor Training Course , which she took in August.

In her spare time (what little of it we let her have!) , Carol likes to swing-dance , and hang out with her three terrific kids, James, Elise and David (all budding horsepeople in their own right).

THANK YOUS ARE DUE TO . . .

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the Missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, who helped fold, seal , and label our previous newsletter .

Bob Knoll , for taking our staff photos and for serving as photographer at our 25th Anniversary Annual Meeting.

Angela Cicciotti , for straightening and matching all of the boots in the lounge without even being asked. all of our VISTA volunteers . We can 't begin to tell you how helpful you are to us .

Board Member Charles Kingsley , whose law firm oversaw all of the ins and outs of our recent real estate purchase . the guys from AIC who help unload hay .

Bob Keim, for throwing us an impromptu end-of-semester pizza party.

Pat Burns, for bringing us such delicious pastries .

Jane and Jan Cornelius , who gift us with cookies each and every week of program. (Why we all don 't weigh 600 lbs. aP,ece is a mystery.)

Harry Slifer , High Hopes' "fairy godfather, " for cleaning supplies, and bags and bags and BAGS of carrots and apples for our hungry herd.

Jennifer Parsons , for bringing us dozens of cookies from Culinary Capers .

HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS to Sarah and Sabrina Catlett on the birth of their baby sister.

Anna Grace joined the High Hopes family on Saturday , November 6 at 9:38 PM, weighing in at 5 lbs., 6 oz. Though Anna chose to appear five weeks early , mother and daughter did well and are safely home, where Anna is experimenting to discover just how little sleep Mom needs in order to function.

There's no doubt in our minds that Anna will carry on the great horseback riding tradition in the Catlett family when she gets a little older. And what great role models she has in her two big sisters . Welcome , little girl!

Rich Kuzak Ali McClain Marie Milach Brian Pace T. J. Riley rn Ben Spector Emily Tharp Brian Watson Adam Ziegler

Matthew Manofsky Matthew McClure Laura Millen Sean Plankey Paul Schurke Rich Stickley Brett Walter Zachary Williams

Scott Mccann Joe McPherson John Northrop Keith Puzder Pablo Smith Laura Stunn Ted Wang Jessica Yoo

WINTER INSTRUCTOR CANDIDATES ARRIVE! Please join us in welcoming the latest class of Instructor Candidates . Joining us from January 6 to April 7 are: Janice Gregory of Chepachet , RI; Jacqueline Balcer of Salem, NY: Peggy Holt of Fredericksburg , VA; Rebekah Fielden of Waterbury , CT (she is also a student at Teikyo Post University) ; Stephanie Knoll of Branford, CT; Michele Austin of Amenia, NY; Grace Dormer Brown of Carolina , RI; and Amber Potter of Wyalusing, PA.

KITTY INCARCERA TEDI Well, I suppose that it was just a matter of time , knowing that woman and her wicked ways. You 've all heard the stories before - horse rustling, running contraband chocolate across the border into Mexico .. . oh, it's all just too sordid to discuss.

Only fooling, folks . Well, sorta. While Kitty did go to "jail ," it wasn 't a real jail, but a falce lock-up at Lorensen Toyota in Old Saybrook, to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Contacting her compatriots in the criminal underworld, Kitty was able to raise a little over $1200 in "bail," all of which was donated to MDA before she was set free to terrorize our streets once again .

And in caseyou don 't belie ve me, here ' s visual proof.

AN EXTRA-SPECIAL THANK YOU . .. to Delta Company , of the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London , who visited us on October 29 and bent their willing arms to all sorts of labor . They cleaned offices , tack room , and barn ; cleaned tack; cut trails ; picked rocks ; gave the turn-out sheds a new lease on life and, in general , made our lives so much easier. We want to gratefully acknowledge the hard work of: Donald J. Bailey R. Luke Byrd Rula Deisher Kyle J. Eldridge Hugo Goicoechea Russell Hall Aaron Holler Richard L. Jung

Ian Bartonicell James Cooley Matt Derrenbacher David Feeney Jason Haag Andy Halvorson Chip Howard Samuel Kasten

John Boesch Jonathan Cox Emily Devan Lauren Ford Patricia Haley Jim Hiltz Sarah K. Hufford Natasha Klein

AND A SPECIAL CONGRATULATIONS

UNDER-THE-WIRE

to volunteer Kate Thompson, in getting into her first-choice college , Keene State . We 'll miss you, Katie , but we 're SO proud of you!

Non-Profit Organi zation U.S. Postage PAID Old Lyme, CT 06371 Permit No. I

High Hopes TherapeuticRiding, Inc. 36 Town Woods Road P.O.Bo:1254 Old Lyme, CT 06371