The High Hopes
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Inside this issue:
Thirty Years of New Days
what she like s most about riding, Sylvia replied "I feel in control." Through the years,
Board Chairman & Execut ive Director Message
Sylvia has been involved in competition and demonstrations at High Hope s and she is a regular participant in the annual High Hopes Horse Show. She enjoys the camaraderie of being part of a team and is not thwarted by
Spotlight On Success Me lissa's Rewards
her physical challenges. It is that combination of friendship and social adventure that led Sylvia to be chosen as the recipient of the
The Spirit of Giving Working Together at High Hopes
Ways to Give From the Horse 's Mouth Poncho: NA RHA Horse of the Year
High Hopes Happenings Occupationa l Therapy comes to High Hopes
In accordan ce with the Americans with Disabi lit ies Act, The High Hopes Rider is avai lab le in alternative formats upon req uest . • Please contact Judie Driscoll at Ext. 19.
Si nee
the days when High Hopes was called LCVERA (Lower Conne ctic ut Valley Equestrian Riding Academy) and operated out of the home of founder Sis Gould, Sylvia Lachapelle has been participating. From her first days riding her favorite hor se, Apple, to her current carriage driving wit h Aladdin (otherwise known as "Big Al"), Sylvia has
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H I G H -H 'O P E S Therapeutic Riding, Inc. Phone : 860.43 4 .1974 Fax: 860.434 .3723 www .highhopestr.org
2006 Patrick Moreno Sportsmanship Award. Patri ck, like Sylvia, discovered carriage driving after years of therapeutic riding whe n he found it increasingl y difficult to ride a mounted horse. Sylvia was honore d at the High Hopes Annual Meeting in October, in the company of her peers, instruc tors and supporters.
made coming to High Hope s and being w ith her friends - both the human and horse variety - a priority. Those who know Sylvia describe her as a very social person. She says " I love people!" In the 30+ years that Sylvia has been involved with High Hopes, she has worked with numerous volunteers and instructors but, in the end, they're all just friends. Many of them still drop by the facility when they kno w Sylvia w ill be there, just to say HI! Consequently, it's no surprise that
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Fall 2006
Sylvia has been described as the " light in many people's eyes." Supported by her mother, sister and other members of her family, Sylvia has used the services at High Hopes for equine assisted activities including therapeutic riding and, most recently, carriage driving. When asked
Sylvia continues to embrace each new day and High Hopes is proud to be by her side in facing t he challenges. We are ho nored to have had Sylvia's smile as part of this organization from the very beginning of our journey, and we look forward to many smiling days ahead. We thank Sylvia for teaching us to see each day as a new opportunity to give 100% of our best effort .
Editor's note : Be sure to check out the pho t o essay on the back cover, which provides a glimpse of High Hopes' history through Sylvia's part icipation in our programs.