Horse Show Days Program

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welcome

Horse Show Days 2021 Dedicated to the memory and lasting legacy of Judy Lightfoot 1939 - 2021

during your visit and for your safety and the safety of our horses and participants... *please wear masks indoors and outdoors* *please maintain six-foot spacing between families* * please refrain from using flash photography * * be mindful of loud noises during class or in the barn area * *don’t hand feed the horses* *please do ask staff for help*

Enjoy the Show

Welcome to the Farm!

This week is one of the most important of the year for our staff and supporters as we take joy in celebrating our participants’ many achievements with their friends, family, and volunteers. With all that has occurred over the past year, and missing Horse Show Days last year, this year is even more special. We are delighted that you have decided to join us.

Whether riding, driving, or working on the ground with a horse, each participant is eager to share the things they have learned throughout the year. We invite you to enjoy the very special haven that is High Hopes while you watch horses, volunteers, and participants demonstrate the bonds they have formed.

I would also like to take a moment to recognize all of our sponsors whose generous support all year round makes the work we do here at High Hopes possible.

Thank you for sharing in this moment and for the help and support you give to our participants and to our staff. If we can make your visit more enjoyable or you have questions, please feel free to reach out to any staff member.

Enjoy your day at High Hopes!!

Kitty Stalsburg Executive Director

Walk On.

Marcia & Roger M. Smith

Thank you Kitty, Trudy, Vicki, Lucy, Josh and Anya for making every Friday a day we look forward to always.

Thank you to all the volunteers, staff and horses who make High Hopes our second home. We are very grateful to all of you.

Matthew, Andrew and James

IMPACT As you observe your loved one’s lesson today, you will surely be seeing the joy they have in their accomplishments. At High Hopes we practice Participant-Centered Equine Assisted Services. This means each lesson is tailored to each individual’s goals, both those specific to horsemanship and bigger picture life or educational goals. Here’s just a few of the ways therapeutic horsemanship enriches lives:

For unmounted participants, grooming and handling horses requires hand-eye coordination, sensitivity to different degrees of pressure or speed, and the ability to match and influence the horse beside them.

Physical Benefits: The horse’s walking gait is a dynamic, three-dimensional movement similar to the human walk. In fact, the average horse stride length is the same as the average human stride! When mounted, riders accommodate this movement through their pelvis and core causing them to engage their muscles, improve their posture and alignment, and access their vestibular system for balance.

In a carriage, the physical benefit is similar as the driver must accommodate changes in gait and terrain through their seat in the carriage. Though the seat has a back for support if needed, most drivers are encouraged to balance over their hips and use their core for good posture.

Cognitive Benefits: Working with horses requires total, in-themoment focus. Horses can be a great motivator for those who struggle to focus, as the horse will remind you quickly if your mind wanders. Many activities with horses, from grooming to steering, require sequencing and coordination. Participants learn how to use special equipment and communicate with a specific set of cues in order to get the reward of the horse’s response.

Many participants find the power of communication at High Hopes – with a horse they can be the leader, make a decision, or give a command, and the horse will respond as a partner. This is a powerful feeling!

High Hopes instructors may ask your educational goals, because with this attentive mindset, participants are often highly available for learning things like letter or color identification, or more advanced equestrian theory and terminology.

These skills transfer to home, classroom, or work, and participants may find that after they ride, it’s a bit easier to complete a homework assignment or stay focused on a task at work.

Social/Emotional Benefits: The bond between horse and participant cannot be overstated; these personal interactions are the core of how equine assisted services fosters a vibrant community. The horse is said to hold up a mirror to our true emotions and intentions, and for many, being seen so non-judgmentally is refreshing.

There is something empowering about building a relationship with a

1,000‌lb animal that is based on finesse, not force. Additionally, our amazing core of volunteers creates even more opportunities for developing social skills and teamwork. Participants may develop empathy and compassion toward their horse that transfers into relationships with others. They learn clarity in communication, turn-taking, and appropriate expression of emotions that carries over into social settings at home, work, or school. By caring for their horse, participants find meaning, self-esteem, and satisfaction that is unique to this special work.

What changes, benefits or impact have you seen from your own or your loved one’s work with horses?

Please share your stories with us and with others and spread the word about the impact of equine assisted services!

welcome to the

Legacy Society The Legacy Society provides a way to recognize the very generous benefactors who have made plans to benefit High Hopes’ mission with a planned gift. While personal and family obligations should always come first, a planned gift to High Hopes is a simple way to create an enduring legacy.

would you like to

Buy-a-Brick?

Located next to Hartman Pond is the beautiful Legacy Garden. Throughout the garden are bricks memorializing the names of individuals who made a bequest to High Hopes in the past as well as honoring individuals who have joined our Legacy Society. Your gift can also be made in honor or memory of a family member, friend, or cherished pet. The stone will be inscribed with that information, thereby providing a lasting memorial and longterm financial support for High Hopes.

Contact Sara Qua, 860.434.1974 x 122 for more information.

We are very proud of Cole and Teddy.

Love, Your Family

Wishing all High Hopes participants, volunteers, horses, and staff a week of celebrating special gifts and accomplishments – we greatly admire you all!!

Chris & Patti Coyle Hi Josh, You're a great boy! Have fun.

Big hug, Jeannie West

Happy Horse Show Day 2021!

Matthew, Andrew, and James, We are so happy to celebrate you this year and all your wonderful accomplishments! You have all grown as riders, and it has been incredible to watch.

With so much love and pride, Papa, Grandma, Mimi, Mom, and Dad Woof, Woof from Lois and Clark too!

Special People creating a special place…

Thank you to the horses and humans who keep the magic of High Hopes vibrant!

Kitty and Rob

In Loving Memory of Nancy Cash

Linda and Dwight Juliani

Congratulations to the participants of the 2021 Horse Show Days, especially Matthew, Andrew and James!!! Ride with pride and enjoy the show!!!

Best Wishes, Sandy

Best Wishes to all participants!

Anthony and Pam Vasiliou

Charlie We are so proud of you and the hard work you always put in to everything you do!

Love, Mom and Dad

meet the herd

Adopt-A-Horse What better way to show how much you and your family care about the horses your participants work with than to “Adopt-A-Horse”?

No need to worry about a pasture or a stall, snow or rain, vacations or vet’s fees. Adopt-A-Horse and High Hopes’ wonderful team of volunteers and staff will take care of all of that. You get to see your horse regularly, receive updates and pictures, and, most importantly, know that you are supporting our wonderful participants and programs.

our herd

Addie Aladdin Arthur Blessing Candy Charmer

Chip Gracie Jazz Joe Neon Oliver

Penny Petra Rolex Sebastian Taylor Teddy

Val Vixen Warrior

YES I would like to Adopt-A-Horse

$41.66/month or pay for a year

please let us know which horse you would like to adopt, or whether we should choose one for you.

Addie Aladdin Arthur Blessing Candy Charmer Chip Gracie Jazz Joe Neon Oliver Penny Petra Rolex Sebastian Taylor Teddy Val Vixen Warrior

¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨

Your Details Name(s)______________________ (please print)

Street________________________ City_________________________ State, Zip_________/___________ Email________________________ Telephone____________________ would you prefer to pay by

Credit Card ¨ or Check ¨

Please make checks payable to High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Inc. and mail them to 36 Town Woods Road, Old Lyme, CT 06371 or hand them to Diana Artiles, Kerri Guarino or Lesley Olsen.

Credit Card Details would you prefer to pay by

Visa ¨ Mastercard ¨ Discover ¨

we accept AMEX but as their charges are 3.5%, we would kindly ask you if you would also cover the fees to help your money go further in our programs.

Name on Card:_______________________________ (please print)

Card Number:________________________________ Expiration: _______________CVC:_______________ Signature:___________________________________ Would you like to make this an annual “adoption”?

Yes ¨ (please let us know for how long)

for__________ years

Signature:___________________________________

Congratulations Casey!

Winner of the 2020 Paul Burkarth Rider of the Year Award

We are so proud of all your success at High Hopes Love, Dad, Mom, Megan, Scott, Erin & Aunt Mary In riding a horse we borrow freedom.

-Helen Tomson

Foundations

Our Mission High Hopes fosters a vibrant community where horse and human interactions improve lives.

Allan Louis Loeb Foundation The Bingham Trust Cestone Foundation Chamber of Commerce of Easter Connecticut Foundation Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut Community Foundation of Greater New Haven Community Foundation of Middlesex County Dime Bank Foundation Dominion Energy Foundation EBB Tithes/The Eleanor Rickel Charitable Foundation Edward & Mary Lord Foundation The Equus Foundation Frank Loomis Palmer Fund Gardiner Family Foundation George & Grace Long Foundation Jacobs Family Foundation Kitchings Family Foundation Maximilian E. & Marion O. Hoffman Foundation Nordson Foundation PATH International Pine Bar Cornerstone Foundation The SPOUT Foundation The Thompson Family Foundation Westbrook Foundation Wireless Zone Foundation for Giving

Are you a veteran? Do you know a veteran?

Sign-ups are open for our summer Veterans Program at High Hopes. Tuesdays, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm | July 16 to August 17, 2021 highhopestr.org/veterans or call 860.434.1974 and ask for Chelsea This seven-week program is based on extensive research into the horsehuman bond. Through this program we help Veterans regain trust, respect, and the willingness to collaborate with those they live and work with.

Horses reveal their thoughts and feelings with their body language and behavior. They do not ask, demand, or expect anything from us. They want to feel safe, comfortable, and get along with others in their “herd.”

Being with horses is known to have a calming effect and to boost selfesteem. High Hopes’ very special herd of horses are specifically chosen for their good nature, patience, and willingness to interact with people of all ages.

¦ No Fee - thanks to our donors. ¦ 7-weeks | 2 hrs per week. ¦ No riding - this is an unmounted program based in the principals of natural horsemanship. ¦ Accessible to those with special needs or abilities. ¦ No experience with horses needed. ¦ Facilitated by trained instructors

We serve children of Veterans too.

Please call Marie at 860.434.1974 for information about our VetKids Camp.

In memory of our horse Starring Bo, who carried so many young riders and taught love, leadership and language that has built the foundation to good horsemanship and friendship.

High Hopes does it all.

We thank you.

Dancing Oaks Farm

Congratulations to all the riders and horses!

Best of luck, Welly & Woodford We love you Sebastian and everyone at High Hopes!

Thank you!

The McCallum Family

Congratulations, Julia! from your loving family

THANK YOU! 96% of our workforce are volunteers.

To every one of our amazing volunteers -

We could not do this without all 652 of you.

To learn more about future volunteering opportunities visit: highhopestr.org/volunteer or call Emily Belliveau 860.434.1974 x 112

With love to Spam, Sahara and Krissypoo Still together after all these years!!!

Stan and Kathy Peters

Congratulations Tommy!!

Arthur and I are so proud of you! xo maris

Much gratitude to all the staff and volunteers.

You are the light of her day.

Very proud of you Lauren as you continue to learn new horses.

Love, Dad, Mom & Emily

Great Job Lila, we all love you!!

Congratulations, Scotty on your 23rd horse show!

Love, Skylar, Kimber & Pepper

Thank you to the staff of High Hopes for helping our son, Matt, grow in so many ways.

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Community Foundations help build strong communities. High Hopes is honored to receive support from:

WITH THANKS to all our

Show Patrons

Show Supporters

Roger and Marcia Smith Toyota of Colchester Kathleen Wattles Eileen Zambetti

Judith Cohen Chris and Patti Coyle Kitty Stalsburg and Robert Hageman Sandra Joyce Dwight and Linda Juliani Johanne Mangi John and Erin McCallum Stan and Kathy Peters Pell and May Sarti Greg and Beth Smith Callista Stoddard Maris Wacs

Show Sponsors Jerry and Suzanne Cincotta Jennifer Curley

Show Friends

Class Sponsors

Katy Blanchette Robin Bonnano Ann Gaulin Karen Klarman-Williams Gil and Lisa Maffeo Anthony and Pam Vasiliou Eugenia West

Victoria Cyr Kevin and Dawn Fries Hope Juckel-Regan Kelly Gabrielle Mastrianna Cynthia Palmer Susan Shulman David and Beverly Silliphant

Thank you to the many people who contributed to making Horse Show Days special!

thank you to our dedicated

Staff

Trustees

Barbara Abrams Diana Artiles Emily Belliveau Chelsea Bourn Trudy Burgess Marie Cahill Erin Cardea Patti Coyle Ruth Denya Megan Ellis Lauren Fitzgerald Liesl Grigerek Kerrie Guarino Carolyn Jagielski Sarah Miller Laura Moya Lesley Olsen Juanita Paris Sara Qua Kim Severance Kitty Stalsburg Holly Sundmacker Carrie Wind

Jane Bolles Nancy Bulkeley Sarah Hill Canning John Catlett Hannah Metcalf Childs James Scott Douglas Mark Fader Jacqueline Kangley Sarah Kitchings Keenan Todd Machnik Margaret (Mac) Mummert Vicki Newton Jeffrey Ridgway Gary Rogers Robin Schonberger Greg Varga Peter Watt Deborah Welles Barbara Willkens

COnGRaTUlATiONs, PAtRIcK! WE aRE sO pROuD oF yOU! LOvE MOm aND DAd

Overabove believes wholeheartedly in the power of therapeutic riding to improve lives. We are proud to provide communication strategy and planning to help High Hopes further its mission.

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overabove.com

Layla we are so proud of all your riding achievements this year.

Your commitment to ride and your love for Teddy and horses has been unwavering. Your growth and happiness riding has been beautiful to watch. We love you!

Love, Mommy and Daddy

We want to say a special thank you to Teddy for being so trustworthy and helping Layla to build strength and confidence. Thank you Lauren Fitzgerald for being an incredible riding instructor for Layla. Thank you to all of the volunteers who have helped make Layla’s riding experience safe and enriching. Thank you Marie Cahill for all of your help this year.

We love High Hopes and are so grateful to be a part of its riding community.

TOYOTA OF

COLCHESTER

TOYOTAOFCOLCHESTER.COM

“Like Having A Dealer In the Family”

The Antonino Family

Thank you for attending Horse Show Days!

36 Town Woods Road Old Lyme, CT 06371 highhopestr.org