Massachusetts Horse Benefit Halloween Scavenger Hunt 2019

Katie Upton . katieupton.com

Massachusetts Horse BeneďŹ t Halloween Scavenger Hunt

October 27, 2019

All proceeds go to Blue Rider Stables.

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Welcome

, and thank you for coming to the 15th annual Massachusetts Horse Benefit. One of my goals is to give back to the equestrian community. I do this in many ways, such as giving free Junior Horsemanship Awards to events in the Bay State; donating lifetime subscriptions to all public libraries in Massachusetts; partnering with the state’s horse clubs and associations whose members receive a free subscription; and, in every issue publishing a Lend a Hoof feature that profiles a local nonprofit organization that needs our help.

The benefit is another way I give back. Each year, proceeds go to a nonprofit equestrian or equine-rescue organization. This year I’m proud to honor the mission of the Blue Rider Stables in Egremont. Thanks to your support, in the past 14 years together we’ve raised more than $71,000!

A very personal thank-you to each and every competitor, sponsor, advertiser, and volunteer for participating in this special event. This Benefit Halloween Scavenger Hunt wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of the Mele Family and Sandalwood Stables! A special thank you to Chick Taylor who created and maintains these beautiful trails.Additionally, Massachusetts Horse features writer and co-manager of today’s event, Alessandra Mele. Thank you!

Sincerely,

Stephanie Sanders, publisher, Massachusetts Horse

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Thank you so much

for joining us here at Sandalwood Stables for the

Massachusetts Horse Benefit Halloween Scavenger Hunt in support of Blue Rider Stables in Egremont. My family and I are so glad to see you and your horses out enjoying these special trails in the name of a great cause.

I’ll never forget the first time I saw Blue Rider Stables put on its annual Circus.

I witnessed everything from elegant vaulting atop a magnificent Belgian horse, to riders bareback and barefoot in ballgowns carefully executing dressage movements, to moving displays of horsemanship conquering some of life’s greatest challenges, as riders of varying abilities proudly presented all they’d accomplished with their trusted equine partners. I’ve found myself at many equestrian events over the years, but the Blue Rider Circus has always been my favorite. A genuine human-equine connection is deeply present at this haven in the Berkshires, and the change that bond is capable of is nothing short of inspiring.

We are so pleased we can support Blue Rider Stables this year, in hopes of fostering more of those speJake Corbett

cial connections.

I’m very grateful to my family and friends that made this day possible —

the beautiful trails, carefully hidden jack o’lantern buckets, freshly painted trail markers, mowed fields, and so much more are all their doing. Thanks most especially to my grandfather Chick Taylor. He envisioned this incredible trail system and has pursued it tirelessly aboard his tractor. It makes him happiest to see it filled with beautiful horses.

The greatest of thank-yous goes to Stephanie, who’s kept the Massachusetts Horse Benefit going 15 years strong, raising more than $71,000 for Bay State nonprofits. Her vision to build community, rally support for those in need, and keep fun at the root of equestrian events is manifested here today, in every issue of Massachusetts Horse, and in the strong local camaraderie she’s helped shape.

Have a great ride!

Alessandra Mele, Sandalwood Stables co-owner, Massachusetts Horse features writer 5

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General Rules

y All riders MUST wear an ASTM/SEI-approved helmet when mounted. y All riders MUST wear a hard-soled boot with a heel. y No dogs allowed at event.

y Any discrepancies or questions should be directed to the manager. y Any abusive behavior toward any animal will result in dismissal.

y Horses prone to kicking and mares in heat must have a red ribbon in their tail.

y All horses must have a 2019 Coggins test.

y All horses must have some type of bridle and some type of saddle. Bareback and bridle-less riding is not allowed.

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Scavenger Hunt Rules

Prior to the event, 11 jack o’lanterns filled with color cards will be hidden in the woodland trails. The individual or team in each division who comes back with all 11 cards in the shortest time, will place first in that division. Once you’ve finished riding and untack, bring your 11 cards to the scavenger table and turn in each card for a piece of booty!

(Argh, matey!)

y You can compete as part of a team of two or three riders or as an individual rider.

y If you must pass a rider or team, ask permission to pass, call out which side you’ll be passing on, and then go slowly and carefully. Do not pick up a faster pace immediately, wait a decent distance away to not endanger the other riders. y No horses or riders on the course prior start.

y After completing the Scavenger Hunt, you may head back out on the trails to walk out your horse or for more enjoyment. Please be back to your trailers by 4 p.m.

y All the trails you are riding on are privately owned, not public. Please respect the landowners’ generosity and do not return on your own after the event and ride these

trails. We have permission for today only. Please respect the landowners.

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Scavenger Hunt Divisions

Team Walk Trot (walk and trot only; all seats; all ages) Team Novice (novice horse or rider; all seats; all ages) Team Open (all seats; all ages) Solo Walk Trot (walk and trot only; all seats; all ages) Solo Novice (novice horse or rider; all seats; all ages) Solo Open (all seats; all ages)

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Thank You to Our Generous Sponsors!

Teresa Burkhart, Nicole Birkholzer, Roxanne Bok, Lori Brogle, Melanie Dana Michael Divine, Kathaleen Emerson, Brad Ferris, Sally Feuerberg Sue Froehlich, Mary Hornbuckle, Charles Jocelyn, Chris Jocelyn, Rock Jocelyn Donna Maimes, Caroline Mansfield, Michele Muench Collins, Kara Noble Heather Robertson, Maeve Ronan, Matt Sanders, Monica Sanders

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Blue Rider Stables

by Alessandra Mele

All in the Smiles

I

n 1911 Germany, a group of expressionist artists sought freedom from the societal expectations and conventions that had been placed on art for centuries. For Wassily Kandinsky, Franz Marc, and other

deep connection between horse and human mutually heals and empowers.

Anything Is Possible

Alessandra Mele

The beginnings of the program were small but promising. With four horses

Participants and volunteers in the Blue Rider Stables Circus.

and ten riders, the operation took root on leased land. The belief that everyone has the ability to ride and experience horses was the foundation of the therapy program Chip set out to establish, and that philosophy has prevailed.

It was this belief, and the alternative approaches Blue Rider Stables had been using to make the vision a reality, that enticed Christine Sierau.

Christine is now the executive director of the program, and under her guidance Blue Rider has grown to its current impressive status at home in South Egremont. With the help of some 40 volunteers a year, 100 therapy students connect with 16 equines on a regular basis; 400 riders are touched by the program through a combination of lessons, camps, and workshops.

visual artists, this break with tradition took the form of blue horses. The horse and the color blue carried heavy symbolic value: the painters aimed to express spirit-ual and mythical aspects of art important to them. Using abstraction, experimentation, and intuition, members of the movement known as Der Blaue Reiter (the Blue Rider) opened up modes of artistic expression to allow for imagination.

Since 1991, a similar revolution has been taking place in the Berkshires at Blue Rider Stables.

Founder Charles “Chip� Carlson III, an artist himself, has carried the ideals of the German expressionists to his stable, creating a place where people can interact with horses in a more flexible, liberated way. The result is a harmonious environment in which a 18

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Christine’s view that anything is possible with perseverance and dedication stems from her upbringing. People with special needs were a part of her life early on, as her parents ran the Camphill Village residential program for special-needs adults. She witnessed how lives could be enriched, and what the people were capable of.

Christine notes the sense of inclusion she developed: “They were never labeled when we lived with them, they were just part of our lives.”

Christine’s own interest in horses was something her parents encouraged and fostered, despite some early obstacles. “I had asthma when I was little, and my parents were told to keep me away from hay, animals, and dust — all the triggers that would cause a reaction,” Christine remembers. “My parents let me have animals, and I found the horses down the street to work with. My parents helped me through each asthma attack. My dad told me again and again that when one puts one’s mind to something, anything is possible.”

With this tenacity instilled in her, Christine went on to be an accomplished equestrian. As a teenager, she became a North American Riding for the Handicapped–accredited therapeutic-riding instructor at Chef Center, Michigan. Then, she spent a combined 17 years in England and Germany, where she received a thorough education in horse training, stable management, and breeding. As a result, she earned certification as an assistant trainer as well as a stud assistant degree. In addition to this classical training in horsemanship, she was exposed to holistic methods: that is, examining the interconnectedness of horses and humans, and how they work together as a whole. It’s this approach that she uses to teach and inspire at Blue Rider Stables today.

Holistic Environment The sense of seamless interconnection between human and equine is present in every aspect of Blue Rider Stables, starting with the way the animals live.

The horses are allowed freedom of movement, and wander about the open facilities, interacting with each other and their human companions in a comfortable, relaxed way. The integration eliminates any need for dominance, instead creating a safe, respectful space of mutual education.

The mutual horse and human relationship is at the core of Blue Rider’s mission. Just as many of the students come to the stables for a therapeutic experience, a number of the equines arrive as rescue cases, having been through some neglect or hardship of their own. Becoming part of the Blue Rider program enables them to engage in a healing process as well, taking comfort in and learning from their human companions.

One beloved horse, Rose, came to Blue Rider after her owner became ill and could no longer care for her. At first, Rose had a difficult time adjusting to herd life and suffered from depression. Near blindness and arthritis created physical obstacles, but she discovered her place within the community and now contributes what she can as a lesson and therapy horse.

Elizabeth Kasevich, a rider engaged in the program, took a special interest in Rose and played a significant role in healing the disheartened mare, just by quietly offering companionship.

“For about two months I visited Rose every day, and for most of that time I stood in the pasture, just near her,” Elizabeth says. “You could not imagine my joy when one day as I walked toward Rose she looked at me and then watched me until I came up to her. She sniffed at my clothes and outstretched hand and then continued to eat. Even20

Neatness Counts

Please clean up around your trailer and pick up all your trash prior to leaving.

Let’s show Apple Knoll Farm Equestrian Center how much we appreciate having access to its facilities and trails! Thank you!

Thank you to Chartpak, located in western Massachusetts, for sponsoring so many of our prizes and raffle goodies! Chartpak makes many brands known to artists around the world including Art and Design Markers,Grumbacher paints, Higgins inks, Indigo Art Papers, Koh-I-Noor pens, Mijello watercolors, Molotow fine art acrylic markers, Schmincke premium artist paints, and much, much more. Look for these brands when buying your artist supplies and support a Bay State company!

chartpak.net 21

tually, she expected me to come close to her. She even allowed me to pat her, and to lean against her. Soon we were sharing our love.”

With Christine’s guidance, Elizabeth has experienced healing of her own through equine relationships.

Learning to ride later in life, Elizabeth needed to combat several emotional obstacles before she could be a confident rider. “Christine spent so much time with me. She never gave up on me, and helped me get over my fears,” Elizabeth says. “At Blue Rider, I was taught how to use my body correctly, and how to become intuitive with the horses. I’ve gained so many life lessons.”

Elizabeth’s is just one of the many success stories that have come out of the Blue Rider program. Recently, the stable held its 19th-annual circus, in which 34 riders showcased their abilities on horseback. On display were the many aspects of horsemanship Blue Rider teaches — vaulting, team drills, bareback jumping, dressage routines — and all ages and levels of riding were well represented. The enthusiasm, dedication, and courage of both human and equine participants delivered the Blue Rider message in a powerful way.

Christine witnesses such triumphs every day, and they still move her: “They keep me going every day,” she says. “To see someone who can only sit in a wheelchair get to move and control his environment, to see someone paralyzed with the fear of animals smiling while on a horse, to hear the words of a mute student, to see a horse that didn’t want to be touched reach for the hand of a person: every day is a little miracle.”

year almost $10,000 was awarded, enabling students who otherwise couldn’t afford the expense to keep riding.

To ensure that the miracles occur daily, the not-for-profit organization relies on donations. There are several ways to give to the program; visit bluerider.org to see how to help.

The fund-raising effort put forth by the Blue Rider community also contributes significantly to the stable. More than $28,000 was raised last year, all earmarked for maintenance of the facilities and care of the animals. A recent fund-raiser took place at the circus: a jug made its way through the crowd, in support of a necessary surgery for the blind lesson horse, Rhythm. The response was overwhelming.

This year’s biggest fund-raiser will take place during the Blue Rider Stables Fun Day, on August 24. The event, at French Park in North Egremont, will have pony rides, wagon rides, music, food, games, and a silent auction. Christine and the Blue Rider community welcome everyone to come and learn what the program is all about, and to have a wonderful and relaxing day.

Lots of hard work and support go on behind the scenes at Blue Rider Stables, and Christine says it’s repaid in the form of students’ joy. “It’s all in the smiles,” she says. “As long as we have something to offer, we want to continue to do what we do well — mediate between equine and human.”

For information on upcoming events and how to volunteer and donate, visit bluerider.org.

Alessandra Mele is a freelance writer and designer in Wilbraham. She enjoys spending time with the horses on her family’s farm, especially riding her Quarter Horse, JoJo. To see more of her work, visit thehomegrownstudio.com.

Support Blue Rider Stables wants to give everyone a chance to ride, and provides scholarships to those in need. Last 22

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