There’s never a dull moment with Partners. The first half of this year was no exception. We’ve enjoyed time with friends at CalNet, smiling faces at the Lakeside Parade, and creative hands at our Color Me Mine Fundraiser. We have a beautiful, big new horse and many new students and volunteers. We look forward to seeing and hearing more from all of you in the months to come.
Triumphant Return to CALNET
After much planning and financial assistance from the San Diego Elks Lodge 168, we made our mark and fulfilled dreams again this year at Calnet’s 21st Annual State Championships for Riders with Special Needs.
Following tradition, Beth Ann Milke rode extremely well, despite having to switch horses several times during the competition. Imagine practicing on your horse, knowing his quirks and then having to cope with the last minute challenge of riding different horses?! Not once but twice! Then, earning first, seconds and third place ribbons. The real kicker was she earned High Point Over All for her division. Talk about learning coping skills! What was really fun was watching her mom’s jaw fall to the ground when the award was announced. And Beths’ tears of joy were a great example of why we love what we do.
Chris Hardy, a first-time competitor, looked like an old pro. He was cool and polished, learning a new skill the week before we left and nailing it at the show. He earned some great ribbons, including a second place in equitation over a very large field of entrants which is unheard of for a first time competitor!
Emily Kaminsky was our chatty, cutie pie in her new pink ratcatcher (shirt) donated by Mary’s Tack in Del Mar. It matched her favorite ribbon – pink! It was the “best ribbon she had ever won”. She was in tears when it was time to go home. She did not want the fun to end.
Linda Hamilton, our adult rider, brought yours truly to tears riding Murphy with only her feet in the Famous LA Equestrian Center Equidome (same place Olympic hopefuls ride). She competed in Futures, which is similar to dressage, and it was a lovely sight to behold, encouraging Murphy at an energetic walk and bending and steering him with out help from her safety sidewalker and leader. She also painted and donated a beautiful watercolor of a California Mission to the Calnet silent auction. After fierce bidding, it was the highest selling item bringing in $300 to benefit the Calnet Show!
Shane Clark took care of business, handling and riding his horse Sly, who developed a case of the stage-fright at the show. Shane showed great maturity when schooling Sly and taking care of all his fellow competitors. His generous nature was truly appreciated. Shane and Beth Ann have been part of Partners for many years and have benefited immensely from participation in the program. Your volunteers, Bobbi, Lynn, Nancy, Geri, Erin were awesome. They were teamed with their horses and riders, everything went as smooth as silk!
Be sure to thank them. They left husbands, boyfriends and families at home to help your children and the program. Not to mention squishing themselves into shared double beds. Why? THEY BELIEVE IN YOUR KIDS!
Lakeside Parade
The hot sun didn’t stop us from showing some good ‘ole Partners spirit at the Lakeside Parade. On April 26th, we participated in the Lakeside Parade and had riders on 2 floats, the San Diego Elks and the Lakeside Optimists. The Elks float was lucky enough to rescue Miss La Mesa as she was running in her pretty brocade dress, barefoot, trying to catch her ride; which had already left. The gracious young lady had been over booked that Saturday morning and we were lucky enough to have her climb aboard our float until she spotted her convertible. She delighted our young men on the float, Fernando, Chris and Will by posing for a photo with them.
A Colorful Fundraiser
Our fundraiser was held at Color Me Mine on May 18th raising over $700. We had a blast painting and chatting away. We raffled of prizes from Best Buy, KSON, and Starbucks to name only a few. Thank you to all who came down to support us.
What a New Rider’s Parent Has to Say…
One of our new students is 10 year old Brooke Thompson. Her mother reports that Brooke went from having trouble counting past 20 to counting to 100 after only 5 sessions. “It’s amazing. It’s the best therapy we’ve done!” says the excited mom.
Other News and Goings on
In January, we spent a lively Saturday with Murphy and Scarlet at the rodeo grounds demonstrating Therapeutic Riding to a very interested group. We participated with other businesses and non- profits in Lakeside. Bobbi, who is also a board member on the LAKESIDE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE manned the information table inside, while Karen, Nancy, Lynn, and students Emily, Will and Luke performed demonstration lessons outside.
Late March, we had a La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary sponsored work day. They brought a busload of high school seniors and mentors to work. The group was Upward Bound, and the La Jolla GT Rotary sponsors these young adults, encouraging them to strive for higher education by broadening their life experiences. What was really cool is they REALLY WORKED! It was amazing – hard working teenagers! Huh? No seriously, they were great, digging and shoveling and painting. After a lunch break, we pulled out our trusty steeds and let them experience riding. It was a lot of fun for everyone! And the Rotary gave us a donation check for $1100 too! A big thank you to Louise Andres and Cynthia Villis.
More recent events include a presentation for HORSES FOR HEALING to the La Jolla Veterans Hospital. We will be pursuing that in the next few months. Hopefully, this will allow us to offer therapeutic riding to wounded veterans, utilizing a portion of the grant money from the San Diego Elks.
We have also made presentations to the Lakeside Optimists and the Rancho Santa Fe Rotary. Soon, we will visit the Lakeside Stadium Association. This is all to raise funds and awareness for the program. We try not to turn anyone away for lack of funds if we can fit them into our program. But with that in mind, we must raise over $35,000 every year to maintain an all volunteer program. We hope to consider adding an instructor, or instructor-in-training. This will require additional funding.
If you know of anyone who may be interested in volunteering or being an instructor-in-training, please contact one of us. We have horses, we have facilities, we have students who want to ride… we need a few more volunteers, especially one or two tall strong bodies and another instructor.
Be Early!
Remember that part of the therapeutic benefits of horsemanship include the soothing and educational exercises that are involved when grooming and tacking your horse. You’ll want to be sure to arrive 15 minutes before your lesson begins to ensure the optimal amount of time in the arena. Also, volunteers please arrive at least a half an hour before the lesson starts to groom horses, set out grooming and arena equipment, and review the day’s schedule, which is posted on the office door.
Do You Know Where Your Children Are?
Safety is a prime concern for all of us here at Partners. Parents, please be sure that your child is accounted for at all times. Remember that helmets are required while your child is grooming, riding, and even when walking around the stables. Volunteers are reminded to always stay with their student including grooming and untacking. And of course, any and all are encouraged to speak up if you see something that is not safe.
We Want You!
Consider showing your support by volunteering for just a few minutes during your child’s lesson. A training class will be given on June 21st at 9:30 a.m., at the ranch, for those who are interested in giving back to our organization. You’ll learn the location of items and the “how-to” of the most common tasks. There are always lots of small tasks to be done. Remember, 15 minutes of your time volunteering makes a world of difference!
Board News
We welcome Victoria Mameli to our Board of Directors, which includes Karen Crampton and Bobbi Buttgenbach. In addition, we are delighted to announce the creation of an advisory board which includes Erin Crampton, Carrie Hawes, Lynn MacDonald and Tonya Thompson. Each has a unique set of talents and experience that they will bring to our organization.
THANK YOU for your donations
Janet Beer
Bobbi Buettgenbach
Heather Burns
Color Me Mine Ceramic Studio
Karen Crampton
David Friedman
Liz Hammer
Carrie Hawes
La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary
Mr. and Mrs. Leyva
Lakeside Lions
Victoria Mameli
Lakeside Optimists
Ronald and Pat Thompson
Roy and Tonya Thompson
Thanks again to all our volunteers, many of who have served several years. Included in that group is Janet Beer, Bobbi Buettgenbach, Ranee Burns, Shane Clarke, Marie Culver, Carrie Hawes, Lynn MacDonald, Geri Neilsen, and Nancy Wooten. We are also very delighted to have had Erin Crampton, Jacque Franco, Colleen Graham, Marshelle Newby, Lili Proctor, and Allison Winger volunteer on a regular basis. Bobbi, Erin, Jacque, Lili and Nancy, are all very talented riders and they have graciously schooled the horses to keep them in top form for your students.
Stay Informed!
Do you want to know what’s new at the ranch? Here’s a quick and easy way to stay informed… a new “Message Book” has been placed on the door of the office. In it you can read remarks of the most recent “goings on” and you are welcome to leave comments and observations. Also please send your email address if you are not being contacted by us via email. It is the easiest way to let everyone know what is happening at a moment’s notice. Email a note to phorsemanship@aol.com. THANKS!
