July 2007 - Dream Riders

DREAM MAKER
July 10, 2007
Dream Riders’ Newsletter
Web Site: www.dreamrider.org
Vol. 7 Number 2
Premier Accredited NARHA Riding Center
Riding Sessions Calendar September 2007- May 2008
Volunteer Training Day - August 25, 2007 at 9:00 AM
Evening Sessions:
Fall evening I- Mondays- start September 4(which is a Tuesday due to Labor Day), ends October 8
Thursdays- start September 6 ends October 11
Fall evening II- Monday – starts October 22 ends December 3 (no lessons on November 19 for
Thanksgiving)
Thursdays- start October 25 ends December 6 (no lessons on November 22 for Thanksgiving)
Winter I-Mondays- start February 4 ends March 10
Thursdays- starts February 7 ends March 13 (March 6 class will be on Wednesday March 5 due to
NARHA Regional Conference)
Winter II- Mondays- start March17 ends April 28 (no class March 24 for spring break).
Thursdays- start March 20 ends May 1(no class for March 27 for spring break).
Spring I- Mondays- start May 12 ends June 16
Thursdays- start May 15 ends June 19
Day Sessions:
Fall I Day- Tuesday-start September 25 ends October 30
Thursdays- start September 27 ends November 1
Fall II Day- Tuesday- start November 6 ends December 18 (no lessons on November 20 for Thanksgiving)
Thursday- start November 8 ends Wednesday December 19 due to winter break (no lessons on
November 22 for Thanksgiving)
Winter Day- Tuesday- start February 19 ends April 11 (no lessons March 25 for spring break)
Thursday- start February 22 ends April 13 (no lessons March 27 for spring break)
Spring Day- Tuesday-start April 8 ends May 13
Thursday- start April 15 ends May 15
Restructuring of riding sessions for 2007- 2008
When looking over the dates of sessions above you will notice some changes. We have changed our evening sessions to
five 6 week sessions to allow Dream Riders to conduct 2 more lessons before the Christmas break and 2 less when
returning in the winter. Also, by having an odd number of sessions the same rotating riders won’t have to ride in the cold
or heat. The instructors are also going to try to rearrange riders to better meet their riding needs and enhance their riding
abilities. We feel this will work better for everyone.
The day sessions are starting at a latter date due to schools starting at a latter date and most of our volunteers for these
classes come from Lexington High School Service Learning Class.
A Few Words for our Instructors
Corky and Jennifer
As usual this winter/spring was packed with so many
things going on we were reeling by the end! Each day
was filled with wonderful things going on around here
from rescheduling classes for inclement weather and
coming up with exciting barn lessons to fundraisers,
horse shows and the wonderful recital followed by the
instructors favorite activity, the volunteer dinner, hosted
by Jessica Lynch, a long time volunteer for Dream
Riders and her parents, Jim and Janice. We always feel
we can’t add another activity and up one pops that is
beneficial to Dream Riders and we have to work it in. We learn something from each
experience that we encounter here at Dream Riders and continue to grow in our profession.
Now as we prepare for summer day camps with Nancy K. Perry Children’s Shelter and Epworth Children’s home, we
look forward to being with these children and along with our volunteers forming loving bonds with them. As riding
instructors, we can’t think of a better way to fill these hot months than sharing our wonderful horses, facility, our
knowledge and our love with these special little people that deserve so much more than life has given them.
All the while our wheels are turning to make sure the therapy riders will receive the best we can offer when they return in
the fall and the new ones waiting to be a part of Dream Riders. We will gear up and be ready for whatever comes our
way, hopefully!!
In Loving Memory of a Faithful
Horse, Beorn
Mike Grogan has been a volunteer here at Dream
Riders for 8 plus years. He is a mounted
policeman and we call him our hero around
Dream Riders. He is always there when we need
an extra hand to help with the big jobs along with
being a wonderful volunteer. Many riders look
for him when they come and depend on his strong
loving arms to keep them aboard their mount
during lessons and encourage them to try a little
harder. Mike lends a helping hand to volunteers
in need. After a long day riding the streets of
Columbia in February 2007 Mike and his partner loaded up their mounts to return to the
barn. Mike went ahead of the trailer to the barn to prepare for the horses return. On the
way, the horses met with a terrible accident. On hearing this Mike returned to find Shiloh, a 15 hand 25 year old Quarter
Horse dead. This horse had spent more than ½ of his life as a police horse. Mike’s mount and wonderful partner, Beorn,
a 9 year old 18.2 hand English Shire, was dieing. Mike went to him to comfort him by holding his head in his hands. The
gentle giant of a horse had tears running down his face as he
passed away in his arms. Many of the volunteers and riders went
Mike with Donnie
to the memorial for these wonderful horses to support Mike.
In a note from Mike he tells how proud he was of Beorn because
he was such an impressive horse and full of personality.
Everybody loved him. He was turning into a real police horse.
When he was on patrol, Mike would get stopped all day long by
people to see him and ask questions about him. These horses were
more than just horses to Mike. They were his friends and partners.
Now the police force is searching for two horses to fill these
horses’ places and it is a hard job. They were true officers in the
police force.
Miss Greater Irmo 2007 Raises Funding for
Dream Riders
Miss Greater Irmo, Haley Hendrix, has been involved with
Dream Riders in many ways since High School. In 2005 she was
Miss Greater Irmo Teen and raised funds for Dream Riders to
purchase a much needed utility vehicle as part of her Miss Teen
Platform. This year she set out to help Dream Riders to raise
funds toward a much needed office/class room that is wheelchair
accessible.
This would
be
an
enriching
addition to
the facility and program allowing us to continue our normal
scheduled lessons during most kinds of weather. If we had a
classroom the riders could then take part in horse related arts/crafts,
watch educational videos on horses or other special horse related
lessons instead of cancelling and having to reschedule. Thanks to her
we are closer to this goal but not quite there. This has been a project
goal that we have tried to reach for quite a long time but it never gets
finished. Maybe some day!! Thanks Hailey for all of your help!
Saddle Fitter Visits Dream Riders
Mike Scott, a muscle/ message therapist and qualified
saddle fitter donated a whole Saturday to the Dream
Rider’ herd to help us keep them as comfortable as we
can as they carry their special cargo. Many volunteers
were invited to observe the saddle fitting part and this
definitely made us all realize there is more to putting a
saddle on horses back than what meets the eye. We
really were impressed and now have an idea of what
needs to be changed to make every horse comfortable
from the good advice. After lunch he and his students
messaged 4 of the therapy horses and they seemed to
enjoy this allot. Thanks to Mike and his students, Bob
and Sharon, for taking the time to share your
knowledge and advice with all of us.
New Faces at Dream Riders
Dylan riding A.J.
New Riders: Bennett Mason, Dylan Clay, Sophie Bull
Dream Riders’ has a DVD of all the pictures from the 2007
State Special Olympics and the 2007 Rider Recital that are
set to music!! If anyone would like one please see the staff or
contact Dream Riders. These are great to share with people
who want to know about Dream Riders and/ or SC Special
Olympics Equestrian Sport.
Dream Riders’ Recital 2007
Lydia reaches for a sock
What a wonderful day this
was! We had good snacks
supplied by our riders’
families, neat raffle items
donated by our riders,
volunteers and staff, and
some
Dream
Riders
souvenirs, along with so
many happy faces watching
their loved ones doing their
best riding in the ring. The
recital is the coming together
Kathy Rolls the Dice
of all the efforts put forth during the year by the riders as well as
the volunteers and instructors. It is like what we are all about. The volunteer banquet that followed was such a delight.
The instructors are able to relax and visit with the volunteers, meet their families plus this year riders and their families
were invited also. Thanks to the Lynch family for bring this relaxing dinner event together for all of us. Thank you
Gilbert High School Key club for your help with the general running of the recital activities.
Volunteers, the shakers at Dream Riders
Gilbert Key Club
Kayla admires her medal
with her Mother
Walt and his Mom wait his turn
Amanda & Hannah
Patty and Ginger
Jennifer, Lew & Meredith
Nutrena Feed Bag Coupons
Thanks goes out to all that have contributed to our feed bag coupon campaign. We have collected coupons totaling
approximately $700.00. This is such a nice and easy way to contribute to Dream Riders. Here is how it works:
1. Simply cut the Proof of Purchase out located on the back of the bags. Only whole, intact Proofs will be accepted
by Nutrena Feed Company. Feed tags are not accepted.
2. Send your collected feed coupons to Dream Riders, 156 Sandy Hill Rd., Lexington, SC, 29072.
3. Dream Riders redeems received coupons to Nutrena Feed Company for cash refunds. $0.25 for Farr, Life
Design, Vitality and Horse Kwik feeds ; $0.15 for Triumph Sweet Feeds, Triumph 12-4 Pellet (code 6137),
Triumph Fortified All Grain and Triumph 10 Pellet ( code 6797) feeds; $0.10 for Sweet Stuff and Triumph 12-3
(code 4555) feeds.
OR
If you live in the Lexington area we will pick up your empty bags. Call 957-7906 or email [email protected] .
Check around in your area to see if horse barns feed this feed and if they would like to participate in this campaign.
Dream Riders and South Carolina Special Olympics
“2007 Invitational Equestrian Competition for Riders with Special Needs”
Dream
Riders
of
Lexington, SC and South
Carolina
Special
Olympics
conducted
their 2007 Invitational
Equestrian Competition
for 34 riders with special
needs, with 26 of the
riders representing SC
Special
Olympics
athletes from throughout
South Carolina.
Competition was held
Saturday, March 17, 2007, at the Dream Riders
Facility in Lexington, SC with over 200 people present to view the competition and
take part in the festivities on a beautiful cool day.
Opening ceremonies and invocation began at 12:00 PM and was conducted by
Lewis Dyer (SC Special Olympics Equestrian Sport Head), Gerald Smith a member
from the Herd of Heroes from the Whitten Center presented the colors. The 2007
equestrian competition was judged by Haley Hendrix of Lexington and a volunteer
at Dream Riders. Ring Master was John Schenk of Irmo also a volunteer at Dream
Riders.
“This is our sixth year of Equestrian competition for both Special Olympics
Athletes and other riders with special needs. Equestrians with special needs now
have a chance to compete and demonstrate what they have been able to accomplish.
The divisions of competition classes are based on rider’s skill
levels. Today we have with us, riders with special needs from
the Laurens, Lexington, Sumter, Beaufort, and our newest
group from Aiken.” according to Lewis Dyer. “Plus the 2007
SOSC Equestrian Competition will be used to help qualify SC
Special Olympics Equestrian athletes to qualify for future
summer world games if SC was to receive slots to send
equestrian athletes.”
Competition was composed of 7 events with a total of 29
classes based on rider’s skill levels. Events included Working
Trail, English Equitation, Western Equitation, Showmanship at
halter, Dressage, Gamblers Choice, Rings from poles to
bucket.
Dream Riders, SC NARHA
Region 3 and South Carolina
Special Olympics thanks all
that helped to make this 2006
Invitational
Equestrian
Competition for people with
special needs a success and
for all the riders and
spectators. Special thanks to
the coaches and volunteers,
who put many hours of
dedicated work into training
our riders with special needs
and the horses on which
these riders are able to compete on.
All in attendance enjoyed seeing the smiles and feeling the pride that each one of
these special equestrians exhibited during competition. Truly a sight to behold!
Additionally everyone seemed to enjoy all the friendship, food, and souvenirs. Truly today, each and every competitor,
volunteer, and coach was a true winner.
Saxe Gotha
Presbyterian Church’s
Youth Program
Helps Out at Dream
Riders!
This summer as in past summers
Saxe
Gotha
Presbyterian
Church’s summer youth program
came to the Dream Riders facility
to help out in general clean up
and other various jobs to help us
get ready for our special summer
day camps that serve several of
our local children shelters. They spent time washing and cleaning the
exteriors of several buildings, removing cobwebs from inside the barns, and raking up leaves. These jobs may seem
small but they are a great help to us, in that Dream Riders staff and volunteers then have time to do other need jobs here
at our facility. It is so great to have local community support and help. Thanks again for the summertime help.
9th Annual Benefit Horse Show A Big Success for Dream Riders
To all our sponsors and supporters, we express our appreciation for your support of our 9th Annual Dream Riders’ 2007
Benefit Horse Show through your donations. This type of support helps to increase our ability to improve the facilities
here at Dream Riders. Our 9th annual show had a net profit of $6,121.00, this year with the funds being used to re-fence
the pastures and perimeter fence at the Dream Riders facility. Below is a listing of donors to our annual benefit horse
show, please if you need services or items that one of our donors can provide, please visit them and thank them for their
support of Dream Riders.
AAA Utilities, Inc.
AAA Well Drilling, Inc.
Barbara Hammond, New Body
Massage
Blue Cross Blue Shield of South
Carolina
Cherokee Trail Veterinary
Hospital
Columbia Eye Clinic, PA
Deborah A. Ashcraft, DMD, PC
Erin, Meredith, & Kayla McCann
James & Susan Keffler
James W. Duckett
Jinki Sadler Suber
Joseph Swearingen
Karen Park ,Family Dentistry
Lauri Hullender Stokes D.V.M.
Larry H. Nelson, DMD
Lester B. Hite Sr.
Margaret Goggans
Mark & Sharry McCann
Market Place on Meeting, LIC
MATEK, Inc.
Michelin Tire Corp.
Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative
Middleboro Trailer Sales
Middlefield Farm
Midlands Pet Care, Inc.
Ms Barbara K. Dickerson
Oswald Wholesale Lumber, Inc.
Peggy Johnson
Phyllis L. Gale
Price's Country Store
R. Kenyon Wells
Ronald J. Swearingen
Shealy Coffee, Inc.
Snelling Personnel Services
Starnes Insurance Agency
Stephen S. Woodrow
The ARC of South Carolina
Tim Pearson
Wes, Margie, Wesley & AbbeyGail Williamson
Give a Loved one a Special Gift Through Dream Riders
We are including a form in this news letter that you can use to make a donation to Dream Riders in honor of a special
someone’s birthday, as a Christmas gift or whatever you need a gift for. You can also use it to make a donation as a
memorial to someone, even your pet. We will send the person a nice card letting them know that you thought of them in
this very special way, you will get a letter to use as a tax deduction and be helping Dream Riders all at the same time.
DREAM
RIDERS
156 Sandy Hill Rd. Lexington, SC 29072
Phone (803) 957-7906
EIN # 57-1079606
email: [email protected]
Give the gift of love and dreams to people with special needs,
By way of a donation to Dream Riders.
Through a Tax Deductible gift in Honor, Memory or for the Birthday of a Dear Loved One.
Name: _________________________________________________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
City ___________________________________________________________________________________
State____________________ Zip______________
Amount of Donation: ______________________________________ Check # _______________________
Your phone # ( __________ ) ______________________________________________________________
Response card to be in (Please circle one) Memory of or Honor of
Name:________________________________________________________________________________
Name and Address for response card to be sent to.
Name: ________________________________________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________________________
City: _________________________________________________________________________________
State: ___________________Zip: _______________________
Send completed form with donation check to:
Dream Rider
156 Sandy Hill Rd.
Lexington, SC 29072
Premier Accredited Riding Center
North America Riding for the Handicapped Association
All Donations to Dream Riders are Tax Deductible!!
We are always in need of volunteers for both Horse and Non-Horse
related jobs. Visit us at www.dreamrider.org
Give us a call at (803) 957-7906 or Email [email protected]
Come visit us to see dreams become reality here at Dream Riders.
Dream Riders
156 Sandy Hill Rd.
Lexington, SC 29072