January 2008 - Dream Riders

DREAM MAKER
Dream Riders’ Newsletter
Web Site: www.dreamrider.org
Vol. 8 Number 1
February 16, 2008
Premier Accredited NARHA Riding Center
Winter and Spring Session Dates for 2008
Evening Sessions:
Winter I-Mondays- start February 4 ends March 10
Thursdays- starts February 7 ends March 13 (March 6 class will be held on Wednesday March 5 due to
NARHA Region 3 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:
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
Important Dates to Remember for 2008:
NARHA Region III Conference: March 7-9
SC Special Olympics/ Therapeutic Horse Show: November 8th
Dream Riders, Rider Recital: May 3rd
Dream Riders’ Benefit Horse Show: May 24
Dream Riders is happy to report the completion of a successful ninth year of operation. As in the past years this success
was made possible through the continuing support by all our friends in the Mid-lands of South Carolina. Dream Riders
continues to grow as a Premier Accredited NARHA Riding Center presently doing over 1,000 hours of riding lessens for
people with special needs and continues a summer equestrian experience for children from the Nancy Perry Children’s
Shelter located in Lexington and the Epworth Children’s Home of Columbia. Dream Riders in 2007 has traveled
throughout SC taking some of our riders to various competitions and schooling dressage shows. Dream Riders conducted
our annual Riders’ Recital Day with a volunteer appreciation cookout following the recital. We continued to offer the
Special Olympics Equestrian Sport to riders participating in Dream Riders who are enrolled in SC Special Olympics.
Plans for 2008 include hosting the 2008 SCSO Equestrian Competition plus Invitational Competition for other special
needs riders November 8th at the new Lexington Recreation Equestrian Facility, plus several fundraising events with the
Benefit Open Horse Show being on May 24th. Major time is and has been spent assisting in organizing and planning the
2008 Region 3 NARHA conference to be held in Myrtle Beach, March 7-9, 2008. Another trade mark events; Dream
Riders’ Recital Day.
Yes, Dream Riders had a successful year even though financial times were tight and we had to adjust for high hay and
feed prices for our equestrian friends, so we had to do several things to help maintain a positive financial balance. The
staff and Board voted not to attend this year’s national NARHA conference to help save money so as to complete some
projects here at Dream Riders. Again our progress and survival could not have happened without the continuing support
from our donors, both financial donors and gift in kind donors.
Our Financial Picture for 2007
Our 2007 budget was $67,800.00 and we continued to provide riding for our special riders at a fee of $20.00 per lesson
even though the true actual rider lesson costs are $79.00 per lesson. Additionally thanks to supporter funding of our rider
sponsorship program, no rider has ever been refused into the Dream Riders’ program for financial reasons. Again thanks
to all our donors and supporters at our fundraisers for making dreams become reality for all our special riders. Please
note how important Gift in Kind donations are in that they help reduce need for income and still meet budgeted needs
2007 Income
2007 Expenses
Facility
Maintenanc
e, $8,341.00
Insurance &
Membership
s, $1,938.00
Riding
Equipment,
$1,865.00
Misc
Expenses,
$7,313.00
Salaries,
$18,900.00
Interest on
Reserves,
$211.00
Surplus
Equipment
Sales,
$1,639.00
Grants,
$6,800.00
Riders Fees,
$19,498.00
Horse Care,
$30,426.00
2007 Expenses = $68,783.00
Private
Donors,
$26,185.00
Fundraisers,
$12,761.00
2007 Income = $67,094.00
Please read through the list of Dream Riders donors and when needing items or services please remember to visit one of
our donors listed below. For these donors are the ones that back Dream Riders in order to continue to have an Equestrian
Program for special needs riders here in the Midlands of SC.
Financial Donors
AAA Utilities, Inc.
AAA Well Drilling Inc.
ARC of SC
Amanda Spires
Aqualine II, Inc.
Barbara Ann Hasty
Barbara Hammond
Barbara Dickerson
Bigbie Chiropractic Office
Blue Cross Blue Shield of
SC
Carol Kennedy
Carolina Wings & Ribs
House
Cherokee Trail Veterinary
Hospital
Cindy Nord
Columbia Eye Clinic
Darryl Frick
Deborah Ashcraft DMD
Dennis Snowden
Diane Metts
Dr. Mark & Sherry
McCain
Edna Clay
Ellen Clelland
Erin, Meredith & Kayla
McCann
Ernie Tate
Gale & Richard
Stoudemire
Gargill Inc.
George & Betty Rugman
George W. Stoudemire Jr.
Golden State Foods
Gerald Barnes
Hurtis & Linda Johnson
Irmo Middle School
James & Janice Lynch
James & Martha Hess
James & Susan Keffler
Jessica Lynch
Jennifer Stoudemire
Joan Frierson
Joanna Jones
John & Mary Turner
John Chastain
John Schrenk
Jordan Family
Joseph Swearingen
Joyce Hampton
Julie Sessions
Karen Park Family
Dentistry
Kathy Wells
Keith Moore
Lori Hullender Stokes,
DVM
Larry H. Nelson DMD
Larry Oswald
Lester B. Hite Jr.
Lexington Civitan Club
Lewis C. Dyer
Linda & Wayne Stowe
Magnolia Junior Women’s
Society of Lexington
Manchester Trail Riders
Margaret Goggans
Margie-Ann Moore
Williams
Mary & Jim Corley
Martin Simon & Vera
Cole
Mary Turner
MATEK, Inc
Melanie Burbank
Michelin Tire Corporation
Mid-Carolina Electric
Midlands Pet Care
Middleboro Trailer Sales
Middlefield Farm
Milas & Merrilyn Sease
N. Kay Ayers
Nadine Coats
Nancy Fenwick- Pursley
New Body Massage
Oswald Lumber Company
Patty Langley
Peters Presbyterian
Church
Peggy Johnson
Phyllis Gale
Price's Feed Store
Publix Grocery Stores
Ronald & Leann
Swearingen
RR Donnelley Foundation
Ruben & Precious Mayer
Sara Snowden
SC Special Olympics
Seven Oaks Presbyterian
Church Women
Shealy Coffee, Inc.
Sheri Jordan
Shirley Conway
Snelling Personnel
Services
Southern Traditions and
Gifts
St Andrews Women’s
Club
Stan Construction Co.
Stan Jeffcoat
Starnes Insurance Agency
Stephen S. Woodrow
Stewart & Bronnie Maurer
Thomas Wilson
Tim Pearson
Troy R. Buzhardt
Wayne Robinson
White Horse Equestrian
Ministries
Woody Stoudemire Co.
Gift-in-Kind (These donors help to free up budgeted money to be used else where in our
program)
Chris Coates – Farrier
Flight Deck Restaurant
Jim and Janice Lynch
Julie Sessions
Laura Gordon
Leonard Rish
Mike Scott
Natural Aquatics
Old Mill Pizza Buffet
Oswald Lumber Company
Petersen Presbyterian
Church
Price’s Country Store
Sharon Johnson
Sheri Jordan
Siminole Feed Company
S. J. Conway
St. Andrew’s Animal Clinic
The Tack Room of Camden
Transcom Trading Co.
Wayne & Linda Stowe
Volunteers
Dream Riders has only one paid employee which is the Head Riding Instructor all other program needs are carried out by
a team of dedicated volunteers. Volunteers are the true life blood of Dream Riders without these volunteers, our riders
with special needs would not have Dream Riders. Please take time to review the list of volunteers below and if you know
one or more of our volunteers please take the time to let them know that you appreciate their help in assisting people with
special needs.
Abby Turner
Allyson Joyce
Amanda Spires
Brandi Bullard
Barbara Hammond
Holly Taylor
Carmen Geiger
Carol Geiger
Carol Kennedy
Christina Payne
Cindy Malphrus
Corky Dyer
Diane Metts
Donna Ray
Emily Allen
Fran Vlahovski
Firz Rutherford
Gina Robinson
The Green Family
Haley Hendrix
Hannah Frazier
Jen Rogers
Jeremy Stoudemire
Jessica Lynch
John Schrenk
Julie Sessions
Kaitlyn Crowley
Karen Auld
Kaylee Quinn
Kelly Connell
Kendra Williams
Tammy Baxley
Janet Davies
Joan Frierson
Julia Walker
Karen Auld
Laura Thomas
Lewis Dyer
Linda Stowe
The Maron Family
The Maurer Family
McKenzie Hale
Melanie Burbank
Meredith McCann
Meredith Henry
Mike Grogan
Mollie Carter
Patrice Smith
Patty Langley
Rachel Boland
Shelly Schlenk
Sheri Jordan
S. J. Conway
Stephanie Jones
Sue Keffler
Sue Pfaff
The Snowden Family
Terra Wilson
Dream Riders through the generous support from various organizations and people of the Mid-lands has been able to
continuously expand and has achieved the following milestones during 2007




Eight years of partnership with Lexington High Schools’ Service Learning class for students to work as volunteers at
Dream Riders for daytime therapeutic riding classes.
Riders and horses from Dream Riders competed at some of the SC Dressage schooling shows.
All riders that met the required enrollment standards were able to participate in the Dream Riders program, including
all riders and /or families needing financial assistance, thanks to our supporters’ donations into the Dream Riders’
rider sponsorship program.
Dream Riders’ volunteers received navy colored polo shirts displaying the Dream Riders’ logo and riders were able
to purchase them below cost to wear in the State Special Olympics Horse Show and our Annual Riders Recital.
Additionally our program horses were decked out in navy saddle pads displaying the Dream Riders’ logo. What a
professional looking team.
















The Volunteer/Rider banquet was sponsored and served again by the
Lynch Family
The staff was able to attend the NARHA Region III conference, where our staff members were rejuvenated with new
ideas and different views on an array of subjects.
Dream Riders will be starting the re-fencing project of our pastures from the proceeds raised during the Dream Riders
2007 Benefit Horse Show.
The facility, equipment and horses were well maintained due to the hard work of the Dream Riders’ volunteers.
Dream Riders raised over $500.00 from feed labels off of your Nutrena feed bags. Keep getting those bags to us!
Able to offer a session of summer day camp to Epworth Children’s Home and to Nancy K. Perry Children’s Shelters.
Replacement of railing around rider holding area near ring- labor and material.
Received money to replace the riding ring railing, lighting and sprinkler system.
The entire Dream Rider equine herd was well cared for in the areas of hoof needs, medical, dental and nutrition. We
were able to purchase all the hay needed to get us through to next summer’s hay season.
The entire herd was fitted by a saddle fitter free of charge and donations made to purchase new saddles or have old
ones remolded to fit each horse properly.
Able to upscale our production of printed materials to color by purchase of a color laser printer. We have gotten
many complements on this.
Software was purchased to create and produce DVDs with pictures, words and music so more people and sponsors
can enjoy seeing the results of their continuing support of Dream Riders.
Purchased a new digital camera for higher quality photos.
To show our thanks, Dream Riders hosted our annual “Family Fun Day” for riders and their families, our donors,
volunteer families and friends to come and enjoy our horses and have fun with us. This was a GREAT DAY!!
Dream Riders and other SC programs are hosting the NARHA Region 3 Conference with Dream Riders President
(Lewis Dyer) being the 2008 Conference chairperson plus he is now the NARHA Region 3 Rep representing
members from SC, NC, Virginia, and West Virginia.
These are a few of the things that you, our supporters have made happen here at Dream Riders during 2007. We hope to
continue our efforts and expand the Dream Riders program with your continued support during 2008. Thanks for caring!
Midnight, Gina &
Jessica at the Dressage
Show
Kathy’s proud of her turkey
Jennifer learning a new job
Tic Tac, Andy & Jennifer
preparing for Dressage show
Dennis, Dream Riders’
official camera man
Who says old horses can’t
learn new tricks!!
The Voice from Our Instructors
To start with, our first fall evening session was probably one of our hardest
start ups we’ve ever had! We had many key volunteers that had been in
different kinds of accidents, some had had surgery and some had gone off to
college. You really don’t know how much you depend on someone until they
are absent. Many riders had similar fates as the volunteers, so we did a little
bit of modification, scrambled to train volunteers and evaluate new riders to
enter the program in 100 degree + heat. With allot of praying and God’s
loving hand, we made it!! Our fall was pleasant once the heat surrendered,
volunteers stepped up to fill the vacancies and new riders were evaluated and
placed in appropriate slots.
As the winter lesson session started a little later this year, we were ready and had enough of
everyone, but the flu got in the way and we had to cancel our first lesson. If you want to know how
much in control you are of your life’s happenings, just work in a therapy riding program and you will see, HA!!
As we roll in to our winter session, we do have some fun lessons planned both in the ring and in the barn for those
inclement weather days. The spring will hold our rider recital which is a nice activity for the riders to show off their
riding skills.
Nutrena Feed Bag Coupons
Thanks goes out to all that have contributed to our feed bag coupon campaign. 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. If there is no Proof of Purchase, cut the milling address
out that is on the back.
2. Send your collected feed coupons to Dream Riders, 156 Sandy Hill Rd., Lexington, SC, 29072.
OR
You can drop them off at Horse Sense Tack & Feed store in Lexington 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.
A Big Thank You to all who have helped with this project!
Dream Riders redeemed coupons for $358.70 in 2007.
Family Day 2007
It was a beautiful fall day and we had so
many fun activities going on- Bingo with
Prizes- ran by Carol Kennedy and students
from USC, Paals Service Dogs
Demonstration- offered by Sheri Jordan
and Jen Baxter, Stick Horse Rodeooffered by Julie Sessions (board member)
and the Lexington 4-H , Hay Rides- came
to us through Lewis Dyer, Hunt for
Treasures in the Sand- USC students took
care of this activity, Massages- offered by
Barbara Hammond ( board
member), Crafts to Make- The
Head family and the Boyd family
covered this activity, Snack BarService Learning Students from
Lexington High set this table up
and Andy, Bronnie & Stewart
Maurer (board members) kept the
snacks straight, Duck Pond and
Face Painting- were sponsored and ran by a class from Midlands Tech who
also brought lots of great snacks, and of course the big event, horse back
riding- made possible by the instructors, the Dream Riders’ herd and Dream
Riders’ wonderful volunteers. Thanks to all who volunteered their time and
talents to make this event possible.
Hay Enough
All horse people know this year was a year to
hustle to find enough hay. Dream Riders was
right in there looking and praying. We were
able to get enough good horse quality hay but
had to store it all at the facility. So there were
some modifications done to the existing hay
barn and hay was stored in every other place
we could think of. We were able to store all of
it!!
Jennifer and Lewis working on
the hay barn
This is a blessing to
Dream Riders
Dream Riders Has New Ring Rails
Thanks to Golden State Foods, Dream Riders now has new ring rails.
We had this ring at the facility before Dream Riders came into
existence. Realizing the need for better footing for therapy riding, we
added 8” of footing to the ring which made the rails 8” too low. Now
the rails are at the right height and made of fiber resin boards that
should last a very long time, Lewis says. Thanks to the volunteers ‘
help and many hard hours by Lewis and Jennifer.
New Faces at Dream Riders
New Volunteers:
Rosie Brooks
Mary Ballauer
Kelly Connell
Audrey Graft
Carol Geiger
Carmen Geiger
Stephanie Jones
Emily Head
LaShell Head
Kaylee Quinn
Katie Stougnton
Suzannee Slocum
Kendra Williams
Terra Williams
Michelle Vetter
Service Learning students from Lexington High School:
Fall 2007
Cory Pickens
Josh Van Wke
Melisa Wessinger
Briana Gosnell
Jaime Giddens
Winter 2008
Amanda Taylor
Samantha Niemeyer
Angel Winn
Service Learning students from White Knoll High School:
This is the first year we have used students from White Knoll High School. Welcome
students!!
Winter 2008
Stephanie Rinehart
Hope Branham
Ashley Best
Reagan
Jackson
James
New Riders:
Jessica Raines
James Hawes
Cyndi Roberts
Ernie Tate
Jacob Barnes
Jackson Boswell
Reagan Cruz
Jacob
Cyndi
Ernie
Jessica at Family Day
Christmas tree at Dream Riders
The Christmas tree at Dream Riders is always fun for the riders and
volunteers alike. It is a way for everyone to give their favorite horse a
special gift. There were 54 horse ornaments on the tree, 9 for every
horse, and all were taken. So far we have received 45 of the gifts
which were wrapped so pretty and placed under the tree with so much
love and care. Some people did not get an ornament because they
were all gone so they contributed money, $830.00 to be exact. We
were also able to put a Christmas tree at Price’s Country Store this
year. Julie Sessions took care of this for us and it was just perfect.
Both Christmas trees were a great success thanks to all of you that
care so much for our wonderful herd of horses. They work so hard to
bring special joy to our riders.
Christmas with White Horse Christian Ministries
White Horse Equestrian Ministries is a fellowship of believers
in Christ who love horses! Their mission is to reach the
equestrian community for Christ. This year as part of their
mission, they wanted to help some of Dream Riders’ riders
with their session payments. As a group we were invited to
their Christmas gathering and riders Kayla McCann and Jacob
Barnes were presented partial payment for their winter
Session. Thanks goes out to these wonderful people for a
wonderful meal, Christian fellowship and the finical help to
these riders. To learn more about their ministry and what else
they do, contact Roxie Williams, president, her email is
[email protected] .
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