Celebration of Life for Peter Sanders ~ August 23rd

The celebration of life for Peter (Pete) Sanders will be held at the Horses with Heart arena on August 23rd at 10:00 AM. Light refreshments will be provided.

Have a Heart Barrel Race and Poles

Mark your calendars for an exciting day of equestrian competition and community spirit! On September 28th, Horses with Heart will host the highly anticipated "Have a Heart Barrel Race and Poles" at Olsen’s Arena in Chino Valley. This thrilling event promises to be a day full of high-speed action and heartwarming moments, all in support of a great cause.

The day will kick off at 10:00 AM with a grand entry that is sure to delight attendees. An antique tractor and wagon will carry many of our Horses with Heart riders and instructors, showcasing the incredible individuals who benefit from and contribute to our programs. This special moment will set the tone for a day of community and celebration.

Following the grand entry, the pole races will begin at 10:30 AM, offering an exciting start to the day's competitions. At 12:30 PM, the barrel races will commence, including Peewee riders, highlighting the youngest talents in the equestrian community. Prizes will be awarded to the fastest rider in each group of five barrel racers, “every five”, adding an extra layer of excitement and competition.

A highlight of the event is awarding the prize saddle to the horse and rider with the fastest combined time in the 4-D Barrels and Poles. Additionally, buckles and prize money will go to the fastest rider in all events, making this a must-attend for competitive riders.

In addition to the thrilling races, the event will feature a silent auction and raffle with fantastic items up for grabs. We are offering themed baskets in the silent auction and need individuals or groups to put together baskets that will be auctioned at the Barrel Race. We already have commitments for a John Deere theme, horsey toys, and a Western purse and accessories. Anything goes, so let your creativity shine!

Not only will attendees be treated to exhilarating races, but the event also serves a greater purpose. Proceeds from the "Have a Heart Barrel Race and Poles" will go directly to supporting Horses with Heart, an organization dedicated to providing therapeutic programs for individuals with disabilities, veterans, first responders, and seniors. Your participation and support will help continue these vital services that make a profound difference in many lives.

Whether you're a seasoned equestrian enthusiast or simply looking for a fun and family-friendly event to attend, the "Have a Heart Barrel Race and Poles" is not to be missed. Come out to Olsen’s Arena in Chino Valley, cheer on the competitors, and enjoy a day filled with community, compassion, and competition.

We look forward to seeing you there and thank you in advance for your support in making this event a success! For more information go to our website at https://horseswithheartaz.org/events. To enter the race, go to https://saddlebook.com. Let's saddle up for a cause and make this event unforgettable!

 Frontier Days Parade

The Horses with Heart parade float was beautiful and a sight to behold on Saturday, July 6th! Thank you to all who participated in the planning, transporting, decorating, and tear down of the float and to our float riders and walkers. What a fun morning! A special thank you goes out to those who donated new decorations through our Amazon registry, Lowell Nesham and Michaela Stock for donation and transportation of wood, Greg Valenti for the construction of the two wooden arch gateways, Kris Langley for sewing the skirting, Gloria Reid for painting the arches, Sel Larson tractor driver, Bonnie Moreau for the use of her box truck, and the fabulous parade committee team led by Susanne Baker! We could not have done it without you!

Thank you to the following staff, volunteers, and participants for being a part of the parade:

Susanne Baker, Jim and Trudy Radley, Gretchen and Tim D’Andrea, Clarissa Donnelly, Teresa Garcia, Kim Ginn, Mark and Renee Hardin, Sherry Hoover, Debbie Hutchens, Laura Jaramillo and family, Kyle King, The King Family, Kris Langley, Sel Larson, Bonnie Moreau, Lowell Nesham, Kim and Rob Pagones, Gloria Reid, Winkie Robb, Anne Spiess, Michelle Sullivan, Michaela Stock, Greg Valenti, the Znetko family.

Tack Sale

Please join us on Saturday, August 3rd, for a tack sale at Horses with Heart! The tack sale will be held from 8:00AM to 1:00 PM. We have a large variety of tack to purchase, and all proceeds support our therapeutic horsemanship programs. In addition, all English tack will be half-price! Mark your calendars, you won’t want to miss this sale!

Marvelous Minis July Updates

The Marvelous Minis Team took a program hiatus during the month of July due to the unusually high temperatures, the likelihood of monsoon rains, and volunteers taking vacations during the break. We did get a group together to take the Minis to the Wild West SNAP dance at the Prescott Armory on July 20th, to act as greeters. Rocky and Brady entertained the delighted crowd as dancers lined up waiting for the doors to open, and Jill provided background music with her ukulele. Adding to the festivities was Snaffles the Clown!

Sequins and Saddles

Join us for an unforgettable evening at our Sequins and Saddles Gala! We continue to plan and prepare for an exciting evening filled with fundraising, excitement, and heartfelt purpose. Mark your calendars for October 12th at 4:30 PM, and join us at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Lower Hangar, for a night to remember.

This year’s event promises a spectacular lineup of activities including a silent and live auction, a raffle, and a special guest speaker. Our auctions will feature a wide-range of valuable services, unique items and experiences, giving you the chance to bid on something truly special while supporting a great cause.

Our guest speaker, Sandra Owens, will share her inspiring story and connection to Horses with Heart. Sandra is the proud parent of two long-time participants and a dedicated advocate for our programs. Her words are sure to resonate deeply with all in attendance. All proceeds from Sequins and Saddles will directly benefit Horses with Heart, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing therapeutic programs for individuals with disabilities, veterans, first responders, and seniors. Your support helps us continue to offer these life-changing programs and services.

Tickets are $125 each, and we aim to sell 160 tickets to make this event a resounding success. Our fundraising goal is $50,000, which will significantly impact our ability to serve our community. We encourage you to purchase your tickets early to help us prepare for our guests and ensure an extraordinary evening.

In addition to ticket sales, we offer sponsorship opportunities that provide valuable exposure for your business while supporting a worthy cause. Sponsorships are crucial to the success of our event, and our various levels can accommodate your budget and interest.

To purchase tickets or become an event sponsor, please visit our event website at https://auctria.events/sequinsandsaddles. For more information, feel free to contact our Event Chair, Bonnie Moreau, at hwhsequinsandsaddles@gmail.com. Join us for an evening of sequins, saddles, and support. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those we serve. We look forward to seeing you there!

Artwork by HwH participant Autumn

Support Horses with Heart

·      We now have an Amazon wish list! Visit this link to support Horses with Heart by donating supplies that we need.

·      The Sequins and Saddles committee needs vases for the centerpieces at our gala. If you have vases that are taller than 11 inches, please consider donating them to Horses with Heart!

·      Please consider donating to Horses with Heart. HwH is a Qualifying Charitable Organization in the State of Arizona and all donations made to Horses with Heart are tax deductible. Our programs depend on the support of donors like you!

Susanne Baker

Volunteer of the Month – Susanne Baker

Susanne Baker is a wonderful example of a caring, dedicated volunteer at Horses with Heart! In her time at HwH, she has been involved with the Competition Team (formerly known as our Special Olympics Team) and shows up tirelessly each week to assist her designated rider. She helps with numerous events each year, but this year she took on the daunting task of coordinating the Horses with Heart entry in the Frontier Days Rodeo Parade. Susanne led regular meetings and coordinated the other volunteers to create a “new look” for the entry. She not only put in endless hours herself, but also recruited others to help with each aspect of the event, making it a memorable and fun entry to represent Horses with Heart. We are so fortunate to have Susanne as part of our team of volunteers.

  • How long have you been with Horses with Heart? 12 + years

  • Why do you volunteer at Horses with Heart? There are so many reasons that I volunteer. It's getting to know the riders and families, the horses, the other volunteers and being on our beautiful ranch. It's our HWH family. I volunteer for the Competition Team on Saturdays. Watching the faces of our riders as they realize they can overcome their challenges or compete in their first horse show makes me feel so proud of them. It's the riders accomplishments that bring me joy. Also, we have some exceptional horses on the property and I love working with them. The riders form bonds with their horses and it is incredible to watch that develop over time. 

  • What is your favorite memory or moment at Horses with Heart? There are so many memories it's hard to pick one. My favorite moments are when the Competition Team riders come together to support each other even though someone doesn't win a ribbon or a buckle. We are proud of all our riders and the support is incredible. And of course our end of the year beach party is a blast and wet!

  • If you could share one thing with new volunteers, what would that be? Please continue to volunteer. You will meet the most wonderful horses, riders and other volunteers. It's hard work but so worth it! 

Blue Ribbon Moments

Horses with Heart has a volunteer appreciation program called Blue Ribbon Moments to recognize all the great day-to-day accomplishments of our volunteers. Nomination cards are located in the office, so when you see a fellow volunteer who is going above and beyond, please write down their name and a couple of sentences about what they have done, and drop it in the Blue Ribbon Moments container in the office. We will hold a drawing each week, and the winner receives a $5 gift card to Overflow Coffee in Chino Valley.

  • Week of June 24th Winner: Anthony Salceda

  • Week of July 1st Winner: Joanne Morely

  • Week of July 8th Winner: Melissa Gates

  • Week of July 15th Winner: Teresa Franco

  • Week of July 22nd Winner: Dwayne Toombs

Upcoming New Volunteer Orientations & SST Trainings

If you or someone you know would like to explore volunteer opportunities with Horses with Heart, please join us at the next Volunteer Orientation on Saturday, August 3rd at 8:30 am. There will also be Safety Support Team training immediately following.

September and October Orientations:

Wednesday, Sept. 11th at 3:00pm (No SST)

Tuesday, Oct 1st at 3:00 pm with SST following

To register, please contact Debbie at hwhvolcoord@gmail.com or 928-533-9178.

Thank You, Sponsors!

Please join us in thanking the following businesses who support Horses with Heart! For more information on becoming an HwH sponsor, please contact Anne Spiess, Executive Director, at hwhexecdir@gmail.com.

  • Findlay Subaru Prescott

  • Drill Tech

  • Randy and Karen Kay

  • Beckner Building Company

  • Helen Collins

  • Mary Smith

LASER Fundraiser

Mark your calendar!  Plans are underway for a fantastic fundraiser to help support LASER's mission.

On Saturday, October 26th, four gorgeous homes in Prescott's Williamson Valley will open their doors so you can enjoy their beauty.  Then join us for a lite lunch, purchase some raffle tickets and take home some fantastic gifts. Tickets go on sale online beginning August 15th. Print the flyer attached, share it with your friends, and watch our website starting August 15th for the link to get your tickets. We'll also send you another email with that direct link.

You share our vision: that every barn animal has a safe haven in disasters. Please support LASER so we can help our communities in times of crisis.

Calendar of Events

  • August 3rd ~ Tack Sale, Horses with Heart, 8:00 am – 1:00 pm

  • August 3rd ~ New Volunteer Orientation and Safety Support Training, 8:30 am

  • September 7th ~ Longevity for our Special Needs Horses, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

  • September 11th~New Volunteer Orientation (no SST), 3:00 pm

  • September 28th ~ Have a Heart Barrel Race and Poles at Olsen’s Grain, Chino Valley

  • October 1st~ New Volunteer Orientation and Safety Support Training, 3:00 pm

  • October 12th ~ Sequins and Saddles at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

  • October 26th ~ LASER Fundraiser

Where to Find HwH News?