December 2021

HwH is the Premier Accredited Center in Northern Arizona

Harnessing the proven benefits of therapeutic horsemanship, Horses with Heart (HwH) helps transform the lives of disabled children and adults—including U.S. military veterans—as they gain confidence, dignity and independence by riding our trained horses under the direction of highly-credentialed staff.

Sequins and Saddles ~ A Recap of this Wonderful Event

Sequins and Saddles 2021 was a fun fundraiser. This year Sequins and Saddles was reinvented or, like our band The Rusty Pistols, was reloaded. The historic outdoor Labor Day event was dressed up at the Phippen Museum on November 13, 2021 (November 12 in 2022, location TBD). Tickets were SOLD OUT 3 days after our October newsletter announcement! Next year we will look for a larger venue so even more people can enjoy the fun and have opportunities to bid on our fabulous auction items! Thank you to our sponsors, donors, Rusty Pistols Reloaded, Big Daddy E’s, Corrin Debono, Neal McEwen and the Phippen Museum, as well as all who attended Sequins and Saddles for making this the most successful fundraiser in Horses with Heart history! See you November 12, 2022.

Sequins and Saddles Sponsors:

  • Diamond: Henry and Donna Block, Celtic Windmill Trucking, LLC, Findlay Prescott Subaru, Safeway/Albertsons, Prescott Animal Hospital & Equine Center

  • Gold: A Casa Realty, Big Country Market, Fancy That, Tonia Fortner, Frontier Financial of Arizona

  • Silver: Bob’s Car, Helen Collins

  • Bronze: AZ Mud Masters, Marj Melchiors, Brad Miller


Sequins and Saddles Business Donors:
All Hearts Grooming, Alpha Fortress Games, Antelope Hills Golf Course, Arabella Hotel, Arizona Cowboy Poets Gathering, Augie’s Restaurant, Casa Grande Mexican Restaurant, Chateau Tumbleweed, Chino Valley Equestrian Association, Compass Training Center, Cracker Barrel, Earthworks, El Charro Norte Restaurant, Encore Donuts, Flags Galore, Gabby’s Kitchen, Harmony Holistic Veterinary Care, Javelina Leap Vineyard, Winery & Bistro, Lone Star Café, Mood Swing Band, Olsen’s Grain, Olive U Naturally, Overflow Coffee, Pralines of Prescott, Prescott Center for the Arts, Prescott Frontier Days, Sharlot Hall, St. Michael Hotel

Sequins and Saddles Personal Donors and Volunteers:
Karen Barney, Pam Berry, Craig & Sandra Brown, Mark Cohn, Trudy Chapman-Radley, Helen Collins, Debi Covington, Beverly Crowder, Connie Dial, Kris Dockum, Charles Driver, Marcia Gagnon, Malenna Gonsalves, Meg Bassett Goodyear, Jan Grise, Mary Jane Gunter, Sherry Hoover, Nancy Hughes, Anette Karlsson, Mickey Kissell, Angelique LeVell, Lisa Lucidi, Mick & Stephanie Meyers, Sandy Moriarty, Donn Pease, Gloria Reid, Winkie Robb, Cynthia Roche, Janice Shanks, Laura Smart, Mary Smith, Toni Sola, Deborah Thomas, Michelle Wilson

Rusty Pistols Reloaded Band, Malenna Gonsalves & Laura Smart ~ Hostesses ~, Karen & John Richert ~ Winners of Custom Pet Portrait - Meg Bassett Goodyear, Carol Kay ~ Winner of Sedona Package; presented by Trudy Chapman-Radley, Jason Stewart & Lorette Brashear ~ Winners of Boot Drop Package, Rita and Katie, Lisa Lucidi, Pete Sanders, Helen Collins

Volunteer of the Month – Debi Covington

Debi travels the farthest to volunteer at Horses with Heart. She lives mostly full-time in California, but travels to Chino Valley several times a year to spearhead many of our special events. These last two months have been very busy for Debi. In addition to her countless hours planning and executing our latest fundraiser, Sequins & Saddles, she has been doing Wranglr training and subbing for Therapeutic classes and Competition Team practices.

Q & A

  1. How long have you been with Horses with Heart? How long...Since 2015. I helped Maureen set up the raffle table at the Bowl-a-thon and I bowled, too. Then that summer, I helped again with the set up for Sequins and Saddles. Feb 2016 is when I went through orientation and became "official".

  2. Why do you volunteer at Horses with Heart? Why... It started with Helen Collins and my nephew Garrett. Everything and everyone else is why I continue to volunteer.

  3. What is your favorite memory of moment at Horses with Heart? I have to say to date, I have 2 favorites: At one of the early volunteer appreciation luncheons I went to. Lizzy's Mom spoke of how riding and the horses allowed Lizzy to blossom, all while watching this sweet little girl sit and put on and take off her tiny little pink boots! Now look at her! The other was the battle of the cowboy hat between Nikolas and Susanne Baker during a bidding war of fun bucks! Oh yes; I Love Happy Hearts Rodeo, too.

  4. If you could share one thing with new volunteers, what would that be? Jump in and do; you'll be hooked.

Time Sheets & Wranglr Totals for the Year Due November 30th - DID YOU REMEMBER?

Please get your hours to Malenna right away. It is essential to have an accurate count of volunteer hours to apply and secure grants. We also need them for Volunteer Appreciation. Please turn in paper timesheet hours to Malenna Gonsalves malennajm@gmail.com or put in her folder. If you need assistance with finalizing your Wranglr hours, please contact Sherry Hoover, Jan Grise or Debi Covington in the office.

Although we are not having riding classes again until March, we have many volunteer opportunities through the winter months, including the required Volunteer Orientations. When you volunteer for anything, please remember to log your hours on Wranglr. Please contact Debi Covington (DebiC_hwh@hotmail.com or 909-730-3312) for any questions regarding the use of and/or watch the Wranglr video tutorials which are found under “My Account”

Welcome to Our Two New Staff Members

Carol Gora is our new Volunteer Coordinator. Welcome her as she assumes her duties on December 1st. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from her years as a Nurse Practitioner, as a board member on CVEP, a volunteer at HwH, and her love of horses - with EBAY as her current, best equine friend. We thank Sherry Hoover for filling in as interim Volunteer Coordinator these last few months!

Debi Covington joins our HwH staff as Event Coordinator. As you can see from the article above, as Volunteer of the Month, Debi has much experience coordinating events at Horses with Heart. She got a running start back in 2015 helping coordinate our Bowlathon raffle and our outdoor Sequins and Saddles event. She is no stranger to pulling off the almost impossible to make the most successful events. Welcome aboard!

Volunteer Committee Is Seeking Members

We are still looking for Volunteer Committee Members to help attract, welcome, assimilate and create an environment where volunteers feel valued and appreciated. If you have the following interests, skills, and passions, this is the Committee for you!

  • To find people who want to help others

  • To encourage people to feel welcomed

  • The passion to make people feel cared for

  • The heart to help people get and stay involved

If you think you would be a good fit for this Committee, or want to learn more about it, please contact Carol Gora in the office at 928-533-9178 or HwHVolcoord@gmail.com.

The Volunteer Committee meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 1:00 pm at HwH.

Around the HwH Ranch:

Over the winter we will have several projects going on. Some will require work crews, others (like roofing and electric to the barn) not so much. We will keep you informed as these work days get planned and scheduled. In the meantime, rest, relax and enjoy!

Thanks for all you do,
Pam

Winter Horse Fosters

Here's the list of Winter Fosters:

  • Jazz & Remedy have gone home with Bonnie Moreau

  • Ben & Blackie are staying with Carrie Lancom

  • Sweet Pea is with Laurie Walker

  • Jewel is with Patty Lipp

  • Sunshine is with Kris Dockum

  • Rosie, Rocky & Zee are at J Bird Ranch, sponsored by Mary Smith, Helen Collins, Winkie Robb, Mary Jane Gunter, Patty & Kevin Baker, Jill Underwood & Gloria Reid.

Our leased horses:

  • Sam is at Granite Mountain Stables with Lisa Lucidi

  • Son is at J Bird Ranch with Kris Volrath

  • Chili is at home with Jeremy Owens.

And our retirees:

  • Majesty has gone home with her donor, Kristen Martucci

  • Moonshine has a new home with Ann Nielson and Sabrina Sauter


Thank you all for loving and caring for our wonderful herd!

Your Tax Donation

Did you know that helping HwH might help you cut your state tax bill? Because Horses with Heart is a qualifying charity in the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit Program, you could cut your state tax bill by up to $800 (married couple filing jointly) or $400 (single filing). {QCO CODE: 20347} To give, contact Angelique LeVell: hwhexecdir@gmail.com, or call 928-533-9178 or mail your check payable to: Horses with Heart, to P.O. Box 2427, Chino Valley, AZ 86323.

Safety Tip of the Month

The importance of cleaning horses’ hooves: Cleaning out hooves can alert you of any problems in the horse’s hooves and can also help to prevent common hoof problems such as thrush, bruises or abscesses. When using a hoof pick, make sure the hook (the sharp end) is facing away from you.

Save the Date!
Fun (Bucks) Christmas Party – Friday, December 10, 11:30 at El Paraiso, Chino Valley

Deadline to RSVP with food choice and pay is December 1st. Please email or call Volunteer Coordinator at hwhvolcoord@gmail.com or 928-533-9178.

Lunch Entrees Choices for $20 (Includes non-alcoholic drink (plus refills), tax and tip and dessert):

  1. Chicken Enchiladas with Rice and Beans (option: red sauce or green sauce)

  2. Veggie Enchiladas with Rice and Beans (option: red sauce or green sauce)

  3. Lasagna and Garlic Bread

  • Silent Auction for spending Fun Bucks

  • Gift Exchange ($15 spending limit) - Please wrap.

  • Lots of fun conversation

2022 Riding Season

Although our 2021 riding season has ended, we are already planning for 2022. If you are interested in our Therapeutic, Veteran-Active Military-First Responder, or Silver Saddle programs for 2022 or interested in volunteering, please contact the HwH office for more information ~ 928-533-9178.

Equine Specialist Training Opportunity

Would you like to have more experience knowing how to work with horses during our sessions? Horses Help in Phoenix is holding an Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning Workshop and Skills Test (ESMHL) from February 17th - 20th, 2022. This is the same clinic that HwH offered in November last year where Sherry Hoover and Mickey Kissell got certified. Please contact Jan Grise at hwhprograms@gmail.com or 928-308-1353 if you would be interested in more information or in registering.

Horses with Heart Shirts and Sweatshirts

Fall and falling leaves, temperatures, Session 4 and cool mornings are here! Our fall tee shirts and sweatshirts have an estimated delivery date of October 8 to keep us warm and cozy.

 

Calendar of Events

  • November 22nd - HwH winter office hours are in effect, Monday - Friday, 10 - 3

  • December 1st ~ Deadline to RSVP for Fun (Bucks) Christmas Luncheon

  • December 1st ~ Deadline to Nominate Volunteer of the Year

  • December 1st ~ Deadline to submit 2021 Volunteer Hours

  • December 10th ~ Fun (Bucks) Christmas Luncheon, El Paraiso, Chino Valley, 11:30 am

  • December 24th ~ HwH Office Closed

  • January 3 ~ HwH office reopens after Christmas break

  • January 15th ~ Volunteer & Donor Appreciation, Chino Valley Senior Center, 11:30 am

  • February 12th ~ Annual Bowl-a-thon Fundraiser

  • February 19th ~ Returning Volunteer Orientation and SST Refresher

  • February 26th ~ New Volunteer Orientation and SST Training 101

  • March 5 ~ Competition Team Season begins

  • March 7th -11th ~ First week of Session 1 Lessons

HELP US MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR OTHERS

From donations to sponsorships to SHOPPING for holidays, birthdays or weddings you can make a difference for others and Horses with Heart.