December 2022

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.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS from HORSES with HEART!

Classy Pony Resale Boutique Sale and Winter Closure

Looking for the perfect Christmas present? HwH’s Classy Pony Resale Boutique to the rescue!  The boutique is having its Christmas Sale on Friday and Saturday, December 2nd & 3rd, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.  We have HwH 30th Anniversary merchandise; these make great Christmas presents!  We also have talented, crafty volunteers at HwH who have adorable one-of-a-kind items.  And of course, as its name suggests, we have gently used equestrian and western items that are great deals.  In the true meaning of Christmas, all proceeds support HwH’s therapeutic riding program.

The last day the Classy Pony Resale Boutique will be open before Christmas is Monday, December 5th (the same day as our volunteer luncheon) as it is getting a little too chilly to keep it open. Inquire in the office starting Tuesday, December 6th for those last-minute Christmas gifts.

If Our Horses Could Talk ~ by Horse Care Coordinator Deborah Thomas

We may not be top show horses or prized Westworld Arabians, but the love, kindness, and respect we’ve been given by all of you at HwH makes us feel of rich, royal blood.

The hundreds of pounds of hay you’ve fed us and the many mountains of poop you’ve scooped have kept us nourished and clean.

Those many miles of walks together out on the trail and those personal chats we’ve shared have helped get us through the days and weeks of riding sessions.

Each loving brush stroke, the gentle wiping of our eyes and delicate hoof cleanings have meant so much to us so that we may look our best for each precious rider.

It’s an honor and a privilege to serve knowing that all whom we carry on our backs are touched right through to their hearts and ours.

SO, A MASSIVE, HUGE HORSES WITH HEART WHINNY TO SAY THANKS TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU - WE HOPE WE HAVE ENRICHED YOUR LIVES AS YOU HAVE ENRICHED OURS.

With tremendous respect and gratitude,

The Herd

7th Annual Have a Heart Barrel Race and Poles Recap

Yee Haw!

The 7th Annual Have a Heart Barrel Race and Poles was held in dry, sunny weather with record breaking participation from racers. There were 85 racers in the 4D Barrels, 33 in Youth Poles, 19 adorable energetic Peewee racers, and 46 racers competed in the 4D poles. We presented prize money and buckles to the winners and second-placers in each division. The saddle is presented to the horse and rider with the “Most Heart”- the fastest combined time in both 4D Barrels and Poles. This year our prize saddle was presented to Joanie Pritchard of Chino Valley, AZ on her horse, Brother.

We would like to thank Olsen’s Grain, Mike Olsen, and Shyan Ingrao for hosting the event. Their generous support of Horses with Heart makes our event one of the biggest fundraisers we hold. We couldn’t do it without them.

The committee would like to thank our magnificent sponsors who contributed money and silent auction items, our volunteers who did their part to make the day run seamlessly smooth, and the participants/racers who came out to participate. Thank you to Penny’s Place food truck for keeping everyone fed, as well as the individuals who purchased items in the Silent Auction. It was a fun and successful day for all. Once again, our kind sponsors and volunteers enable Horses with Heart achieve their mission of making difficulties become possibilities. Please support and thank the following sponsors.

A Year to Remember ~ 2022 Riding Season Recap     

Horses with Heart had a very busy year in 2022.  Although the year is not over, our riding season has ended.  Ninety-nine riders participated during the year and over four hundred classes were held during the eight-month riding season.  These classes included Therapeutic Riding Lessons, Veterans Program Lessons, Competition Team Practices, and Silver Saddle Lessons. We may have a bit longer season for our Marvelous -Minis Team- so far they have made nine assisted-living facility visits and three school visits, and they attended three special events in 2022 (for a total of fifteen programs this year to date).

Horses with Heart has a herd of seventeen horses – in all shapes and sizes – to be able to provide services to our participants from ages four to eighty-plus.  Each horse has wonderful qualities and all provide valuable, therapeutic benefits to our participants. They are truly our partners, without which we could not do what we do.

Everyone has heard the phrase, “It takes a village.” This is a true statement when it comes to running a therapeutic riding center.  Did you know that over 180 volunteers went through our Volunteer Orientations and Trainings this year?  Our volunteers are the backbone and heart of our organization.  Our Safety Support Teams, which assist our riders in class, number over 50 volunteers per session.  Our horse-care teams account for over half of the volunteer duties performed each week.  The Marvelous Mini Team has 28 active volunteers who travel all over the Quad-Cities to provide mini- horse love and companionship.  Our facility and maintenance crew, made up of some mighty fellows, keep our grounds, equipment and facility running smoothly and looking spiffy as well. There’s more… How about our mighty office team?  Or our Hospitality team? Or our Fundraising and Special Event team?  The list goes on...

Horses with Heart is blessed.  We have wonderful participants, horses, volunteers, families, donors, team members, and more.  To all who have been a part of the Horses with Heart family, we thank you!

Your Tax Donation

At this time of year, we often think of Christmas, loved ones, hot chocolate, and bran mashes with carrots and apples. Some of us also start to think about- dare I say it- TAXES. You have until December 31st to make charitable donations to apply for your Federal IRS 2022 deductions. Horses with HEART’s EIN is 86-0735678. If your check arrives after January 1st, but is dated no later than December 31st, it will apply to your 2022 taxes. You may also donate through our website using PayPal. You may also gift a donation in a family or friend’s name (what a heartfelt gift!) and apply it to your taxes. Arizona Tax Credit donations have until April 15th to apply to the preceding tax year. The QCO number is: 20347

Indoor Riding Arena

The ranch is quiet with all the horses at their winter homes. HwH suspends riding every winter, reopening in the spring. Drum-roll please: in the future HwH will not have to close in the winter because we will have an indoor riding arena enabling us to ride year-round!  HwH’s campaign to fundraise the construction of an indoor arena was unveiled at Sequins and Saddles. Please ask us questions; let us know if you would like to join and/or assist our development committee, or contribute to our Capital Project Fundraiser.  It is so exciting!!

Primary contacts for this project are Angelique LeVell, HwH Executive Director, hwhexecdir@gmail.com and Mike Cohn, HwH Development Committee Chairman, mcohn85018@gmail.com.

Competition Team and Horse Sponsor Play Day

It was truly a family affair as the Competition Team and Horse Sponsors came together for the end of season Play Day.  Activities included a scavenger hunt, navigating a maze with horse in tow, horses bobbing for apples and of course, lots of good food.  A great time was had by all, and some have even suggested that this become an even bigger event next year!

Winter Horse Fosters

It’s gotten quiet around the center.  There’s no more poop to shovel or water buckets to fill.  Please join us in thanking all those who are caring for our mighty steeds over the winter:

• Ben                  Geri & Tom Keenan

• Brownie            Carol Gora and Jackie and Anna Boyd

• Butters             Boulder Mountain Therapy in Phoenix

• Chili                  Jeremy Owens

• EBay                 Carol Gora and Jackie and Anna Boyd

• Frankie             Mike and Lee Cohn

• Gladys              Larry Larsen and Traci Ranic

• Jazz                  Kris Dockum

• Jewel                Patty Lipp

• Melva               Charles Driver

• Rocky               Mary Smith and Maureen Owen

• Sam                  Lisa Lucidi

• Shadow            Pam Berry

• Son                   Kris Vollrath and Marcia Gagnon

• Stumpy             Sherry Hoover and Deborah Thomas

• Sweet Pea & Zee        J Bird Ranch sponsored by Helen Collins, Gloria Reid, Mary Jane Gunter, Pattie Baker, Jill Underwood, and Winkie Robb

2023 Horse Sponsors

During the 2022 riding season, Horses with Heart started a new fundraiser in response to the ENORMOUSLY inflated cost of horse care.  Because of you, HwH did not raise our riding session rates in 2022. Thank you to the following generous sponsors HwH who raised almost $22,000 for our horses!

Susanne Blodgett, Ellen Carpenter, Mike and Lee Cohn, Helen Collins, Kris Dockum, Janice Forsythe, Jan Grise, Jeff Johnson, Daryl and Lynn Lanssen, Chere and David Lenz, Patty Lipp, Madelyn Melchiors, Caroline Naas, Gloria Reid, Winkie Robb, Mary Smith, Martha Aggas, Kris Vollrath

HwH is thankful to announce we are only raising our 2023 prices by twenty dollars a session.  We are continuing our horse sponsorships in 2023 to subsidize our horse care costs.  We hope you will consider sponsoring a horse or pony to assist HwH in this effort.  Session sponsorships are $500 for a horse and $250 for a pony.  You may sponsor for one session or as many as you wish (the 2023 season consists of five sessions).  Contact Angelique for more information or to sponsor your favorite horse or pony. This is an awesome way to “give” someone a horse or pony for Christmas!!

Sequins and Saddles Recap

Sequins and Saddles was a success! Thanks to many of you who helped with auction items, as well as setting up and working the day of the event. A big THANK YOU to each of you. It was a sellout, and Embry-Riddle’s venue was very well received, as was the food from Catering By Liz, and of course the Rusty Pistols Reloaded were enjoyed by all.   We increased our seating by thirty percent this year, and our income by approximately forty-five percent.  For the second year of holding the event at this level, I would say “Great Job, Everyone!”

Sequins and Saddles for 2023 is already in the early planning stages, committee members are needed and we will start acquiring auction items after the new year. Please contact Debi at Debic_hwh@hotmail.com if you would like to help on the 2023 planning/acquisitions committees.

A special thanks to our sponsors:

Diamond:  Mike and Lee Cohn, Lisa and Zip Lucidi, Safeway/Albertsons, Henry and Donna Block, Prescott Animal Hospital, Celtic Windmill Trucking, Findlay Subaru, Blind Brothers Arizona, Drill Tech, Anonymous, Robert Davis

Gold: Helen Collins, Tonia Fortner, HwH Board Members: Gloria Reid, Mary Smith, Trudy Chapman-Radley, and Deana McNeil

Silver: Frontier Financial of Arizona, Farmers Insurance - Jeff Champ Agency

Bronze: Bob's Complete Auto Repair, Sands Realty, Quality Trailers, All Natural Marj, Otwell Associates Architects, High Desert Buildings and Barns, Styles by Kathy, Jan Grise and Sue Jordan, Barrett Propane, American Barn Company, Stazenski Construction

Turquoise: National Snaffle Bit Association, Arizona Quarter Horse Association, W & C Marketing, Arizona Horse Connection, Olsen's Grain, Chino Heating and Cooling, Dr. Jeff Stires, St. Michael's, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Barrett Propane

Heroes on Horses

Our Veterans are all invited to participate in Heroes on Horses as a rider or marcher. Heroes on Horses is the week of March 4th at Westworld in Scottsdale.  This event, presented by NSBA, is during the Sun Circuit Golden Jubilee. Please contact Jan to reserve your spot.  Additional information is available at https://www.nsba.com/foundation-equestrians-with-disabilities

Looking Ahead to 2023

As you read in the 2022 recap article above, there are a lot of moving parts to providing services to our participants.  Believe it or not, we are gearing up for 2023 already!  Would you like to be a part of it again? Or for the first time?  We would love to have you!

Starting December 1st, 2023 Participant Forms and 2023 Volunteer Agreements are available on the website and in our office.  There’s a fillable form on the website or we can email them to you. 

If you are interested in registering for a riding class (Therapeutic, Veterans, Silver Carriage, or Silver Saddle), please contact Jan Grise, Program Director.

If you’d like to volunteer in 2023, please contact Chelsea Barth, Volunteer Coordinator to reserve a spot in an upcoming Orientation. If you’re interested in helping in therapeutic riding classes, please reserve a spot in an SST Training class.

Stay tuned: there are many exciting plans ahead for the new year!  See the 2023 calendar by CLICKING HERE, AND don’t miss out on the fun!

 2023 Fun-A-Thon

There is a FUN change of event in how our Riders can raise funds for their therapeutic riding lessons this year. Volunteers and friends of the HwH family can help too!  The Bowl-A-Thon will be a Fun-A-Thon, complete with games, food, and lots of fun!  It will be held at The Adult Center of Prescott, 1280 Unit B East Rosser St. in Prescott. The packets have gone out with our riders; if you did not get one, they are available at the office. Volunteers who wish to participate in the fundraising may pick up packets in the office as well.  So, speak with your family and friends, businesses you frequent (and even those you don’t), and raise those funds to help offset the cost of therapeutic riding. Everyone is encouraged to come to the Fun-A-Thon. The winner (under age 18) with the most pledges will be crowned King or Queen and receive a prize. There will also be a prize for the adult winner.  If you would like to help with this event, please contact Debi.

To learn more and download forms: CLICK HERE

Wranglr Hours

Thank you to everyone who entered their hours into Wranglr by November 30th. These hours help us receive grants and funding and give volunteers spending power at our upcoming Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon. Everyone who entered their hours by November 30th will receive $5 off a purchase of $20 or more at the Classy Pony Resale Boutique (HwH merchandise not included).  If you need help getting your hours into Wranglr, stop by the office or call 520-831-1339, and Chelsea can assist you.

Volunteer/ Wranglr Hours Luncheon

We are looking forward to seeing everyone who RSVP’d at our Volunteer Luncheon on December 5th at 12:00 pm at Grace Church in Chino Valley. Get ready to spend your Wranglr hours at the silent auction! It will be an afternoon filled with great food and fun conversation. If you want to participate in our gift exchange, please bring a wrapped present ($20 spending limit).

Where to Find HwH News?

• HwH website              horseswithheartaz.org

• Newsletter                  HwH Connection – published monthly

• Facebook                    https://www.facebook.com/horseswithheartaz

• Wranglr emails           for HwH volunteers

• Social Happenings     HwH Friends  https://www.facebook.com/groups/922295924909116

Around Our Center
(aka Pam’s Pet Peeves)

Although it seems that we are “closed down” for the winter, there really is a lot that happens at HwH when there are no horses on site.  Our administrative staff will be busy wrapping up this year and planning sessions and events for next year.  Our facility crew will be working on cleanup, repairs and upgrades around the property.  As we get projects lined up and as the weather allows, we will schedule work days to complete these items and get ready for the horses to return in February.  If you’d like to be part of the winter projects crew, please let me know by clicking one of the buttons below and I’ll put you on the notification list.  Thanks so much for supporting our riders, horses and facility.

Calendar of Events

• November 21 ~ HwH Office Winter Hours Begin, Monday – Friday, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

• December 2 and 3 ~ Classy Pony Resale Boutique Sale 10:00 am

• December 5 ~ Volunteer/Wranglr Hours Event and Christmas Luncheon, Grace Church, Chino Valley, 12:00 pm

• December 5 ~ KYCA at 4:00 radio show hosted by Rita Thompson-Tinsley with special guests Angelique LeVell, Pam Berry, and Mary Smith

• December 24 – January 1 ~ HwH Office Closed: Merry Christmas!

• February 4 ~ Volunteer and Donor Appreciation Luncheon, 1st Southern Baptist Church, Chino Valley, 11:30 am

• February 11 ~ Fun-a-thon, The Adult Center, Prescott, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

• February 24th ~ Returning Volunteer Orientation, at Horses with Heart, 3:30 – 4:30 pm February 25th ~ Returning Volunteer Orientation, at Horses with Heart, 8:30 – 9:30 am

• February 25th ~ Returning Volunteer SST Training, at Horses with Heart 10:00 am – 12:30 pm

• March 3rd ~ New Volunteer Orientation, at Horses with Heart, 3:30 – 5:00 pm

• March 4th ~ New Volunteer Orientation, at Horses with Heart, 8:30 – 10:00 am

• March 4th ~ New Volunteer SST Training, at Horses with Heart, 10:30 am – 1:30 pm

• March 11 ~ Competition Team Starts

• March 20th ~ Session 1 Begins

• April 15th and 16th ~ Chino Valley Equestrian Park Horse Show

• May 20th and 21st ~ Chino Valley Equestrian Park Horse Show

• June 24th ~ Horses with Heart 30th Anniversary Celebration

• June 24th and 25th ~ Chino Valley Equestrian Park Horse Show

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.

HwH 2023 Team

Happily, our HwH instructors are all returning to teach in 2023. The following HwH Team Members are returning for 2023: Pam Berry, Jan Grise, Debi Covington, Pete Sanders, Kathleen Klein, Kelly Holiday, and Logan O’Pace. Chelsea Barth and Angelique LeVell are also returning as part of HwH 2023 Team Members with additional responsibilities as HwH continues to expand to serve our growing community. HwH has a Team Member opening for the position of Executive Administrative Assistant. This position is open until filled by an awesome candidate with a passion for HwH.