Your 2026 February Newsletter

Monthly Boredom:

Hello everyone, with a little play on words we would like to update you on HwH Board of Director (BOD) activities. We hope you find this interesting, as it will be written in a less formal manner, i.e., less Boredom. Our normal BOD minutes are always available if you would like to review them.

Last Month we held a special Board Retreat; thank you to Mike Z. for hosting us at American Ranch. Here is a quick recap:

• Everyone was challenged to review our current Mission Statement, most of us agreed it’s not perfect but pretty darn good. Don’t expect any changes.

• We discussed our motos used over the years, “Where disabilities become possibilities” and “Horses healing people” were the two leaders.

• We discussed making our services available and known to a wider level within our community through broader reach and partnerships.

• We see the need to learn from other organizations, not just other therapeutic equine centers, but other local service organizations.

• We are blessed with an amazing staff and volunteers. We discussed how to retain these folks and inspire them to keep going, and at the same time create opportunities to mentor our next group of leaders.

• We discussed how we expand our programs, eliminate the waiting list, provide financial aid, and create off-site programs, again to service the entire Quad Cities.

• We talked about how to use our facility in diverse ways, allowing it to be used 11 months a year, allowing for a more stable financial future and growth.

• We are revising our current fractured organizational structure into a well thought-out structure in which a new Executive Director can thrive.

• Lastly, to lay the groundwork and recruitment plan for a new Executive Director, our goal as a BOD is for this ED to be a defining legacy hire, in other words, an ED for many years who can lead our organization to continue doing remarkable things.

I hope you enjoyed the recap and that it wasn’t too boring. If you have any feedback, I am happy to listen and can be reached at miataracer55@gmail.com or 949.637.0133

RD, Board President

Board and Staff Member Spotlight
Robert T. Davis “RD” – President

Robert is a veteran of the automobile business with thirty (30) years of service at Mazda and five (5) more at Chrysler. As a third generation “car man” cars and trucks were his primary horsepower until be met his wife of 25 years, Bonnie who introduced him to the four-legged type. Bonnie and RD have a ranch in Williamson Valley with Horses, Cows, Dogs, Cats, and of course Classic Cars. From South Carolina Bonnie and RD are heavily involved with Clemson University along with HwH. RD is easy to spot because his side kick Raven a Doberman pinscher is not far away.

22nd Annual Maureen Owens Bowl a Thon
Antelope Lanes Bowling Bowling Alley, Prescott Valley, AZ 

We are happy to announce that going forward, our HwH Bowl-a-Thon will now be known as the Annual Maureen Owen Bowl-a-Thon. Maureen was the heart of this event and we are proud to give her this honor. 

Whether you are bowling or not, you can gather monetary donations and sponsorships for this event. Donations can be made online too. Last year this event raised $16,400, and we are looking to exceed that this year with your support. Funds from this event support the Horses with Heart Competition Team, scholarship fund, and the general fund. 

Another portion of our event income comes from raffle ticket sales the day of the event. We already have several fun items to be raffled, but can use a few more. We accept new and slightly used items for this raffle. Please bring your items to the HwH office before February 9, 2026, and fill out an in-kind form for donated items.

Winners do not need to be present to win and there is no limit on the number of items you can win. One useful thing to have with you are your return address labels so you don’t have to write your name on all your tickets. 

The Bowl-A-Thon is great fun each year. Please participate in whatever way you choose. It is fun to be a bowler, watch the bowlers, and be involved in the fundraising. You can contact Helen Collins, 928-713-9246, or Bonnie Moreau, 360-421-7166 with questions.

To register or make a donation, please visit https://bowlathon.auctria.events.

Preparing for the HwH 2026 Season

Session 1 begins March 16:

Session 1 begins the week of March 16! We still have a few openings open in our riding classes for both Therapeutic and Silver Saddles (45+). Our ground-work based classes, Equine Assisted Learning and Un-mounted Horsemanship (adults) also have a few openings left.

If you are interested in more information for enrollment in this Session or future Sessions, please contact Aireal Dallam at hwhprograms@gmail.com

2026 Volunteer Orientation Schedule

We look forward to getting back into the swing of things at HwH, starting with Volunteer Orientations! These are required for ALL volunteers, both new and returning. SST training is required for volunteers who plan on helping our participants during their classes.

Returning Volunteers

• February 20th: Orientation 3:30 – 4:30 PM

• February 21st: Orientation 9:00 – 10:00 AM & Safety Support Team (SST) refresher 10:00 – 11:30 AM

New Volunteers

• February 27th: Orientation 3:30 – 5:00 PM

• February 28th: Orientation 9:00 – 10:30 AM & SST 101 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Mounting Practice

If you are interested in learning how to assist with mounting and dismounting the riders in their classes, we have training for you!

• Thursday, March 5th at 10:00 AM

We have room for 10 individuals to have hands-on practice, and if you would prefer to watch and just get a better idea of how and why, we also have space for you!

If you are interested in hands-on training, or to watch, please email Sherry Hoover at sherryhwh@gmail.com by March 2nd.

Upcoming Horse Handler Trainings

It’s that time of year again, horses are coming back to Horses with Heart!

Are you new to horses? Would you like to have additional confidence around horses? Do you want to get involved in the Grooming Team or the Marvelous Minis program? If your answer is yes to any of these questions, one of these training sessions is for you!

If you have been, or want to be on the Wednesday morning Grooming Team, this is your training:

• March 11th Groomer Horse Handler Training 9:00 AM

• Please email your interest to Bonnie Moreau at bchere58@hotmail.com.

If you have been, or want to be on the a part of the Marvelous Minis Program, this training is for you:

• March 11th Marvelous Minis Horse Handler Training 1:00 PM
  Email your interest to Sherry Hoover at sherryhwh@gmail.com.

If you want more General Horse Handling or work your way to become a Horse Leader, or help with turnouts, this training is for you:

• February 28th General Horse Handler Training 1:00 – 2:30 PM

(Please note that if you would like to help with classes, you also need to attend a Safety Support Team Training). Email your interest to Sherry Hoover at sherryhwh@gmail.com.

***Some of the information for these trainings will overlap, so there is no need to attend multiple trainings. ***

It's a PARTY!

Please join us on February 21st from noon to 1:00 as we CELEBRATE the retirement of Jazz and Copper.  These equine partners have earned their retirement and found a new home.  We are so excited for them and wanted you to have the opportunity to wish them well and get your pictures with them as they start their next adventure.

Marvelous Minis Update

No January Mini happenings to report, so I picked out some oldies- but goodies photos to hold you over until next time!

Mary Smith

SAVE THE DATE! ~ Prescott Rodeo Parade

We will be participating in the Prescott Rodeo Parade again this year. The Parade is Saturday, July 4th, and we will need lots of help on the day of the parade and with the planning process.  Our first planning meeting is February 7th at 10:00am in the Horses with Heart office.  If you can’t attend the meeting, but would like to get involved please email Sherry Hoover at sherryhwh@gmail.com.

Competition Team Update:

The Team is on break right now, resting up and getting ready for the new season.

CVEP is not doing their series of horse shows this year, so we are looking at other options. Once we finalize our show dates, we will update everyone on where to find us.  In the meantime, we will start back with our Team meeting on March 7th and plan to have classes or shows to go to almost every Saturday. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone soon!

Blue Ribbon Moments Winners:

• Week of Jan. 5th ~ Dwayne Toombs

• Week of Jan. 12th ~ Jane Hubbard

• Week of Jan. 19th ~ Sue Jordan

• Week of Jan. 26 ~ May McConnell

Wranglr

If you need assistance with Wranglr, please contact Annette DeMarco at cyngrrl@gmail.com or Debbie Hutchens at hwhvolcoord@gmail.com

Calendar of Events

• February 14th: Bowl-A-Thon

• February 20th and 21st: Returning Volunteer Orientations

• February 21st: Returning Volunteer Safety Support Team Training

• February 27th and 28th: New Volunteer Orientations

• February 28th: New Volunteer Safety Support Team Training

• February 28th: Horse Handler Training

• March 5th: Mounting/Dismounting Practice

• March 7th: Competition Team returns

• March 11th: Grooming Horse Handler Training

• March 16th: Session 1 begins

Where to Find HwH News?

• HwH Website             
  https://horseswithheartaz.org

• Newsletter                 
  HwH Connection – published monthly

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

• Instagram
  https://www.instagram.com/horseswithheartaz/

• Wranglr emails          
  for HwH volunteers