July 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.

Horse of the Month ~ Meet Butters our New Horse on Trial

Buttermilk Rose, aka Butters, a beautiful buckskin mare, arrived on the scene to try her hand (I mean “hoof”) at becoming a therapeutic horse. Formerly, she was ridden for pleasure on the trails. In hopes of a second career, Butters is being introduced to the HwH routine, other horses, our class props and obstacles, many volunteers, and lots of love. She loves attention, so the next time you are at HwH be sure to introduce yourself.

Volunteer of the Month ~ Mary Jane Gunter

Mary Jane is truly a dedicated volunteer at HwH. She does a bit of everything. Not only does Mary Jane serve on Safety Support Teams, she gets down and dirty on Wednesday grooming day. There are many telltale signs at the end of grooming day that Mary Jane has scrubbed, brushed, combed, and conditioned many horses. Her talents don’t stop here, she helps with winter horse adoption, she serves on the Volunteer Committee, she’s part of the Supplement Team and she lends her hand at many HwH functions throughout the year. Well done, Mary Jane!

Q&A

  1. How long have you been with Horses with Heart?

    I started in March 2018 with grooming and SST classes. I was having a discussion with someone when we moved here about our mutual obsession with horses, and she said, “You should check out Horses with Heart”. I signed up right away and I’m so glad I did!

  2. Why do you volunteer at Horses with Heart?

    I had been away from horses for over ten years and just could not envision a life without them. But, what started as a passion for horses turned into appreciation for the Horses with Heart program and what it provides for all participants. I also had spent quite a bit of time with special needs children in a prior career, so it was a good fit.

  3. What is your favorite memory or moment at Horses with Heart?  

    I have so many great memories…weekly grooming day with our great group, helping with winter horse care, and, yes, even mucking. But my fondest memories are from the SST classes seeing the riders’ progress and how much they enjoy their time with the horses. One memory that stands out is what happened during the first class of a Session 1 when the riders had been away from the horses all winter. A coach brought our sweet Jazz over to her rider, and it was so apparent Jazz remembered him, and he was so happy to see her…I was relieved that I had sunglasses on that day and a tissue in my pocket!

  4. If you could share one thing with new volunteers, what would that be?

    I would share that Horses with Heart is a very welcoming place with so many great people who are experienced and willing to help you get started with whatever your interests may be.

Next Volunteer Orientation and SST Training ~ July 16th

Do you want to volunteer and be around horses?  Do you want to make new friends?  Do you want to help children, adults, Veterans, and First Responders whose lives are transformed daily with their interaction with our horses? In other words, would you like to volunteer and make a difference in your life and the lives of others?

We have just what you need at Horses with Heart. Ask our volunteers and they will tell you, “What are you waiting for? This is the place where miracles happen, where deep friendships are made, and horses get loved.”

You ask, “How and when can I start?”  Our next Volunteer Orientation and SST Training sessions are on Saturday, July 16th.  Orientation starts promptly at 8:30 am and will conclude at 10:00 am. The additional training for those who want to learn how to help our riders in therapeutic riding classes (SST Training) will run from 10:15 am to 12:45 pm.  We also invite anyone who has already gone through a Volunteer Orientation in 2022 and wants to just do the SST Training: now is the time to sign up. To all, please invite your friends and neighbors to join the fun! To register, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Kelly Holiday by click the buttons below.

June Volunteer/Wranglr Hours Luncheon ~ a RECAP

Our Luncheon/Auction was held at the Gurley Street Grill on June 22nd. It was a fun event! Volunteers, new and established, had great conversations and traded lots of stories. The silent auction was also a hit. Volunteers got to spend their hard-earned Wranglr minutes that were transformed into dollars. Stay tuned for the December event, but in the meantime enjoy these photos from the summer one.

 Congratulations, Marcia!

After nearly a year of intensive training, study, and tests, Marcia Gagnon is now a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor. We congratulate her hard work and many hours of dedication to become an official certified Instructor. Welcome to the HwH Staff!!!

Looking Ahead ~ from Debi Covington, the HwH Event Coordinator

I’m looking forward to the next few months, as there are three events in the planning stages.

First, on September 14th from 5:00 - 6:30 pm, Horses with Heart will be hosting a Chino Valley Chamber Mixer with demonstrations of Therapeutic Riding as well as a demo from our Competition Team.  We will be looking for enthusiastic volunteers to lead tours of the facility.  Additionally, do you know a business owner or physician who would benefit from finding out more about Horses with Heart? Invite them to participate. This event is not limited to Chino Valley businesses; Prescott and Prescott Valley are also included.

Second, the Have a Heart Barrel Race will be held September 24th at Olsen’s Arena in Chino Valley.  Bonnie Moreau is your contact person for this event.  The silent auction at this event is always a success, and we will be needing new and never-used items.  Should you be able to help with this, please bring your item(s) to the office and fill out an In-Kind form.

And last, but not least, is our final fundraiser for the year - Sequins and Saddles.  This will be held November 12th at the Embry-Riddle Student Union, the “Lower Hanger”.  Plan on joining us for great food, music, and both silent and live auctions.  Last year tickets sold out quickly, so please keep an eye out for the event announcement; think about forming a group to sponsor a table!

We are looking for sponsors for Sequins and Saddles, with several levels of sponsorship that include advertising on the flyer. Sponsors need to let us know they are sponsoring by September 1st.  Formal Thank-You’s to these sponsors will be made during the months of September, October, and November on the Chino Valley Chamber weekly radio show, on various Facebook groups in the Quad City area, and of course, at the event itself. Currently advertising and sponsorship recognition on other radio stations and print ads are being explored.   

Do you know someone or a business whom you would us to contact? Please inform Debi Covington or Angelique LeVell by clicking the buttons below, and they will be contacted.  Besides sponsoring the event, businesses can be asked to donate items for our auctions.

Sponsorship Levels:

  • Diamond - 8 tickets - $1,000.00 (This will be cozy seating but all of your guests can be at the same table.)                                  

  • Gold - 6 tickets - $750.00

  • Silver - 4 tickets - $500.00

  • Bronze - 2 tickets - $250.00

  • Turquoise - no tickets - $200.00  (Sponsors will be included in all advertising.)

Session 3 Classes Are Filling Up

Because we have a significant waiting list for Sessions 3 and 4, please contact Sherry Hoover if interested in Therapeutic classes ; for Veteran or Silver Saddle classes, please contact Jan Grise . We will do our best to accommodate new riders, but please understand that you may be kept on a waiting list if our classes fill. This is a great problem to have, but we earnestly desire to serve all interested participants.

Stick Horse Barrel Racing

Chili waiting to go to Happy Hearts Rodeo

(Photos: KLR Photography)

Happy Hearts Rodeo ~ a Wonderful Time for All

Horses with Heart teamed up with Prescott Frontier Days for the 20th year for Happy Hearts Rodeo on June 30th. Some of HwH’s horses were partners in transforming these children into cowboys and cowgirls.  Fun rodeo-style events such as steer head roping, barrel racing, “cone” bending, and the favorite – riding and rocking on the wooly bully were enjoyed by all.

Source/Copyright: Junior Bonner

Source/Copyright: Junior Bonner

Frontier Days Parade ~ July 2

Horses with Heart will once again be part of this wonderful parade. This year’s theme is the movie Junior Bonner starring Steve McQueen, filmed in Prescott in 1972. HwH and Prescott celebrates 50 years of Junior Bonner and the people of Prescott who played parts in it, including HwH volunteer Kathleen Klein. She was on set while following her brother, Daniel Torgerson, the stand-in for Matthew Peckinpah (Tim Bonner).

Also riding on our float will be several veterans, including Jackie Boyd and Kris Vollrath, who rode at Westworld this year in the Heroes on Horses competition.

Driving his tractor in the parade is Jim Radley, another HwH Veteran who participated at Heroes on Horses. For more information contact Trudy by clicking one of the buttons below.

Summer Clinics and Workshops ~ Still Time to Register

Several informative and practical clinics and workshops are being offered at Horses with Heart this month, with both participant and audit opportunities. Registration is still open. NOTE: Driving Clinic Registration is now closed.

Here is the lineup and to download the fliers:

Fry’s Food Stores Rewards ~ Horses with Heart Now Enrolled

Horses with Heart is happy to announce we are now enrolled in the Fry's Community Rewards program. If you have a Fry's Food Stores' account your Fry's rewards can benefit HwH by going to Fry's Food website, log into your account, search for Horses with Heart or WH099, then click enroll.

Classy Pony Resale Boutique Update

HwH’s Classy Pony Resale Boutique is looking classy with paneling and trim installed.  We will begin setup and stocking as soon as our electrician installs the light fixtures and ceiling fan, and our permits have final approvals. We are looking for classy volunteers who are available to work hours that are convenient for them.  One hundred percent of Classy Pony’s sales goes to HwH’s programs.  What a valuable cause to donate your time, items (equestrian and/or Western) and/or shop.  It’s a win-win!

We would like to offer some HwH branded items in the boutique. We would like to hear from you as to what price range you would be willing to pay for some of these items.

Roping at Lone Tree Arena to Benefit HwH

On July 23rd and 24th, the Lone Tree Arena, behind Lucy's Bar and Grill, Chino Valley, will have a roping event to benefit Horses with Heart. This event will take place in the afternoon and evening on both days. There will be live music and BBQ to enjoy.

For more information, LIKE Lone Tree Arena on Facebook. (@Lonetreearena)

Gas Card Contest

Our May winner of the $25 gas card was Joyce Bittner. Congratulations!!!!! The June winner will be announced on July 1st.

Please put your new ticket in for July’s drawing. (Please, only one ticket per month.) The container and tickets are on the volunteer shelf in the office.

(Photos KLR Photography)

Seventh Annual Have-a-Heart Barrel Race and Poles

The (Barrel) Race has begun. We had a good turnout at our June 15th meeting, when it was announced Kris Vollrath has accepted the coveted position as Barrel Race Co-Chair. We are all excited to have her join the Race team. We haven’t lost Trudy, though; she is still a VIP committee member.

Over the next few weeks, we will be sending donation request letters to our sponsors. Donations can be either tangible items or money. If you have companies or individuals who might be a sponsor, please email their names and addresses to Bonnie Moreau; we will include them in our mailing. Or – Bonnie and team can send the letters and donation form to you, and then you can approach them.

Olsen’s Grain is a big supporter of Horses with Heart and our Race. They provide the arena, registration, announcer, advertising, and so much more. When you have feed store needs, please shop at Olsen’s and thank them for their support.

*******THIS JUST IN *******

Arizona Quarter Horse Association has agreed to sponsor our 2022 Race saddle. This saddle is awarded to the rider and horse with the fastest combined times in both their 4D Poles and 4D barrels runs. Thank you, AZQHA, for your support!

Questions? Please contact: Bonnie Moreau by clicking one of the buttons below.

 

Around our Center
(aka Pam’s Pet Peeves)

Close those gates…  We’re all pretty good about closing and latching the gates to the horses’ pens, and that is very important. However, we’re not quite so thorough when it comes to the arena and round pen gates. Please make sure those get closed and latched, too. Due to the Chino Valley winds, a swinging gate is a safety/spook hazard.  In addition, the arena and round-pen fences are not set in concrete, so a gate hanging open puts stress on the hinges and fence.  Thanks for helping to keep our center a safe zone.

HwH Thanks Pete Hutchinson of NOAZ Pest Control

A Big Thank you to Pete Hutchinson and NOAZ Pest Control for taking care of our pest control needs.  Log on to NOAZ Pest Control website to learn more.

NOAZ Termite and Pest Control is your local family-owned business serving all of Northern Arizona. NOAZ Pest is a full-service pest control company with over 26 years of experience. They offer everything from property inspections and emergency services to routine residential and commercial preventative treatments. Their pest control services include commercial retail centers, office buildings, multi-family projects, and single-family residential. Their services are available in North Phoenix, Wickenburg, the Prescott Tri-City area, Clarkdale, and Cottonwood.

Please give Pete a call for your pest control needs
at 928-710-0270 

Calendar of Events                                     

  • July 2 ~ Frontier Days Parade

  • July 4 ~ HwH closed for Independence Day

  • Summer Clinics

    • July 13 ~ Driving Clinic, HwH, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (Registration is closed).

    • July 13 ~ Horse Showing 101, HwH, 5:00 – 8:30 pm & July 14 ~ 8:00-10:00 am

    • July 20 ~ Serving Riders with Autism, Cognitive, Sensory Issues, HwH, 9:00 – 11:00 am

    • July 23 ~ Magnawave Demo, HwH, 9:00 am to ?. Bring your horse for a treatment session.

    • July 23 & Aug. 4 ~ HwH Horse Leader Workshop, 8:30 – 11:00 am – Attend one or the other

    • July 30 ~ Trailer Safety Clinic

  • July 16 ~ NEW Orientation & SST Training, HwH, 8:30 am

  • July 23 & 24 ~ Roping Event at Lone Tree Arena, behind Lucy’s, Chino Valley

  • August 8 ~ Session 3 Therapeutic, Veteran & First Responder, Silver Saddle begins

  • August 16 ~ Chino Valley Chamber Mixer Hosted by CVEP and LASER (See flier n July Newsletter Article)

  • September 3 ~ Fall Session of Competition Team begins

  • September 5 ~ HwH closed for Labor Day

  • September 7 ~ Last New Volunteer Orientation & SST Training of 2022

  • September 14 ~ HwH Open House Wednesday, 5:00 – 6:30 pm ~ A Chino Valley Chamber event               

  • September 24 ~ Seventh Annual Have a Heart Barrel Race, Olsen’s Arena

  • October 3 ~ Session 4 Therapeutic, Veteran & First Responder, Silver Saddle begins

  • November 12 ~ Sequins and Saddles, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University              

  • December 6 ~ Volunteer/Wranglr Hours Event and Christmas Luncheon        

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.