June 2023

HwH is the Premier Accredited Center in Northern Arizona

Harnessing the proven benefits of therapeutic horsemanship, Horses with Heart (HwH)is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization based in Chino Valley, AZ. We help transform the lives of disabled children and adults, U.S. military veterans, first responders, and seniors as they gain confidence, dignity, and independence by riding our trained horses under the direction of highly-credentialed staff.

HAPPY FATHER’s DAY from HORSES with HEART!

Congratulations, Sherry Hoover ~ PATH Intl. Region 10 Credentialed Professional of the Year

As an international voice in the equine-assisted services (EAS) industry, PATH Intl. has the pleasure and honor to recognize individuals symbolizing our celebration of ability, optimism, diversity, and a shared love of equines.

Center instructors who are compassionate and creative teachers and leaders are critical to the success of any therapeutic riding center. Horses with Heart believes that Sherry Hoover is an outstanding representative of the credentialed professional community, and PATH Intl. agrees.

Sherry was honored at the 2023 Region 10 Awards celebration held during the 2023 PATH Intl. Region 10 Conference, May 12-14 at the Temple Grandin Equine Center, CSU Spur, Denver, Colorado.

Please congratulate Sherry on this well-deserved honor!

Session Three Begins the Week of June 26th

We still have space for independent riders in Session 3! This riding session will last from the week of June 26th to the week of July 24th. To register for independent riding or for Silver Carriage, please contact Jan Grise.

Big Ben Looking for a New Home

HwH’s kind gentle giant, Big Ben, is ready for retirement. This beautiful palomino paint gelding can be lightly ridden, stands 15.3 hands tall and is approximately 19 years young. In a previous injury, Ben lost part of his tongue (that’s what happens when you back talk to your ma), but that certainly doesn’t slow down his eating or appetite. This friendly gentleman has reached the age of needing TLC to keep him healthy. Contact Pam (hwhoperations@gmail.com) for all Ben’s information and to complete an adoption application.

“Gates” by volunteer and military veteran rider Jackie Boyd

Good gate
Bad gate

Long gate
Short gate

Hard gate
Soft gate

Open gate
Closed gate

First gate
Last gate

Excited gate
Nervous gate

Confused gate
Worried gate

Unsure gate
Mixed-up gate

Broken-hearted gate
Disappointed gate

Jealous gate
Love gate

Wide gate
Narrow gate 

Some gates you go through
Some gates you won't
Some gates you want to

Some gates are your first
Some gates are your last
Some gates are your future
Some gates are your past

Some gates you open Some gates not
Some gates you try
Some gates stop

Some gates are tough
Some gates prime
Some gates are rough
Some gates shine

It’s a choice
It’s a chance
It’s a risk
It’s a dance

It’s something we all do
And if you will come with me
I will go with you
And ever gate we come to
We will (Walk-On) through.

Send a Horse to Summer Camp

Did you go to summer camp as a kid?  Wasn't it a wonderful break from family and chores?

Well... some of our horses would like that same opportunity!

Would you consider fostering a horse for a few weeks this summer?  This could be for volunteers at Horses with Heart, for a family, for grandparents, etc. If you’re interested in giving one of our horses a wonderful summer change of pace and a relaxing time, please contact Pam Berry, Operations Director.

Volunteer Orientation

Are you interested in Volunteering at Horses with Heart? We still have spots available in our orientations! If you’d like to learn about helping our riders during their classes, make sure to sign up for Safety Support Team (SST) training as well! Visit the following link to sign up:

  • Wednesday, June 14th, 2:00PM

  • Saturday, August 5th, 8:30AM

  • SST Training - June 14th, 3PM-5PM

  • SST Training - August 5th, 9:30AM-11:30AM

Thirsty Thursdays

Join us for Thirsty Thursdays, held each Thursday from 4:30 to 6:00 pm. These get-togethers are B.Y.O.E. (Bring Your Own Everything) - your own chair, drink, snacks to share, stories, friends, and smiles to relax, converse, and enjoy fellowship. These very informal weekly get-togethers give us all the opportunity to see and visit with members of the HwH family who are here on other days.

Please note that Thursday, June 15th, will be our last Thirsty Thursday of the summer. Each person who attends Thirsty Thursday between now and June 15th will be put into a drawing for a $100 gift card for the Classy Pony Resale Boutique! We will resume when Session 4 begins in August.

2023 Boutique Hours

Our Classy Pony Resale Boutique is open from 9 am to 3 pm Monday through Friday. We have a great selection of Western apparel, home décor, Horses with Heart merchandise, and more! 100% of the Boutique proceeds benefit our riding programs, so stop by and see the great items that we have available!

Marvelous Minis May Recap

The Marvelous Minis visited Glassford Place Senior Living on May 11. We are invited to visit Glassford Place bi-monthly or so, and the seniors there tell us they never tire of seeing the minis.

The lady in the first photo with Rocky told me she had been having a dreadful day until she petted the minis. In the second photo Rocky is picking out affirmation cards for the residents. The third photo is a resident getting double-teamed by Bobbi Sox and Pirate - and loving every minute of it!

Thank you to Diane Dettman, Rich Tuten, Gloria Reid, Patti Morabito, and Michelle and Rob Whan! And, of course, the stars of the show - Bobbi Sox, Pirate, and Rocky! Photo credit: Patti Morabito.

Horse Show News from 5/20/23

Saturday, May 20th was beautiful, and the ground conditions were perfect for a horse show at Chino Valley Equestrian Park. The HwH Team did an awesome job competing in Showmanship at Halter, Western Pleasure/Equitation and Arena Trail.  Congratulations to Emilia Woods, Jackie Boyd, Jeremy Owens, Kim Cole, Kim Ginn, Kris Vollrath and Sabrina Sautter on their hard work and sportsmanship.  Thank you to all the volunteers who came out to help and support our riders!  Congrats also to Marcia Gagnon, Anna Boyd, and Kelly Holiday for competing.

CVEP Horse Shows: To download the Show Sponsor Packet: CLICK HERE

Volunteer of the Month ~ Jane Hubbard

Our June Volunteer of the Month is Jane Hubbard. Jane has been a dedicated SST volunteer for the last three years. Over the winter she traveled to our horses’ foster homes to Therascope them and has continued to Therascope them every week since they have returned to the ranch. This electrical therapy helps keep our horses in great shape so that they can continue to help our riders. Thank you, Jane, for your dedication to both our riders and our horses!

Q & A

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

I became a volunteer three years ago, early in the Covid pandemic.

2.     Why do you volunteer at Horses with Heart?

I became involved to help the riders. Now, helping the horses that carry them is just as important to me.

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

One of my recent favorites was seeing the joy my rider had just being on Jazz. Her laugh made everyone happy!

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

To a new volunteer: you have taken the first step. Helping others will enrich your life and come back to you ten-fold.

Meiko

Horse of the Month ~ Meiko

This little flea-bitten grey gelding jumped right into our programs and became a favorite of many.  Meiko's size and gentle nature make him the perfect horse for our smaller riders. Volunteers describe Meiko as cute, dependable, and friendly. Next time you’re out at the ranch, make sure to stop by and say “Hi!” to him!

2023 Horse Sponsors

The cost to support a horse and a herd, has gone through the barn roof. HwH strives to give our horses the best possible care while reducing overhead and is reaching out for hay donations. The Dana Renee Mills Trust (Red Ribbon Ceremony at our 30th Anniversary Celebration) donation built a hay shed to store and protect more hay. Pam Berry, Operations Director, evaluates monthly feed and supplement usage cost. Olsen’s Grain generously gives us a discount. Our herd members are reviewed for cost effectiveness to our program. During this Summer Session 3 half of our herd will be going to their summer foster homes (thank you, summer fosters!). All these interventions help with cost containment, but our horses still need sponsorships for financial support this season. Can you help? Ponies are $250 a session and horses are $500. Contact Bill Waddell to support your favorite horse or pony.

Mark Your Calendars for our Volunteer Appreciation Events!

Here at Horses with Heart, we love to celebrate our volunteers! Our Volunteer Appreciation/Wranglr Hours Luncheon will be held on Friday, August 4th, at Grace Church in Chino Valley and will cost $20 per person. The menu includes BBQ pork sandwiches, salad, chips, and dessert. We will also hold a silent auction where Wranglr hours will be the bidding power, so make sure all your time is logged! Please RSVP and pay in the office by July 28th. If you have items to donate for the silent auction, please bring them into the office by July 28th!

We have two additional Volunteer Appreciation Events for 2023:

  • September 20th: tacos and ice cream sundaes at the ranch, time TBD

  • December 9th: Volunteer Appreciation Lunch at First Southern Baptist Church, 11:30am

Keep your eye out for more information about these events in future newsletters!

Horses with Heart’s 30th Anniversary Celebration

In 1993, Bill Clinton was inaugurated as the 42nd president.  The Eiffel Tower welcomed its 150,000,000th visitor.  Jurassic Park won the Oscar for Best Picture.  And Horses with Heart was born in a small backyard in Chino Valley, Arizona.  Well, presidents come and go, the Eiffel Tower is still standing, Jurassic Park opened, closed, and then reopened.  And Horses with Heart is bigger and better than ever because of the love and dedication of hundreds, if not thousands, of volunteers, instructors, horses, riders and the generosity of our sponsors and donors. 

On Sunday, June 25th, Horses with Heart will celebrate our 30th Anniversary with an open house community party for all to come and enjoy.  From 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm we will offer music, refreshments, and public tours of this wonderful facility.  Yavapai Broadcasting Corporation is doing a live radio remote with the Cloud and KVRD, providing country music and live interviews.  Come share your personal experience with Horses with Heart, add to our timeline, have a hot dog, and visit with our volunteers and horses.  Come and celebrate our history and learn what is coming to our future. Meet our herd and the volunteers who care for and work with them every day. This is a free, family-friendly event!

Blue Ribbon Moments

Please join us in recognizing the following volunteers who were nominated by their peers for going above and beyond at Horses with Heart!

  • Week of May 8th Winner: Joe Esparza

  • Week of May 15th Winner: Casey Van Balen

  • Week of May 22nd Winner: Pam Masson

Fourth of July Parade

The Prescott Frontier Days Rodeo Parade is coming up and the HwH committee will need help! 

The theme this year is Dancing with the Bulls.

We’ll need six or seven volunteers to dance with stick-horse bulls.

We will also need a team to decorate the HwH float at 7:30 am at our staging area in downtown Prescott, plus three volunteers to carry our banner.

The HwH Parade team will meet prior to the July 1st parade. If you would like to participate, please contact volunteer Kathleen Klein at 928-821-0156.

This is a day of fun for all and you will not want to miss helping!

-Kathleen Klein and Trudy Chapman-Radley

Barrel Race

The (Barrel) Race is on! Over the next few weeks and months, we will provide more information regarding this year’s event. Monetary donations for the purchase of auction items can be brought to the HwH office or mailed to PO Box 2427, Chino Valley, AZ 86323. Donations can also be made via our website https://horseswithheartaz.kindful.com. Please make sure to indicate that the donation is for the Barrel Race!

If you know companies or individuals who might be a sponsor, please contact Bonnie Moreau. For event sign-up visit SaddleBook.com. If you have inquiries about sign-ups, please contact Shyan Ingrao.

Olsen’s Grain is a big supporter of Horses with Heart and our Race, providing 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.

Heroes on Horses

The National Snaffle Bit Association’s Heroes on Horses World Show will be held in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Saturday, August 12th.

Sequins and Saddles 2023

Sponsorships are available now for Sequins and Saddles 2023! Please contact Angelique LeVell if you are interested.

Thank you to the businesses and individuals thus far who are sponsoring this great event!

  • High Desert Buildings and Barns

  • Jeff Champ Farmers Insurance Agency

  • Lisa and Zip Lucidi

  • Mike and Lee Cohn

  • Helen Collins

  • Glenn and Shari Daiutolo

Horses with Heart is Looking for an Interim Sponsorship Chairperson to help plan this great fundraiser! If you or someone you know is interested, please contact Angelique LeVell.

Where to Find HwH News?

 

Around Our Center

Did you know our herd eats approximately 90 bales of Bermuda grass and 15 bales of alfalfa each month?  We are so excited to now have a 12' x 24' fully enclosed hay barn, allowing us to stock up.  Would you like to help us fill it?  If you or someone you know would like to bless our herd in this way, please contact Operations Director Pam Berry .

Spring Office Hours

Here are the Team Members new hours now that riding/driving sessions have started. 

  • June 14th ~ Volunteer Orientation and SST Training, 2:00 pm

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

  • June 25th ~ Horses with Heart 30th Anniversary Celebration, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

  • August 4th ~ Volunteer/Wranglr Hours Luncheon at Grace Church, 11:30 am

  • August 5th ~ Volunteer Orientation and SST training, 8:30 am

  • September 20th ~ Volunteer Lunch at Horses with Heart

  • September 30th ~ Have a Heart Barrel Race

  • November 10th ~ Volunteer of the Year Nominations Due

  • November 11th ~ Sequins and Saddles

  • December 9th ~ Volunteer Appreciation 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.

FIND US ON FACEBOOOK and INSTAGRAM!

Horses with Heart, a PATH INTL. Premier Accredited Center, is seeking a Program Director

Horses with Heart (HwH), a PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center, is seeking a Program Director for our growing center. HwH is celebrating its 30th Anniversary this year, now with 17 horses and over 180 volunteers.  PATH Intl. CTRI instructors are invited to apply. A preferred candidate’s qualifications include:  

  • Three or more years CTRI instructor experience

  • ESMHL certification

  • Horse management experience

  • Equestrian experience (Amateur &/or Professional)

  • Administrative skills

  • Previous leadership experience

HwH is centrally located in Arizona close to Prescott, Phoenix, Flagstaff, Sedona and the Grand Canyon.  Our lovely high desert climate is a highly desirable place to live, play, and work. Please click one of the buttons below to either email your resume and cover letter to Angelique LeVell, Horses with Heart Executive Director or to inquire about the opportunity.