Your 2026 November Newsletter

11th Annual Have a Heart Barrel Race and Poles
October 10, 2026

We were racing with Mother Nature again this year to complete the 11th annual Have a Heart Barrel Race and Poles before the storm hit. The races were complete but awards were a bit soggy. Our Barrel Race was a huge success with many talented riders competing for our coveted prize for the Horse and Rider with the most Heart.

I want to thank everyone that helped to make our Grand Entry very special. Once again, Gary Stow from Mile High Tractor and Engine Club of Prescott pulled our hay wagon. His club raises funds throughout the year in order to provide scholarships to students who will attend agricultural colleges. A great mission! Visit them on Facebook for the club activities.

We’d like to thank the following riders who carried flags in our grand entry: Equifest Queen Jamie Lynn Malone, Rita Thompson Tinsley, Sara Evan’s, Morgan Petersen, Mary Henry, and Patti Radovic. The flags of each branch of the military were carried to honor all who served.

Thanks to Karen Magdeleno for singing the National Anthem, and Papa Joe Jaramillo for providing the race blessing and prayer. We appreciate your amazing talents. This year we had 73 entrants for the 4D Barrel Race; 28 entrants in the Pole Bending race; 22 Youth entrants in Barrels; and 16 PeeWee racers.

The Horse and Rider with the Most Heart saddle certificate was awarded to Ashley Hall, on her horse Bet Hess Peppy San. This award is presented to the rider and horse with the fastest combined time for the 4D barrels and 4D Poles. The prize is an $850 certificate from the Corriente Saddle Co. Congratulations, Ashley!

Last year, a special Tribute Award was introduced to honor Marge and Ray Freeland, long-time barrel race participants and supporters. Their daughter, Tonya Wiertzma, of Wiertzma Farms in Camp Verde, has established this annual award, to be presented at our Have a Heart Race, to honor the original organizers and supporters of Barrel Racing in Northern Arizona. This year, the award was given to Lila Pierce for her long-time participation and commitment to barrel racing.

Thank you to racers, friends, and families who bought raffle tickets and bid on the awesome items offered in our silent auction. The raffle netted HwH $621, while the silent auction brought in $1,507. An increase over previous years. Thank you!

Big thanks need to go to Olsen’s Events, Olsen’s Grain, and Shyan Ingrao. Our race wouldn’t be as successful each year without their assistance at this event and throughout the year. As always, please shop at Olsen’s for all your animal and agricultural needs.

Heartfelt appreciation goes out to all the Horses with Heart volunteers who help plan andcarry out this fun and wonderful fundraiser. Thank you! Most importantly, thank you to the sponsors and donors. Your support of Horses with Heart makes us able to provide important services for our special needs community, Veterans, first responders and seniors.

A Heartfelt Thank You

What a wonderful surprise! Horses with Heart is deeply grateful to the Arizona Community Foundation and the Massie Foundation for their unexpected gift of additional funding. Your generosity helps create meaningful moments of connection, confidence, and joy for our participants. Thank you for believing in our mission and the individuals and families we serve. Your kindness touches our entire Horses with Heart family!

Competition Team Update

The competition team has had a busy October! A clinic style class (all riders in 1 big group lesson) on 10/3 proved to be very beneficial to all our riders and horses and we will be doing more of that next year.  The Horse Show at CVEP on 10/17 was a huge success with all our horses on their best behavior.  On 10/24, all classes we held up on the hill, working on obstacles recently added.  A big THANK YOU to those who came out to set up the obstacles! 

It’s hard to believe our season is coming to an end, but we will close out the Team’s season on 10/31 with fun, games, awards & food.  We’re already looking forward to next year!

Programs News: We are wrapping up our 2026 classes in these next couple of days and we are so grateful to everyone who has participated this year!n addition to our traditional classes, we had the honor and privilege of providing 10 Veterans from our local VA Domiciliary with a riding and groundwork class. Most of these Veterans had little, if any, horse experience before coming to Horses with Heart (HwH). All the Instructors and volunteers watched the same thing happen: initial hesitancy, then an overwhelming desire to touch, pet, hug, and embrace their large new friend.

We have witnessed this transformation many times, so many times that one might ask if it still affects us. The answer will always be yes. Every time we see that first hesitant touch, the first brushing, the first time getting on, the first trot, the first (or tenth) skill finally achieved after trying over and over again, we rejoice with our participants. We understand how therapeutic horses are for us physically, but the emotional and mental benefits are just as important.

Thank you to the VA Domiciliary group for coming to experience the companionship and healing that horses offer. Thank you to everyone who helped make this experience possible; HwH couldn't exist without our amazing volunteers. And thank you to all our Veterans and First Responders for your service.

Volunteers Of The Month - Brian and Lorene Picard (Father and Daughter Team)

Brian and Lorene have been a constant presence since joining us—steadfast and dependable every Sunday, rain or shine, feeding and mucking since 2024/2025. We greatly appreciate all they do and are delighted to recognize their dedication to our organization.

Brian:

1. How long have you been with Horses with Heart? I have been volunteering for 3 years.

2. Why do you volunteer at HWH? It is relaxing and I want to learn more about horses. It is a great organization, and I am proud to be a part of what HWH does for those in the community.

3. What is your favorite memory? The very first training I did was with Jesse. The one teaching the class asked if I was good and left Jesse with me while helping out others. At the end of class I got to walk Jesse back to his pen. I feel it was an instant bond and have spent extra time with him every time since.

4. What would you share with new volunteers? Get to know the horses. Everyone is different and like different things. They are all friendly and mess with you in different ways at times. Just getting to spend time with them is enough for me. It is therapeutic to say the least.

Lorene:

1. How long have you been with Horses with Heart? I have been with Horses with Heart for about 2 years now.

2. Why do you volunteer at HWH? I volunteer with HWH because I love helping/serving plus I love animals so why not put both together.

3. What is your favorite memory? My favorite memory is every Sunday when I would be mucking, Romeo would try and knock over the broom and scooper no matter where I put it.

4. What would you share with new volunteers? I would share that every horse has their own personality so just take some time while volunteering to try and get to know each horse.

Arizona Charitable Tax Credit Program

In 1998, the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit Program started under the name “Working Poor Tax Credit”. The program was initially designed to let taxpayers claim up to $200 in dollar-for-dollar state tax credits. However, the initial design required taxpayers to establish a "base year" of giving and only received a credit for donations above that historical baseline. In 2009, the restrictive “base year” was eliminated, and by 2013 the program grew to include certified charitable organizations; later, foster care organizations were added. Finally in 2016, the program was split into two categories: Qualifying Charitable Organizations (QCOs) and Qualifying Foster Care Charitable Organizations (QFCOs).

On average, 5%-7% of Arizona taxpayers proactively use the program each year, saving on their taxes while making a difference for qualified charities of their choice. The program annually estimates $109M+ in direct individual contributions towards qualified local nonprofit organizations. But it doesn’t stop there. The program has been credited with increasing public charity awareness. The Common Sense Institute, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization itself, estimates that “induced economic activity from direct & indirect donations that are linked to the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit Program” are closer to $335M-$486M annually.*

Tax credits are dollar-for-dollar cuts in your state tax liability. Under Arizona law, your dollar-for-dollar tax credit could be up to $506 for a single person, $1009 for a married couple filing jointly.

These donations not only serve those who initially donate but also provide a financed path for needed services, housing, and jobs for others. Giving back feels good and can provide life-altering differences for others.

Horses with Heart is a qualifying charity (QCO) in the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit Program. Your support serves our special needs community, Veterans, and first responders. The results of the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit Program aides us in providing recreational able-bodied programs and outreach for the community. Be a part of the process…be a member of a solution.

Remember to always consult your tax advisor to see how your HwH donation can benefit you.

Reference: https://commonsenseinstituteus.org/arizona/research/jobs-and-our-economy/economic-growth-from-arizonas-charitable-tax-credit/

Barn Buddies

Being a Barn Buddy is a great way to ensure that your equine buddies are happy and healthy. All donations made through the Barn Buddy program go towards horse care: veterinary care; feed; supplements; bedding; blankets; and other horse care expenditures which benefit our entire herd. This donation can be made in any amount and once or recurring. Your donation will benefit our entire herd.

Visit our site by clicking the button below.

Jersey Lilly Saloon is proud to announce that their 4th Quarter Musicians with a Heart series will benefit Horses With Heart.

Join them **every Wednesday from 6–9 PM** at the Jersey Lilly Saloon (116 S Montezuma St Ste A, Prescott, AZ, 86303) for great live music, great company, and an opportunity to support a cause that truly makes a difference.