NEW DATE - 10th Annual Have a Heart Barrel Race - OCTOBER 26, 2025

This year we are celebrating the 10th Annual Have a Heart Barrel Race and Poles on October 26, 2025 at Olsen’s Arena in Chino Valley due to the weather. We appreciate all your patience in our sudden date change. If you have any questions regarding your previous entries please contact Shyan Ingrao.

Our event is attended each year by racers who anticipate our race and the opportunity to support Horses with Heart. Thank you to Trudy Chapman-Radley for the vision and hard work to keep this event going as a major fundraiser for our organization. The Arizona Quarter Horse Association has sponsored our prize Saddle. A Corriente saddle certificate is presented to the horse and rider with the lowest combined time in 4D Barrels and Poles. Last year, the saddle certificate was presented to Ashley Hall on her horse Flame.

We have wonderful donors who support us each year but, as always, the more the better. If you know companies and individuals who may want to sponsor, contact Bonnie Moreau or Kris Vollrath, or access our new Barrel Race website. Sponsorship letters and forms are available in the Horses with Heart office. The Silent Auction will consist of themed baskets donated by individuals or groups. We ask your help in gathering a friend or two to procure or purchase items to put together in a basket. Last year we had about 15 baskets to offer in the auction. It was a success! Olsen’s Events and Olsen’s Grain are big supporters 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.

The Barrel Race now has its own website. You can sponsor directly through the website and/or direct questions and comments to the committee. https://auctria.events/barrelrace.

Signups have been extended to October 24, 2025 for Horses with Heart participants to be on ride on the Haywagon during the Barrel Race Grand Entry. To sign up or get more information, contact Sherry Hoover at sherryhwh@gmail.com. There is also a sign-up sheet in the Horses with Heart office.

Sequins and Saddles 2025 - GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY!

We are happy to announce that our Sequins & Saddles Gala will be held at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University on November 8, 2025. Come join the fun and help raise funds to support the Horses with Heart programs. Seats are limited, buy your tickets today! Please visit https://auctria.events/sequinsandsaddles to purchase tickets and/or sponsor the event.

Congratulations to the Barth Family

We are very pleased to announce that Chelsea Barth, HwH Assistant Director, had a baby boy on Friday, August 29th. Noah Charles was born at 3:54 pm, weighing 7lbs 6 oz. Mommy, baby and dad are all doing great! Congratulations!

HwH Executive Director Anne Spiess and HwH Board Treasurer Helen Collins.

HwH Executive Director Anne Spiess, HwH Volunteer Kay Lyons, and HwH Board Treasurer Helen Collins.

Yavapai County Assessor Judd Simmons and Linda Thein with Quad Cities Business News recognizing Horses with Heart as one of the nominees for organizational leadership in the community.

Horses with Heart Recognized at ATHENA Awards

Horses with Heart was recently recognized at the 6th Annual Prescott-Area ATHENA Leadership Awards presented by Quad Cities Business News. Founded over 30 years ago, ATHENA International is a women’s leadership organization. The ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award recognizes businesses and organizations that support, develop and honor women leaders.

Horses with Heart was nominated along with two other organizations in the Prescott area for the distinguished 2025 ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award. Besides Horses with Heart, the Arizona Community Foundation and the Prescott Frontier Days Rodeo were nominated as well. Our congratulations to the other two nominees and to the winner, the Arizona Community Foundation of Yavapai County.

The highly trained team at Horses with Heart creates a safe and welcoming outdoor haven where horses transform lives. Children and adults with disabilities, military veterans, first responders, and seniors discover new levels of confidence, independence, and social connection through the bond they form with horses. "When people interact with horses, they experience calm, joy, and inner healing," said Executive Director Anne Spiess.

On behalf of Horses with Heart, Board Treasurer Helen Collins and Executive Director Anne Spiess attended the awards ceremony hosted by Quad Cities Business News on September 12, 2025. Our special thanks to Kay Lyons, our wonderful Horses with Heart volunteer, for her help in supporting our organization for this award. Additional thanks to Quad Cities Business News Editor Bonnie Stevens for her continued recognition of Horses with Heart and for her leadership in the Prescott area community.

Upcoming Obstacle Challenge

Appaloosa Tack Sale

Session 5 begins October 6th for our 5th and final Session of 2025.

We look forward to 2026 where we will continue to offer classes for all ages, levels, and needs. All classes offer the opportunity to work on specific goals with an Instructor or Facilitator while using our horses, both mounted and non, to benefit physically, emotionally, and socially. Classes are offered privately or in group settings depending on the participants’ needs and requests. Our Therapeutic, Veteran, Silver Saddles (45+), Equine Assisted Learning, and Unmounted Horsemanship classes are available for five-week sessions. If you are interested in finding out more information, please contact Aireal Dallam, our Program Coordinator at hwhprograms@gmail.com or 928-533-9178.

Marvelous Minis Events:

The Minis made several road trips this month. The visit to Glassford Place in PV on Aug. 28 didn’t make it into the September newsletter. Liberty, Brady, Frosty, and Rocky were the stars!

Next we had a wonderful visit to Good Sam Willow Wind in Prescott. We visit there often—the residents ask for the Minis. The connections the residents make with the Minis is heartwarming, but don’t underestimate the impact that conversations with our volunteers makes on their lives!

On Sept. 19, Rocky visited Abia Judd’s special resources classes. This was our first ever MM program at Abia Judd. These are kids on the spectrum who need intensive support. There were a couple times I saw amazement on the faces of classroom paras when a student touching Rocky sparked an unexpected reaction. They were planning another visit (maybe two Minis next time) before we were even out the door to go home.

Sept. 23 found us at Las Fuentes Memory Care, with Tessa, Bobbi Sox, Honey Bee, and Lady Bug. This was another encore appearance. We are invited regularly to Las Fuentes!

Joanna Sweeney is involved in the Prescott Library’s “More Choices for Voices” program, which is a story hour for children of all abilities, including those using augmentative and alternative communication. We were invited to bring a black Mini to the September program at the library for the reading of “Blackie: the Horse that Stood Still.” None of our black Minis were available, so Lisa Cuthbertson offered her black “big” horse, Layla, as a substitute. Layla was brilliant! Even though it's not an official HwH outreach program, Joanna has a history with HwH so I wanted to promote the “More Choices….” program.

Competition Team Update:

Winter Horse Fosters Wanted

Our wonderful, dedicated horses deserve a break for the winter. They get to go to our wonderful Winter Fosters to be loved on and get a break from their duties of taking care of our riders. If you have an extra corral or pasture and would love to have a horse in it, you may be a good candidate as a foster for one of our horses.

Another way to help is to get a few of your fellow volunteers together to share the experience. We have access to a boarding facility if you don't have room. Spend some time loving them, brushing, walking, or riding. There is an arena and obstacle course to play in.

Zip is still needing someone to spend the winter with. Could it be you?

If you would like additional information, please contact Marcia Gagnon at marciahwh@gmail.com or 805-610-4851.

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.

Visit our site, click “Donate” in the top right corner, scroll down and click “Donate”, under “Select an Initiative" select “Barn Buddies.”. This donation can be made in any amount and once or recurring. Your donation will benefit our entire herd.

Wranglr Assistance

Wranglr, our volunteer timekeeping system, is crucial for recording our volunteer hours. This is vitally important because our submitted hours help HwH qualify for grants and donations. Secondly, volunteers also receive some fun benefits. If you need assistance with Wranglr, please contact Annette DeMarco at cyngrrl@gmail.com or Debbie Hutchens at hwhvolcoord@gmail.com and 408-210-3259.

Use Your AZ Tax Credit to Support Horses with Heart!

Horses with Heart is a qualifying charity in the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit Program. Tax credits are dollar-for-dollar cuts in your state tax liability: donate $938, for example, and you could cut your tax bill by $938. Under Arizona law, your dollar-for-dollar tax credit could be up to $470 for a single person, $938 for a married couple filing jointly in 2024. Be sure to consult your tax advisor to see how your HwH donation can benefit you.

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Volunteer of the Month: PAM COULTER

Pam began volunteering with us in 2023. She has served Horses with Heart from helping out in our office to the many roles that involve our herd. She started as an SST side walker and was so good, the instructors wanted to move her up to coach. However, she really liked helping the horse leader groom and tack, so she stayed with the side walker position. More recently Pam has been very helpful with subbing as a horse leader and working to help with the horse turnouts. She comes several times a week to help our horses get some free time in our upper field and arenas. Pam says her confidence with the horses has improved a lot. We are so grateful to have Pam volunteering with us!

How long have you been with HWH? I have been with Horses with Heart for 2 years.
Why do you volunteer at HWH? My love for horses goes back as far as I can remember. But I never had the opportunity to be part of their world. When a friend told me about HwH, I couldn't get down here fast enough to check it out for myself. Being around people who feel the way I do about horses makes me feel like I've found my tribe. The added bonus is being a part of the riders' experience. Watching them learn and have fun.
What is your favorite memory? Two of my fondest memories are when I got a big hug from Christine and when Silas said my name for the first time.
What would you share with new volunteers? Enjoy yourself. Feel safe. Enjoy the horses. Enjoy each other. Be patient with yourself while learning. Ask questions. Everyone is willing to help. Have fun!!

I'm proud to be part of an organization that provides so much to so many. Emotional nourishment to participants, volunteers and horses alike.

Blue Ribbon Moments Winners:

Week of Aug. 25th - Jane Hubbard
Week of Sept. 1st - Pam Masson
Week of Sept. 8th - Kris Dockum
Week of Sept. 15th - Marcia Gagnon
Week of Sept. 22nd - Sara June Mckinney

A note by Sue L.

My name is Sue. I lost both of my feet, and I am a double amputee below the knee. I was struggling with learning how to walk again and needed to build my core and balance.

I was told that riding horses can help build your core muscle, help with balance and give you confidence.

I was fortunate to connect with Horses with Heart. They were able to address my needs, and I began Therapeutic Riding classes. I have had 10 sessions.

And yes, it made all the difference in my walking!

I felt my core muscles getting stronger, my balance improved immensely and I feel I have more confidence in walking.

My horse’s name during class was Swifty. He's a sweet, gentle giant and very loving horse. I just fell in love with him.

The staff did a wonderful job in meeting my needs. They made sure I would have a great experience, which I did, and I want to thank everyone who helped me.

I feel so blessed and grateful to have the opportunity to work with Horses with Heart. They are a wonderful organization, and I highly recommend them.

Sue L