Summer Recap

In addition to the activities around the ranch listed in the August Newsletter, it was a busy end of summer! Due to the heat, we don’t schedule Adaptive Riding (Therapeutic) classes, but we had 6 riders participate in the “Gaining Independence” class, 9 Silver saddle riders, and 2 classes of EAL (Equine Assisted Learning).

Sign Language Class 11 were in attendance for the class “The Basics of ASL (American Sign Language)” on August 5th, taught by Sue Stephenson. Sue has been a Horses with Heart volunteer for the past 4 ½ years, and she uses her signing skills in one of our Therapeutic classes for a rider who is deaf. In addition to the ASL alphabet and other basics, the attendees also learned the signs for horse (as shown in the picture), walk, trot, stirrups, and many others to assist us when we were in the classes.

Emergency Dismount Training 13 Safety Support Team volunteers and instructors were able to practice different types of emergency dismounts with some of our program riders. The training will enable those in attendance to safely dismount a rider from their horse in the event of an emergency.

Photo: American Sign Language Instructor Sue Stephenson leading a class for HwH participants. Shown above is Sue demonstrating the sign for horse.

10th Annual Have a Heart Barrel Race

This year we are celebrating the 10th Annual Have a Heart Barrel Race and Poles on September 27th at Olsen’s Arena in Chino Valley. 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 will soon be mailing our sponsorship request letters asking for support of our race. 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 started 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.

Winter Horse Fosters Wanted

Our wonderful, dedicated horses deserve a break for the winter. We are starting our planning for winter foster homes for some of our horses. 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 (or more) of our horses. If you would like additional information, please contact Marcia Gagnon at marciahwh@gmail.com or 805-610-4851.

Executive Director Anne Spiess (center) receiving a $5000 check from OneAZ. Anne attended a OneAZ reception held at their Phoenix headquarters for all of the grant recipients on August 21st.

2025 Community Impact Grant Recipient from OneAZ Credit Union and OneAZ Community Foundation

Horses with Heart is proud be named a 2025 Community Impact Grant Recipient from OneAZ Credit Union and OneAZ Community Foundation!

Since 2016, the OneAZ Community Foundation has awarded more than $2.5 million in grants to nonprofits that improve lives across Arizona.

This year alone, they’ve donated $240,000 in Community Impact Grants to 48 local nonprofits—thanks to OneAZ members who support their communities simply by using their debit cards. With every purchase, OneAZ donates one penny to the OneAZ Community Foundation to fund grants like ours.

This generous grant will help us continue our mission: "Horses with Heart is where individuals with disabilities, Veterans, and first responders experience the healing power of the horse to gain confidence, increase independence and improve social skills with the support of caring and credentialed instructors and dedicated volunteers."

Upcoming Obstacle Challenge

Appaloosa Tack Sale

Session 4 Classes

Classes started the week of August 18th for our 4th Session of the year. We 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. We are already taking applications for Session 5, which starts the week of October 6th. If you are interested in finding out more information, please contact Aireal Dallum, our Program Coordinator at hwhprograms@gmail.com or 928-533-9178.

Marvelous Minis Events:

The Marvelous Minis had a light schedule for August. They visited Granite Gate Senior Living for the Alzheimer Awareness Week activities that included a barbecue and a dunk tank. At the end of the program, several caregivers and staff engaged in an impromptu water balloon fight. Brady and Remy showed an unsettling level of interest in the water balloons—just sayin’.

Also, on the agenda for late August (it hasn’t taken place as of this writing) is a visit to Glassford Place Assisted Living.

See you next month!

Photo credit: Gloria Reid, Jill Underwood

Competition Team Update:

The HwH Competition Team is taking a well deserved break and avoiding the heat. But we will be back for our Fall Riding Session beginning on Saturday August 30th. If you’d like more information on the HwH Competition Team, to sponsor or volunteer, please reach out to Pam Berry at hwhcompteam@gmail.com or 928-899-4759.

Horses with Heart Shirts

Always wanted a HwH shirt? Now is your chance! The Sun long sleeve shirts are $25 for burgundy and teal, and $30 for the blue quarter zip. The Brave Hearts T-shirts are all $18. All shirts are available at the HwH office. Contact the office at 928-533-9178 .

HORSE WITH HEART - Blue Quarter Sun Shirt

Barn Buddies

Barn Buddies is a cool way to help support our horse herd. By sponsoring a horse, or a few if you like, your donation goes towards the care of that horse. New fabulous photos have been taken of the HwH's herd, which we will be posting on our website soon. If you sponsor, your name will be listed as a sponsor next to the horse's photo. In advance, we thank you for your support as your sponsorship will go a long way in helping with the maintenance of our horses throughout the year.

Below are photos of the HwH horses with our wonderful volunteers as they helped during the recent photo shoot for the re-launch of Barn Buddies.

Photos: HwH Volunteers & W&C.

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.

Do You Owe Arizona Taxes? 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.

DONATE

Dwayne and one of his favorite horses, Zip

Volunteer of the Month: DWAYNE TOOMBS

Dwayne has been with Horses with Heart since 2018. In that time, he has shown that he is willing to help no matter what the job.

He is on 6-7 SST teams each week as a Coach, Horse Leader, Class Assistant, Mentor, and Mounting Assistant. He does all these tasks with skill, patience and a smile that endears him to riders and volunteers alike.

The list of chores Dwayne takes on outside the arena is endless: dumping the manure, stacking hay, fixing fences, assisting with tack fitting, and helping with events – most recently coordinating the parking for our Brave Hearts event. He is one of the superstars of the organization and we are grateful to have him!

How long have you been with HWH? I have been with HWH since 2018
Why do you volunteer at HWH? I am blessed with the ability to give back to our community. And a little known secret is that we volunteers get rewarded every day for helping out. I have told many families of riders that we get as much out of a class as the riders.
What is your favorite memory? I have many favorite memories, but most of them are of riders reaching milestones and the pride they have in that.
What would you share with new volunteers? Try the things that you are hesitant about trying. You may find out that the things you are hesitant to try are the things you end up enjoying the most.

Blue Ribbon Moments Winners:

Week of July 28th - Jeanie Sharp
Week of Aug. 4th - Znetko Family
Week of Aug. 11th - Natalie Nyysti
Week of Aug. 18th - Mya McConnell

Sequins and Saddles 2025

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.