Izabel Wilhelm
Jasmine Lybbert
Katie Randolf
Staff Highlight:
This month we would like to highlight our feeding and mucking team. They keep the horses fed and the pens clean, with the help of all the wonderful volunteers.
Izabel Wilhelm
Izzy joined Horses with Heart in March of 2026 as part of our Feeding and Mucking team. She impressed her fellow staff members and volunteers with her willingness to help and positive attitude. She took over the scheduling for the F&M team and showcased another skill set that we are grateful to have on the team.
She is a Junior at Prescott High School. She owns two horses herself, as well as several other animals. She has been a Peer Tutor for several years, helps and works with friends, neighbors, and family members whenever she can with their animal needs, and spends the remaining time with her family. All her dedication towards animals is in pursuit of her long-term goal of becoming a large animal vet.
Katie Randolf
Hi, I’m Katie! I’m 21 and have been working with horses for about eight years, starting as a volunteer. I’ve been taking western riding lessons for the past three years, and riding is definitely my favorite thing to do.
I’m a little quiet when I first meet people, but I become much more talkative once I get to know you. I’m kind, hardworking, and like to pay attention to the details. At work, I enjoy training volunteers and taking care of the horses, especially feeding and mucking.
One of my goals for the future is to own a couple of horses of my own and teach western riding lessons to kids and beginners.
Jasmine Lybbert
Jasmine came to Horses with Heart in April as a feeder/mucker. She jumped right in as she had been at HwH a few years back as a RIDER. We welcome her back and are happy to have her as a feeder/mucker. Thank you for all you do!
KYCA NEWS TALK RADIO - Listen to RD speak on behalf of Horses with Heart!
Sponsor of the Month: DRILL TECH
Drill Tech Inc. is a family-owned and operated well drilling and pump company for over 30 yrs. Horses with Heart is thankful to have them as an established sponsor for over 10 years. If you're looking for any water well needs, please give them a call.
Drill-Tech Inc
3320 N Hwy 89
Chino Valley, Az. 86323
928-636-8006
Session 5 begins October 5th!
We have already begun creating the schedule, but do have a few more open spots for our final 5-week Session of the 2026 year. Our programs include Therapeutic/Adaptive riding lessons (ages 4+), Equine Assisted Learning groundwork experiences(ages 4+), Veterans riding or groundwork classes, Silver Saddles riding classes (45+), and Non-Mounted Horsemanship classes. If you are interested in upcoming Sessions or more information, please contact Aireal Dallam at adallam@horseswithheartaz.org or 928-533-9178
Winter Horse Fosters:
It’s not too soon to start thinking about fostering a horse for the winter break. If you have an empty corral and want to foster one of our horses get your name on the list now. There are some favorites and last year's fosters will have the first pick of the horse they had last year.
No corral, that’s ok. If you have it in your heart you can help sponsor a horse by donating towards their care for the winter.
We may also have a summer foster TBD.
Contact Marcia Gagnon for more information mgagnonhwh@horseswithheartaz.com 805-610-4851
Up Coming Volunteer Trainings:
Our final New Volunteer Orientation of the 2026 Season will be:
Wednesday, September 16th at 9:00 a.m. This will also include SST training for our 5th Session.
Stumpy
It was with heavy hearts that we had to say goodbye to Stumpy July 16th. He crossed the rainbow bridge with several staff members at his side.
In Stumpy’s 27 years, he started as a ranch horse, then was a Forest Service horse for several years. He came to Horses with Heart in May of 2022. He was loved by many Therapeutic, Silver Saddle and Veteran riders, as well as those who did the mucking, feeding, supplements and turnouts.
NANCY BLAZ
Volunteer Of The Month - NANCY BLAZ
Nancy joined us this year and jumped in with both feet. Her enthusiastic and warm personality has complemented everything she is a part of. Nancy is on our Grooming team, Mucking and Feeding team, Supplements team, an active member of our merchandising team, and she recently is now helping to oversee our horse turnout team. There is just about nothing Nancy can’t do. We are so grateful to have you on board with us at Horses with Heart. Thank you Nancy!
How long have you been at Horses with Heart? I have been here for almost 6 months.
Why do you volunteer at HWH? I love taking care of the horses whether it be mucking/feeding, supplements or the turn out program. While our programs are so very important for all our riders, without the horses we wouldn't be able to do any of it. The love that they show you is just amazing.
What is your favorite memory? I do have a lot of them. However, my favorite one is the first time Stumpy let me rub his head and liked it and trusted me to do it. He was a wonderful boy....
What would you share with new volunteers? I think that I have a few things:
To always make sure the horses are healthy. Whenever you are with them check out hocks, bodies and eyes. If you see something wrong, make sure someone knows, because without them we are nothing.
Get in the program/programs that you love the most. Even if it is just working with the horses.
We are a family and love that you have joined us.
Fundraising:
We are currently gathering items for our upcoming fundraisers: Have a Heart Barrel Race and Poles, as well as Sequins and Saddles. Our community is always so generous to Horses with Heart, and we’ve already reached out to our past supporters to see if they can contribute. If you know anyone who might be able to donate, we’re hoping to get a diverse range of items.
Gift baskets or themed packages
Gift cards or certificates
Products or merchandise
Services (spa, home, or fitness)
Event tickets or unique experiences
We can use your help. You can pick up procurement letters and donation forms in the office, or if you’d prefer, I can email them to you. Thanks so much for your help—we really appreciate it!
Bonnie Moreau, bmoreau@horseswithheartaz.org, 360-421-7166
Marvelous Minis Update
The Marvelous Minis program took an intentional break in July to escape the heat and the expected seasonal monsoons. Then came August, when we took an unintentional break because our venues didn’t want to risk the monsoons—which, as it turned out, weren’t much of a problem in July after all. The heat, however, remained relentlessly with us throughout August!
Thankfully, Laura Jaramillo, our sweet-talking venue wrangler, came to the rescue. Thanks to her efforts, we’re already booked into November with some slots still available in September and October—and all the Minis are looking forward to getting back to work!
I’ll take this opportunity to mention again that I’m looking for someone to co-coordinate the MM programs with me, to take the lead on-site at the venues when I cannot attend. The Minis’ handlers and volunteers have worked together a long time and run their programs seamlessly. A second lead person would merely need to confirm with the venue about truck/trailer parking, location for set-up, any chemical treatment on the grass, etc. Email me if you have questions: hwhminis@gmail.com.
Since there are no photos from August, I pulled a few oldies, but goodies, out of the vault! Enjoy!
Mary Smith
SHOUT OUT TO KRIS D & NANCY B!
Thank you for getting the wire fencing put up around Rocky’s panels so quickly after his return from his summer break. No more unattractive stain on his white neck and mane from sticking his head through the panels! I warned him not to do that, but…you know teen-agers! - Mary Smith
Arizona Charitable Tax Credit Program
As you plan your tax strategies for 2026, please remember Horses with Heart. The tax credit donation opportunity is active on our website.
Shop at Heart and Hoof Mercantile!
All ENGLISH SADDLES are 50% during the tack sale!
Great news! We’re excited to bring you some new Horses with Heart merchandise. You’ll find denim shirts, backpacks, and a special tote to celebrate the Barrel Race event!
We’re also expanding our collection with some adorable tees. We know we all have HWH tees (which we adore and we will keep buying), but this will give us even more options. If you have any other items you’d like to see in the merchandise store, please reach out to the merch team (Kris D, Nancy B, or Elizabeth G).
HwH Honor Wall
Honor a veteran or first responder with a special tribute on our Honor Wall. This meaningful recognition is a wonderful way to celebrate someone who has served and show your appreciation in a visible and heartfelt way. After your purchase, someone will reach out to gather the necessary information, or you may include their name and how they served in the comment section at checkout.
Contact Bonnie Moreau with questions. bmoreau@horseswithheartaz.org.
JEREMY OWENS
Competition Team Update
It’s Ride time! The team will be back for practice sessions on Saturday mornings beginning 9/5 and competition days planned for 9/19 at HwH and 10/17 at CVEP. Please plan to come see us in action.
We could still use a couple more volunteers to help in our 10:15 and 12:00 classes. If you’d like more information about the HwH Comp Team and how you can help, please contact Pam Berry hwhcompteam@gmail.com or 928-899-4759.
JEWEL
NIKOLAS & JEWEL
Jewel
Although she’s been gone from our arena for a while, many of us remember and miss Jewel. Jewel was with us for only 5 years, but she was a favorite of many Therapeutic, Silver Saddle and Competition Team riders. We thank Patty and Curt Lipp for providing a loving home for her retirement years.
11th Annual Have A Heart Open 4-D Barrel Race and Poles
OCTOBER 10th, 2026
OLSEN’S GRAIN, INC: 344 S. Hwy 89, Chino Valley, Arizona 86323
Join us at the Barrel Race! It is one of the largest fundraisers Horses with Heart hosts each year. We rely on support from the community and many volunteers to ensure the event is successful. Proceeds raised are used to support our Therapeutic Riding program for individuals with special needs, Veterans, first responders, and our senior community. Our next planning meeting is set for September 9, 2026 at 10:00AM.
We encourage you to attend our Barrel Race. We have a beautiful and heart warming Grand Entry at 10:00, that includes an antique tractor pulling a hay wagon carrying our special needs riders and instructors. Also, we will have a veteran from each branch of the military on horseback. Come out to see the talented racers and the amazing horses they ride. Bid on our wonderful Silent Auction items and purchase raffle tickets. It is really a family fun and exciting day.
For inquiries regarding our event please contact Bonnie Moreau at bmoreau@horseswithheartaz.org .
Barrel Race Haywagon Riders
Signups have started for Horses with Heart participants to ride on the Haywagon during the Barrel Race Grand Entry, October 10, 2026! To sign up or get more information, please contact Sherry Hoover at shoover@horseswithheartaz.org. There is also a sign-up sheet in the Horses with Heart office.
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.
Blue Ribbon Week Winners
Volunteers, this is your chance to honor a fellow volunteer! Simply fill out a Blue Ribbon card, now provided in our tack room and barn as well as the office. This is a volunteer driven program to encourage each other with the wonderful work you do.
Week of Aug. 3rd ~ Sherry Hoover
Week of Aug. 10th ~ Kate Adams
Week of Aug. 17th ~ Laurie Drake
Week of Aug. 24th ~ Kathleen Williams
Donor Appreciation
Sequins and Saddles
November 7, 2026
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Lower Hangar
The Sequins & Saddles Gala is coming to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University on November 7, 2026! We’d love for you to join us for a fun evening and help us raise money for Horses with Heart. Our next planning meeting is on September 9th at 11 a.m. in the conference room.
Sequins and Saddles is HwH’s biggest fundraiser, and it takes a whole team to make it happen! We’re looking for volunteers to help with auction items, sponsorships, menu planning, decorations, data entry, or packaging auction items. If you have any of these skills and are interested in working with a fantastic group of volunteers, please come to the planning meeting or reach out to Sandy.
If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Sandy Owens sowens@horseswithheartaz.org .
Ranch Visit:
If you are interested in scheduling a Ranch Visit for your organization or class please contact Aireal Dallam at adallam@horseswithheartaz.org or 928-533-9178.
Needs for the Ranch: Equipment: We are always in need of new helmets and saddles, please contact Kris D. at 928-533-9178 if you can help us out!
Wranglr
If you need assistance with Wranglr, please contact Annette DeMarco at cyngrrl@gmail.com or Debbie Hutchens at dhutchens@horseswithheartaz.org.
Calendar of Events
September 5th: Competition Team Fall Session Starts
September 7th: Labor Day - Closed
September 19th: Equifest- Rodeo Grounds
September 19th: Hopefest- Downtown Prescott
September 19th: Competition Team Event at HwH-9am
October 5th: Session 5 Begins
October 6th: National Night Out
October 10th: Have a Heart Barrel Race and Poles
October 31st: Competition Team- End of Season Play Date
November 7th: Sequins and Saddles
November 6th: Last Day of Session 5
Where to Find HwH News?
HwH Website
https://horseswithheartaz.orgNewsletter
HwH Connection – published monthlyWranglr emails
for HwH volunteers