Posted by Hoofbeats on 6:30 PM in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Invest in a Brighter Future – By Shopping on Amazon!
“You Shop. Amazon Gives.”
That’s the slogan of the AmazonSmile program. Use the drop-menu to select your favorite charity (Hoofbeats!), and Amazon will donate a portion of your purchase to your cause. What a fantastic way to invest in a better future — helping people find freedom and healing through horses.
Check out AmazonSmile today at http://smile.amazon.com. When doing your usual shopping (especially buying textbooks, for all you college students!), please consider using AmazonSmile to invest in Hoofbeats.
By Jinae Kennedy
Posted by Hoofbeats on 11:27 PM in "This will make you cry.", Take Note | Comments Off on Riding My Way Back: Horses, Healing, and Disabled Veterans
When you’re a disabled veteran, you have lost everything, said U.S. Army staff sergeant Aaron Heliker.
Heliker told his story in the 2014 award-winning documentary Riding My Way Back – an emotional film that Hoofbeats has screened multiple times for our volunteers and supporters.
Heliker was only 19-years-old when he hugged his mother good-bye for his first deployment in active combat zone. He served several tours of duty and returned home with a head injury and severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
At Walter Reed Medical Center, he received treatment — in the form of 42 suppressive pills a day, said his mother with tears of anger and sadness rolling down her face. She said she looked into her son’s eyes and saw that they were dead.
Disabled veterans feel alone and useless, said Heliker. “When we’re deployed, we fit in, we have a purpose,” he explained. But when warriors come home, their purpose is gone and it is easy to get lost in a haze of medication and discouragement, according to this disabled vet. At his lowest point, Heliker said he wrote a suicide letter and prepared to end his life.
With that letter still stored in his belongings, Heliker began visiting a therapeutic riding center — where he met a horse named Fred, who changed his life.
“The horses can do it. The horses are the therapists,” said one of the instructors. Horses are prey animals and herd animals, so they sense and reflect emotion, she said.
If there was a day that he did not show up, Heliker said that this instructor would call him, claiming she needed help with something or she could not get Fred — a mischievous gray gelding with the reputation of the barn clown — to listen to her. Trudging out to the barn almost every day, Heliker spent hours training or quietly brushing or sitting with Fred.
One day, Heliker approached one of the instructors and handed her an envelope, saying he wanted her to keep it. It was a suicide note. With tears streaming down her face, she recounted how Aaron had said he did not need it anymore — because he had Fred.
Since then, Heliker said he has found his purpose helping other disabled veterans find peace through horses. He and Fred work now work at the same riding center, connecting fellow warriors with strong and mighty horses who can listen, understand, and partner with these returning heroes. “I have a mission here at home and I’m going to follow through,” Heliker said.
Over 2.5 million veterans have come home since 9/11.
Many of them are coming home to Rockbridge and the surrounding counties. As compared with other cities and states, our area has a disproportionately high percentage of brave citizens who serve in the armed forces. Hoofbeats is a registered equestrian center with the Wounded Warriors program and our horses have had the opportunity to partner with a few of these veterans.
Hoofbeats director Carol Branscome said that Riding My Way Back accurately portrays the healing power of horses, but it is not just veterans who need to find peace and a renewed purpose. Struck by the scene of Heliker’s mother talking about dead eyes, Branscome said she has seen the same dead eyes in a troubled 12-year-old boy, in a woman suffering domestic abuse, and in so many others who walk through Hoofbeats’ doors. Just as Heliker explained about disabled veterans, all people need a purpose and a mission, Branscome said. That is key to finding peace.
Find more details about this incredible documentary, Riding My Way Back, and discover how horses are helping disabled veterans at http://www.ridingmywayback.com/#welcome
By Beth Jinae Kennedy
Posted by Hoofbeats on 10:24 PM in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Blueberry
With an eight-year therapy career under his belt, Blueberry is a real Hoofbeats veteran. “He loves it here,” said director Carol Branscome.
From the very beginning, Blue was a stubborn fighter. He was born on South River and slipped under a fence, spending his first night in this world alone in a creek.
Eight years ago, he began his career at Hoofbeats. He was born to do this job and he takes it very seriously. He specializes in riders with Attention Deficit Disorder and Panic Attacks. His steady, non-nonsense personality puts them at ease and helps them focus.
By Jinae Kennedy
Posted by Hoofbeats on 10:15 PM in "This will make you cry." | Comments Off on A Picture Says a Thousand Words
2014
A proud young man riding Harry.
Hermes and Connor. Hermes’ ear is tilted to Connor — “Because he trusts her,” said Carol.
Henry, always the teacher, hard at work. Summer 2014.
BoLodato at the TRAV show
Elsa and Spirit at TRAV
Katie, Sybren and Ashley
Spirit and his new friend.
Nancy Loves Harry
Sybren is spoiled. (TRAV show)
Harry at the TRAV show.
BoLodato, Maria Pennine, and a young rider during the National Anthem at Dressage With a View.
One of our little “barn rats” with a kitten.
A workshop with dear friends that Carol lovingly dubbed “Old Lady Dressage Camp.”
TRAV show
The first day back of 2014 Spring Session.
Carol and BoLodato giving a lesson.
Sybren.
Lessons.
Sybren and one of his best friends. Did you see that?
Fun at a Show.
Everybody loves Sam.
Commander
TRAV
BoLodato and “little”
One of our Young Riders of the Year
Pat the Cat. An irreplaceable member of our staff.
Posted by Hoofbeats on 12:29 AM in News | Comments Off on HOOFBEATS 2014 – some reflections and highlights
A Mission – Why We Do What We Do
We give people a soft spot to land and a place to belong and be celebrated. We provide an avenue for people in our community to share their own gifts with others. Our greatest joy at Hoofbeats is the chance to watch people bloom.
Some Highlights
Wounded Warriors Project: Hoofbeats was part of a retreat for Special Operations soldiers and their families, helping them experience the peace and unconditional acceptance that horses offer. Hoofbeats continues to serve the families of service men and women.
Show Teams: Hoofbeats riders participated in the Commonwealth Games, Dressage with a View Show Series, and the Therapeutic Riding Association of Virginia’s annual competition.
A proud winner!
A great ride!
The TRAV show in October
Drill Team Riding: Hoofbeats is known for its drill teams that demonstrate rider skills at every level. Along with performing at our in-house Dinner Theaters, these teams are frequently invited to open for other venues as flag teams. This year, Hoofbeats appeared again to a packed house at the Baroque Equestrian Games.
Special Olympics: In conjunction with the VMI Games, Hoofbeats and the Virginia Horse Center again hosted the Special Olympics of Va. equestrian division — where riders competed in Dressage, Equitation, and Trail events. This was our eighth year providing this service.
Our VMI volunteers
Our wonderful riders
The Lesson Program: Our riders achieved big strides this year, developing as riders, as citizens, and as caring people. The BARN RAT program saw former “littles” graduate into Junior Staff members who mentored a new crop of “littles.” Some of our previous barn rats and Eagle Scouts came back to visit, mentoring our current students and sharing their new skills and valuable advice. Some of our rats are planning to go off to college and to the military in the fall. Hoofbeats is so proud of the volunteerism that these young adults learned here, which still plays a large role in their lives and aspirations.
We have lots of young riders this year and we celebrate them as the future of our program. Our adult rider program continues to provide strong physical, mental, and social support. Hoofbeats is proud of our diverse demographics – which forms a true peer group and an avenue for young and old to share their lives with each other. In the three eight-week sessions of 2014 Hoofbeats provided well over 2,000 hours of instruction to an average of 49 weekly riders. As the program’s reputation has grown in the community and surrounding counties, requests from all over Virginia have begun to pour in. Just this year, 120 riders have visited to enjoy our facility for a short-term or one-time-ride program.
The Barn Rats
One of our young riders
Different ages, different abilities, different experiences. One community.
Internships and Community Service: As the value of equine therapy gains more recognition, Hoofbeats has become a training ground for future therapists and leaders. We hosted one Summer Intern and mentored one aspiring instructor through the Path International program. We adored both of these women and are proud of their success! As part of a new collaborative internship program with the UVA College of Health Sciences, Mary Baldwin College has asked Hoofbeats to be a placement partner. Next year, we will be working with their students for weekly, month-long, and semester internships. Meanwhile, two students from the Washington and Lee University Bonner Service Program have been actively assisting us with the lessons, special events, and social media. Hoofbeats continues to provide a venue for W&L and VMI’s service days and for community service hours for Rockbridge and Alleghany counties.
By Carol Branscome and Jinae Kennedy
Posted by Hoofbeats on 11:43 PM in Uncategorized | Comments Off on A Community Event: Christmas Fundraising Horse Show
Miss Ashley holding up one of our raffle prizes
Winner of the costume contest.
Laughter, prizes, jingle bells, and warm food were in plenteous supply this Saturday at the Virginia Horse Center. The occasion? A fundraiser Christmas horse show hosted by Hoofbeats!
Debbie Work was the mastermind and manager of the successful event. Her hard work and organization pulled this show together and created a great time for everybody. All proceeds – from the class fees, raffle, and silent auction – went directly to support Hoofbeats.
The whole community showed up for this event. Local vendors lined the top floor of the Coliseum. All of them donated a vendor fee to Hoofbeats and contributed a prize to the raffle pool and silent auction. Families and farms from all over Virginia came to compete in the fun classes. The costume class, ugly sweater contest, eggnogg competition, and bloomer race were the highlights. For the eggnog competition, riders had to balance a cup of the holiday drink and compete in a regular walk, trot, canter class. We had a few spills! For the bloomer race, riders galloped down the ring, with an oversized pair of boxers pulled over their riding pants, to a clothes line with more bloomers on it. Dismounting, they had to change bloomers, jump back on their horse, and race back to the finish line.
There were quite a few in the audience who traveled to Lexington just to watch this cheerful show. Ronnie and Jodi, frequent visitors of the Horse Center, drove down from Luray Caverns to watch.”There is quite a turnout,” Jodi said, surprised that so many people made space in their schedules even during the busy holiday season. Ronnie and Jodi said that they had not heard of Hoofbeats before they came to this show. “But [therapeutic riding] is something that I really want to get into when I retire,” Jodi said. An elementary teacher and an avid horsewoman, Jodi said that she is a firm believer in the power of horses helping people.
With all of the fun and activity, people were hungry and the Hoofbeats Hospitality table was busy. The Virginia Horse Center donated delicious hot pans of chili, potato soup, and cornbread. For lunch, people just made cash donations, all of which went to Hoofbeats.
Thank you so much to the Virginia Horse Center, the vendors, the riders, the judges, the announcer, and all those who participated and donated. Check out some of the fun picture highlights below. And follow us on Twitter @HoofbeatsTRC. And Merry Christmas!
— By Beth Jinae Kennedy
Hoofbeats Board Member Diane Bird donated her beautiful glasswork for the fundraiser sale
Local farmer, Wynona Pryor, and her booth. She was selling hand-knit scarves and DELICIOUS pumpkin soup
A young competitor waiting for her class
A family enjoying the delicious hot lunch from the Va. Horse Center
Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest
Young riders excited about their class!
The Bloomers Race!
The Race… to get the bloomers on!
The eggnog competition. We had a little spill!
Tish, eating chili and hanging onto three horses at the same time #casual
Costume Class: Olaf, Sven, and Elsa!
Christmas Spirit!
It’s Mary and Joseph! And their donkey!
Posted by Hoofbeats on 5:38 PM in News, Take Note | Comments Off on Tentative Schedule for 2015
This is a tentative schedule! There are many things that are not yet on the books, among them are the Special Olympics Equestrian Event, The Dinner Theater Event (Alice in Wonderland), and more expected Invitational opportunites!
Jan. 8 Speaking at Lexington Sunrise Rotary
Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30 Pony Club Quiz Practice
Feb. 6, 27 Pony Club Quiz Practice
Feb. 15 Old Dominion Horse management Clinic/ODR regional meeting
March 3 Horses come back from Winter Break
March 6, 13 Pony Club Quiz Practice
March 21 Quiz Rally
April 1 -May 26 Spring Session (RHPC on practice on Saturdays 3:00)
April 24-26 Baroque Equestrian Games Clinic
May 7,8,9 Bonnie Blue Invitational Drill Team (Practice to be announced)
May 10 Hear The Beat Fund Raiser Horse Show
May 25-27 Baroque Equestrian Games Clinic
May 30 Dressage with a View Invitational Show Team
May 31 Hear the Beat Fund Raiser Horse Show
June 2-July 25 Summer Session (RHPC Mounted Meetings on Saturdays at 3:00)
June 7 Hear the Beat Fund Raiser Show
June 19-21 Old Dominion Pony Club Games/Show Jumping Mega Rally
June 20 Tenney’s Race
June 27& 28 Commonwealth Games Invitational Show Team
July 17-19 Baroque Equestrian Games Clinic
July 25 In House Games Rally and Breakfast Club
July 28-Oct. 3 Fall Session (Pony Club Mounted Meetings on Saturdays at 3:00)
Aug. 15-22 Closed for Break
Aug. 22 Clinton Anderson Clinic (possible fund raiser)
Sept. 5 Dressage with a View Invitational Show Team
Sept 6 Hear the Beat Fund Raiser Horse Show
Sept 18 Baroque Gala Invitational Drill Team
Sept. 18-20 Baroque Equestrian Games
Oct. 9-11 Trav Show! Nov. 7 Awards Ceremony
Posted by Hoofbeats on 2:32 PM in News | Comments Off on It’s Winter… What is Hoofbeats Up to?
It’s winter at the barn, and that means a season of recovery and preparation. The last Hoofbeats 2014 riding session ended in October with the Therapeutic Riding Association of Virginia (TRAV) show. Lessons will start back in March 2015 with a training session for Special Olympics in April and continue through the summer.
So what does a winter season look like at Hoofbeats? What is the team up to? The barn is a little emptier and a little quieter, with the horses taking a well-deserved rest, but there is just as much hard work going on. Almost half of the horses have gone to a different stable for the winter. At Hoofbeats, it’s a small group — just Blueberry, BoLodato, Spirit, Henry, and Harry hanging out. Carol and Maria are busy preparing for the next season, organizing paperwork and equipment, and working on the facilities. A few volunteers have been working on projects around the barn and office as well, making some updates and putting up new decorations.
So come check it out! Winter is a great time for recruiting new volunteers, making donations, and strengthening relationships. Every year, hours of work and tons of energy builds each riding session. Hoofbeats is so excited for the Spring 2015 session and we are busy getting ready! It will come faster than you think.
So stay in touch! And check out the volunteer forms on our website if you’re interested or know somebody who is.
By Jinae Kennedy
These new decorations by Katie, one of our volunteers, who is blessing us with her professional design skills. Pretty awesome!
Blueberry says that it’s pretty cold and soggy out here! Spring come soon!
Didemus says he needs a little recuperation too…
Hoofbeats! Come on in!
!
Posted by Hoofbeats on 5:38 PM in "This will make you cry." | Comments Off on #GivingTuesday
By Jinae Kennedy
Every year, it seems like Thanksgiving gets shorter and shorter. Happy Thanksgiving! – And now it’s time to hit the malls. One day of feeling thankful, and then the commercial madness sets in.
Black Friday, Cyber Monday… now we even have Gray Thursday?
But thankfully, a new trend is starting. #GivingTuesday. A day for giving back. Today, Dec. 2, a worldwide campaign is encouraging people to kick off this giving season right. Follow the movement on Twitter @GivingTues and follow Hoofbeats’ participation @HoofbeatsTRC.
On this Giving Tuesday, we at Hoofbeats want to say thank you to all of the staff, volunteers, donors, and horses who have already given so much to our mission. Because of you, hundreds of riders have found joyful confidence and experienced healing – physically and emotionally – through horses. Thank you for loving so deeply and for creating such a fun and uplifting environment.
On this #GivingTuesday, you are the world’s inspiration.
But the biggest “thank you’s” go to Hoofbeats director Carol Branscome and assistant instructor Maria Pennine. For them, everyday is a giving day.
What will you do today? If you are already a Hoofbeats volunteer – thank you for your service! Please come back next season for more adventures. You will be blessed. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, or if you know others who are interested, check out the Volunteer Information page at https://hoof-beats.com/volunteer.html.
You have time, energy, gifts, and beautiful talents. Whether it is at Hoofbeats or elsewhere, don’t forget to give back this Tuesday.
Let’s be part of a better trend.
One of our college student volunteers, Amanda Dixon, giving at the TRAV show. And receiving warm horse hugs in return! #totallyworthit
Posted by Hoofbeats on 4:22 PM in "This will make you cry.", News | Comments Off on Congratulations Marsha!
Hoofbeats Volunteer of the Year, Marsha Lunsford, said she knew that helping people through horses was something she just had to be part of.
Through her dedication to this calling, Lunsford has since made an incredible impact in Virginia communities. She has assisted with Hoofbeats lessons since last March and has gained her certification as a therapeutic riding instructor. She hopes to open her own therapy center in Highland County next spring.
Tucked away in the mountains, Highland County is a more remote area with few accessible healthcare services, Lunsford said. There are no therapeutic riding centers close by. To volunteer at Hoofbeats, Lunsford had to drive an hour and a half each direction.
“I’m hoping to be able to contribute and work with kids and adults, veterans, and meet them where they are,” she said.
Years ago, when she first heard somebody talking about therapeutic riding, she said, “Oh, that’s perfect.” You can see that horses are therapy for everybody, she explained. Giving that opportunity to people with limited experiences is what we should be doing, she said.
After that, she started a file for therapeutic riding. Every time she found an article or a study or picture, it went into the file. With a career background in the behavioral healthcare field, Lunsford was well equipped to combine her passions for horses and serving people.
Determined to follow this calling, she started the process of instructor certification by volunteering at therapy centers in Northern Virginia.
Then, last October, she met Carol Branscome.
At the Therapeutic Riding Association of Virginia horseshow in Lexington, Lunsford found Carol and told her how much she loved this show and the Hoofbeats riders. “In the back of my mind I was really wishing to work with her,” she said.
Carol recognized a kindred spirit.
Throughout the 2014 riding season, Lunsford has invested her knowledge, experience, and many skills into the Hoofbeats family, assisting with summer session lessons, the VA Special Olympics, and this year’s TRAV show.
On November 14, she was honored with the Hoofbeats Volunteer of the Year Award. Her contributions to the program have been inestimable. But Lunsford said she is thankful for the experience. “That’s really the reward – watching [the riders] enjoy the experience and grow from it,” she said. “I feel so blessed.”
This winter, Lunsford said she will be working on the policies and procedures to obtain official non-profit status to open her therapy center in March.
Congratulations Marsha!
By Beth Jinae Kennedy
Marsha, on the left, helping our riders have a blast during summer session.
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