Dear Friends and Family,
What an interesting winter it has been, and boy have you been missed! I know that most of you are missing your horse, the riders, or a combination of the two. I have done my best to get things rolling, but like most things in life, I rarely make the final decision. It seems to me that we had lessons by this time last year, snow and all; however there are so many factors to consider when starting back up. We are so very fortunate to be blessed with an arena to utilize and an individual to haul an entire herd, it just would not be possible without them. Whenever you see these owners, please thank them for their time and effort. They put so very much out there so that we can do what we do.
We thought of you yesterday while we were busy cleaning the arena and hauling back tack, but with some stored equipment in there, and the temperatures dropping again next week, we will wait to begin lessons until Wednesday March 30, 2016. The horses have had all had physicals and are up to date on vaccines. The dentist is coming next week to work on some mouths, and just short of some baths, they are ready to go.
I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to this season. The sheer number of tasks before me each day has been exhausting; as of late, I am struggling to keep the joy in my work, heart, and life. Volunteers are the soul of this organization and knowing that you will soon be with me is so very refreshing to my heart. If I do not see you on Saturday, I look forward to seeing you on the 30th.
I will begin sending out the weekly emails that you have without a doubt missed over the past few months. Parents, please let me know if anything has changing in your schedules, otherwise, I will keep your rider right where we left them in December. There is a good chance, the arena will still be a little cool, so do not put those gloves and hats away just yet!
In love,
Monique Nellis
Executive Director
Heavenly Gaits TRC, Inc.
2059 Ninevah Road
Knox, PA 16232
(814) 221-1690
"There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man" ~Winston S. Churchill
What an interesting winter it has been, and boy have you been missed! I know that most of you are missing your horse, the riders, or a combination of the two. I have done my best to get things rolling, but like most things in life, I rarely make the final decision. It seems to me that we had lessons by this time last year, snow and all; however there are so many factors to consider when starting back up. We are so very fortunate to be blessed with an arena to utilize and an individual to haul an entire herd, it just would not be possible without them. Whenever you see these owners, please thank them for their time and effort. They put so very much out there so that we can do what we do.
We thought of you yesterday while we were busy cleaning the arena and hauling back tack, but with some stored equipment in there, and the temperatures dropping again next week, we will wait to begin lessons until Wednesday March 30, 2016. The horses have had all had physicals and are up to date on vaccines. The dentist is coming next week to work on some mouths, and just short of some baths, they are ready to go.
- We do have a volunteer training this weekend for those of you that found us last fall/winter and need to go over some key points, and our new recruits, anxious to learn and get started. I am looking forward to seeing everyone again. There are many things that occur during therapeutic riding and it is very important that we cover as much as possible for the success of our lessons and safety of everyone participating.
- We also have a free First Aid and CPR training scheduled for April. Please let myself or Linda Trojak know if you are interested. As an instructor, my certification in this area needs renewed every two years, however, you cannot have too many certified people on hand. Besides that, you never know when you might need it; please take advantage of this opportunity. It is available for volunteers, riders, and family members…
- Special thanks to all those that ordered from our Tastefully Simple Party. Any and all generated funds go towards a scholarship that helps make our lessons affordable for one lucky rider. We also generate an item or two to raffle off at upcoming fundraisers.
- Speaking of fundraisers, our first event is our second annual Nite at the Races to be held Saturday, April 9th at Reminisce Banquet Hall. It this is your first “Horse Race,” please know that it is digitally recorded races and that there are no live horses racing around the hall. Anyone can purchase a horse and give it a name. The horses are then placed into races and attendees can bet on the winning horse based upon the statistics given by the DJ or if you are like me, “what sounds like a winner.” If your horse wins, so do you! The owner of the horse receives $25 and those that bid on the winning horse are paid out a percentage of the winnings. Food is provided, and I am talking about Hirsch’s Sweet Italian sausage sandwiches, various salads, desserts, and some drinks. This event is for people ages 21 and over as attendees are able to bring a cooler of the beverage of their choice. It is a fun time, but like everything else, takes a team to run. If you would like to make a dessert, run the raffle table, sell rip off tickets, or help with the food table, please let me know. Oh, and don’t forget to purchase a horse!
- The pipeline has been flagged out and once the weather is ideal for digging we will run the water lines to the pastures.
- Oh, that’s right; the drains will be fixed in the other field first so that we do not find holes along our trails.
- The Boy Scouts are constructing a bridge so that we might utilize another trail this summer.
- Some of our “handy” helpers have been constructing various objects to place along those trails as well.
I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to this season. The sheer number of tasks before me each day has been exhausting; as of late, I am struggling to keep the joy in my work, heart, and life. Volunteers are the soul of this organization and knowing that you will soon be with me is so very refreshing to my heart. If I do not see you on Saturday, I look forward to seeing you on the 30th.
I will begin sending out the weekly emails that you have without a doubt missed over the past few months. Parents, please let me know if anything has changing in your schedules, otherwise, I will keep your rider right where we left them in December. There is a good chance, the arena will still be a little cool, so do not put those gloves and hats away just yet!
In love,
Monique Nellis
Executive Director
Heavenly Gaits TRC, Inc.
2059 Ninevah Road
Knox, PA 16232
(814) 221-1690
"There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man" ~Winston S. Churchill