Therapeutic Equestrian Center

*See Below for November Pony Express*

Riders for Riders Contest:

Dear Friend,

I’m sure you would agree that life looks better on the back of a horse. At the Therapeutic Equestrian Center (TEC) we help people with special needs from tots to seniors find hope and reach potentials they never dreamed possible by touching, riding and working with a horse. As one student said to her mother about this new sense of self, “I can’t believe how amazing I am!”

I thought you might enjoy meeting Trinity. She is a child with special needs who is clearly full of confidence, happiness and joy! This picture shows Trinity riding on horseback with the help of volunteer “sidewalkers”. She’s working on balance, confidence and control. While all of that is rapidly increasing for Trinity, the change and improvement in her self-esteem has been remarkable!

TEC believes that riders are like yourself, special people who understand and support other riders. We know you would like to see Trinity keep riding this year and for many years to come. To make this happen we need your contributions and your time because Without You, We Don’t Ride.

In the 3 short years TEC has existed, more than 155 volunteer have given over 8,000 hours of their time which has enabled us to provide more than 950 hours of instruction to people with special needs of all ages. Our youngest rider was 3 and our oldest 73. Those” horse” experiences changed their lives!

Research confirms that equestrian therapeutic programs improve the lives of people with physical, emotional and cognitive challenges. Our facility is unique in the southwest Michigan area, providing year-round therapeutic horse related activities for children, youth and adults.

Our mission is to enhance the lives of people with special needs through horse related activities and here are several ways YOU can help:

· Join the “Riders for Riders Challenge”. TEC challenges YOU to raise the most money by December 15^th to support TEC and its riders. You can have bake sales, ride-a-thons and so much more. AND…there are prizes!!!

· Volunteer your time! TEC needs exercise riders, barn helpers, side walkers and horse leaders to keep TEC riders riding.

· Make a personal donation

· Tell others about TEC

Keep in mind, 8 weeks of lessons costs $200. We do not turn away riders if they can’t pay even though the costs for keeping horses and the costs of doing business rises with every passing day. NO ONE UNDERSTANDS THIS MORE THAN A RIDER! It costs at least $300 just to care for each lesson horse in a single month.

TEC is making a positive difference in the quality of life for all participants, their families and the volunteers who serve them. Please feel free to call for additional information concerning TEC and its programs, or for a personal tour. TEC needs your help to keep Trinity’s joy alive. Won’t you please join the challenge, volunteer and/or donate today!

To join the competition:

Email djsouth1@gmail.com or

Call 269-650-0179

We all look forward to meeting you and welcoming you to the TEC Family as a donor, a volunteer and a friend!

HAPPY RIDING!

BTW…The 3 riders raising the most money in the challenge win one of the following prizes and the heartfelt thanks of all of our riders and their families (choice of gift certificate from iPod, Rick’s Tack, or Speedway):

1^st Prize $50 gift certificate

2^nd Prize $25 Gift Certificate

3^rd Prize $10 Gift Certificate

Without You, We Don’t Ride

Pony Express - November, 2008

It is most appropriate that the message of the November Pony Express is one of Gratitude. Our fall lessons are underway and running smoothly because of all the bountiful help preparing the new facility. We are truly Thankful!

Welcome New Volunteers! Karel Hall, Jullia Harris, Karla Donnellbragg, Natalie Weir, Nadine Betat, Frank and Dottie Petriko, Maureen Gutherie, Lisa Constant, Brook Hoffman, David Stephens, Linda and Sarah Field, Casey DiDonato, Amanda Springstead, Sandy and Kara Brueck, Lynn Snedden and Sarah Staley. We are so happy you have chosen to join our TEC family and look forward to partnering with you now and in the coming years.

We want to acknowledge the committee behind TEC FEST. Judy Buck, Dawn Bruin-Slot, Roshelle Hall, Gidge Dunn, Kathy Barton and Autumn Zick. Ladies, your hard work is deeply appreciated and lays a great foundation for future events. We know how valuable the commodity of time is and this undertaking required this and so much more - a great deal of planning and hard work.

Ben Racine, Pacen Bodke and Makenna Stull were our STAR riders in the arena. Thank you for showing our friends what TEC is all about. Great riding, kids!

Quote: There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man. ~ Sir Winston Churchill

OUR MOST SINCERE THANKS is extended to our volunteers and to our riders and their families who so generously helped raise community awareness and funds at our recent TEC FEST! There are too many helpers to name, but you know who you are and you also know that our success was the result of your open-handed kindness. Without you, the facility wouldn't have been clean and ready for our event. Without you, our horses wouldn't have been scrubbed and looking their best. Without you, stations wouldn't have been properly set up, staffed and cleaned up. Without you, we wouldn't have raised over $1,700.00 and most importantly, we wouldn't have generated new friends who are also interested in helping TEC. Your service to our program is immeasurable and you know in your heart what your true reward is.

Without you, we don't ride!

Archives:
Berrien Springs 'teen hero' gives back
September 2008 Pony Express
August 2008 Pony Express
July 2008 Pony Express