Thank you!

Dear friends of Spirit, 
Thank you for all great moments we created thanks to you!

Volunteers!

Dear friends, helpers, volunteers of Spirit Program
It has been seven years since the Spirit Program started at the small backyard at the Great Falls, with one 40+ year old mare and our first rider, Cella.
 

I am sharing these thoughts and memories with you, to remind those who have been with Spirit for all this time, and to explain to those who came later how important this season is for Spirit, and for me personally.

Seven years after my heart is so full, and it is hard to find words to say how much of a miracle everything that, through hard work, happened in the past seven years has been.

Cella rode at our Show 12/22/2012, too.

Smiles small victories, and magic of horses filled 2012 and You are part of it.

At the show last Saturday almost 50 volunteers were active, helping us to create a safe and fun taste of success for all our riders. We did a good job, and thank you if you were with Spirit that morning.

Together we did almost 8,000 hours of volunteer work this year, more than 2,500 lesson hours, for more then 200 clients in therapy and education.

Thank you all,  for each moment and support you offered to Spirit Program, and  I am hoping to continue our mission with your help and with help of special people like you,  in many years ahead.


Please, do not forget to renew your Registration, by sending an e-mail to Ms Cathy, our coordinator, saying:
"I want to continue to volunteer at Spirit Program - 2013" in subject line, in the body of the e-mail, put your availability, or any changes of previous status from the printed Registration,  also put your name in weekly schedule to continue being a part of the Volunteer Team of Spirit Program.
Best wishes, and blessings of the Season,

Dada

Ready for show?

Ready for show tomorrow?
See you at the Park at 10 AM in indoor ring
We prepared warm drinks, baked goodies, even soup, so no worries for cold weather - we can warm you up :)
Pony rides, Santa in cart with Rain Dear, and chance to see our riders and Spirit in action.
Do not miss that!

And when show is over, here it is schedule for those holiday weeks:


Wed. Dec. 26 (no school) 3-5- PM horse and facility care, mentors riding

Thur. Dec. 27 (no school) 3-5- PM horse and facility care, mentors riding

Fri. Dec. 28 (no school) 3-5- horse and facility care, mentors riding

Sat. Dec. 29  9-12 -AM  horse and facility care, mentors riding



Mon. Dec. 31 (no school) 3-5- PM horse and facility care, mentors riding

Tues. Jan 1 (no school) 3-5- horse and facility care, mentors riding

Wed. Jan 2          5-7 PM- horse and facility care, mentors riding, volunteer training

Thur. Jan 3         5-7- horse and facility care, mentors riding, volunteer training

Fri. Jan 4             5-7 PM- horse and facility care, mentors riding, volunteer training

Sat. Jan 5            9-12 AM- horse and facility care, mentors riding, volunteer training

Charts for Ride for Spirit Show - Edited!

Sorry, I hope that this is the final version :)

HORSE	Volunteers		Riders
Time			10	10:10	10:30	11:00	11:30	12:00	12:30
			Synch riding	Parade	I	II	III	IV	V
Tess	Zoe	Sue/Lisa	Zoe	Kevin	x	Kevin	William	Louis	Sharon
Lucinda	Ilana	Becca	Ilana	Nicole	Eliana	Nicole	Devlin	Thomas	Jackson
Spirit	Mira	Maya	Mira	Cella	Maya	Leah	Alisson	x	Raj
Charlie	Naomi	Ayah	Naomi	Ayah	Ayah	Darcy	Erica	Madison	x
Glory	Nick	Himani / Theresa	Nick	Eliana	x	Sean	x	x	x
Infinity	Camilla	Julia	Anja	Anja	Anja	x	x	Melissa	Elizabeth
Huckleberry	Stevie	Sheena	Stevie	Alisson	Pony ride
Buttercup	Elliana	Camryn	Camilla	Maya
Holiday	Kathleen	Vera	Kathleen	Sharon / Kyle
Harmony	Colin	Andrew

It is that time of the year, again :)

It is that time of the year again. Time of love, giving and celebration.
We invite you and your friends to come at our 

Spirit Event at Saturday, 
12/22 at 10 AM 
at the Frying Pan Farm Park.

Come and meet Spirit in action, see kids riding horses they love and horses who teach them about life, about responsibility, hard work, dedication, who teach them how to win and how to handle when we do not win. Meet our kids who learn about own balance, focusing and orientation skills, who learn how to find and fulfill own potential on horse an in life.
Meet our horses who teach us all patience, tolerance, trust and self esteem, respect and love.

Come and meet Spirit, share moments of celebration of ability over disability, let smiles of our riders and volunteers inspire you in this holiday season.

Support our work, by donation, advocacy, or spreading the word about Spirit and our service at community.

Support Spirit and help us to continue serving community, doing Equine assisted Therapeutic and Educational activities, helping our riders to grow and live strong and be enriched by touch of the horse.

Take a chance and help us decorate the Spirit Tree, with gifts such as hay, grain, farrier, veterinarian service or, treats for horses... Winter just started, and we need a lot of hay to keep our horses healthy and happy.

Let your kid ride our ponies or meet Santa in his cart...that and much more at RIDE FOR SPIRIT event next Saturday.

Hope to see you there.

Thank you all who are helping and will come to help keeping event fun and safe!

Holiday Spirit!

What a special week it was! Cella, is back, our first rider at Spirit Program, almost 7 years ago, and we had Louis, Luciano, Nicholas, Melisa, Sharon, Tyler and Ryan riding this sunny morning.
Herndon Woman's Club, recognized Spirit and surprised us with very generous donation.
This week we got a lot of new volunteers in training, and Winter session in January will be fun and safe with them. 
Holiday, Haflinger is coming tomorrow - Spirit Family is growing ! ♥

And today we had a great BOD meeting - what a wonderful, strong and dedicated people will lead Spirit in future!
Real holiday Spirit is all around :)

Getting ready for the show 22nd

We need more helping hands for our show!
Seasonal decoration and items for the bake sale are welcome :)


Please, contact Cathy or me,  if you can come and help our riders to show off their the best
Saturday 22nd 10 AM-1 PM

Bring a friend, and show the Spirit

Pony rides and Santa Claus in his cart will be at indoor ring at the same time, come and bring your cameras.

New Barn - painted, and new spirit friends!

Busy Saturday

Big day this Saturday - Painting the New Barn Project with great team of new volunteers, and regular Therapeutic Riding program as scheduled.
See you!

Congratulation to all riders and THANK YOU to all who helped this Saturday :)

Show is over, and sweet memories are inspiration for next one 

December 22nd, 

10 AM at the Indoor Arena at Frying Pan Farm Park

RIDE FOR SPIRIT SHOW

Come and celebrate with us abilities and achievements of our students in Therapeutic and Educational Program and young volunteers

Result were close, but Winners are :

Para dressage Class - Julia Scoville

Dressage Class -  Zoe Griffiths

Show jumping - Becky Maksimovic

Ride for Spirit at 10 AM tomorrow

To all friends and those who like our program at FB and in life, come tomorrow and see Spirit Team and guests riding at the Ride for Spirit Show, first of two this December. 
Tomorrow, we will present para dressage class, with veterans (Horses4Heroes) and dressage class (intro B test), presentation of higher level dressage, and show jumping class. 
Support Spirit, meet our ponies at Pony Rides and celebrate abilities over disabilities :)

Getting ready for the show

Today and tomorrow  - last chances for practice your test for Saturday Ride for Spirit Show!
Volunteers, we need your help tomorrow, Friday PM to set up ring and do last touch ups for the show!

NO lessons tonight

To all who planned to come tonight. Sorry - no riding practice. I am sick and Sarah and Sue can not make it tonight, too. 
See you tomorrow, or Sarah will run the lesson. 
Thank you for understanding. :(
On the other side, all riders and horses did so well last night, that it does not seem that they need more practice :). Even Buttercup and Huckleberry managed to do Intro B test pretty well.

John sings at the church

John, our rider, will sing at the church Sat. Dec/1. 
What a great way to finish a day...hoping to see you there :)
I am passing an invitation his dad sent to me:

Hi Folks:

The Gluck fam is hitting the stage this sat night at our church coffee house.


John and Owen will be doing a Jesus Loves Me/Amazing Grace tandem during the 1st hour.
and then later our church 'll be doing about several songs of Jens that we've been singing during our services.
Finally the band Mars Rodeo will be playing out the evening.

Here's a link with the details for the coffee house.

Registration for Winter Class with Spirit at the Frying Pan Farm Park starts tomorrow!

Riders, families, do not forget, First Winter 4 weeks Class starts January/14
Registration Begins: 11/27/2012
On line by THIS link, or register by phone and call Park at 703-437-9101

Looking forward to seeing you at RIDE FOR SPIRIT shows Dec 1st and Dec 22nd!

See new ponies

Buttercup and Huckleberry!

About end of the year, shows....

Dear riders, and families.

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving Day with dear and loved ones.

I am thankful for each moment with kids in Spirit Program, for all help and support we have from wonderful people in community, volunteers and supporters, and excited that it is the end of the year already and time to present what we did this year :)

As you know, we are getting ready for the first show at Saturday, Dec/1st, so this week we will not have any lessons for kids in therapeutic program. Two weeks between show at 1st and 22nd, kids who registered for the show of 22nd will be able to come and have short practice if you want (15-20 min) for free or have an individual paid lesson Mon/Thurs at 6 PM. Please, contact me about schedule, as we will serve those who assign first for those spots. 

I will contact those who registered for show at 22nd by e-mail, soon after next Saturday with more details and schedule.

Until then, you still have a chance to sign for that show using THIS link. More info about shows, you can find HERE. 

Period between the Show of 22nd and beginning of the first Winter class ( January 14th) We need a break time for horses and training period for new volunteers. 

You are all invited to come at both shows, riding or not,invite friends and relatives to support Spirit Team and enjoy riding at Pony ride part of the Show. 

Thank you, 

fondly, 

Dada

Thanksgiving week end...

Happy Thanksgiving Day to all Spirit People, and I am hoping that you are spending it in joy and with love ones. 
Our lessons run as usual this Friday and Saturday, and I am looking forward to see you all riders and volunteers to trim of some festive bites ;)

Thank you!

Dear all,

I hope that you are doing well and are enjoying this wonderful season of Thanksgiving. 

I am thankful for all good things in my life, of which meeting people like you is a crucial element. 

Can not believe that it is almost the end of the year already. The whole Spirit Team, and I are thankful for all good things that have happened to our organization: for generous gifts which kept us going so far, for all the great people and kids we met, and for each moment of joy and achievements we witnessed over the years. 

We try hard to learn from each experience to become better and improve our service. 

NEW PONIES

Let me share few exciting news first. 

  

As our horses used to work hard 6 days a week, we decided to adopt two more ponies, not to put more riders in program, but to assure that we do not overwork our horses which are already working so hard, even in their old age. All of the hardworking horses of Spirit are our friends and we believe that they deserve the best possible treatment. 

So, here they are : Buttercup and Huckleberry, two mature, and kind ponies who are in training for now, but will be seen in lessons soon.

THANK YOU!

These wonderful ponies got a home at our field thanks to a generous donation from an incredibly supportive family that had been with Spirit for the last several years of operation. There aren't enough words to say how thankful we are for Anita and Vineet's support. Without such support, Spirit simply wouldn't be what it is today.

It is impossible to list all of the generous donors that have donated their money, gifts, energy, time and emotions in support of Spirit. Thank you all, for you are the reason we exist and do what we do.

Even though it would be impossible to list all of the generous people that have aided us over the years, here are just a few lists of people that help Spirit be what it is.

Daily maintenance of the field, and assistance in program activities is the gift of dozens of special people of all ages, and due to their work and daily efforts we can create all of the good moments for our riders in therapy and educational programs. Thank you Theresa, Susan, Don, Cline,Mark, Jeff...and many others.

Instructors and assistants of Spirit are to thank for the daily victories and smiles of the satisfied Spirit users. Without their efforts and time, we could not run the daily operations that we do. Thank you Kate, Lynn, Adrienne, Whitney, Linda, Sarah, Sue, Wendy, Eliina, and Veronica

Directors of Spirit are a supporting team that leads and represents Spirit as a successful and well organized group. Thank you Louise, Leslie, Julia, Cathy and Mindy   for hard work and all energy you put into Spirit Program. 

Our fundraisers created support we have never had before. Thank you Kathy, Susan, Hedy and Diane, and all who help them in their work.

There are some special friends, people who are not so visible at the lessons or daily work at the field, but they are our supporters with or without the title. They have recognized Spirit's Mission as valuable enough to support it. Thank you Tawny. Thank you Robin. 

There are some of you that have asked us not to mention their names, but your efforts are not unrecognized. Thank you as well.

RIDE FOR SPIRIT SHOWS

Additionally,

I am proud to be able to invite you all to our traditional presentation at the end of the year. This year we will have two Ride for Spirit events at the Frying Pan Farm Park in the indoor ring.

Saturday, December 1st - Dressage and Para dressage, show jumping - presentation of volunteers and adult riders in Para dressage

Saturday, December 22nd - Equitation, pole bending and synchronized riding for kids in Spirit Program of all ages and level of ability

Come and celebrate the abilities of our riders!

If  your kid is not involved as rider at this presentation, you can always come, with friends and family and use opportunity of some pony ride we will create for our guests :)

Happy Thanksgiving Day, and best wishes, hoping to see you at our Shows in December, 

Sincerely, 

Dada

NO lessons this week end!

Sorry, ...
... no lessons this week end...but interesting Pre Turkey Horse show is at the Park, so you do not have to skip your horsie moments :)
For volunteers - there is always something to be done around horses and at the field :)

Hckleberry and Buttercup at home

Pictures talk better than words...

End of the season

All therapies and educational programs will take a break during the holiday season and will continue at January/14/2013
All activities will be related shows in December and dedicated to volunteer training.

Stay in touch with Spirit!

End of the Fall session and plans for December/ January

This week we finish the Fall 8 weeks class, and we continue with 2 weeks of make ups. During the period of November 24 to January / 14 No lessons at all. due to preparation for Spirit Horse shows Dec 1 st and 22nd and short winter break after that.

To all Spirit riders and volunteers, please, register before 15th for the event of December /1 . for registration and more info CLICK HERE. 
If you do not have own horse to bring, be sure that you contact me about possible usage of Spirit horses. There are a limited number hors

es available, so do not waist your time, please. It is Dressage Intro B test (walk/tort), or any of novice Para dressage test for qualified riders.
Also, feel free to share this invitation with your friends in pony club or therapeutic program

Those who are interested in the participation in event of December/22nd contact me by e-mail, please. 
Looking forward to hearing from you

Reports

Last lesson for this 8 week class in Therapy went fantastic, lot of great moments and new achievements for all students...Plans and dreams about shows in December.

Infinity has pneumonia after choking and inhaling something nasty in her lungs. Thanks to Sharon from Hoof and Paw, she is safe under an aggressive antibiotic therapy. She looks happy and we are looking for fast and safe recov

ery

New ponies are doing great...just two days at the Spirit Program, and calm with a rider bareback walking with the group in the indoor! Also they both like ball and do not seems to be afraid of anything... Buttercup is searching only for Huck's presence and protection, and she is his source of confident, too. But they both follow the leader nicely and with lot of trust even when they have to leave loving partner ;)
Huck also seems to be delighted (re)discovering that Buttercup is not only mare in the whole world, but very noble and social acceptable manners, so far.

Need more photos of those new members of the family

To be continued :)

Welcome Buttercup and Huckleberry!

Spirit is welcoming two great ponies, Buttercup and Huckleberry!
Please note, that is not OK to come into their field, feed or touch them for any reason.
They need some time to adjust and slow and organized adjustment to new home, job and life.

Thank you for understanding!

Busy but all is good today

Cold and busy morning today at Spirit Program. Thanks to Sarah all lessons was safe and fun for so many riders who come despite of cold wind. Boys, Jeff, Sully and Boris took care of field, and we just started foundation for new run in shed for Buttercup and Huckleberry.
Lot of crushed stone has been leveled with bob cat, and we are almost ready to set the new barn up.
Above all, Infinity inhaled some food, and we had emergency situation with vet visit... After long procedure, some painkillers and whatever she needed (Thank you Sharon), she is much better now.
Tomorrow new ponies will be in Spirit family :)
Thank you, Bev :)
Wish you all a great rest of the week end, and thank you for help and support which keeps Spirit going.

It is cold

It was so cold tonight, and will be tomorrow morning, but I am looking forward to see you all for lessons and practice for shows in December. Take care and bring gloves :)

Help needed!

Oops! It seems that plan to bring H and B to Spirit Field failed. :(
Need solution (read: someone willing to donate his time, and truck/trailer and pick up our ponies at Amissville Friday or Sunday)
Please, contact me if you have any idea ...
_____________________________________________
Thank you! Solved :)

See you tomorrow!

Today all is good at the Spirit Field. No fallen trees, even tarps stayed on hay!!! Horses spent night and day in stalls, and tonight in dry and warm blankets, will be free again :)
Looking forward to seeing all back into routine tomorrow!

Report from the Field and the Barn

Report from the Spirit Field - Day One of this monster storm is over, but Sandy still plays around. 
Horses are closed in stalls, with a lot of hay, good bedding and bucket of water. Still no fallen trees in the field! :)
Thank you Jeff for taking care of our horses!
Stay safe, all, and see you Wednesday, I hope. 

Tuesday canceled, too.

Just got the message that Fairfax schools will be closed for Monday and Tuesday. So, we will stay closed for Tuesday, too. 
Take care and stay dry and safe
See you Wednesday, Spirit team.

Monday, lessons canceled

Sandy, alias Frankenstorm  made us cancel lessons for Monday.
Please, stay safe at home.
I will take care of horses.
About Tuesday, decision will be made tomorrow.
Thank you for understanding, and, please sare this with Spirit Team of volunteers and riders.
Dada

Saturday Report -from FB :)

Mira got ribbons today with Spirit (hope to have some photos soon), Boy Scouts Troop 1018 painted both barns.
Spirit Team of volunteers set up new (temporary) stall for Buttercup and Huckleberry.
Sarah and Sue, with Veronica did great lessons for therapy and educational classes.
What a day!

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• 9 people like this.
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  Sue Bell It was a good one!!

  14 hours ago · Like
• 

  SPIRIT Open Equestrian Program Special volunteers Ajah, Ally, Lisa, Julia, Mindy, Jeff, Boris and so many more made this day even more successful.

Good luck to Mira and Spirit today!

Go, Spirit girls!

Thank you note

Thank you Sue, and all volunteers and guests Ally, Mary Kate, Bill, Boris, Harry, Antonio and others for great lessons and work done last night at the field. Thank you Jeff for bringing fences...We (and field) are almost ready for new ponies. Yeah!

Getting ready

Getting ready for the big Saturday. Most of therapeutic and educational lessons are still on as scheduled, Painting the Barns and Fences Project with Boy Scouts, and preparing the new field for Buttercup and Huckleberry who will come Sat afternoon!
Come and help, more is merrier :)
Bring painting and/or gardening tools, we might need both :)
Looking forward to seeing you and hope we will have all ready and done before big rain next week
Saturday, October 27th 8.30 AM until - when we finish :)

Painting the barn and new horses this week end

Warm weather allowed us to have lessons at outdoor, warm up ring whole week!
It was fun and inspirational to see how this class improved in first six weeks and most of them already want to sign for winter classes in January and February, again!

Exciting news for this week end:

Group of Boy Scouts - Troop 1018 from Draneswille, VA is coming to paint our barns and fix fences!
Welcome, boys!

Two new ponies are coming into Spirit Field!

Buttercup is palomino mare, and Huckleberry is chestnut gelding. Right size, age and well trained, after a good time at the pasture, ready to get a new job at Spirit, we hope 

Please, come to help get field ready for our new friends, and bring some landscaping and or painting tools from home, so we can set all ready for them. 

Therapy lessons will be reduced, but horses should go out of the field due to activities (painting, cleaning, organizing, fencing), so we need as much help as possible. 

Thank you all, and see you Saturday!