Register on line for Winter Classes with Spirit @ Frying Pan Farm Park

SPIRIT Open Equestrian - Winter class - Register on line and meet Spirit @ Frying Pan Farm Park, indoor ring, January and February 2017!

Discover the joys of horseback riding lessons now offered on site at the Indoor Arena!

Therapeutic Horseback Riding (3-Adult)
http://bit.ly/2iNODNx

Beginner Horseback Riding (8-14 yrs)
http://bit.ly/2iNhq0B

Thank you and Happy New Year!

It is the season of miracles and SPIRIT was blessed to receive a miracle of our own…the news that we will be able to move into Frying Pan Farm Park to continue providing our programs! SPIRIT and the Fairfax County Park Authority have shared a great friendship over the past several years and we are both honored and grateful to FCPA for allowing us to move into Frying Pan Farm Park where we will continue to provide our services together!

Many members of our SPIRIT famiy and friends also supported us. You donated money, offered your time, reached out to contacts to help us and shared our story with your social networks. Just like in “It’s a Wonderful Life”, we were reminded how many friends we have and we are so grateful! We still need your help as we move and our “Home for SPIRIT” campaign continues, but you helped us to prove once again that NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE!

SPIRIT - our staff, volunteers, board, horses and riders - most humbly thank you

SPIRIT Has a Holiday Wishlist!

To help with our move, future farm work and maintaining our new home, SPIRIT needs some additional equipment! Do you have any of these items or know a person or business that does and would like to donate them? If so, let us know! You can also make a cash donation to help with their purchase or set up a monthly donation through our Paypal site so that you can give to SPIRIT throughout the year! Even small amounts on a monthly basis add up to big help for SPIRIT and our riders and herd!

·   F250-type truck to pull a trailer

·   Horse trailer for 2 or more horses

·   Flat trailer for roll hay bales and equipment

·   Tractor able to move roll bales of hay

Dear SPIRIT Family & Friends,

As 2016 draws to a close, we are so grateful and proud of the wonderful accomplishments and new friends we have made this past year and especially for your support as

we begin a challenging but exciting transition to our new farm! Your friendship and support have made these moments possible and have enabled us to continue our work! We look forward to all we will learn and achieve together in the

New Year!

~ Dada & the SPIRIT Team

Bad weather on our way. All activities canceled :(

Bad weather on our way. All activities canceled :(
Thursday EAL and volunteer session, and Saturday AM session canceled. 
If you want to volunteer and come Sat AM to feed and take care of horses, I will be there at 9, but we should be done until 10
Take care and stay dry and warm if you can.
Hoping for some good weather week ends in January. 
We have some work to do :)

Spirit Story

We received a lease termination letter and Spirit needs to move out before Dec 31st

We need all help you can provide to help us get to a safe new home. Prayers, lobbying, helping us with the moving process as a volunteer and $$ donations will all help us and are greatly appreciated!  We are working on possibly renting the land at the Park or moving close enough to continue our service to the same community. 

Help us through this hard time and we believe that this pain will deliver new life and long term future for our organization
Thank you!

Click here to support Future for Spirit

Park is closed tonight

No lessons tonight. Park is closed. See you 5-8 tomorrow instead. Sorry for late notice :(

Last Saturday lessons before we come back :)

One more last Saturday ride tomorrow for Therapeutic Riding groups and EAL students. After work, some packing, moving activities and bareback trail ride at the end.
See you at Spirit field !

 Memories of happy place for SPIRIT Open Equestrian Program in previous 3 years. Thank you all who made this opportunity for Spirit.

 Next chapter ahead of SPIRIT Open Equestrian Program

Stampede until Dec 31st and more...

It is time for STAMPEDE!
Tonight and until the end of the year.
We just received the letter of lease termination for the Farm at 2705 West Ox Rd
Spirit has to move out before Dec 31st
Hope you will understand that we shall cancel our TR program planned for December as we need to focus on moving project now. 
We really need and can use all help you can provide, financial, or helping hands in moving process.
Stay in touch and we shall publish schedule and steps how to move out safe and fast.
Thank you for all you do. I know that it is painful process of change, but believe that something good is going to come from all this pain.
See you tonight at our annual social and fundraising Stampede for Spirit event at the Frying Pan Farm Park Visitor center 6-8
Go, Spirit Team !

A BIG thank you to the Giving Circle of Hope!

A BIG thank you to the Giving Circle of Hope for inviting SPIRIT to participate in their BIG Give Event tonight and to share our story and mission! It was a beautiful evening and we got to meet many wonderful people who are doing amazing things to help our community! Thank you again for your support of our work through your collective giving and congratulations on reaching your milestone of raising and distributing more than $1,000,000 to help those in need in our community! We look forward to working together in the future!

Big Horse Show at the Park this week end - no TR lessons Sat

For 35 years this event is the biggest at the Frying Pan Farm Park.

http://myvqha.com/…/20…/11/Pre-Turkey-Mailer-Flyer-Final.pdf

Therapeutic riding lessons will be canceled, but 9-11 volunteers and EAL students can come to feed our herd, give them some love and care, and to say Goodbye to Abby I. who is moving to TX.

Limited parking will be available at the 2705 West Ox Rd Farm, as it might impossible to park at the Park.
Have a great week end and come to see Pre Turkey Show at the Park

Thursdays

Dear Thursday riders and families,

Somehow Thursdays were difficult in this class. After two cancellations on our side, here are more to come. Just learned that tomorrow will be a huge traffic at the Park, and almost 200 horses coming for Pre Turkey horse show , which will affect parking lot, and even indoor ring. Also we have been advised to cancel lesson in order to be safe. 

Considering that next Thursday is Thanksgiving it seems that we shall have to delay our make up lessons to December 1st and 8th. I am so sorry and apologize for late note about it and hope that you will understand. Thank you for your patience.

Best wishes and warm regards, 

Dada

2016 Abilities Expo

2016 Abilities Expo

The Abilities Expo is back! For nearly 40 years, the Expo has been the go-to source for people with disabilities, their families, seniors, veterans, and healthcare professionals (http://www.abilities.com/dcmetro/). The Expo showcases new technologies, new possibilities, new solutions, and new opportunities all together in one place (the Dulles Expo Center). Attendance is free.

 

At the Expo, we introduce our programs to new clients and donors. We reach people we can't reach any other way, gain new volunteers and students, and make new friends for Spirit. The Expo hours are December 2 (Fri.) and December 3 (Sat.) from 11-6 and December 4 (Sun.) from 11-4. Join us at Booth 117 and help us show how great SPIRIT is. You'll also have a chance to visit other booths, seminars, and workshops. On  Saturday, Anna Collette, PATH Certified Instructor, Horseback Riding Instructor, Equine Specialist at Healing Strides of VA, and current Ms. Wheelchair Virginia will present "How Horses Benefit People With Disabilities,"  assisted by her horse and therapy dog.

Sign up at:  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1FL7QF4MoWCzsZtOuoiXi6ZKBXXqNAIcEbUdUM3c8Oh8/edit?usp=sharing

 

See you at the Expo!

How to stay with Spirit between Park Classes :)

Dear Riders and families at Spirit

Early dark and possible cold will reduce but not stop our program activities at Spirit in the coming months

 After Make Up weeks, Winter schedule will be starting - Nov/28th  through  January 21strd: Winter Class I 

Monday-Thursday 
Gathering time for volunteers and EAL students between 4.30-5.00 PM
EAL and  warm up time - until 6 PM
Therapeutic and EAL Riding Class - 6-7 PM (indoor if is available)

Saturdays
Gathering time for volunteers and EAL students between 930-10.00 AM
EAL and  warm up time - until 11 PM
Therapeutic and EAL Riding Class -11 AM - 12 PM (indoor if is available)

Please, note, that we have limited spaces for these lessons and we shall make reservations and registrations in order they are received. 

To purchase riding pass go to Visitor Center or call 703-437-9101
 Length of the classNov/28th - Jan 21st
Class price without riding pass $510.00
Class price with riding pass      $420.00
To register - Send back name of the student, and make a payment before Nov/28th  to Spirit Open Equestrian Program

It is an opportunity to have winter with horses at cost lower than Park classes and keep on learning and growing with Spirit.

Stampede picture

Do you like Stampede ? Art created by © Michelle Grant -www.michellegrant.ca - Represented by JQ Licensing.com
Canvas print of same art will be available at the silent auction to bid on it :)

Lessons tonight - Thursday Oct 27th

No TR, just EAL program
Horses are in stalls dry and happy.
Therapeutic riding canceled due to possible thunderstorms at 7 PM
Thank you

Would you like to win a Breyer Horse? Enter the "Decorate a Donation Container for SPIRIT"!

There are five containers to be decorated. The first five EAL kids or SPIRIT riders to claim a container are in the Contest. Containers are available for pickup Saturday October 29th at the Barns! Containers need to be decorated and returned to the Barns on Saturday, November 12th. Pictures will be taken of each container and posted on the SPIRIT Blog and Facebook to be voted on. The number of votes for each decorated Donation Container will be announced November 19th at the Stampede for SPIRIT. Each decorator will get to select the Breyer Horse of their choice based on number of votes received with the most selecting first, second highest next and so on. Stay tuned for pictures of the horses that you could win! There are five Breyer Horses to be selected from. Happy Decorating!!

SPIRIT Pre Halloween Costume Contest and Dressage Ride

Would you like to participate at fun and exciting SPIRIT Event, Sunday, Oct/30th, please signin HERE, or send me an e-mail at spiritoep@gmail.com
Possible Classes - Costume , Dressage Intro A , Ground work obedience class

Bring your friend and share the story about SPIRIT

Hurricane Mathew canceled TR today

Good morning!
another rainy Saturday :(
Up to 90% chance for rain between 8-12
Even indoor is available, it is open for public riding and it is not safe to do therapeutic riding at that condition. 
I am so sorry.
SPIRIT is still open for EAL students lessons today, and volunteer work

Way to support SPIRIT!

Save November 19^th for SPIRIT's second annual Silent Auction and Social fundraising event -

STAMPEDE FOR SPIRIT

Warm social and fundraising event to celebrate and support SPIRIT for friends, families, volunteers.
You can purchase your tickets
*on line using Paypal at our website,
*during the program activities Mon-Thur 5-8 PM, Sat 9-12,
* or order them at spiritoep@gmail.com and they will wait for you at the entrance door

Bring a friend, share the SPIRIT Story, get a chance to win Raffle, Door prize, or one of great bidding items at Silent Auction

More to come....
Stampede for SPIRIT starting tonight :)

Ride4SPIRIT 2016 and one 3 years ago

Calling all SPIRIT Bakers!

Just a reminder, our Ride for SPIRIT presentation will be here next Saturday, 9/10, and we need YOU to help us make the day even sweeter by donating your creations to our bake sale at the event! Not a baker but still want to help? Please contact Patty at hhsullivan@cox.net for more information about donating goodies and where to drop off your baked goods and how to package and label them!

Volunteers needed for Fall Class starting September 19th

Happy Labor Day weekend!

Dear friends of SPIRIT, riders, families volunteers
I am writing this to invite you or to confirm your presence at our event

Saturday, Sept 10th at Frying Pan Farm Park 10 AM- 1 PM
(staff, assistants, riders and EAL students in program will come an hour or so earlier and leave later)

As you know, it is traditional presentation and celebration of our children and their achievement, as an important fundraising opportunity.

There are a lot of open positions and we can use your help and support if you can come. Please RVSP with confirmation if you can and want to help. Thank you!

If you confirm your presence and will to help, I will send you roster with your position :)
If you are already engaged through Fundraising Committee, please let me know.

Thank you so much, and looking forward to hearing back from you.

Best wishes,
Dada

Rain :(

Wild rain here. MLBC visit canceled for today. See you tomorrow.

Easy, fun and helpful - share your story with SPIRIT!

Dear Friend,

If you love our work then tell the world! You have an opportunity to help us make even more of a difference in our community. GreatNonprofits-a review site like TripAdvisor-is honoring highly reviewed nonprofits with their 2016 Top-Rated Awards. Won't you help us raise visibility for our work by posting a review of your experience with us? All reviews will be visible to potential donors and volunteers. It’s easy and only takes 3 minutes!

Go to http://greatnonprofits.org/org/spirit-open-equestrian-program to get started!

Back to old schedule :)

Reminder!
Tomorrow we are gathering back at 5 PM and stay until 8
Saturday schedule is 9-12 again.

RIDE FOR SPIRIT - moved from 9/3 to 9/10!

Important - we had to change the date of Ride for SPIRIT event in order to be safe and have an indoor ring, so Ride for SPIRIT is going to be at

Saturday, September 10th, 10-1 PM, Frying Pan Farm Park Indoor ring
I apologize for any inconvenience and looking forward to seeing you then to celebrate all achievements of our students with their horses.

Important

Volunteers - Important news - no Camp next week. Thank you all who wanted to come and help. You can still come every day until the end of this week and be part of Spirit Team teaching about horses and basic horsemanship, together with riding :)

Camp Spirit with Frying Pan Farm Park 2016

Ride for Spirit Registration Form

Students at Therapeutic Riding Program, Beginners EAL and EAL individual
Register for the Ride for Spirit using THIS LINK before August 25th
Thank you!

RIDE FOR SPIRIT

PUBLIC PRESENTATION OF EQUINE ASSISTED ACTIVITIES IN THERAPY AND EDUCATION, HORSEMANSHIP WORKSHOP

FOR CHILDREN UNDER 10 YEARS OLD (LEARNING BASIC ABOUT HORSES AND RIDING EXPERIENCE) CELEBRATION OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND ABILITIES OF OUR STUDENTS AND HORSES FUNDRAISING EVENT
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3RD 10 AM
FRYING PAN FARM PARK
INDOOR RING

THANK YOU to those who support our  work

SCi and Singhal Family, Washington Forrest Foundation, Alice Shaver Foundation, First Nonprofit Foundation, The LEEP’s Foundation, Huey and Patty Sullivan, Laura Welsh, and many others…

Lauren Wong is new Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor!

Congratulation to Lauren and celebration for SPIRIT!


See short video of the first lesson with new status HERE

Talking with delegate Ken Plum.

Thankful for opportunity to present SPIRIT
This will be on the air

SPIRIT is Accepting Donations for our 2nd Annual Silent Auction and Social...Coming this November!

Save November 19^th for SPIRIT's second annual Silent Auction and Social fundraising event! 

SPIRIT is currently accepting donations of items, services, and experiences for inclusion in our silent auction!  Do you or somebody you know have an interesting, unique or desirable item or provide an entertaining, special, or exciting service or experience that you or they are willing to donate?  If so, contact SPIRIT at spiritoep@gmail.com.  All donations are tax deductible.  Thank you for supporting SPIRIT and our riders and horses through your generous donations and we hope to see you at the Auction!