10th Annual Riding Celebration
held September 22, 2012
A fund raiser for the Freedom Farm therapy horses
The Riding Celebration at Freedom Farm was a huge success as 29 of our 60 riders
rode, while 350 guests watched. We are blessed with 11 horses that were all at their best.
Many of our volunteers were here to make sure the riders were safe and had fun! Thank you: Sandee, Brian, PJ, Ashley S, Darlene, Nikki, Kurt, Sarah, Jim, Janith, Meg, Alissa, Patti, Debi, Wendy, Kristen, Maureen, Maren, Dawn A, Tom, Nancy, Crissy, Lucy, Vicki, Susan, Kari, Dawn S, Kallee, Amanda, Lori, Cheryl, Judy, Amy, Theresa, Kim, Troy, MaryAnn & Rory.
A very special thank you to Steve and Diane Neddermeyer for their famous pork chops,and to Paul Schroeder for helping cook up all those wonderful pork chops, Pat Burns & Steve Boylan for the carriage rides, Corrie and Charissa for sharing 2 of their llamas, Lisa & Jason Smith for bunnies, Cindy Schneider for bringing 2 wooly sheep, Emily Conrad for sharing her love for the kids and amazing face painting talents, Ernie Eden for getting everyone parked, Sunny and Gabe Crowder for serving our lunch.
We all gathered in the arena for the awards presentation. Susie acknowledged the women veterans who participate in Freedom Farm’s ‘Healing With Horses’ program and her mom, Audrey, who assists with the program, with a medal. We are honored to be giving back to our veterans.
All of our 10 year riders and Justin, who has been riding for 11 years, were present (Sean was here, just outside!) Abby, Alaina, Dylan, Jackson, Joshua, Sean & Terrance.A special moment for each rider as they proudly came up to receive their trophy. You could feel God’s blessing on this day.
Thank you all who have sent donations to support our 11 therapy horses. If you designated a specific horse, your name will be listed in the arena along with a picture of your horse. For those who gave to the general horse care funding goal, your donation is counted and will be filling up the horse shoe. You will be able to track our efforts as we strive to reach the goal of $38,500.
We celebrated the achievements of our Riders and honored the Freedom Farm therapy horses. Our horses are what makes this unique therapy possible. The way the movement of the horse impacts human posture cannot be reproduced in any exercise or piece of equipment. The relationship that develops between Rider and Horse, is a bond that changes lives.
Our horses give so much to each of our 60 Riders. In appreciation of their dedication, we give them the best care possible, which costs $3,500 each year per horse.
Please help us reach the needed goal of $38,500.
So far, we have raised $33,381.50
Thank You!