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Girl Power + Horse Power = Empower  

From the Director

 

The month of May was uuber busy for all of us at The Pony Express. In this issue we'll share a day in the life of a real live Buck Brannaman clinic. Also, what The Pony Express has on tap for summer time horse and pony fun. On a more serious note, The Pony Express had the opportunity to spend a day with a long time horse lover on one of her last days. Don't miss a tribute to Rosemary. Also, I hear on daily basis what the kids are saying about our program, but what are the parents saying? If you want to know, read on. This month's spot light is on Cheyenne and Balou and the amazing team of two that works as one. A big horse hug to Jacque Lagomarsino. She's been a part of our team for nine years and just graduated from SRHS! We're all very proud of you Jacque :) Lastly, please visit us on our website at www.theponyexpressrocks.org and while you're there (please) like us on Facebook. Thank you!

Two Pony Girls Meet (their favorite) Cowboy... 

 

A Day in the Life of a Buck Brannaman Clinic

 

 

 

The month started off on a good hoof as Jamie and I had the opportunity to attend a Buck Brannaman clinic in Stony Ford, California on May 3. For those of you who don't know the mane man behind the horse whisper please let me introduce you. Buck Brannaman began his career some thirty years ago determined to help people with their horse problems. He quickly learned that there was a greater need to help horses with their people problems. Mentored by Ray Hunt, himself a legendary trainer, Buck Brannman's philosophy not only helps people with the training of their horses; it is a blueprint for overcoming obstacles in all areas of our lives. 

In 2011, Brannaman was the subject of a highly successful documentary film, aptly named "Buck." For 10 months each year he travels inside and outside the U.S. holding 4 day clinics. On this auspicious occasion Buck was in his element playing real life cowboy on a real live working cattle ranch. Jamie and I (and our GPS), traveled three hours to get to the Stony Ford Ranch located in Arbuckle, California ninety miles North West of Sacramento. The ranch is home to a breeding herd of paints and quarter horses, over 1,000 head of cattle including real live buffalo, and that weekend, Buck Brannaman.   

In auditing (spectating), a Buck Brannaman clinic Jamie and I found Buck to be extremely thorough, taking the time to break down his equine info/meal into bite sized pieces to ensure that all (at least 25) riders at all levels of riding could ingest and digest the contents of the clinic. 

I have to say what I like (best) about Buck (aside from everything), is that he is all about the basics when it comes to horses and horsemanship. He clearly communicates the essence of understanding the horse in and out of the herd and your relationship with your horse in and out of your herd of two. Buck teaches you how to use clear, consistent communication through the use of your communication aides i.e. seat, legs, voice and hands (in that order). According to Buck, less is always more when it comes to teaching and training both horses and riders.

 

Most all of Buck's clinics are 3-4 days in length and have classes that range from horsemanship to colt starting and working a green (untrained) horse to teaching both you and your horse to work (real) cattle on a real working cattle ranch. As (our) luck would have it Stony Ford Ranch was a real working cattle ranch with real cattle (Angus), real buffalo and real herds of horses that roamed the 30,000 plus acres they called home. I would definitely encourage any and all to participate in this especially special equine experience. One does not have to have a horse to do this as spectators are welcome to spectate for a mere $30.00 a day. Lunch was BBQ buffalo burgers (good and good for you) that came with an unlimited supply of home grown Stony Ford hospitality. All in all it was a great clinic with great horses, great (horse) people and the greatest horse person of (my) all, Buck Brannaman.  

  
  

 http://www.brannaman.com

 

 

Don't Miss out, Do Tune In...

Thursday June 6 at 5:30 pm on The Drive with Steve Jaxon on KSRO 1350 am...

 

 

You're never too old to have a horse in your heart, and your home!

 

 A Tribute to Rosemary
 

On May 14 we had the opportunity to bring two of our horses to Spring Lake Village Senior Facility to meet 88 year old Rosemary Draper. Through the course of Rosemary's life horses had always had a passion, a purpose, and a firm place in her life. It was Rosemary's wish to spend time, one last time with her much loved equines. We are especially grateful (thank you Tricia Henry), to have had the opportunity to fulfill that request bringing Lucy and Sweetie to visit Rosemary and many of her equally equine enthusiastic friends. Rosemary and friends were able to spend a lovely Tuesday afternoon feeding carrots and apples to Lucy and Sweetie and sharing their own (and many) glory horse days now past. Sadly Rosemary passed the following Tuesday, May 21 but we are eternally grateful to have had the opportunity to meet her and share in her last wishes of horse wishes. May you rest in peace Rosemary.

 

 

 

Meet Cheyenne & Balou

 

Hey there, my name is Cheyenne Vichi and I am sixteen years old. I have been participating in The Pony Express Equine Assisted Skills for Youth Program and taking horseback riding lessons with Linda for over 3 years. I am currently riding a bay off the track thoroughbred named Balou. We rescued Balou with the help of the Sonoma County Change Program and his life and lifestyle has dramatically changed since then. Riding Balou is quite a challenge but that does not stop me from getting on his back every time. As our bond grows, we are able to communicate better and work together both on the ground and in the arena. The bond between a human and a horse is truly the greatest bond you can have. I love Balou and I am so grateful to be in this program.

 

   
Contact Us
Linda Aldrich, Director
The Pony Express
Equine Assisted Skills for Youth
707-538-9323

 

Like us on Facebook

Linda & MIlo 
We Need Your Support!
  Please visit our website

www.theponyexpressrocks.org

 

Your donations are

 tax deductable

Tax ID # 80-0370392 

 

Thank you!

 

Congrats Jacquelyn!
 
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions








 

What is The Pony Express Equine Assisted Skills for Youth?

 

We are an equine rescue that provides a life skill/leadership program for youth ages 12-18 years of age utilizing (rescued) horses as guide and teacher (Animal Assisted Therapy). For more about our program and how you can participate please visit our website at www.theponyexpressrocks.org.

 

 

Where does your funding come from?

 

All of the monies generated from our Howarth Park pony rides and programs go into our program. However, as that makes up only about  half of our annual budget we still look to our community for support through grants, donations, and our fund raising efforts. Please visit our website and find out how you can make a tax-deductible donation to help support the kids and horses in our program.

 

I can't afford to donate, is there any other way I can help out?

 

Yes, we currently have 14 rescued horses and ponies in our program and two facilities that we work out of. There are many ways that you volunteer your time at Howarth Park and/or our ranch. Visit our website or The Pony Express Facebook page to find out more information.

 

What do the parents say about this program?

 

When my daughter started having symptoms of anxiety I didn't know where to turn. Most parents start by contacting a therapist and in conjunction a child psychiatrist who offers the medication path. I don't know what parents do when they don't have insurance or other resources. Your program many not help everyone, but it certainly is a GREAT alternative to the path most parents are placed on (drugs and talk therapy). 

 

I only found out about your program by pure luck (I like to think a guardian angel actually). I know in this fast paced world, with tremendous pressure heaped upon children, there are other kids just like my daughter out there who are suffering in silence. 

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Buck Brannaman Clinic

 

Buck Brannaman Clinic

  
Howarth Park Summer Schedule 









 

Summer time means go time for all of us at The Pony Express. We have many exciting upcoming events that we hope to share with you. Our summer schedule at Howarth Park starts on June 8th providing pony rides every day but Friday from 11:00-5:00. We also have three weeks of pony camp that provides a four day equine adventure from 9:00-12:00 for any and all equine enthusiast's ages 6-12 years of age. For those interested in participating in our horse camps for all horse (and pony) lovers please visit our website for additional information about prices and registration.
theponyexpressrocks.org or santarosarec.com.
 

Also, thanks to the generosity of David Codding, Melissa Williams, Eagle Distributing and Rodney Strong Wines we will again be participating in the Montgomery Village Summer Concert series. Our concert dates are as follows: 


June 16
th & 23rd

July 14th & 21st
August 4th,11th
& 25th

 

 The concerts are free from 1:00-4:00 pm (Aug. 25th time is 11:00-3:00 and includes a car show).

 Please come and support our kids and horses!

Special Thanks To: 

 

Sonoma County Trailblazers

Community Fund of Community Foundation Sonoma County for their generous grant in support of our program!

 

Craig at Garton Tractor

Thank you!

 

 

This month's newsletter is dedicated to Rosemary Draper. May you rest in peace and know that a piece of your past will carry on in all of us.

 

 

We hope you enjoyed our Pony Express Newsletter. Please feel free to get on board to help us pay our board, and in doing ensure that both our kids and our horses continue trotting down the road to a future, with a future!


The Pony Express
 Equine Assisted Skills For Youth

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