Greetings Friends:
As spring descends on the farm, programs and activities are revving up. This weekend we hosted our first Veterans’ Open House which was attended by over 150 veterans, families, friends, and supporters. 7 veteran-service organizations and one veteran-owned business set up booths in the indoor arena and spent the afternoon exchanging information, resources, and connections. By all accounts this event was a great success. Please join me in expressing my heartfelt thanks to Christie McKitrick who coordinated the event and the strong team that worked alongside her to make it happen. Thank you all for everything that you have done, are doing and will do in the future on behalf of LTR! It takes many hands to accomplish the many miracles that happen here, and we are truly grateful for every one of them and could not do it without your support.
In April we are looking forward to our annual volunteer appreciation event on April 24, and our inaugural Putt for Ponies Charity Golf Tournament on the Norman Course at Lansdowne Resort on April 25. More specific information on both events can be found by visiting our website at www.ltrf.org. Hoping to meet many of you in person at these events.
Following these two exciting events is our Boots & Bridles Barn Dance at the farm on May 21st. The Barn Dance (formerly known as the Preakness Party) is our signature annual fundraiser and is responsible for generating one third of our annual operating expenses in one night. Plus, it’s a lot of fun! This will be my first barn dance ever and our first major fundraiser at our new location and I am very excited to attend. Please read below for more information on ticket sales and sponsorship opportunities.
Our third focus area is strategic and operational planning. We have now completed the organizational assessment, change management training, and operational planning. Or next step will be to complete a strategic planning session with the board of directors on Saturday, April 2nd followed by a staff appreciation reception.
In other news, we are looking to hire a ¾ time Office Manager at $18 per hour with full benefits. If you are interested or know someone who may be a good fit, please send resumes directly to me at pshane@ltrf.org.
Yours In Service,
|
|
Paul D. Shane
Executive Director
|
|
We are excited to announce that volunteer extraordinaire Allan Leach will be serving LTR as Volunteer Farm Maintenance Coordinator. Allan brings his handyman skills and incredibly giving spirit to the barn every day, rain or shine. The horses and staff at LTR are very fortunate to have volunteers like Allan helping with our mission. Next time you see Allan cleaning out a drain or fixing a fence board, make sure you give him a big Thank You! |
|
The 2022 Spring Session began on March 14 and will continue until June 4, with 89 students registered.
LTR recently welcomed students from Tuscarora High School as part their Functional Skills Class. The Functional Skills Class is a program provided by LCPS to provide opportunities for students to develop academic, social, and transferable work skills and competencies. The goal is for students to gain real-life experiences essential for gaining successful employment in the future. By coming to the farm, students interact with LTR staff, volunteers, and horses, building social skills and completing assigned tasks to acquire job skills training that will transfer across environments. We are grateful for their help in the barn and honored to provide them opportunities for growth and learning!
Video Fun! The students have been playing games in their lessons to brighten the chilly late-winter days. Enjoy this video from a lesson with a fun St. Patrick’s Day theme, where the student is playing a game designed by our very creative instructor Claudia:
|
|
Boots & Bridles Barn Dance |
|
Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 21! |
|
Join us for an evening of square dancing, a delicious dinner catered by Magnolia’s at the Mill, and fundraising for Loudoun Therapeutic Riding at our new home in Lovettsville.
Visit the horses in the barn, enjoy a signature cocktail, bid on exciting local live and silent auction items, and bring your fanciest footwear for the "Best Boots" contest!
You don't want to miss the first ever signature fundraising event at Loudoun Therapeutic Riding's new forever home. Sponsorships are available!
|
|
Don't forget to check out our Grazing For Good (GFG) Program. GFG is a community partnership with restaurants across Loudoun County to support LTR. Our vision is to create a network of restaurant partners across the county so that anywhere you are, at any time - morning, noon, or night - you can dine at a location that donates a minimum of 10% of the GFG plate special to us. Order the GFG special off the menu and enjoy, knowing that you are supporting a great cause.
DC Prime Steaks and Seafood is our pilot program partner! Every Monday night DC Prime will feature a Grazing For Good special and donate 10% of the proceeds from the special to LTR.
DC Prime is located at 20120 Lakeview Center, Ashburn, VA 20147
Please contact Paul Shane, Executive Director at pshane@ltrf.org if you know any restaurant owners who would be willing to sign up for the Grazing For Good Program.
|
|
Lost Barrel Sunday FUNDay - Sunday, April 3. LTR will be at Lost Barrel Brewing in Middleburg on Sunday!
10% of all beer purchases will go directly to Loudoun Therapeutic Riding. For more information, contact Christie at cmckitrick@ltrf.org
|
|
Shop our Angel Wish List ("The Big Five")
1. Mortgage Payout: 1.2 million dollars. Farm naming rights available
2. Roof replacement for barn and indoor arena: $300,000. Barn naming rights available.
3. A portable building (to use as an education center).
4. Sea Container storage units (1-4)
5. Donated truck: capable of towing a bumper-pull horse trailer to transport horses for community outreach and emergencies. Contact Executive Director Paul Shane (pshane@ltrf.org) to donate.
|
|
Support the Herd
We are seeking special horses to join our therapy herd!
Therapy horses are quiet, friendly, tolerant, and suitable for beginners of all ages:
- Between 10 and 18 years old
- Open to free lease, donation, or purchase – donations are tax-deductible
- Trial period preferable
- Must walk, trot, and canter sound
- Some maintenance is fine!
We are also looking for driving horses:
- Very road-safe, quiet horse with 5+ years of driving experience
- Riding capability a plus!
|
|
You raised $7,035.60 for LTR during Give Choose this year!
The giving portal is still open - it's not too late for you to join in the fun!
|
|
Remember, you can support a local business AND LTR by visiting Another Turn Tack in Purcellville - check out Gnomeo's Wish List.
|
|
Or you can purchase items from the Amazon Wish List (through Amazon Smile benefiting LTR!) and have it shipped DIRECTLY to us! |
|
|
|
Do you have an old car, truck, RV, or boat that needs to move on to greener pastures?
Donate to CAReasy.org and choose Loudoun Therapeutic Riding as the nonprofit beneficiary!
|
|
Thank you to our sponsors: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
