Green grass, buzzing bees, surprise showers, spurts of sunshine…what’s not to love about Spring?! Just as the season is known for growth and transformation, there have been many exciting changes around the barn including maintenance upgrades, new faces, and opportunities. What stays the same is the warm sense of community that permeates the barn and beyond. From all of us at Southern Delaware Therapeutic Riding, we thank you for a wonderful Spring session and wish you all a good one! With the recent heat waves, it’s easy to see summer is on its way.
Updates from Facilities & Maintenance Team
Thank you to all who provided helping hands for farm improvements this season, including WSFS, CAMP Rehoboth, NRG work days, and Catholic charity work week. Soon we hope to begin work on the fire protection system.
Charity Golfing Tournament
We are pleased to announce that this year SDTR was selected to be the beneficiary of Tidewater Utilities’ 12th Annual Charity Golfing Outing. Proceeds from the event will go towards our program so we can continue our mission to improve lives one stride at a time. The event will be held Monday, August 12 at Heritage Shores Golf Course, in Bridgeville, DE. To learn about sponsorship opportunities and/or to participate, contact Joe Cuccinello at 302-747-1308.
New Instructor
Lauren Alegret recently completed her certification to become a PATH certified instructor, becoming the 5th member of the instructor team. Since 2015, Lauren has volunteered for SDTR in several capacities including side walking and leading in lessons, providing horse care, managing the monthly horse care calendar and writing our newsletter. She is thrilled to begin this next chapter with her SDTR family!
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Let's Introduce Some New Friends
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Lydia
This lovely 22-year-old former Hunter Jumper Oldenburg mare has been with us since November 2018. She is a very gentle, kind, talented and beautiful girl. Since Lydia is very well-trained, she is a very good teacher for our riders who are learning how to be independent and for those who are learning a specific skill. She is also one of our tallest and biggest horses on the farm so she is able to carry taller riders and is able to carry more weight upon her back.
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Annie
Annie is a little chestnut mare in her mid-teens who has been a part of SDTR since January 2019. We think she is a Quarter Horse crossed with something else. Annie is still learning her new job at SDTR, but she is very soft-hearted, outgoing and super adorable. She a perfect size for many of our smaller riders and shorter volunteers. She has a very slow, smooth trot which helps our riders who are learning to post.
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Leo
This handsome fellow is a 22-year-old former Hunter Jumper Thoroughbred gelding who joined the herd in March 2019. Leo is very sweet, patient, sociable and easygoing. He has narrow build and a smooth gait which is great for our riders who require a narrower base and also those who have trouble with balance and core strength. Leo is a great teacher for beginner riders who are just starting to learn the ropes and independent riders who are learning more experienced skills.
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Buddy
Buddy is our Equicizer and newest member to our team! This wonderful piece of equipment is super helpful to let our riders warm up, stretch, and alleviate tightness before mounting. It is also a great way to introduce riders to the motion of a horse before actually getting on the real thing. You can see some of our riders (and instructors and volunteers!) catching a ride on Buddy in the spare time before or between lessons—he’s hard not to love!
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Looking for ways to help?
You can
sponsor one of the horses from our herd. Visit our
Resources Page
to
download the form.
Your sponsorship can be made in honor of a loved one, or as a birthday, Christmas or other holiday gift.
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Consider becoming a PATH member
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There are many benefits to becoming one! A PATH membership is $65 per year and with it, you can:
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Access the
PATH Intl. Standards for Certification and Accreditation
–available for free download or discounted copy annual addition.
·
Gain local and regional
networking opportunities
through the PATH Intl. network of region and state organizations.
·
Attend the
International Conference
and Annual Meeting for premier education, networking, and continuing education.
·
Network with local people in the industry and access educational opportunities at
10 regional conferences
.
·
Get useful articles from
Strides
, the association’s
quarterly magazine
.
·
Receive the twice-monthly
electronic newsletter
PATH Intl.
eNews
to get all the latest updates in the association and industry.
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We have some great new items in and available for purchase at the barn. Reach out to
Jenn Swingle
with any questions.
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Featured Riders: Rhys & Rhianna
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These stellar siblings are making strides!
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Their mom
Barbara reflects on how SDTR has impacted these young riders:
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When we moved to Sussex County, we were eager to find recreational opportunities for our two children, age 14 and 12. Rhianna loves animals and had ridden horses before, so from our first visit to SDTR, where a lovely volunteer showed us around, we knew it would be a great fit for her. Rhianna has also enjoyed the social benefits of weekly lessons and has formed great friendships with several other riders.
Rhys was the one who surprised us as he has always shown an aversion to animals. Kelly and the team of volunteers worked so well with Rhys, supporting and encouraging him, that he now enthusiastically attends weekly sessions. It has been truly transformative—every Saturday we have the joy of watching Rhys beam from ear to ear while riding confidently on his horse. He’s gaining social skills and confidence while also building his physical strength. We are so grateful for the dedicated staff and volunteers at the SDTR who have made such a difference in the lives of Rhianna and Rhys.
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Welcome, 2019 Volunteers!
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Cindee Buthaupt
Kathleen Byers
Randall Byers
Lori Chaikin
Mary Drennan
Donna Dunlap
Bill Durkin
Gail Knighton
Karen Maichle
Katherine Matthews
Melissa May
Mary Moubray
Riley Murray
Joanna Parrot
Christine Sutherland
Jack Young
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Featured Volunteer: Roger Springer
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Roger started his journey with SDTR as a supportive spouse, and not long after became an enthusiastic volunteer. Roger helps sidewalk during lessons with our riders and is a dedicated member of the horse care crew, feeding, cleaning, and providing for our herd. He has a special place in his heart for Molly--so much so, he named his Mustang after her (pictured here)! Here are some words from this thoughtful volunteer:
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As a teen, I worked stable chores for spending money and in exchange for free riding, loving every second being with and around the horses. My wife and I both love horses, and while never having owned one, enjoyed trail riding during our vacations or where we could find a farm that leased their horses out for the day.
I started coming to SDTR back in 2015 to support her when she started the therapeutic riding program. She says her riding really makes a difference. It didn't take too long before I started volunteering. It warms the heart to see how well the riders do during their lesson, and the smiles on their faces once a task is achieved. I have the pleasure of working around so many great folks who volunteer to help keep the program alive. We have lots of fun doing what we do.
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Featured Volunteer: Sonya Davis
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We all have different reasons why we started volunteering at SDTR. For Sonya, like a lot of us, it started with the horses. Now, Sonya volunteers in many other capacities, including marketing and fundraising. Here is a reflection from this super-star volunteer:
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Truthfully, I just wanted to be around the horses. I love horses, but had limited experience. Real limited!!! A year and a half later, the feelings I have for SDTR have evolved way beyond the horses. When you interact with the participants who teach us as much—or more—as we teach them, the instructors who are dedicated and patient, and the other volunteers who continually step up to the plate no matter what, you realize how truly special it is to be a part of this family. When I meet new volunteers, I share with them what I know now, which is an immense sense of accomplishment.
We are a team. We are all in it together. We laugh, we cry, we get dirty. We work hard, we have moments of pure joy and, yes, even some frustrating moments as we grow and learn. We celebrate successes and pick each other up when things don't go quite as planned. And, sometimes, things do not go as planned. We make do. We are cold in the winter, hot in the summer and we hate flies. We plow through even beyond our limits. So, in essence, SDTR is also my therapy. In fact, I hear that quite a bit from everyone who steps foot into the barn. That is what I love about SDTR: we’re all taking it one stride at a time.
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3,472 hours have been logged since January 2019. Keep it coming!
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Horse Care: 1021
Lesson Volunteer: 997
Administrative: 406
Instructor: 280
Maintenance/Construction: 268
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Please remember to log your hours on Track It Forward--it helps us greatly!
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Dust off those Blue Suede Shoes
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Join Bob Lougheed and the Memphis Mafia for a show and buffet dinner to benefit SDTR!
Saturday, June 29
$35 with Cash Bar | Door Prizes | 50/50 Raffle| Silent Auction
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Save the Date for the Annual Barn Dance
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Saturday, October 19
BBQ | Live Music | Bourbon Tasting | Cash Bar | 50/50 Raffle | Dancing & Fun!
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Contact Us
Southern Delaware Therapeutic Riding
P.O. Box 219 Nassau, DE 19969
(302) 644-1920
https://www.sdtrhr.com/
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