Stable Talk Newsletter... The latest news from NCEFT + We are almost sold out for our Polo Charity Classic! Buy your Tickets Today!

July 2026 Edition

A Note From Nancy Contro
NCEFT's Executive Director

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your continued support and for all the positive feedback on our newsletter. In this edition, we’re highlighting our volunteer program and featuring two long-time volunteers, Carmen DiCinque and Michelle Green, who share their experiences and what inspires their involvement at NCEFT.

NCEFT extends our deepest gratitude to WHOA! (Woodside-area Horse Owners Association) who generously awarded us a grant of $5,000 to support our school programs! The WHOA Foundation, Inc. has been a long-time supporter of NCEFT and we are grateful for this ongoing partnership. To learn more about WHOA, please visit their website at whoa94062.org.

Please don't forget to follow us on social media for photos and videos of our horses and programs, and to keep up with all the happenings around our barn.

Development Update

Almost sold out!

Join us for our Polo Charity Classic on August 29, 2026 for an unforgettable afternoon featuring two thrilling polo matches, silent and live auctions, Fund-A-Need, a catered luncheon, the traditional divot stomp, and special surprises throughout the day!

Auction packages include a week-long stay in Tuscany, Italy; exclusive dining experiences at local favorites such as Sundance The Steakhouse, Yéobo, darling, and Donato Enoteca; Dinner and pairings for ten guests at Cafe Vivant, including a visit to Realm Cellars Estate for an intimate tasting and tour for six guests; 2-night stay (includes one dinner) at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida; private lobster and steak dinner for up to 20 under the oaks at Runnymede Farm; hotel stay and dinner at the Park James Hotel; hotel stay with breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the Clement Hotel; private photography session with Schumacher Photography; premium wines from Saarloos & Sons; tickets to the Golden State Warriors, Bay FC, and Golden State Valkyries; and much more!

Purchase Your Tickets Today!

Upcoming Programs

We are currently accepting applications for a Fall 2026 Healing with the Herd Workshop, a 10-week mental health and resilience group for women living with cancer. Workshops meet on Wednesday mornings. Please check our website for more information and to apply.

We are also offering a Buckaroos Resilience Workshop for elementary school age children beginning in September. This 10-week workshop builds friendship, communication, and teamwork through horse activities, peer connection, and ranch-based skills in a fun, relaxed setting. Participants will take part in grooming, haltering, leading, obstacle courses, nature walks, group discussion, art, and a mounted mindfulness session. No prior horse experience is required. Families may apply online here.

Buckaroos Resilience Workshop Details:

Dates: Mondays, starting September 14, 2026
Time: 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Ages: 7–10 years old
Group size: Limited to 8 participants
Cost: $1,760 for ten 90-minute sessions

Volunteering at NCEFT

Our volunteers are at the backbone of everything we do. Meet Michelle Green and Carmen DiCinque, two long-time volunteers who share their stories, perspectives, and what NCEFT means to them.

Michelle Green

How did you get involved with NCEFT?

I began volunteering in 2019 after looking for a way to contribute. When I realized I needed a role that was less physically demanding, I shifted to caring for the flower planters, which turned out to be a perfect fit.

What does your volunteer work involve?

I come in early on Tuesday and Thursday mornings to water, prune, and maintain the planter boxes around the property. I enjoy working independently and adjusting the gardens as needed based on the season and conditions.

What do you enjoy most about volunteering?

I love the early mornings, the independence, and the creative aspect of it. Gardening has been part of my life for years, so it’s very rewarding to bring that experience to NCEFT.

What has kept you involved for so long?

NCEFT is a welcoming place, and I appreciate how supportive the organization has been. It’s meaningful to contribute to something that not only looks beautiful, but also reflects the positive spirit of the property.

Would you recommend volunteering at NCEFT?

Definitely. The work NCEFT does is inspiring, and the atmosphere is warm, generous, and very special.

One of the many beautiful planter boxes curated by Michelle Green

Carmen DiCinque

How long have you volunteered with NCFT, and what is your role?

I started volunteering in 2019 as a sidewalker, and I’ve loved it ever since.

What led you to NCFT?

I live nearby and passed the property all the time, so I kept thinking I should check it out. When I finally did, it felt like the right fit right away.

Did you have a background that made this work especially meaningful to you?

Yes. I’ve always been comfortable around horses and the special needs community. Early in my career, I worked with individuals with special needs, and I also grew up around a church “special class,” so that world has always felt familiar to me.

What does being a sidewalker involve?

A session includes the client, horse, therapist, horse handler, and sidewalkers. We help keep the client safe and supported, and in many ways we become part of the therapy team. It’s amazing to see how much the horse movement helps clients with balance, regulation, focus, and confidence.

What has kept you coming back?

The clients are incredible, and so are the staff, therapists, and horse handlers. I love seeing progress over time, especially when clients become more relaxed, more engaged, and more connected with the horses.

Have you seen NCFT grow over the years?

Definitely. The organization has expanded thoughtfully, and there is a real sense of camaraderie and appreciation among the staff and volunteers. It feels like a family.

Would you recommend volunteering at NCFT?

Absolutely. It’s meaningful, rewarding work, and you truly feel like part of something special.

Bits and Bridles

In the last edition of our newsletter, we let you know that we have been working closely with a Stanford senior Psychology major, Teddy Suisman, to develop a questionnaire for Mental Health and Resilience clients who had completed at least ten individual therapy sessions. Responses were submitted anonymously and the results are in! Below is a summary of the findings and examples of responses collected.

The 2026 Mental Health and Resilience questionnaire strongly demonstrates that NCEFT’s equine-assisted therapy delivers profound, accelerated outcomes for individuals suffering from severe trauma, anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges.

Quantitatively, the program achieved an extraordinary 100% success rate in patient validation, with every single participant feeling deeply heard and understood by their clinician.

93% of clients reported measurable relief from symptoms of anxiety, depression, or trauma, while 86% explicitly stated that incorporating horses into their therapy allowed them to progress more quickly toward their therapeutic goals.

These results, as well as qualitative responses such as, “NCEFT provided a huge positive in my life and ‘got me off the ledge’” offer validation for the model which combines the power of the horse-human interaction, interventions provided by expert clinicians and a welcoming, beautiful outdoor environment where nature is incorporated into every session.

These findings reinforce the life-changing impact of NCEFT's equine-assisted therapy. We are honored to be part of our clients' healing journeys and encouraged by the positive impact reflected in these results.

Note that this clinical evaluation tool will continue to be used going forward to help assess the impact of services. We also plan to add a child-friendly version of the questionnaire as well as one that can be completed by parents/caregivers.