Hope: Horsemanship Opportunities for Potential Equestrians

PEANUT AKA: PB & J Breed: Shetland Pony Born: August 3, 1992 Color: Tri Colored Pinto with a star, strip, and snip Donated: June 20, 2003 Donated By: Pat Webb of Langley Washington I am 10 hands, or 40 inches tall. I have a few different jobs here at HOPE. One of my favorite jobs is to keep the volunteers on their toes. That means, I like to make sure they are paying attention. I do get ridden by small children who work on the lead line. I never get ridden without a leader, so I have lots of opportunities to test the volunteers' skills and see if they are paying attention. My favorite job, though, is driving. I like to pull the cart. I started driving in 2005 and I will be able to teach students how to drive. Every horse that drives has to have 2 years of experience before they can be used in lessons. I currently compete in driving competitions as part of my training and I also attend driving clinics. I can't wait to start teaching.
BANDIT Registered Name: Jesse's Bayou Bandit Breed: Rocky Mountain Horse Born: June 5, 1995 Color: Chestnut with Flaxen Mane & Tail Donated: August 30, 2004 Donated By: Kim Blain of Greenbank WA Me, I am special. Why do you ask? I am special because I am a gaited horse. What is a gaited horse? Well, I don't travel like the rest of the horses around here. When they trot, I gait. They move their legs diagonally and I move both legs on the same side of my body at the same time! That's what makes me gaited. I am a Rocky Mountain Horse and my name is Bandit. I stand about 14.2 hands, and am a chestnut gelding. I came to HOPE in 2004. I am a favorite among riders and volunteers. I am especially good for those who need a little extra balance. I also have a fun life outside of HOPE. I need to keep working or I just get too frisky about things, so my sponsor, Marta, takes me on trails to lessons and to shows. I have a great time.
IKE Registered Name: KB Ibn Kuwaza Breed: Arabian Born: May 3, 1992 Color: Bay with a star, strip, snip and one white sock Donated: October 26, 2005 Donated By: Leanne Hill of Clinton Washington I am proud to be an Arabian. I love to scratch my face on your body. It feels so gooood to me. Don't let me do it though, because it is not polite. I love being brushed and showered with praises. Families love to gaze at my grace and beauty as I work in the arena. Please tell me all of the time how beautiful I am. I am 14.3 hands, and a Bay gelding. I became a member of HOPE last fall. It was not the first time that I ever gave my time to the program. Before I was donated, I had the pleasure of being ridden by several of the riders. I am a wonderful lesson horse. I pick my feet up well for you and stand quietly most of the time. I like to move and let my energy and gracefulness flow. I am the perfect horse to learn how to post the trot too. I have a bouncy stride, which makes it easy for riders to learn how to post. My slender build is also important for those who need a narrower horse. With my gentle nature and dressage training, I can confidently teach riders all of the basic horsemanship skills and have fun. I will be working with HOPE for many years to come.
MAX Registered Name: Tivio's Smoken Magic Breed: Quarter Horse Born: June 5, 1998 Color: Dun with partial white on left hind coronet Donated: September 2, 2005 Donated By: Layne Bezzo of Mt Vernon Washington I stand about 15 hands and they say I am a little over weight, but I just like to think of myself as filled out! I am currently learning to work at HOPE. Since I have only had one other owner, I get confused and a little worried when lots of people give me mixed signals. It can be hard to understand when people are talking to me with so many different aids (using their seat, hands, voice, and legs differently), but I am learning. I am also learning to drive the cart. I will be a driving horse for the program in a couple of years. I really like to be brushed and groomed and pampered. Soon I will be the best HOPE horse around!
GINGER Registered Name: G & L Ginger Star Breed: Pony of the Americas Born: May 1, 1983 Color: Chestnut with a full blanket, star, snip, and three white socks Started working for HOPE: March 2004 Owned By: Cara Mathews of Clinton Washington Can you just let me sleep! Ok, so I am not really sleeping, I just like to close my eyes and relax. Don't even think that I am lazy. I am far from it!!! I do more work that most anyone in this business. Why do I say that? My owner, Cara Mathews does everything with me. I show English, Western, do Jumping, go Trail Riding, and I Game also. I do it all! Well, I don't do driving; I leave that to Sugar and Peanut. Now I know that you could not tell by looking at my girlish figure, but I will be 24 years old this year. Yes, I do look good, don't I! I am a 13.3 hand, chestnut mare, POA, (that would be Pony of the Americas). I have a spotted blanket, just like an appaloosa. I was made for children. I love working with them and teaching them new things. I like to teach them how to take control. I just need to be told what to do and I will do it. I have been in this business a long time, so take advantage of learning from me. We always have a great time!!!
SUGAR AKA: Sugar Berry Breed: Miniture - B Born: March 2, 1998 Color: Palamino Started Training for HOPE: March 2005 Owned By: Cara Mathews of Clinton Washington I am a palomino, mare, miniature horse. That's right, I am a mini. I am only 34" tall, so that make me a B mini. If I was under 34", I would be considered an A mini. My job at HOPE is really rather simple. I get to hang out, eat hay, and get brushed. I am in training for when my real work will begin. I am a mini harness, noo, wait, I mean harness mini. I pull a cart. This is my second year of pulling carts. My owner Cara Mathews, shows me in 4-H. In 2008, I am hoping that I can begin my real work at HOPE, which is teaching students how to drive a cart. I do get ridden a little, but they say that I am too short for the volunteers. Little do they know!!! I am not too short, they are just too tall! I can't wait to use my skills and talents to teach others.
CHEY'N Registered Name: Chey'n Kalilah Hope Breed: Quarter Horse/Arabian Cross Color: Buckskin Started Working for HOPE: March 2006 Owned By: Lilian Poulsen of Oak Harbor Washington I am fulfilling a dream! You see, I am named after HOPE. My owner, Lilian, had always had the dream that one day I would be a HOPE horse. Lilian began riding in HOPE in 1997. She and her children rode in the program together. It was because of HOPE that Lilian was willing to take a chance on me. She had always loved horses, but was not confident in owning one. With the skills she learned as a student, she soon became a volunteer and then had the confidence to become my owner. I was only two years old when we came together. Lilian trained me with slow patient skill that my young mind could understand. She always said that one day I would be a HOPE horse. It has taken a while for me to become involved because I live 40 miles away from HOPE's base location. Now that they have lessons in Oak Harbor, and at the place where I live, I am involved. I love working with the riders and volunteers. I am treated so special. I look forward to providing many years of service to HOPE!
ANNEKKE AKA: Annekke Breed: Fjord Cross Born: June 14, 1995 Color: Buckskin Donated: October 1, 2006 Donated By: Anayomus Donor I am new to the world of therapeutic riding. In the past, my brother Andy. and I worked as a team together to pull logs. I also drive. I am 12.2 hands, so I am a little bigger than Andy. We will also learn how to drive as a pair. My new job will be to teach younger riders how to groom, tack, ride and drive. I can't wait to get started. I will begin in the spring of 2007. I plan to be here for many years to come.
KASCHE AKA: Kasche Breed: Appaloosa Born: May 26, 1988 Color: Red Roan with Spots and a white blaze Started Working for HOPE: June 2006 Owned By: Kailei Roberts of Clinton Washington Kasche is my name, gaming is my fame! I am an 14.2 hand Appaloosa gelding. I am a red roan with a white blanket. When I was young, I probably had more red on my body, but as I get older, I get whiter. Yes, I am a gaming horse who comes to volunteer at HOPE when I am needed. My owner, Kailei Roberts, allows me to volunteer. I am awesome with the riders and volunteers. I will ground tie for you as I am groomed. I love to be brushed and petted. I am good with my feet and with saddling. You can do just about anything with me. I don't mind if people toss balls to my riders and they toss them back. I will even try to play soccer with you. I enjoy having fun with my riders and volunteers.
MOCHA AKA: Mocha Iz Dun Breed: Quarter Horse Born: May 26, 1988 Color: Dun Donated: May 30, 2007 Donated By: Bonnie Splett of Mt Lake Terrace Washington Sponsored By: Rob and Heather Anderson of Langley Washington I am just the cats meow….. My sweet disposition and personality make me a favorite of students. I really like to make my riders become more assertive by being a little lazy. I enjoy my job and look forward to it each week. When I see the trailer pull up to my pasture, I run to get in. I have a little girl who sponsors me and I am teaching her how to ride. She would like to take me in 4-H and do some showing. I LOVE working with kids and look forward to spending many years with HOPE.
SAILOR AKA: Sea Cloud Sailor Breed: Morgan Born: February 7, 1988 Color: Chestnut Donated: April 9, 2007 Donated By: Greg and Doreen Lucas of Coupeville Washington Sponsored By: Breanna Gauger of Langley Washington I am the big boy of the program. I have lots to give to each of my riders. I have done dressage, cross country, and thousands of miles of trail riding. Because I have superior lunging skills, I am looking forward to when I get to teach riders how to vault. Vaulting is gymnastics on horseback. For now I am going to teach my riders and volunteers how to control a big boy. I am strong and need riders and volunteers to be assertive with me. My sponsor Breanna gives me treats and spoils me with love and attention, which I just eat up. I look forward to many years of service with HOPE and teaching many riders how to ride, jump, and trust in themselves.