LATEST NEWS!
07/21/2008
HI FOLKS,
It's that time already! Pass the word and get the paperwork started! If you absolutely canNOT attend one of the following registration dates, please contact the HOPE office, 360-221-7656, BEFORE 5 AUG to make other arrangements. Full student applications (several files) are available on the Programs Page. Attached is the Fall Student Sign up form for your convenience.
NEW FOR THIS FALL!! HOPE plans to begin our DRIVING program (horse-cart) at the Fairgrounds this Fall!!! YEAH!! Contact Denise Boyett , 360-221-7656, if you have any questions regarding Driving.
VAULTING continues into the Fall as well! We've enjoyed great success with our HOPE Vaulting program and look forward to another session of fun! Contact Miriam Burk . 360-840-6775, for more information about Vaulting.
LANGLEY REGISTRATION
HOPE OFFICE, ISLAND COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS
10AM - 6PM, TUESDAY, 5 AUGUST
OAK HARBOR REGISTRATION
RM 137, SKAGIT VALLEY COLLEGE, OAK HARBOR CAMPUS (Next to OH Library)
5-7PM, WEDNESDAY, 6 AUGUST
Miriam Burk
Head Instructor
06/23/2008
HI FOLKS!
Our 2 HOPE riders were TERRIFIC at the Pat Flynn Memorial Horseshow held last weekend at the Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center in Woodinville! The weather was perfect and there were lots of great riders and beautiful horses to watch. Emily Olson not only faced tough competition in the adult classes but had to do it riding a horse, Cowboy, she had never been on before! Cowboy moves a lot differently than our Bandit does, so despite that she did really well and came home with Purple and Yellow ribbons for her Equitation and Obstacle classes. WAY TO GO, EMILY!!!!
We did not realize it until after we arrived that Faith Lamb was riding Little Bit's famous horse, Murphy. This was a great honor because this was to be Murphy's last horseshow, since he officially retired from therapeutic riding last weekend after 19 years of helping countless riders achieve great dreams. And Faith made sure he celebrated with great wins! She took home not only Red and Blue ribbons in her Equitation and Obstacle classes but also repeated last year's performance by taking the Grand Champion High Point award in her Obstacle division. WAY TO GO, FAITH!!!
Needless to say, HOPE riders made a great impression at the show once again ! I'm very proud of Emily and Faith for putting in the extra practice time and effort and working so hard throughout lessons. Of course, kudos go to their families too for being such great supporters! For all the other riders who work so hard too, I can't wait to see you perform at our own HOPE Horseshow during our Open House on Saturday, 26 July!!!! Be sure to get your money raised to help make the show another classy event!!!
See you soon!!!
Miriam Burk
Head Instructor
HOPE Therapeutic Riding Program
02/15/2008
HI Folks,
Only a month away from Spring Registration from 4-6pm on Saturday, 15 March. This is also our Annual Spring Fling Potluck party and will be held at the Coupeville Elementary Multipurpose Room. So come prepared for lots of fun for the entire family!!!
I have updated the Student Application Policies and Procedures for your review. Reminder: Past accounts not fully paid by 15 March, will not be eligible to register. All forms are available on our website here. I've also updated the Spring Student Sign Up sheet and many of you will notice some changes to the form. Foremost in the changes, is our hope to be able to add Vaulting to our Spring session. One of the key elements is for me to successfully get my AVA Vaulting Coach certification next week. For more information about vaulting, go to the American Vaulting Association's website at www.americanvaulting.org or contact me directly. I wanted to give you as much notice as possible on this opportunity, but obviously, we're still trying to get all the parts in place to be able to offer it, so will keep you updated as we go along.
If you have any questions, please contact me or call Denise Boyett, Executive Director at 360-221-7656. See you soon!!
We will have pictures from the October 2007 Autumn Classic Horseshow available for viewing (on laptop) starting at 10AM throughout the day on Friday, 22 Febuary at the Oak Harbor arena . For south end folks, if you can't make it to Oak Harbor please call Denise, 221-7656, to arrange a time to view them.
Here is the Price lists and Event Order forms to bring with you. The photographer is offering a 10% discount on all orders (except pics on disk). Instead of a deposit, please come prepared to pay for your order in full.
12/28/2007
REMINDER!!
Registration for the HOPE Winter Session starts at 5PM on Wednesday, 9 JAN at the OH Skagit Valley College campus in RM137 (Community Room near library). If you cannot absolutely make this registration, then please call 360-221-7656 in advance to schedule an appointment. Come ready to discuss schedules and to sign up to help with the program. Call or email soonest if you have any questions! All forms available here.
Until then, wishing you a safe and happy start to your New Year!!!
Miriam Burk
Head Instructor
10/27/2007
We made the FRONT PAGE of the EVERETT HERALD! Check the link out for the article!! YEAH!!! The Skagit Valley Herald should be publishing an article about us soon. Keep a copy for us when you see it. THANKS!! Here is a blurb from the article:
"She refused to go near the gentle Shetland pony, though he is just 3 feet tall. When volunteers at the HOPE therapeutic riding program finally managed to plop her on the horse's back, she was too weak to hold herself up.
Two weeks shy of her third birthday, Kristen couldn't sit on her own. She couldn't speak more than a word or two at a time and was unable to say "Peanut." She couldn't hold Peanut's reins. But she could ride. Soon, she was hooked." Read article here!
Way to go, HOPE!!!
Also, there is a big article in the Skagit Valley Herald. Here is a snipit:
" The program, better known simply as HOPE, provides a unique tool to help physically and emotionally challenged students. Through positive interactions with horses that are specially trained and chosen for their skills and demeanor, students receive an unusual therapy that's more than just...." Read the whole article here
