Derby Day at One Heart

We had a great time with Derby Day classes!   Jen (instructor) had her first class decorate their saddle pads and helmets to match - like the jockeys.   Jen also had a race course/candyland game set up in the arena.  When everyone came in there were candy and cookies to represent Mint Julips and Grasshopper pie.  For the big kicker......Jen had a craft table set up where vols, riders, and moms customized beautiful Derby Hats to wear.  Here is just a selection of the pagentry and excitement befitting Derby Day.

"Like" us on Facebook

Hi all. Facebook is changing some things with the Group feature in the next few months so we're moving to a Page. There is a bit of a learning curve involved for all of use so please be patient. I'm not sure when the Group will go away... (I think) that's up to the people at Facebook.

Please "like" the new One Heart Page.

Thanks!

Love those One Heart Volunteers

I can never remember - in 10 years - of having such a swing in weather.  If you recall, we cancelled week 1's Tuesday night classes due to a blizzard.  Today, check it out.  It's week 4 and we could have cancelled tonight for either temperature (officially 97) or heat index (I don't want to know:)  At one point we were calculating the "wind chill" of the breeze going through the arena.   Please pardon the cobwebs on the arena thermometer - and also consider it was hanging on the west wall. Maybe it was broken ?   Wishful thinking :)  

The riders and drivers were all in good shape, the horses seemed quite comfy and eager to come into the arena and the instructors had some tricks up their sleeves.  It was a good night to go over the parts of the saddle and work on transitions and reining at the walk.  I always applaud the volunteers but today a VERY SPECIAL thank you goes out to our dedicated bunch - three of whom were newcomers. 

The driving class ended with a trip to the wash rack for a shower. 

Thank you all for a very nice evening. 

Our New Motto!

You have often heard us say, "Many hands make light work".  It's a great motto.  Now, we have a new one.

"Get your Walk-On"

 Everyone, parents, instructors, program directors, riders, volunteers and horses all know that the horse doesn't go until they hear "Walk ON!"    For many riders these are the first words they ever have spoken.  For some of our riders it sounds like, "Waaaaa".   For others it is "AAAAAK"    It all means the same, "Walk-ON!".   The whole team responds to the command.  This is the phrase all of our riders remember each ride, each week and each year.  It means more than we can describe.  It means everything.  Now, it means more.  For leaders and sidewalkers, grooms, horses and arena assistants, as well as instructors - we all know after an hour working in arena footing - you have had a work out.  Forget the gym, forget your treadmill, forget your trainer, forget the jaunt around the neighborhood, forget the powerwalking.  What we have is Better!    Come to One Heart and Get Your Walk-On.   You will find it as motivating and fulfilling as any self-motivated reasons you may have for taking a walk.   See you soon!    Kris

Many Hands Make Light Work

Yep, that's our motto.  May not be original, but it certainly works for us.  I am speaking particularly about Tuesday and Thursday evening classes.  The photo is of one of the two riders in the 6PM class.  It shows a leader, the instructor, two sidewalkers and the "music assistant" this rider likes.  The other rider has a parent walking and Jen (instructor) leading.  If you can find the time please come share the fun.   Thanks,  Kris

Quick update for the week from Jen

• Done with finals?  Enjoying perfect weather?  Come out and play at the barn.  We have several horses/minis that could use work, and with smaller classes this session it's the perfect time to do it.  We're 90% unpacked, the tack room and stall are labeled, so the hard work has been done.  And our riders would love to see some of our experienced volunteers again!  Besides, you can come see how much a mini broodmare can stretch.  We keep on expecting the Strumm's mini mares to have a foal at their side, but they just keep on getting wider and/or lower bellies.  Poor girls.  We should have a contest to see who can guess which mare and what day.  I'm guessing the bay in 2 weeks. 
• Thur. May 12: This is a biggie--most of our Thur night volunteers (including myself) need to be leaving for end of the year Girl Scout awards ceremony by 6pm.  That's right when classes start!  Only 2 riders per class, but they need 3 (and possibly more, don't know what Dani has planned) vols each.  Tonight's volunteer base was 100% Girl Scouts, so we don't want to leave the class grounded next.  The riders are making enormous, gigantic, wonderful progress with Dani, we don't want to slow them down!  If you can't come, can you help spread the word?  Even if you can add just this single Thur. night to your schedule that would help.
• Finally, we could use 4 more vols. for the Tue. 7-8 class.  Tue is our busy day, with minis starting at 5, a sport class at 6, and our largest sport class at 7. Hopefully with school winding down we'll be able to pick up a few more people.  But May is a busy month, so who knows.  I'm thinking we need to make some vol recruiting posters to hang at fitness centers.  I'm actually losing weight this week (I've been playing at the barn every day) and not noticing the deep sand so much.  Rosie and Shane can sure speed walk.  And Bri enjoys the bright arena, too.  Almost miss the big hill at Stagecoach up to the barn, that made me work off some candy bars.  But I'm quite content with the level gravel drive (and shorter distance) to the horses now.  What can I say, I'm lazy.  And I guess I'm not quick either!

Mighty Minis Strike Again

 The moment we have waited for.  The custom carts are here, Miracle and Dandy are suited up, and able-bodied whips are in place.  The therapeutic driving program is going strong again.

This class is with Jim and John who show exceptional skills already.  We comment on their quiet hands and voice command skills.

Driving is on Tuesdays beginning at 5:00 pm.  At the same time our first vol shift should be arriving to prep for the 6:00 pm class.  If you can come to help, we need you Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

These pictures are from Dick our photographer.  By the way, both pictures are of Miracle.  Check out Jim negotiating the cones.   Only one over on his first try.  We will get trickier as the session goes on.  Please come join us for the beautiful facilities, perfect weather and fun, happy smiles. 

What did I tell you about our photographer???

Remember my post that showed our new volunteer who wanted to be our photographer and ended up sidewalking?   Here is an example when we have plenty of sidewalkers and can free him up.   Isn't this a lovely portrait of Rosie and Jennifer!   Rosie is a camera hog - poses every time she sees a camera....but Jen is hard to catch :) 

We have shifts Tuesday evening and Thursday evening that could use a few hands.   I know we are transitioning over finals week.  That gives me an opportunity to congratulate all of our volunteers who are graduating this year.  Many have spent their whole college career fitting us into a busy schedule.  Several have been able to incorporate a project for One Heart into a class report.  For those who are not pursing jobs in far away places we look forward to you continuing with us.  Many High Schoolers are also graduating soon and we plan to hang on to them if they select a career or college near home.  Our best to you all!

Watch for some awesome driving pictures when Dick gets them to me.  He was able to snap some first shift tonight but had to sidewalk second shift.  When all the corn gets in and graduations are over we sure hope to see you.   We are also registering for Session 2.   Please contact me when you can volunteer for Session 2.  Thanks!