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We Can Ride Blog

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Classes have begun at Chaska!

We have been rewarded for our late-start of classes with beautiful spring-almost-summer evenings out there. Balmy temperatures make us happy, slight breezes keep the spring bugs away, and light surrounds us until the middle of the second class. The riding ring has been assembled, dis-assembled, and assembled again only bigger – and has been lined with woodchips. While the footing is a bit tricky for now, it is getting packed down becoming quite acceptable.

After an eventful winter for the horses, they have settled into their new home and new routines. They seem content to be in class again, and I've enjoyed watching the clients groom them, walk them, and whisper to them.

While the site is still not quite consumer friendly – we only have four chairs for now and lights for half of the arena! – it is really working out just fine and we are grateful to Jim and Betty for supporting us (often coming out to watch), Rachel for her continued support and interest, and the volunteers who are really pitching in and working hard. All in all, we have had a fine start to our program's new life at Chevalle!

This post is by Patti!

Monday, April 9, 2007

Spring is here!

Well here we are! End of the "off"-season. Although, it can't be said that we were 'off' or even slow. So many things happened this winter in preparation for making this the best year yet.

All season long there were lots of great classes given by some of our staff, and the classes were well attended! Stephanie taught classes like Horses 101, Tack and Tack Fitting, and Why Pick That Horse? in the Mtka barn. Anne had a Developmental Sequence class and Judi held a Disabilities 101 class. There were also lessons like Leading a Therapy Horse and Sidewalking in Therapy Classes taught by Holland.

There was more than just classes going on this winter. For example Patti Franz lead a group of eight into developing the pilot Mentor Program. A program that will be launched at Minnetonka this session to aid in welcoming new volunteers to their first two nights of class. Another new adventure is the development at our new site in Chaska called Chevalle. Muffy and crew have been working very hard at getting everything ready for spring. And out in Delano they had a session of Hippotherapy on Fridays.

Every site was busy with winter conditioning - keeping the horses loose and moving in the cold months. Everyone was out in the cold (except maybe in Delano with their heated barn!) all bundled up and doing good work with the horses.

Now, with classes starting next week, there are sounds of paperwork being organized, classes being scheduled, clients anxious to get back, and I'm sure plenty of volunteers who feel the same. It's busy and exciting and we're ready!

Chef's Dinner kicking off our 25th year with a bang!



















What an exciting event to celebrate the big year ahead! With the help of about 38 chefs from all across the metro We Can Ride started off our first fundraiser right. With more sponsorships than before and a sell out crowd we take a good step forward into 2007. There were lots of familiar faces and some new ones: the University of Minnesota and Chevalle were there with tables and pictures of their new developments in the making that will include We Can Ride. Even Goldy the Gopher stopped by to mingle, bid on some items, and play a game before dinner!

One of my favorite things are the ice sculptures and this years were bigger and better than ever - including a 6' horse in the dining room - who knew it was strong enough to be sat upon?! And who better to find out than with Tom Bezek who took over as Executive Director at the beginning of this year. But before climbing the icy pony he talked about his Wild Hopes for WCR in 2007 including reaching the large funding goals and increasing the number of NARHA certified instructors.

Something else new this year was the Legacy Partner program. The dinner guests heard from a few people who've already stepped up to be Legacy Partners as they explained what it is about WCR that inspired them to be financial supporters through the Legacy Partner program.

I could go on and on- I didn't even get to the hair dye, silent auction, live auction, centerpieces, or chocolate fountain! Yes - there was a chocolate fountain.

Special thanks to all the chefs who donated their time and talents. Thanks to the residents of the HCHS for the flowers. And thanks also to all the volunteers who came to work behind the scenes and help everything run as smoothly as it did.

Excuse our mess!

We're working through the usual issues associated with setting up a new blog, in addition to a new website design! So if things look a bit weird from time to time, don't worry, we'll get it fixed up in a hurry!

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