friday nights under the arena lights

Polo has officially landed at Vinceremos!  What an extraordinary evening we had last Friday as our Polo mini-session kicked off.  Riders who've been riding for years joined with riders who've been riding only a few weeks to learn about Polo.  Riding under the arena lights made it even more special for these fantastic riders!

Join us again this Friday night at 6:30 for polo under the arena lights!

Back in the Saddle

We are so excited!! After what seemed like a long Summer break we are back at the barn for the winter session.

The progress that Adison has made from riding is amazing! Her attention is so focused and her control is so much stronger.

Here are some pictures from our first 2 days back. :)

Update on Tommy

Many of you have been asking how Tommy is doing, so we want to assure everybody that he's doing beautifully! He's resting up and getting pampered as he takes his summer vacation. We know that he's anxious to see everybody in the fall!

thousand words thursday...polo

 

Arena Opening Cermonies

I love volunteering at Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center. One time I helped them get Vinceremos ready for an important ceremony. They had just finished building their covered arena, and they were going to celebrate by cutting the red tape with all that pomp and ceremony such occasions require. We had to decorate and have everything ready for when the guests arrived. First, my friend and I took the small plants that surround the main office building and put them into new pots. We had to work together to lift the heavy trees and bushes and put them into pretty green and brown pots. Then we wanted the area around the arena to look really spiffy so we had to tie burlap around the pots that held small trees in that area. One of us measured out and cut the burlap, another person measured out twine and cut it, and the third person tied the burlap around each tree and made it look pretty. I measured the twine and cut it. I have to admit that math and logic are not strong points for me. You’d think that once I knew how long the first twine was (ie. how many arm-lengths it took to make it long enough), I would apply it to the future twine-measuring. Unfortunately, my math skills couldn’t work fast enough to keep up with the rest of the assembly line. I had to keep that twine coming because we were trying to have everything ready in time. The twine was long, and I had to wrap it around one of the pots a few times to measure it. Then I stretched to get it off, it got tangled, and it just wasn’t pretty. Then I finally started to get an idea of how long it needed to be, but then I would miscalculate and it would be a little too short or a little too long. I apologize, folks. Not all of those trees had twine wrapped around them five times. My mistake. If one of you noticed that glaring error, now you know that it was this volunteer who fumbled the ball. Ah, well. It was beautiful in the end, and I enjoyed watching that red tape be cut. The covered arena is lovely, and I am proud to have been a part of the ceremony that honored it…if indirectly. :) Keep smiling, Vinceremos lovers!

Second Special Olympics

A while back I attended the second Special Olympics, which was held at Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center. I was really excited because I had had so much fun at the last Special Olympics. I came with a bunch of girls from my school, Palm Beach Atlantic University. They helped with the arts, crafts, and games for the riders when they weren’t competing. I helped with the leading and side-walking as per my usual routine. It was a beautiful, sunny day, and I was looking forward to experiencing the Special Olympics at Vinceremos since they have a huge, covered arena now. It was everything that I expected it to be and more.

When I arrived, there was a little bit of waiting time before the competition began. While most people watched the opening ceremony, I helped to make sure that the riders, who were to ride first, were ready. I sat and talked with them and encouraged them about the competition ahead. We pet Miss Kitty, chatted, and tried to relax. Intermittently, I ran back and forth between the mounting platform and the waiting area to find out if it was time for the riders to mount. We were all excited and impatient, and there were a few false alarms, but then finally, it was time!

I helped by holding the horses and directing the riders where to go. I basically just helped out however the instructors needed me to. All of the riders looked so posh in their dressy clothes. After helping riders to mount, I was supposed to help lead one of the horses, but I don’t have very much experience with that so I helped by side-walking instead.

I spent the rest of the Special Olympics running to and fro to side-walk with different riders. It was a lot of fun. I loved being around the horses, but I especially loved seeing riders that I had gotten to know competing with such success and skill. The covered arena was perfect for the competition. I side-walked with different riders in both sides of the arena. The arena had been divided into two types of competitions, obstacle course and stylistic performance. I enjoyed the obstacle course the most. The poles, mailbox, and hacky sacks were colorful and fun, and the judges were encouraging.

It was such a great opportunity to help these riders by side-walking with them and encouraging them. Then I stood by their side when they received their ribbons. There were so many ribbons! Everyone was a winner, and I got to be there and see that. I cheered for them and held their ribbons if they needed me to. It was great to just be there and support them in their triumph after all their hard work. It was a great day.

Fun in the Sun

A while back I helped Vinceremos out at their first Special Olympics for this season. It was a sunny day with blue skies, perfect for an equestrian competition. It was held at the International Equestrian Center, and I was so excited to attend. Even the atmosphere at the IEC was perfect. It was like something out of a movie. There were other competitions going on, and as my friend and I rode the ‘trolley’ (a couple of golf carts hooked together basically), we were able to see the riders and their horses taking on brick walls and fences. It was exhilarating! Then at the actual Special Olympics, everything was professional, efficient, and beautiful. Riders from Haiti had joined Vinceremos for the Special Olympics, and it was just awesome to see them all out there showing off all they had learned. The riders were excited as their trainers encouraged them moments before competition. Each rider was dressed up and looked so posh in his or her riding uniform. The horses were prancing and eager to show off too for the judges. 

When I arrived I saw that there were a lot of volunteers, which was a really good turn-out for Vinceremos, but I wasn’t really sure how I could help. However, I soon found my niche as I volunteered at the mounting platform. That way, I could encourage the riders before they went into the ring and congratulate them when they returned. It didn’t matter so much if they didn’t get a blue ribbon. Just the fact that they were brave enough to get on a horse and compete in the Special Olympics was inspiring! I cheered them on wholeheartedly. My job at the mounting platform consisted of making sure that the horses were close enough for the riders to mount. At Vinceremos, we have a lovely little aisle way between mounting platform that the horses stand in while the riders mount. The center didn’t have that so my job was to create a wall with my body. Otherwise the horses might take advantage of that extra space (only because they were so frisky and excited that day). As Air, Will, Desi, and Cinder each sidled up to the mounting platform, I gently pushed on each horse’s hindquarters to encourage him or her to move a little closer to the platform. It was actually quite fun! The sun beat down on our backs, warm and bright. I loved feeling the horse beneath my hands with his or her warm hair and powerful muscles. I patted and soothed each horse, telling each one what a good girl or boy he or she was. If I get to be near horses, I am a happy camper! 

Then the next part of my job was to make sure that the riders settled into the saddle safely, whether that meant adjusting a foot in a stirrup or just keeping a watchful eye. There were humorous moments when I was standing in the wrong place and had to dodge a foot. That was always fun. :) Then, for an added (big) bonus, I was able to tell each rider that they were going to do awesome out in the ring. I think that they appreciated the encouragement and moral support. I also helped the riders dismount and praised them on a job well done. It was encouraging for me to see their smiles. Everyone did so well, and everyone was a winner. 

Then to brighten my day, I actually got to help with side-walking. I helped one rider with his competition, and he made me so proud. He faced his fear, smiled at the judges, and showed them all what he had learned at Vinceremos. And I got to help! I loved encouraging him to just keep riding. He was inspiring to me because he was so courageous. He faced his fears and rode a horse! Just riding a horse takes courage and skill in my opinion, but he also had to handle his nervousness and keep going. Overall, the day was wonderful, and I loved every minute of it. If these riders can have the courage to put themselves out there and compete, then I can have the courage to do anything. Thank you, Vinceremos, and thank you, riders, for all that you do! You are a blessing to everyone.