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.

morning

I love the mornings at Vinceremos. The quiet stillness of the night gives way to the busyness of the day, and for a sliver of time the two meet, a perfect harmony of the day to come and the night that was. The sun and heat are not yet oppressive - simply warm and inviting. The horses are finishing up breakfast, intoxicated with the contentment of a full belly and a subtle breeze.  The cats are yawning and stretching, deciding whether to eat or capture a few more moments of shut eye. I often have to fight the urge to lie down on the bales of hay that line the arena and daydream the morning away.

In the morning, the possibilities for the day are endless. Enjoy your cup of coffee or tea this morning, and savor these precious moments of peace; you may just find your steps a bit lighter today.

Angie

thousand words thursday...bling

All the Pretty Horses

I love all the horses at Vinceremos. I’m not sure I could choose just one to be my favorite. However, there are a couple that I’m particularly fond of. I could just spend time with Desi and Air all day long. I recently found out that Desi is known as a ‘chestnut Arabian’. It’s so exciting to learn about the different kinds of horses that Vinceremos has. Arabian horses have always inspired my imagination, but it’s wonderful to actually meet one and work with him. Desi is the sweetest horse I have ever met. I have to admit that I was a little nervous when one of the volunteers instructed me to put my hand by his mouth, but I trusted her advice. Desi licked me! He licked my hand, over and over again! He is so sweet. He’s just like a big dog. I’ve always dreamed of having such an interaction with a horse (or any interaction at all), but I never thought it would actually happen. I was so surprised. His tongue was wet and a little rough, but I felt so special. Desi is a stupendous horse because he makes everyone, especially his riders, feel special.

I also love Air. Oh, there’s just no way to describe it. He’s a gentle giant. From afar, he is striking. The sun gleams across his body, revealing his muscles at work, as he runs. Up close, he is so much taller than I expect, and a closer inspection reveals the delicate, white hairs speckling his body. He is so gentle. After I had worked with him a few times, I came to the barn to volunteer again, and I brought a few friends with me. When we went to get a few horses from the Red paddock, including Air, one of my guy friends asked me, “Do you want me to get the big guy?” I laughed and said, “Him? Oh, I don’t have to worry. He’s a sweetheart.” Every time I put on Air’s halter, he puts his head in it for me, sometimes faster than I can position it! He’s gentle, beautiful, and such a good horse.

I love Desi and Air. They’re just lovely. They’re friendly and cooperative. I am so glad that Vinceremos has them in addition to all the other wonderful horses they keep.

thousand words thursday...tampa

Volunteering with Style

Hello there, fellow Vinceremos lovers!

Vinceremos is a wonderful place to learn new things and get volunteer hours. J I’ve been volunteering there to get community service hours for my college. One beautiful afternoon, I was volunteering with my friend, and we had some exciting adventures at Vinceremos. We helped out with the horses and the riders as usual, but there was some down-time for chores. First, that afternoon, we went around and checked the waters in the different paddocks. My jaw dropped though when I saw two lambs with their mother in one of the paddocks! They were real and soft and ba-a-ed, and I got to hold one! Vinceremos is so educational because I had seen sheep and lambs in movies, but I had never been so close to one. Its nose was pink and soft. Joy electrified all my senses when I knelt on green grass and held that lamb in the warm sunshine.

However, that was not our only adventure. Later, it was dinner time for the horses, and my friend and I were feeding the ones in the temporary stalls underneath the covered arena. Each horse has its own bucket so we decided the line the buckets up in front of the stall doors (not a good idea). That way, we thought, we could just feed the horses all at once. So…my friend and I are going to each stall and feeding each horse. She was at one end of the row of stalls, and I was walking back to the other end when I saw something that made me frown. I thought, “Why can I see a horse’s head and shoulders?” I called back to my friend, “Uh…I think we have a problem.” Trouble (of course that would be the horse’s name) had knocked the stall door open (somehow) to get to the feed bucket standing outside! I didn’t want to spook him so I walked calmly over and picked up the feed bucket. He followed me right into the stall. I was like, “Yes!” It was so funny. I yelled back to my friend, “All right. We’re good.” She hadn’t even realized what was going on. Then I was walking back towards her to finish feeding the other horses when I saw that Tilly had gotten a little excited too. Somehow, that horse had managed to wrap sticky fly tape all up in her mane. She must have been trying to get to her feed bucket too and the fly tape was probably hanging on the stall wall. My jaw was hanging open again. I was like, “What? You too?” I went into the stall and tried to get the tape off of her head (me, who knows next to nothing about horses). It was stuck…really stuck. I had to get another volunteer to help me, but my word, once she got it off, that horse’s hair looked so funny. According to one volunteer (who shall not be named), Tilly’s hair already looks funny, but with all that sticky residue in it, it looked like an ‘80s afro’. 

So that was our eventful afternoon. Life can be funny sometimes, and I really enjoy having some of those laughs at Vinceremos. It’s my favorite place to volunteer, and I plan on getting a lot more hours there. Thank you, Vinceremos!

Heather R. Lawrence

Misty May

        Oh Misty May…………………..How we love this girl so much,  Adison’s first pony.  If Ms. Heidi can get Adison to stop hugging Misty May long enough they can start their lesson for the day.  The smallest of the Crew at the barn: but such a Big Love in our hearts.   

Feeding Misty May Apples!

Sweet Misty May.

Saying Hi to Misty May.

Look Mommy!

   

thousand words thursday...volunteer

thank you bruce

One of the many challenges that we face at Vinceremos is how to take care of the wonderful horses who have shared their lives with Vinceremos when getting up in the morning isn't quite as easy anymore.  Those majestic creatures who have unconditionally given the riders here so much happiness...

Vinceremos is celebrating its 30th year of operation, and some of our horses have been with us almost that long.  On a recent visit to the farm by Bruce Duchossois and Michael Bombar, we were sharing the retirement dilemma in hopes of some advice.  We talked about how difficult it was to retire these special horses and feel confident that we could assure that they are well cared for.  Bruce said, "I think I can help you with that!"  We are so happy to let you know that two of our longtime stars, Millie and Jamie, have gone to retire to Aiken, South Carolina on Bruce's farm.  Words cannot begin to express our gratitude to Bruce for his most kind and generous offer in helping us with such an important challenge.  If any of you have had to retire one of your own, you know how you feel when you know the time has come to let our most loyal and trusted compatriot enjoy the green grass.  How important it is to know that they will be cared for in the way that we would if we were able.  We couldn't have dreamed of a better place for these two nobles to go and be together.

Thank you Bruce, you show Vinceremos again why you are a Superhero!

Forever Grateful

In this day in age everyone is just so busy.  With the economy the way it is, for someone to simply volunteer to help others, makes my heart melt.  I feel so blessed and humbled that Mr. John and Ms. Kerri take time and find it their hearts to help Adison.  They are there every day we have therapy at Vinceremos.    Adison is the first rider in the morning and before we even get there the volunteers have fed Misty May Breakfast and saddled her up with the special saddle needed for riders.

Mr. John……..he’s not a man of too many words but his smile warms your heart and Ms. Kerri ……..she’s kind of the volunteer Mom makes you feel like one of her own.  They are always there at the barn ready to go with a smile on their face.  They teach us about Misty May and as Mr. John leads and Ms. Kerri walks along side helping Ms. Heidi (OT, we will talk about her later) work with Adison.   

I don’t know exactly how many volunteers there are at Vinceremos.  But we are so thankful for every single one of them.  Without their generosity we wouldn’t have such a wonderful place to come to each week.

In the beginning we were perfect strangers to them.  I don’t know if they know the true impact of what they actually do for us.  They will always have a special place in our hearts.  To know, that they just volunteer out of the true goodness of their hearts, makes us forever grateful to them.   

thousand words thursday...VTRC guys

Angie