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.