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Fall 2013
Leadlines
Friends for Therapeutic Equine Activities Newsletter
Circle of Friends Dinner
Send Your Reservation
in Today!
program participants, their families
and fellow volunteers. In that same
voting process Peppy and Thoka
were tied for Horse of the Year!
Circle of Friends Dinner
Saturday, November 9th
St. Andrews Golf Club
West Chicago, IL
November 9th is the Circle of Friends
Dinner! November 9th is the Circle of
Friends Dinner at St. Andrews
Golf Club in West Chicago.
Dinner, dancing, live
and silent auctions
will fill the night with
fun and surprises.
Last year’s dinner
FT
revealed the reF T
F
naming of the FTEA
Scholarship Fund
to the Ron and Patti
Mehling Scholarship fund
in honor of the scholarship fund
founders. Also honored that evening
was the FTEA farrier John Ryan, as
the Corporate Sponsor of the Year.
Jean Taylor was voted the FTEA
Volunteer of the Year for 2012 by the
E
DS OR HER
APEU
RIEN
T
IC EQ
A huge silent auction was displayed
thanks to the generosity of the
many, many donors listed in this
newsletter. Thank you to each and
every one of you who gathered the
donations so that our auction
could be such a success.
Items are still being
accepted through
the beginning of
November for this
year’s auction.
A
Please call the FTEA
A
office (630-588-8543)
or drop them off at that
same location.
U IN E
C T IV
IT I
ES
Upcoming Events
Circle of Friends
Dinner & Auction
Saturday, November 9th
St. Andrews Golf Club
West Chicago
Friends for Therapeutic
Equine Activities (FTEA)
Mailing Address
PO Box 1636
Warrenville, IL 60555-7636
Program Address
28W051 Liberty Street, Winfield, IL
630.588.8543
em: info@ftea.org
www.ftea.org
2013 Board of Directors
Officers
James W. Winkelman
President
Edward J. Pacana
Vice-President
Jamie C. Smith
Secretary and Treasurer
Board Members
Mary Jane O’Connor
Newsletter Editor
Jack Roberts
Robert Stack
Advisory Board Members
Roger Jones
Legal Counsel
Cindy A. Hallett
Judy Kestner
Julie Kuehn-Bailey
The Ron and Patti Mehling Scholarship Fund
In mid-2009, FTEA established a scholarship fund with the generosity and
support of Ron and Patti Mehling. Judge and Mrs. Mehling contributed the initial
funds, thus encouraging other
donors to follow suit. The Mehlings
continue to be very supportive
of the scholarship fund, and are
thrilled to see the opportunity
offered to every scholarship
recipient by the scholarship funds.
In addition to program participants
new to FTEA, the scholarship fund
has also benefited a number of
long time program participants by
enabling them to continue to ride. The Honorable Judge and Mrs. Ron Mehling
In the past two years, an average of
3 to 4 scholarships have been awarded during each 12 – 15 week riding session.
Over $13,000.00 in scholarship assistance has been awarded to deserving
children and adult applicants since the inception of the scholarship program!
Matching Fund Challenge! Judge and Mrs. Mehling have generously offered to
match all donations (up to $5000.00) which are made to the scholarship fund
and contributed by the evening of the Circle of Friends Dinner on November
9th. Donations may be sent to FTEA, c/o Ron and Patti Mehling Scholarship
Fund, PO Box 1636, Warrenville, IL 60555-7636 or via paypal on the FTEA
website www.ftea.org (please designate your donation for the Scholarship Fund).
FTEA Staff
Nancy A. Winkelman
PATH
Certified Instructor
Advanced Level
Program Director
Tricia Boyd
PATH
Certified Instructor
Registered Level
Jenny Buckley
PATH
Certified Instructor
Registered Level
Carrie Bunge
PATH
Certified Instructor
Registered Level
Maggie Muller
PATH
Certified Instructor
Registered Level
Welcome Annie and Whodini!
FTEA has been fortunate enough to have two new
wonderful horses join our herd. Annabel Rose,
known as Annie, came from a private owner in
Oswego. She is a chestnut paint mare around 12
years old, with a warm and sweet personality.
Who’s Business, known as Whodini, came
from a private owner in
Woodstock. Whodini is a
chestnut, 20 year old Irish
Sport Horse, with kind eyes
and a personality to match.
At some point in his life,
Whodini was imported to
the United States from Great
Annie
Britain. So now FTEA has
two horses that were imported from other countries:
Thoka, one of the Icelandic Horses, came from Iceland
when she was 4.
Whodini
Be sure to stop by their stalls and welcome Annie and
Whodini the next time you are at the barn!
FTEA Spring Events in the Community
May was a very busy month for
FTEA. The Wayne DuPage Horse
Trials were held at Pratt’s Wayne
Woods on May 4th and 5th to
benefit FTEA. Almost 90 FTEA
volunteers joined the Wayne
DuPage Horse Trials’ officials to
cover the two days of the event. It
was a great two days of watching
the event competitors come out to
ride.
FTEA Volunteers gather in front of Volunteer headquarters
Mid-May traditionally sees the
FTEA Annual Ride-A-Thon and
this year was no exception. The
event title sponsor, Invesco,
generously donated $5000.00 to
FTEA in support of the
Ride-A-Thon. 24 riders comprised
of FTEA program participants,
volunteers and staff shared the trail
on FTEA horses at the beautiful
Danada Forest Preserve. Once
again, a delicious BBQ lunch
was served, primarily through
generous food donations from The
Village Tavern in Schaumburg, IL.
12 horse owners brought their own
trusty mounts over to the forest
preserve and joined the fun.
A big “Thank You” goes to all the
wonderful Ride-A-Thon sponsors:
Aidan on Thoka with
Rebecca & Patti
J.T. on Chief with Jordan and Maggie
Bob’s Salt & Feed of
West Chicago, IL
Dover Saddlery of Littleton, MA
Hill Brush Inc. of Baltimore, MD
HorseTech, Inc. of Laurens, IA
Invesco, Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Safari Ltd. of Miami, FL
The Riding Store of Woodridge, IL
The Village Tavern of Schaumburg
Valley Vet Supply of Marysville, KS
FTEA Volunteers and Staff return from trails
FTEA Spring Events in the Community
COF Auction 2012
The end of May concluded with FTEA providing a therapeutic horseback riding
demonstration at the St. James Farm Family Field Day event. FTEA program
participants J.T., Evangeline, Gavin, and Taylor were able to show off their
riding skills in the main arena. Later in the day FTEA horses Austin, Bungee,
Stormy, and Thoka greeted visitors as they walked through the grand show
barn and learned about the connection which St. James Farm has to the origins
of therapeutic horseback riding and FTEA’s history.
Jean Taylor 2012 Volunteer of the Year
Evangeline on Thoka with Carolyn, Sammy and Tricia
FTEA had the opportunity to once again participate in this local community
festival in early September. Hosted by FTEA sponsor, the Father McGivney
Council of Knights of Columbus, Winfield Good Old Days is celebrated
each year on Church Street. Assisted by volunteer Mark DePino and Board
President Jim Winkelman,
Program Director Nancy
Winkelman trailered FTEA
pony Flower down Beecher
Street to the festival. Under
the shade of an EZ Up
tent, Flower greeted her
admiring public. Children as
well as adults came to pet
the pony and learn about
FTEA’s important role in the
community. True to the calm
nature of the FTEA horses
and ponies, Flower adapted
well to the large inflatable
Flower with Mark DePino
bouncy houses that
surrounded the Kids Zone area.
By nature, most horses would not be very thrilled by large towering flapping
inflatable creatures, and some would be downright terrified. Flower took it all
in stride after she and Mark strolled around the Kids Zone area and briefly
posed by some strangely large penguins.
Mrs. Ron Mehling accepts plaque
from Nancy honoring the naming
of Scholarship Fund
Monica & John dance the night away
The Money Tree & Candice
Circle of Friends 2012
Thank you to all our supporters who made the evening a huge success.
Friends of FTEA Sponsor
Winfield Community Bank
Circle of Friends Sponsor
Roger & Karen Jones
Lucky Horsehoe Sponsors
Jet Black Comedy
A Wedding Day DJ
Auction Supporter
Carol Benway
Anida Johnson-Cohen
Richard & Ruth Edelman
Mike & Kim Foltz
Gerald & Mary Hamill
Jeff & Vicki Heise
Rich Liefer
Paul &Paula Rohr
Peggy Rowland
Suzanne Bessette-Smith
Ken & Vivian Stogis
Table Hosts
Russ Leist
Soap Opera Laundromats, Inc.
Wayne DuPage Horse Trials
Friends of FTEA:
Fred & Kathy Bauters
Abby Benco
Susan Booten
Barb Bunge
John Clancy
Marla Elsberg
Tricia Flynn
Karen Fulsang
Candice Goldstein
Spence & Cindy Hallett
India Jenkins
Janie Johnston
Margaret Kinsella
Karl Knapp
Linda Koss
Debra Krueger
Sandy Lang
Rich & Bernice Levy
Jerry & Ann Malone
Fred & Wendy Mosier
Steve & Debbie Murdock
Kelli Murray
Liz Ostman
Mimi Paul-Binette
The Petersen Family
Amanda Ramsey
Justine Rehak
Ed & Katie Scheer
Ellen Shwatal
Abe Steinberg
Sharon Tomasello
Pat Vela
Russ & Carolyn Wackenhut
Jim & Nancy Winkelman
Businesses:
Adelle’s Fine American Fare
Alfie’s Inn
American Red Door
Anderson Book Store
Aon Corporation
Artistic Framing & Supplies
bFit Yoga
Body Care
Bowling Green Sports Center
Caliendo’s Restaurant
Caribou Coffee
Carlucci’s Restaurant
Carrabba’s Italian Grill
Chicago Cubs
Chicago Steel
Chicago White Sox
Chicago Wolves
Cinemark Theatres
Cocoon
Colbert Custom Framing
Colonial Café
Coopers Hawk Winery
Country House Restaurant
Earth & Wheel
Egg Harbor Café
Elgin Syphony Orchestra
Evviva Pizzeria & Café
Fast Frame
Fit and Fashion
Fox Bowl
Fresh Ground Roasting
Gallery 28
Gotskind’s Shoes & Clothing
Graham’s Chocolates
Grand Victoria Casino
Gratto Italian Tapas
Hollywood Casino Aurora
Hollywood Palms Cinema
Hot Mamma
Improv Schaumburg
Invesco / Powershares
Jan Yung Piano Studio
Jeans & A Cute Top Shop
Jewel Osco
Kane County Cougars
Lifeline Theatre
Macarena Tapas
Maggiano’s Restaurant
Marbles, The Brain Store
Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre
Milwaukee County Zoo
Milwaukee Public Museum
Naperville Heritage Society
Perfect Setting
Planter’s Palette
Pomegranate Restaurant
Prairie Yoga
Prosek’s Greenhouse
Ravinia
Reinventing Space
Ronnoco Handcrafted Coffee
Shedd Aquarium
Spa Vargas
St. Andrews Golf & Country Club
Studio Movie Grill
Suzette’s Creperie
Team Sales
The Latest Crave
The Little Traveler
The Riding Store
The Rustic Horse
Traverso’s Restaurant
Wente Family Estates
Winfield Flower Shoppe
WRMN 1410 Radio Travel Show
Zanies
Zigfield Troy Golf Range
Fun and Entertainment at the Danada Fall Festival
A bright sunny day greeted the guests at the Danada Equestrian Center’s
Danada Fall Festival on October 13th. The FTEA horse trailers arrived early
that morning with Thoka, Yomi, Chief and Stormy in tow. FTEA Program
participants had the opportunity to show off their riding skills in the main
arena as well as in the round pen adjacent to the FTEA stabling. Throughout
the day, many new friends were made as the crowd of thousands of attendees
filed past and through the FTEA stabling tent located in front of the main
event entrance. Children and adults stopped by to meet the horses and talk to
staff and members of the Board of Directors. Who could resist petting Thoka
and Yomi as their adorable faces peered through the gates on their stalls?
Prospective volunteers and program participants eagerly listened as they
learned about the FTEA therapeutic horseback riding program. At the end of
the day everyone agreed it was a wonderful time and they can’t wait for next
year’s Danada Fall Festival on October 12, 2014. A big “thank you” goes to the
Forest Preserve District of DuPage County and the Danada Equestrian Center
for this great opportunity to share FTEA and therapeutic horseback riding
with residents from the surrounding communities.
Isabella on Thoka with Nicole & Melea
A Sad Farewell to Equine Friends
FTEA has been very fortunate throughout the years to have the opportunity to partner with some of
the most wonderful equine friends. After being donated to FTEA, many of our horses have remained
working in the program for the rest of their lives. This has created long and cherished relationships
with some very special horses. Two of these horses were Peppy and Doc. Both of these American
Quarter Horse geldings captured the hearts of FTEA staff, program participants and their families,
and volunteers.
Peppy, registered as Peppy’s Storm, came to FTEA in the fall of 2004 and left us eight years later
after a series of physical issues. He was well known for his impish personality and the ability to
escape from his stall. Peppy was a horse with incredible patience and the demeanor to allow FTEA’s
independent riders to experience total freedom and safely walk and trot around the arenas.
Peppy
1990 - 2012
Doc, registered as Doc’s Tag and Out, came to FTEA in the fall of 2000 after a long
search for a suitable horse to join the FTEA herd. He was one of the very few
horses purchased for the program. That was only made possible through the generosity of an FTEA
volunteer anonymous donor and her husband. At the age of 28, Doc suddenly left us this past spring
after an unexpected illness. Through the years, Doc became the official greeter at the barn. From
his corner stall in front of the arena building, Doc enjoyed all the attention that came his way. With
his friendly, rather puppy-like demeanor, he was referred to by everyone as a Labrador Retriever on
hooves. Doc carried almost all of the FTEA independent riders at one time or another, and also carried
many of our riders with autism. His easygoing nature made him a definite favorite throughout FTEA.
Doc
1985 - 2013
Words on paper do not really capture the heartbreak that was felt throughout FTEA after both these
great horses passed on. Although other horses have come to FTEA and now live in their stalls, they
will never take that place in everyone’s heart. Peppy and Doc will always be missed.
Farewell to Rachel Moore
It has always been said that FTEA is a family. Rachel Moore joined our team
of Instructors in 2011, and sadly we said goodbye to her in December. Rachel,
a native of New York, has returned to her home
state and to her own horses. She has always
brought out the best in our program participants
and helped them accomplish so much. FTEA has
Rachel to thank for our award-winning streak
with PATH International in 2012. Rachel guided
the award process from start to finish, completing
the nomination forms and obtaining the letters
of recommendation. There are so many things
to say thank you to Rachel for, and somehow
those words just are not enough. Everyone at
FTEA wishes good luck to Rachel in her future
endeavors.
Rachel Moore
We always need to replace or replenish supplies.
Here is our “Wish List.”
 Label Maker
 New & gently used riding equipment
 Duct Tape
 Baby Wipes
 20lb. or heavier printer paper (white or colors)
 HP 94 & 95 ink cartridges
 Paper Towels
 Kleenex
Help a Hoofed Hero
Help a Hoofed Hero is an
opportunity to personally support
the horses that make Friends for
Therapeutic Equine Activities
possible. Each horse requires
daily rations, periodic hoof care,
veterinary service and intensive
training to keep them in good
condition
and fit for
their very
important job. It is only through
your financial generosity we are
able to provide for them. You may
make your donation for a Hoofed
Hero through Paypal using a credit
card at www.ftea.org or by mailing
a check to FTEA, PO Box 1636,
Warrenville, IL 60555-7636.
 Hand Sanitizer
 Large dry erase white boards
 Self stick Velcro strips and dots
 Wireless HP printer, preferably new
 Kind and gentle horses & ponies
 New or gently used F250
Pick-Up Truck or similar truck
A barn of our own!
Donations & Commemorative Gifts
Please consider a commemorative donation to FTEA if you would like to remember a recently deceased loved one, or to
honor someone for an accomplishment in their life. Your gift is tax deductible, and FTEA will send an acknowledgement of
your thoughtfulness. Please mail this completed form with your gift to:
FTEA Gift Program, P.O. Box 1636, Warrenville, IL 60555-7636
In Honor of / In Memory of (circle one)
Given by:
Address:
Please Notify: Address:
Please make checks payable to FTEA or you may make a donation online with PayPal or using a credit card at www.ftea.org.
Friends for Therapeutic Equine
Activities (FTEA)
PO Box 1636
Warrenville, IL 60555-7636
630.588.8543
info@ftea.org
www.ftea.org
Congratulations to the Clark
Family, winners of the 2012
Circle of Friends Dinner
Grand Raffle. Register for the
2013 Circle of Friends Dinner,
November 9th at St. Andrews
Golf Club in West Chicago for
your chance to win this year!
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The FTEA newsletter is available via e-mail transmittal. If you wish to receive the
newsletter electronically, instead of through snail mail, please notify us at www.
info@ftea.org and include your e-mail address. All information shall be kept strictly
confidential and will not be shared with any outside sources.
FTEA Mission Statement
Friends for Therapeutic Equine
Activities provides a program of
therapeutic horseback riding to
individuals with physical, emotional,
cognitive and/or social challenges.
The program seeks to meet the
special needs of each program
participant in a recreational setting.