“Let Love Take the Reins” - Thorncroft Equestrian Center

thorncroft
bits ‘n pieces
Spr ing|Summer 2016 Volume 30 | No. 1
31st Annual Victory Gallop, April 2, 2016 Hyatt at the Bellevue
“Let Love Take the Reins”
Presented by
Join us as we welcome this year’s Victory
Gallop Co-Chairs Jim and Bonnie Mackey
of Newtown Square, Pa. Our
theme “Let Love Take the Reins”
celebrates and recognizes the
bond and the power that is
created between our riders and
their horses. Each and every day
a relationship starts when a hand
reaches out to touch a horse or
when a pony stretches his neck
down to touch a small hand.
For the 31st year (and who
is counting!) the Hyatt at The
Bellevue in Philadelphia will
host this wonderful event for the
benefit of Thorncroft and all the
special riders that come to the
Farm. Chef Richard Hebben has been working
with his staff for weeks to create a meal just for
us. The new group “It’s All About Me Band” is
guaranteed to keep your feet on the dance floor
while your smart phones will keep
the auction “LIVE” and online for
bidding. Bring your fully charged
smart phone or use our kiosks and
volunteers to bid on auction items.
Preregister your smart phone at:
www.bidpal.net/thorncroft.
Don’t forget to charge your phone
before you come... visit our
website to buy your tickets online
or donate to this amazing night
www.thorncroft.org 610.644.1963.
Special thanks goes to an amazing
local artist and special friend of the Farm
Genevieve Snyder for creating the brilliant
art work for this year’s invitation.The original painting will
be available in the auction.
Mainstreamers 2016
The Thorncroft Mainstreamers are ambassadors
to the Farm. Each year this amazing group of up
to 12 riders with and without disabilities assemble
together to choose music and write their drill.
Tryouts are held annually towards the end of March,
team members will be announced April 1. Sadly
we said goodbye to
our Coach of 15 years,
Amy Swanson, last
Fall. We are excited
to welcome back
former Instructor
and Barn Manager
Jerusha Dyson as this
year’s Coach. With
several years under her
Jerusha Dyson 2016 Coach
Amy with her last performance at Ludwig’s corner
belt as an amazing instructor we are excited to have
her in the arena coaching this wonderful group
of riders. Keep your eyes out as this season’s drill
develops... new music, new moves, new riders!
Thoughts
from the Hay Barn
A hug is worth a thousand words!
Having trouble finding your words? Take a lesson from
Nick and “Mr. D”. Have you ever found yourself stumbling for
words? Did what you were trying to say “just come out wrong”?
Sometimes we get lost in all our words and try too hard to
express what it is we want to say. Take a moment, take a breath,
take a lesson from Nick and “Mr. D”... try silence and a hug.
You will find communication, some amazing connections and
peace in silence... and a hug.
Volunteers...
Volunteers are not unpaid because they are worthless, but because they
are priceless! The phrase “it takes a village” rings true at Thorncroft
... it takes not only a village of amazing staff and horses, but a
village of volunteers. Walking with a child for their first ride,
helping a rider reach a saddle onto their horse’s back, sitting
with a new student for a moment... just to share their day.
Thorncroft volunteers ARE priceless and they change the lives of
our students every day.
New volunteers are welcome to participate in a Volunteer
Training the first Sunday of each month. New friends will be
paired up with seasoned volunteers to learn about the barn, our
horses and schedules. Six days a week we welcome at least 75
volunteers to the Farm
to assist with lessons,
help in the barn, the
Volunteers come in all sizes and ages
tack room or our special
events. Last year alone our volunteers donated over 7,360 volunteer
hours on the Farm. Visit our website www.thorncroft.org, email
volunteer@thorncroft.org or call 610.644.1963 and join the fun!
Senator Andy Dinniman, long time friend of Thorncroft, stopped
by to honor and present our volunteers with commendations, shown
here presenting volunteer Ann Hill. Join us as we celebrate the special
work and dedication of our volunteers at a luncheon on Sunday
April 10th 12:00 - 2:30 at Ristorante Limoncello in Chester Springs.
A savory menu has been chosen by their chef just for YOU! No
invitations will be mailed so PASS THE WORD and use the enclosed
form to RSVP by Friday April 1. FMI jessica@thorncroft.org or
610.644.1963.
Our Trail is Complete!
The Open Space Trial has been completed and passed a test
ride this winter by Pam Brown (French & Pickering Creek) and
Thorncroft staff members Richard Johnston and
Sallie Dixon.
The trail, which connects 300 acres of open
space from Goshen to Ashford Parks was cleared
and completed.
Special thanks go to volunteer friends from
“Vanguard Gives Back”, who, on a cold and
blustery day, completed the trail.
Welcome to our four-legged new comers
We have a barn FULL of colors. Paints and greys seem to be the flavor this year! Special thanks go to the families
that have entrusted us with their horses and ponies. Each one brings their own something special to the Farm and,
more importantly, to our riders.
More fun than any work on a therapy mat... our riders strengthen their muscles while riding up and down the
hills. Riding thru the “Sensory Trail” they are introduced to their letters and numbers sounds and sensations. There
is safety in sharing your first word or thought with a horse and a sense of power and strength when you leave
crutches behind and ride cross country.
Big or small... we need them all. If you have a pony or horse that is sound to walk, trot, canter and pop a little
fence, give us a call. Special thanks go to each of you who has entrusted us with your animals.
ITXARO AND ICE MAGICWho would know they are
sisters - Itxaro (left) a 16h grey
Andalusian/Thoroughbred born in
2005. Ice Magic (right) is a 15.3h
Appendix Bay Pinto mare born
2013. Both are great additions to
the Farm. Thanks to Ann Corson for
entrusting us with her girls.
LATTÉ - through the kindness
of Kathleen & Allen Cadden. Latté
stands 13.3h and born in 2004
is a Welsh/Morgan cross. She is a
bay pony mare with more attitude
than one little body should have
to handle!
Missy and Kersten went to
try WYATT and just loved his
attitude. Another 14.2h Paint
born in 2005, he is doing his job
well and with a great spirit. He is
a favorite of our vets.
MIA (or Meep Meep as her
donors knew her) is a 2009,
Rose Grey 13.2h “Pony of the
Americas”. She was adopted from
the Scibetta family. It did not
take long for instructor Alesha
to pull out all her bling - Mia is
now defiantly the girly - girl pink
pony!
“MOCHA CHIP” kindness
of Bob and Karen Wood is yet
another welcome addition to
our Farm. Born in 2009 and a
Leopard “Pony of the Americas”
she walked into the arena like
she owned it; and quickly
became the favorite of all our
new and younger riders.
What’s Next?
Spring and Summer 2016
Have you scheduled your Pony Party? Thorncroft is the BEST place for your
child’s birthday party. On any Sunday we offer a private room adjoining the
north indoor arena where you can decorate to your hearts content! Awesome
volunteers will lead ponies for your party goers... AND help with the once in a
lifetime photo op! FMI - call the Farm - 610.644.1963.
March 8: 10 weeks. Special Olympics athletes start practicing for S.O.
games at Penn State in June. All Volunteers on deck to help prepare.
March 19: “Soldier Jam” Concert at the World Café Live,
Wilmington, DE for the benefit of the Veterans Riding Program at Thorncroft.
April 2: 31st Annual Thorncroft Victory Gallop. Co-Chairs Jim & Bonnie
Mackey “Let Love Take the Reins”, this event has been dubbed the best party
in town... a night of high energy entertainment, great food and off the charts
auction at the Bellevue.
April 9: Volunteer students from St. Elizabeth come to volunteer for a
“Day of Caring”
April 10: Philadelphia Chapter Healing Touch for Animals,
FMI healingtouchforanimals.com
Bring your friends
for a yummy brunch at Restaurant Limoncello/Chester Springs
April 17, 8:00 - 5:00 pm: Ange Bean Clinic. Sign up to sharpen your flat
work skills!
April 22: PECO volunteers come to the Farm with their group for a “Day of
Caring”.
April 24: Agnes Irwin Combined Test at Thorncroft. Open to all riders, a
great place to start, school or compete at a higher level.
April 25: Comcast volunteers join up with TEC for their “Comcast Cares
Day”
May 1, 4:00 - 6:30 pm: Veterans’ Barbeque, all Vets are welcome to attend
with their friends and families.
May 22: James McDonald Clinic. Learn horsemanship through the
principles of behavioral science and learning theory.
May 27: Thorncroft closed to prepare the Farm for the Memorial Day
weekend Horse Show.
May 28 & 29: HRD, Devon Horse Show. One of the oldest and largest
competitions for riders with special needs riders compete at Thorncroft and the
famous Devon Horse Show Grounds.
June 5: Malvern Parade, Thorncroft Mainstreamers. Join us as we walk down
the streets of Malvern with one of the oldest parades on the East Coast.
June 2 - 4: Special Olympics State Games, Penn State. TEC will send riders
from Chester and Delaware County to compete at State Games.
April 10, 12:00 - 3:30: Volunteer Appreciation Party.
June 12: Philadelphia Chapter Healing Touch for Animals
June 20 - Aug. 12: Summer Camp for riders - “ride, swim, play” riders
up with awesome volunteers for weeks of riding
July 4: Thorncroft closed to observe Independence day.
July 5 - Aug. 11: Timothy School Summer Camp, riders
awesome volunteers for weeks of riding.
join
join up with
Sept. 9 - 11: The 20th annual Radnor Concours d’Elegance. TEC is the
beneficiary of this elegant invitational classic car event on the spacious, historic
grounds of the Radnor Hunt.
Sept. 24, Saturday 4:30 - 8:30 pm: 7th Annual Lobster Party... we’re
pulling out all the stops this year with bigger and better lobsters, bands and
beverages for you and your friends!
FMI on any upcoming events call Thorncroft 610.644.1963
or visit www.thorncroft.org
All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Thorncroft is a 501c3 not for profit organization.
Thorncroft
Therapeutic Horseback Riding, Inc.
Corporate Officers
Saunders Dixon, President
Susie Dixon, Vice President
Sallie F. Dixon, Secretary
Susan R. Murray, CPA, Treasurer
Board of Directors
George F. Rubin, Chairman
Thaddeus Bartkowski Jeffrey P. Brown
Sonia H. Churchman
Susie Dixon Saunders Dixon Sallie F. Dixon Kathy Grentzenberg, M.S., L.P.C.
Frank W. Guthridge, Jr. E. Martin Heldring
Trevor Johnson Craig S. Kandravi
David W. Kirby G. Craig Lord, Esq.
Grace Mengel
Percival Moser
Susan Murray, CPA
Michael Tillson
Advisors
Joseph Coradino
Ben Nolt, Jr.
Dr. Richard R. Fried
Michael Ryan
Terri Long, L.P.T.
Staff
Executive Director: Saunders Dixon
Director: Sallie F. Dixon
Office Manager: Amy K. Davis
PATH Liaison: Maire Guggenheim
Administrative Coordinator: Jessica Timlin
Volunteer Coordinator: Carole Laulis
Instructors
Head Instructor: Kersten Hoerner
Pam Albright Heather Mayer
Tori Burke
Nathalie Miller
Sallie Dixon Angela Niven
Saunders Dixon Alesha Polles
Carolyn Dunkel Ray Shelling
Maire Guggenheim
Shelley Shultis
Mackenzie Haverdink Amy Swanson
Zoe Henry Monique Vanderstolpe
Jane Higgins Susan Walker-Russo
Carole Laulis
Missy Zepka
Kristen Malandrucco
Mainstreamers Coach
Jerusha Dyson
Summer Camp
Mac Haverdink
Barn Staff
Maria Nozzi, Manager
Gary Graham, Coordinator
Rick Clark, Farrier
Margo Baldwin Kelly Rubin
Ingrid Canterella-Fox Chelsea Savant
Tal Dorfman Nancy Terramin
Nancy Johnson Emily Wells
Maddie Oliver
Farm Staff
Saunders Dixon, IV
Richard Johnston
Chris Watts
Newsletter: David Klucznik
Thorncroft Therapeutic Horseback Riding, Inc.
190 Line Road, Malvern, PA 19355
610-644-1963
www.thorncroft.org
Results of the 36th Annual Handicapped Riders Division
of the Devon Horse Show, 2015
photography kindness of Louis Gitlin Photography
The Hope Montgomery Scott
Perpetual Memorial Trophy
The Hope Montgomery Scott
Perpetual Memorial Trophy
Sponsored by Friends of Hope Scott
For the Winner of the Championship Class held at
The Devon Horse Show Grounds
Champion: Sean O’Brien, CATRA
Sponsored by Friends of Hope Scott
For the Winner of the Championship Class
held at The Devon Horse Show Grounds
Reserve: Kourtney Stradling, Ivy Hill The Brushwood
Challenge Trophy
The HRD
Championship Cooler
The Hilltop Trophy
Sponsored by Hilltop Farm
Winner of the Division for Physically Disabled
Claudia Surdez-McCarthy, Special Equestrians
Sponsored by Brushwood Stable
For Best Rider with Disabilities
Kourtney Stradling, Ivy Hill
Sponsored by Ronald I. Blair
For Champion Therapeutic Horse
Prescott, CATRA
The McDermott
Perpetual Trophy
The Thorncroft
Perpetual Trophy
The Stephanie Bennett
Perpetual Trophy
Sponsored by her Children
Winner of the Division for Mentally Disabled
Gail Grasso,The Retreat at Beckleysville
Sponsored by George & Lorraine Rubin & Family
Winner of the Division for Learning Differences
Kourtney Stradling, Ivy Hill
Sponsored by The Horse Show Committee
Winner of the Advanced Division
Sean O’Brien, Ivy Hill
The Anne Joyce
Cochran Trophy
The E.W. Garbisch Trophy
Ann Dixon Artistic Award
Sponsored by Gwynne McDevitt
For Outstanding Achievement
by a Rider with Disabilities
Dale Egbert,The Retreat at Beckleysville
Sponsored by The Van Cleeve Collection
For Artistic Expression in the Musical Freestyle
Mike Frazier & Will Wright, CATRA
Sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Wade McDevitt
Rider with the Highest Scoring Trail Class
Dale Egbert,The Retreat at Beckleysville
Join us for our Volunteer Appreciation Lunch
Ristorante Limoncello
499 E Uwchlan Ave
Chester Springs, PA 19425
610.524.3112
Please tear off this form and
return it with your check to:
Thorncroft Equestrian Center
190 Line Road, Malvern, PA 19355
Your Name, Address & Day Phone:
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
There will be __________ adult guests in my party @ $35.00 per person
__________ children @ $20.00 per child 12yrs and under
Please list the names of the adults and children in your party:
_______________________________________________________________________________
NOTE: NO INVITATIONS WILL BE MAILED... PLEASE PASS THE WORD!
Celebrate the special work and
dedication of our volunteers
with our friends and families
at a luncheon on
Sunday, April 10,
12:30–2:30pm.
A savory buffet has been chosen
by their chef just for YOU!
RSVP by
Friday, April 1st,
no foolin’!
FMI thorncroft.org or
610.644.1963.
!
Cut Here
Thorncroft
190 Line Road
Malvern, PA 19355
Spring | Summer 2016 Volume 30/No. 1
www.thorncroft.org
Printed on recycled paper
Summer
is JUST around the corner...
and it is time to start thinking about Thorncroft Summer Camp. From July
thru August we welcome campers 8 - 12 years old on the Farm. Campers
will, depending on their ability, work in the private “Jimmy Moran North
Arena” and ride in the fields, on our cross country course or trails. Weather
depending... campers take a quick walk to the refreshing above ground
pool located on the Farm. At the end of each week, campers will go home
with their arts and crafts, and memories of new found friends... both four
legged and two! To register your rider please call the office, 610-644-1963
or visit www.thorncroft.org
thorncroft
bits ‘n pieces