Fall - Saddle Up!

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FRANKLIN TN
PERMIT NO. 185
1549 Old Hillsboro Road
Franklin, TN 37069-9136
615-794-1150
www.saddleupnashville.org
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Fall/Winter ‘07 - ‘08
November
10
14 - 17
19
21 - 24
29
New Volunteer Training 1:00 - 5:00 pm
NARHA National Conference, Anaheim, CA
New Volunteer Training 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Office Closed for Holiday NO LESSONS
Leader Clinic 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
December
8
10
15
15
16 - 31
18
24-26
31
New Volunteer Training 1:00 - 5:00 pm
Staff Holiday Party
Session II ends
Horse Leader Clinic 2:00 - 4:30 pm
NO LESSONS
New Volunteer Training 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Office Closed for Holiday
Office Closed for Holiday
January 2008
5-11
12
Practice Lesson Week
Lessons Resume
Please visit our website for updates
Phone Changes Made to Improve Service to You
You may have noticed that a call to Saddle Up! is no longer a oneway ticket to voicemail land.
Thanks to help from Ingram Entertainment telephone wizards
Mark Gilliam, Jim Crow and Jim Hendel and long-time Saddle Up!
volunteer Art Napolitano, you will now reach a real, live person
most of the time during regular hours.
“You may get an automated voicemail sometimes when you call,
but that will only happen if we don’t have someone available who
can get to the phone,” said Executive Director Cheryl Scutt.
The changes required changing extension numbers. The new numbers
are included in the staff directory on page 6 of this newsletter.
Another change is the addition of the “Lesson Hotline,” which is
extension 29. The hotline is monitored throughout the day and is a
good number to use if you can’t reach someone and want to be sure
a message goes through about not being able to get to a lesson,
whether as a rider or volunteer.
The Lesson Hotline is also updated daily, if needed, to alert
families and volunteers if the program schedule is changed for that
day. For example, if you have a question about bad weather affecting
lessons, just call the Lesson Hotline.
Volunteers are needed for the front desk and phones. If you’re
interested, please call Volunteer Coordinator Kim Kline at
794-1150 extension 23.
Saddle Up!
newsletter
Fall 2007
Accredited by
North American Riding for the
Handicapped Association, Inc.
Nancy Swindell Chosen as NARHA Region V Instructor of the Year
Our Mission
to provide
children & youth
with disabilities
the opportunity to
grow & develop
through recreational
activities with horses
Executive Board
President
Sarah Ingram
Congratulations to Saddle Up! Instructor Nancy Swindell
who has been chosen as the Region V Instructor of the
Year by the North American Riding for the Handicapped
Association (NARHA), the national organization that
sets the standards for therapeutic equine programs in
the United States.
Nancy has been an instructor for 11 years and has
been a volunteer for 13 years at Saddle Up!. “We are
delighted that Nancy has received this honor from
NARHA,” said Executive Director Cheryl Scutt. “All
those who know her know that Nancy works from her
heart with Saddle Up! while also bringing professionalism
as an Instructor and as a lifelong equestrian to our
program. We’re fortunate to have her as one of our staff
team members.” (continued on page 3)
Past President
Cathy Brown
Nancy with Taegan (left) and Nacho
at this year’s Ride-a-Thon
2007 Saddle Up! Award Winners
Treasurer
Beverly Halfacre
On a brisk, beautiful day last month, Saddle Up! hosted its
Awards Presentation during our annual S.U.P.E.R. Show. The staff
at Saddle Up! was pleased to present this year’s recipients for their
dedication, loyalty and spirit shown to our program.
Secretary
Mary Ellen Clinton, MD
Medical Advisor
Lisa Craft, MD
Board Members at Large
James Armstrong
Jim Batson
Jill Bosse
Kathy Brim
Holly Dobberpuhl
Teri Edmonson
Kay Francis
Joe Gallivan
Susan Gritton
Cheryl Magli
Anne Morgan
Robbie Pinter
Mike Shampain
Amy Smith
James Stadler, Jr.
Joni Werthan
R.L.
The Saddle Up! 2007 Companionship
Award winner was Will for his special bond
with King Bee, shown in photo at far left
with NARHA instructor Lindsey Rizor Wood.
Stephanie Hall, photo at left, received the
Volunteer of the Year Award for strong work
ethics and great compassion for our horses.
Please see the complete list of award
recipients on page 3.
N.S.
Executive Director
Cheryl Scutt
Newsletter Design/Editor
Nancy Swindell
2007 TV Media Sponsor
R.L.
R.L.
A Beautiful September Day for a Ride, Roll & Stroll
Please see page 2 for additional photos and full story.
What’s Been Happening?
Ride, Roll & Stroll
Benefit Concert &
Ride-a-Thon
Raised $14,947
Maura O’Connell with band members at
the recent Ride, Roll & Stroll Saddle Up!
Benefit Concert at The Factory
The weekend kicked off at The Factory, where more than 100 people gathered for the
benefit concert that featured Maura O’Connell and Rory Lee Feek, Joey Martin with
her band. The performers generously donated their time and talents for the concert.
On Saturday morning, the fifth annual ride-a-thon took place at Duke It Out Farm.
Twenty-two outside riders, triple the number from 2006, and 18 Saddle Up! program
riders registered to raise money to ride on the private trails of the farm.
Everyone enjoyed a beautiful day perfect for being outdoors. In addition to trail
rides, the event had games, a hayride and other activities.
A special thanks to David and Sarah Ingram for opening the farm for the
event and to event chair Jill Bosse and committee for all their hard work.
Thanks also to Allegra Print & Imaging, Blue Haven Pools, Chris Cagle Fan
Club, Lipman Brothers, Bank of Nashville, Purina, Stoveworks, Wyndham, and
Ortale, Kelly, Herbert & Crawford for their support.
Work is already in progress to make the next events bigger and better!
2
Joey Martin (second from left) with
songwriter and husband Rory Feek and
band members Karen Pendley (left)
and Mitchell Brown (right)
Thanks for a Wonderful 2007!
Throughout the pages of this newsletter are stories of heroes at
work, most of them in quiet ways unlikely to draw coverage on the
6 o’clock news. The competitors in the S.U.P.E.R. Show, the award
winners honored during the show, donors who have chosen to
support Saddle Up!, our awesome volunteers, and
our recently honored Saddle Up! staff are
among the heroes who bring Saddle Up!’s
mission to life.
Without them – without YOU – the
dream envisioned by the founders in 1989
would be just that, a dream. With you, 2007
has been an amazing year in which Saddle Up!:
• Provided an estimated 4,200 recreational therapeutic
riding lessons
• Served 130 children and youth, ages 4 to 18, who daily deal with
disabilities ranging from autism to vision loss
• Launched a pilot program in which nearly 70 of the 240 children
on our waiting list had the chance to experience riding lessons and
which resulted in the pilot becoming a year-round offering
• Assisted an average of 10% of our riders with scholarships
• Saw record numbers for all three of our major fundraising events
– the Music Country Grand Prix (chaired by Sarah Ingram and Kay
Francis), Chukkers for Charity (chaired by Valerie Levay and
Theresa Menefee with Cathy Brown as Honorary
Chair) and the first Ride, Roll & Stroll weekend with the benefit concert and ride-a-thon
(chaired by Jill Bosse).
• Grew its number of active volunteers,
who are at the heart of what we do, by an
incredible 23% so far this year over 2006.
Day in and day out, in bone-chilling cold or
human-drenching humid heat, everyone pulled together.
The exact reasons why varies person to person, but the overarching
reason is because we believe. We believe in this program “Where all
children are equal in the saddle” and its power to make a positive
difference in so many lives, in so many ways.
Thanks to each of you for your belief and support. You are all
heroes at Saddle Up!.
S.U.P.E.R. Show and Awards Presentation
A fantastic fall day and several individuals to appreciate made this year’s S.U.P.E.R. Show
(Saddle Up! Phenomenal Equestrian Riders) a huge success. This year’s show was completed in
record time thanks to the many volunteers who made it all happen. Special awards presenters
this year included Janet Wilkins from the Chris Cagle Fan Club, Carrie and Blake Fohl from
Tractor Supply Company and Marcy Rehse from the Junior League of Nashville. A special thank
you to our returning MC George Houk and the show judges Lisa Thomas, Greta Bacon and
Laura Gilmer. A resounding thank you goes out to The Men of St. Paul’s for firing up the grill
for lunches. Special guest show participants were riders from Maury Magic Riders, Silver Bullets,
Special Olympics of East Tennessee and S.T.A.R.. Congratulations to all our show participants
and wonderful horses. See you next year!
7 year vests - Art Napolitano, our “IT” man
(left) with Cheryl Scutt,
NARHA Instructor Anne Craig (right)
Family Volunteers of
the Year - Carol and
Catherine Byrd
Always thinking of
others, Tori received
the Sportsmanship
Award
For More Information About
SU! Volunteer Opportunities
Kim Kline
Volunteer Coordinator
794-1150 extension 23
suvolcoord@bellsouth.net
Connor walking unaided this
year to receive his award for
Ride-a-thon High Dollar with
Tina Carpenter
3
S.U.P.E.R. Show 2007
An army of
volunteers, a handful
of horses, and smiles
to last a lifetime.
Parent of the Year - Jill Bosse
Thank you everyone
for the best show ever.
(Region V Instructor continued from page 1)
NARHA has more than 700 centers as members with more than 2,500 NARHA instructors. The
nation is split into 11 regions and programs in each region nominate instructors for the award.
Saddle Up! is part of Region V, which includes six states – Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi,
Tennessee and Puerto Rico – that have nearly 300 NARHA certified instructors. Nancy was nominated
by parents of some of her students, volunteers and staff at Saddle Up!. She will be recognized as
one of the regional winners at the NARHA national conference in November, when the national
Instructor of the Year will be announced.
“I’m truly honored and humbled to be nominated for this award,” she said. “When I’ve had the
opportunity to attend the NARHA conference, I’ve always been moved by the tributes to the
instructors who were being honored because of the high standards they set and commitment they
gave. I never imagined that one day I would be blessed to be one of the honorees.”
This is the second consecutive year that Saddle Up! has had a NARHA regional winner. In 2006,
Saddle Up!’s remarkable equine, King Bee, was chosen as the Region V Therapy Horse of the Year.
Pony Pal Award Teresa Barry with Equine
Trainer Lisa Wysocky
Others not able to attend Pennies for Ponies Highest
Collector - Anthony
Junior Volunteers of the Year Lindsey and Alex
10 year jacket Ray McCauley
For More Information
About These Opportunities
Tina Carpenter
Development Coordinator
794-1150 extension 35
sudevcoord@bellsouth.net
www.saddleupnashville.org
Grants
If you know of an organization
that awards grants for which
Saddle Up! may quality, please
contact Tina Carpenter our
Development Coordinator at
794-1150 Ext. 35
You Can Make it Happen
Commodores in the Community
Vanderbilt University requires incoming
Freshmen to participate in the local community.
On August 28th, Saddle Up! was visited by an
eager group of students who showed that they
are not afraid to tackle some tough and dirty
tasks. Mr. Bill had them collect all the large rocks
out of the arena surfaces, level bumps in the
arena and shovel all the arena sand away from
the outside walls. Another group of students
helped clean out an area in the back barn. This
was during the really hot period of weather, so they all worked up a sweat. We thank this group
of Vanderbilt commodores for their help and wish them good luck in their college careers.
HCA Community Day
On Wednesday, September 19th Saddle Up! was lucky to have 25 employees
from HCA come here for their annual HCA Community Day. These are very
hard working folks who rolled up their sleeves and pitched in to help. Mr. Bill
had several projects ready for them and by the time they had to get back on
their bus, they had finished everything on his list! Significantly pruning back
all the bushes and trees around the log cabin, they also painted some new fence
boards, removed a section of fence, pruned the bushes along the driveway,
and created dozens of volunteer files and name tags. They are a great bunch of volunteers and
we look forward to having them help at Saddle Up! each year.
4
Chestnet Bend Golf Tourney Benefits Saddle Up!
The Chestnut Bend Home Owners Association (HOA) had a successful golf tournament at
Legends golf course to benefit Saddle Up! and the Special Olympics. The tourney has been an
annual event that was greatly expanded this year. Both organizations received $3,500 from the
event. Pictured during presentation of the checks are, from left: Chestnut Bend HOA Treasurer
Rocco Panaia, Special Olympian Matt Drumwright, Chestnut Bend HOA President Tim Repass,
and Saddle Up! Executive Director Cheryl Scutt.
Yes! I would like to make a donation to the Saddle Up! program with my contribution of:
$2,000 $1,000 $500 $200 $100 $50 $25 other
Please make checks payable to Saddle Up! or charge my Visa/Mastercard
#:
Card Expires:
Print Name on Card:
Signature:
Donor’s Name:
Address:
State:
City:
Zip:
Email:
You may direct your donation through United Way. Our United Way Number is 7193.
I would like more information about becoming a volunteer!
Your gift may be doubled if your employer has a matching gift program. Please see your Personnel Department today!
Saddle Up! is a nonprofit Section 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to help children and youth with disabilities
grow and develop through recreational activities with horses. Your donation is deductible to the full extent of the law.
You Made this Possible
Contributors from July 1 - September 30, 2007
Ms. Dana Abernathy
Mr. & Mrs. Ken Alexandrow
Ms. Stephanie Ament
Mr. & Mrs. Raymond J. Anders
Mr. & Mrs. Richard D. Anderson
Mr. & Mrs. James Armstrong
Mr. Jack Aufderbeck
Ms. Christi Ayers
Mr. David A. Baker
Bank of Nashville
Ms. Linda M. Barbrie
Ms. Teresa Barry
Mr. & Mrs. Randall Baskin
Mr. & Mrs. Norman B. Bates
Mr. & Mrs. Jim Batson
Ms. Elizabeth Beard
Ms. Melissa Beasley
Ms. Nancy Beckloff
Ms. Helen Bell
Mr. & Mrs. William J. Bell
Mr. & Mrs. Jim Beuerlein
Blue Haven Pools
Bob Kennedy Builders, LLC
Mr. Brock Bodart
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Bosse
Mr. & Mrs. Thom Bosse
Mr. Victor Bosse
Mrs. Letha Botts
Ms. Penny Bowhall
Ms. Michelle Bowman
Ms. Suzanne Bradford
Brentwood Camera Club
Mr. & Mrs. Wilson Brim
Mr. & Mrs. John D. Broadway
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph A. Brown
Mr. & Mrs. Martin S. Brown
Mrs. Paula Brown
Ms. Barbara Browning
Mr. & Mrs. William B. Bryant
Ms. Burnie Buckalew
Mr. & Mrs. Scot Burton
Dr. & Mrs. Brian Busch
Mr. & Mrs. Steve Campbell
Capital Financial Group
Mr. & Mrs. Dane Carder
Ms. Ellen Carlson
Ms. Raine Carr
Mr. & Mrs. John T. Carroll
Century II Staffing, Inc.
Mrs. Sonya Cesnik
Mr. & Mrs. John R. Chester
Chestnut Bend HOA
Cindy's Catering Company LLC
Mr. & Mrs. Mark D.
Collinsworth
Common Cents New York, Inc.
Mr. John F. Couture
Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Cox
Dr. Lisa Craft
Ms. Anne Craig
Ms. Melissa Cross
Ms, Tonya L. Cumbee
Mr. Jeff Cunningham
Mr. & Mrs. Donnie Daniel
Mr. & Mrs. Nick Darnell
Ms. Erika L. Dawson
Mr. & Mrs. Luis De Rio
Ms. Amy Dement
Ms. Janet Lee Dixon
Ms. Holly Dobberpuhl
Mr. & Mrs. John Dodd
Mr. & Mrs. Randall Donaldson
Mr. & Mrs. Rob P. Dore
Mr. & Mrs. John W. Dougherty
Mr. Aaron S. Dugger
Mr. Gerald Dunn
Ms. Marjorie Dunnivant
Duthie Associates, Inc.
Mr. & Mrs. Charles M. Eaton
Ms. Jennifer B. Ervin
Ms. Lisa Felts
Mr. & Mrs. Dale Fenton
Ms. Anita Field
Fifth Third Bank
Mr. & Mrs. Ronald W. Fleming
Mr. & Mrs. Scott Flora
Fox Den Interiors & Gifts Inc.
Mr. & Mrs. Quick Foy
Mr. & Mrs. Robert M. Francis
Ms. Patricia Franks
Mr. & Mrs. Kent Freeman
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph F. Gallivan
Mr. & Mrs. Paul Galvin
Mr. & Mrs. Todd Garner
Ms. Gloria Gasser
Mr. & Mrs. Donald Gay
Mr. & Mrs. Frank Genella
Ms. Linda H. Genella
Mr. & Mrs. Joe A. Gipson
Mr. Richard Glassman
Ms. Debi Granite
Ms. Susan Gritton
Ms. Marsha Groce
Mr. J.B. Grone
Ms. Beverly Halfacre
Mr. & Mrs. Melvin L. Harper
Harpeth Pediatrics, PLLC
Mr. & Mrs. Bart Harrison
Ms. Hannah J. Harrison
Ms. Patricia Hart
Mr. & Mrs. James O. Hastings
Mr. & Mrs. Donald Hauck
Mr. & Mrs. Samuel N. Hazen
Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Healy
Ms. Suzy Heer
Mr. & Mrs. James Hendel
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas M. Hudson
Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Hunter
Ms. Vicki Ingram
Ingram Entertainment
Ms. Sharon Jantz
Ms. Debora Jennings
Dr. & Mrs. Paul Jennings
Ms. Cheryl H. Johnson
Mrs. Patricia K. Johnson
Mr. & Mrs. L. Russell Jones
Ms. Leath Ann Jones
Junior League of Nashville
Mr. & Mrs. Scott Kardenetz
Ms. Leanne L. Keck
Ms. Abbe Keleher
Mr. & Mrs. Kevin King
Ms. Theresa Kingery
Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Kinman
Mr. John N. Kuno
Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Kunze
Ms. Barbara Laifer
Mr. Billy Lampley
Mr. Rick Lance
Ms. Anne Lacey Lawrence
Ms. Ginger Ledbetter
Mr. & Mrs. James D. Lesch
Ms. Colleen LeVert
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas J. Lewis
Ms. Kimberly R. List
Ms. Lydia Littley
Ms. Laurie Loughlin
Ms. Patricia Lynch
Mr. & Mrs. Jeremiah MacLaren
Mr. & Mrs. Boyce Magli
Mr. Alfred Martin
Ms. Kristin Mason
Mrs. Jack Massey
Mr. & Mrs. Sidney McAlister
Mr. & Mrs. W. Dane McCarder
McCauley Landscape
Mr. & Mrs. Dan McDonald
Mr. & Mrs. Scott McKean
Mr. & Mrs. Steven McKenzie
Mr. & Mrs. Brad McKinney
Mr. Stephen McRedmond
Ms. Vicki L. Mead
Mr. & Mrs. Al Miller
Ms. Juliana Miracle
Mr. & Mrs. Jim Moore
Ms. Ashley Morgan
Mr. & Mrs. Lee M. Moss
Mr. & Mrs. Michael J. Munday
Mr. Thomas W. Nabors
NARHA
Mr. & Mrs. David Newman
Mr. & Mrs. Brian Nock
Ms. Joann Nunez
Ortale, Kelley, Herbert &
Crawford
Ms. Patricia Oswald
Ms. Denise Page
Mr. & Mrs. Clifford Parker
Ms. Mary-Jo Patterson
Ms. Tiffany Patterson
Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Peek
Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Peek
Ms. Betty Phillippi
Mr. & Mrs. Russ Phillippi
Mr. Michael Pierson
Mr. & Mrs. Ronald M. Pratt
Mr. Kenneth E. Price
Printers Ink
Purina Feed, LLC
Mr. & Mrs. Mark Ramer
Ravenwood High School
Ms. DaNel Resha
Ms. Dee Reynolds
Mr. & Mrs. Robert L. Reynolds
Mr. & Mrs. Ken E. Rhodes
Robert Orr SYSCO
Ms. Tamie Roberts
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Rogan
Mr. & Mrs. Robert A. Rogan
Mr. & Mrs. Pat Rooney
Mr. & Mrs. Vince Rosas
Mr. Joe Rowland
Sales & Marketing Executives of
Nashville, Inc.
Sandra Schatten Foundation
Ms. Katherine Scott
Mr. Judson Shafer
Mr. & Mrs. Shelby Shafer
Shafer Used Cars
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Shampain
Ms. Catherine Simpson
Ms. Laurie Simpson
Ms. Patricia Simpson
Ms. Amy Smith
Mr. & Mrs. Clint Smith
Mr. & Mrs. Harry L. Spaar
Ms. Lynne Sparks
Ms. Debbie Spencer
Ms. Kim Srygley
St. Agnes Academy/
St. Dominic School
Mr. Bruce Stahlin
Mr. & Mrs. William O. Stanfill
Ms. Anise E. Stanley
Ms. DeAnn Stanley
Ms. Lucille Stanley
Mr. & Mrs. Rick Stanley
Ms. Emily T. Stewart
Mrs. Nancy Swindell
Mr. Larry E. Tatum
Tennessee Equine Hospital
Mr. John H. Tetford
Mr. & Mrs. Ronnie L. Tidwell
Wall Marketing
Ms. Jessica Ward
Mr. & Mrs. Michael B. Warner
Ms. Karen Weaver
Mr. & Mrs. Ben Welch
Mr. & Mrs. Robert L. Wenning
Dr. & Mrs. James Wert
Ms. Melissa Wert
Ms. Joni Werthan
Mr. & Mrs. John W. White
Ms. Valerie White
Wilker's Custom Products
Ms. Janet S. Wilkins
Mr. & Mrs. Gary Williams
Ms. Faye Williamson
Mr. & Mrs. Alan Wilson
Ms. Barbara J. Wilson
Ms. Dorothy Winfrey
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Wolfe
Mr. & Mrs. Bill Wood
Mr. & Mrs. J. Patrick Wright
Mr. & Mrs. James Wright
Wyndham Vacation Resorts
Ms. Melissa Young
Mr. Fred Zimmerman
Wish List
As always,
donations are tax deductible
Student Needs
• Small English saddles - 14” or 15”
• 5” foam dice (more than one)
• Donations to ridership fund
Equine Needs
• Happy Mouth Snaffle bits, any size
• Medium sized bell boots
• Fly spray
• Dressage pads
• Waterproof winter turnout
blankets, any size
• Horse & pony english leather
headstalls
• Gift cards from Tack Trunk
or Judy’s Tack
Facility Needs
• Small bottles of water
• Storage cabinet with doors for
• 30”W x 69”H x 18”D space to
hold lesson toys, etc.
• Heavy duty, 4-wheel utility cart
5
• Gift cards from Tractor Supply
& Home Depot
• Arena drop down ceiling
projection screen
• Brooms & muck buckets
Office Needs
• 3-hole punch paper for copies
and printing
• Mini-DV videocamera to record
Saddle Up! activities
• 6 megapixel or higher
digital camera
• Multi-media laptop computer
• Gift cards from office supply stores
• Scanner
• White & Color 8.5 x 11 copy paper
M.S.
PLEASE NOTE NEW EXTENSIONS
Staff Members:
Cheryl Scutt, extension 34
Executive Director
suexecdir@bellsouth.net
Peggy Plunkett, extension 22
Business Manager
subusinessmgr@bellsouth.net
Tina Carpenter, extension 35
Development Coordinator
sudevcoord@bellsouth.net
Kim Kline, extension 23
Volunteer Coordinator
suvolcoord@bellsouth.net
Lindsey Rizor-Wood, extension 24
Program Manager/Lead Instructor
suprogrammgr@bellsouth.net
Familiar Faces
Lisa Wysocky Chosen for Top 50
Kudos to Saddle Up! Equine Trainer Lisa Wysocky, who was recently
chosen by American Riding Instructors Association (ARIA) as one of
the Top 50 riding instructors in the nation. The Top 50 list is compiled
annually to recognize riding instructors who have made a significant
difference in the lives of their students.
In addition, Lisa learned in October that the Hallmark Hall of Fame has optioned the book,
Front of the Class written by Brad Cohen with Lisa, for a television movie. The book is the memoir
of Cohen, who was a Georgia elementary school teacher with Tourette's Syndrome who went on
to win Georgia's "Teacher of the Year."
She will receive her award at ARIA's national convention in December in Naples, Florida.
Bill Bills, extension 26
Farm Manager
Lisa Wysocky, extension 30
Equine Trainer
suequinemgr@bellsouth.net
Kelly O'Brien, extension 30
Equine Manager
suequinemgr@bellsouth.net
Nancy Oglin-Swindell at Designancy
Newsletter Design / Editor
dznancy@comcast.net
6
NARHA Registered Instructors:
Linda Albertalli
Paula Brown
Alicia Burcham
Tina Carpenter
Kate Cole
Anne Craig
Alice Duva
Lynne Evans
Judy Griswold
Kim Light
Lisa McKinless
Rebecca McManus
Diane Mitchell
Jane Muir
Kelly O’Brien
Mary Jo Patterson
Kelly Sheehan
Nancy Swindell
Lindsey Rizor-Wood, CTRS
Lisa Wysocky
Contributing Photographers:
Rick Lance • Tom Oglin
Mike Snider
SU! Staff • Nancy Swindell
Lindsey Rizor and Nathan Wood
Wed at the Farm
Program Manager/Lead Instructor Lindsey Rizor had a
memorable day at Saddle Up! – as the farm provided the setting for
her wedding to Nathan Wood on September 30. Lindsey and Nathan
exchanged vows in front of friends and family, using the obstacle
course wooden bridge as their platform. The pair had unexpected
“guests,” as what seemed like hundreds of motorcycle riders zoomed
by on Old Hillsboro Road as part of country singer’s Dierks Bentley’s
celebrity ride.
Best wishes to Lindsey and Nathan as they begin their life together!
Lynne Evans Honored for Service
Co-Founder and Instructor Lynne Evans
received the EP Maxwell J. Schleifer Distinguished
Service Award in ceremonies at the August 17
Nashville Sounds game at Greer Stadium in
recognition of her service to people with disabilities.
The award presentation was one of the highlights of Disability Awareness Night, sponsored by
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company
(MassMutual) and Capital Financial Group, in
cooperation with Exceptional Parent Magazine and
the Nashville Sounds. Disability Awareness Night
honors the contributions of 54 million Americans with disabilities, their families and caregivers.
Lynne received the award from Exceptional Parent’s Editor Jan Hollingsworth and Capital
Financial Group’s Conrad Slate at the Nashville Sounds pre-game ceremony at home-plate. On
behalf of Capital Financial Group, Jason Bach made a $2500 contribution to Saddle Up!. Executive
Director Cheryl Scutt accepted the check.
The EP Maxwell J. Schleifer Distinguished Service Award is named for the late founder and
former editor-in-chief of Exceptional Parent who was an advocate for people with disabilities
and other special needs.
Family Ties
Four Graduates’ Parents Share about Their Time with Saddle Up!
A Saddle Up! S.U.P.E.R. Show tradition continued this
October, when three of our four graduating riders took a victory
lap around the Lynne Evans Arena. The three are shown during
the ceremony in the photo at right with Jonathan (far right)
astride Avalon, Theresa aboard Nelson and Savannah on Azuri,
all sit proudly with the assistance of faithful volunteers. Annie
Caite (pictured in photo below) participated in the 2007 Ridea-Thon. Below are a few of the thoughts their parents wanted
to share with you:
Jonathan – end of one great ride, beginning of another
Jonathan will be graduating from Saddle Up! at the end of the
year, although it will be hard to say good bye, we know that they
have given Jonathan skills that he will use in his next stage in life. When Jonathan hangs up his helmet and puts his boots on the shelf for the
last time, it will be the end of one great ride and the beginning of another because of Saddle Up!. - Russ and Rhonda
(Please see Jonathan’s full article in our Summer 2007 issue, available on our website.)
Theresa – a confident young woman who sits tall in the saddle
When Theresa was first diagnosed with cerebral palsy, we were told of the many things she would not be able to do, and to prepare for lifelong limitations. When we first heard of the Saddle Up! program, its wonderful staff, and the many benefits the riders enjoyed; we were looking
forward to Theresa’s participation. In June, 2002 we received the good news that Theresa was #124 on the waiting list! In the spring of 2003,
we attended the grand opening of the new indoor arena, and Theresa eagerly anticipated being able to learn to ride and to learn to care for a
horse. In January, 2005 we became part of the Saddle Up! family! Theresa learned so much from Miss Jane, her first instructor, and from
Rosie, her first horse. The last three years have flown by, and throughout her sessions, Ride-a-thons, S.U.P.E.R. Show and summer camp;
with the help of her many instructors, side walkers, leaders, and horses, Theresa has transitioned into a confident young woman, who sits tall in
the saddle! Theresa states that she will miss everyone, and wishes that she could ride forever. The many lessons learned at Saddle Up! continue
to serve Theresa in other aspects of her daily life, and we owe a debt of gratitude to all who have contributed! - John and Susan
7
Savannah – thank you for all your time with our daughter
We are the parents of Savannah and we would like to express our thanks to everybody at Saddle Up! who has worked with Savannah. She has
loved coming to Saddle Up! and believe she has ridden most of the horses in the program. When Savannah is not riding she is always asking us
to let her ride. She will tell us she likes to ride Buddy, Nacho, Dancer and Azuri and still talks about Tuck. We wish there was no age limit. It is
sad that most things end for special needs children when that reach 18. I wanted to let everybody know that before Savannah started riding at
Saddle Up! she was so tactile defensive that she would not touch animals. Participating at Saddle Up! has helped her so much we hate to see it
end for her. We again want to thank all of you for your time with our daughter. May God be with all of you and all of the horses.
Thanks, Tony and Angela
Annie Caite – growth in self-confidence, listening and responding
Annie Caite began riding at Saddle Up! nine years ago, when the farm was still at Leiper's Fork. I remember after her
first lesson, the instructor asked if Annie Caite had ridden before and told me that she had a "natural seat." For the most
part she is non-verbal but has been so enthusiastic about Saddle Up! that she learned several new phrases which she
doesn't forget from session to session. My personal favorite is watching her holding the leash on our very large dog and
commanding "walk on" when the dog wants to stop and linger too long. Annie Carte seems to have an internal calender,
and after the first two lessons of any session, she knows which day is horse-day and chants "horses" the entire day until
we pull into the parking lot. Saddle Up! and the volunteers have given Annie Carte self-confidence and have taught her to
listen better and respond to others. I wouldn't trade these nine years of her riding experience for anything in the world.
Thank you, Saddle Up!, Jeremiah and Marta
There is no secret so close as that between a rider and his horse.
– Robert Smith Surtees