Over the past couple of weeks it seems as though it has been the AH-HA time for riders- That time where everything just clicks and they are able to do what has been worked on for a couple of weeks. For an instructor these times are very rewarding; you are able to see the light go on in a persons face when it all comes together and they now they are doing it after weeks or sometimes months trying to work all the pieces together.

2 weeks ago the little girl who would like Camille to live in her bedroom came for one of her usual 2x a month lessons. Over the past 3-4 months we have been working on a posting trot on the lunge line. She struggled with it partly because the space in between lessons caused some sliding backwards and partly because of some physical difficulties. For the longest time it seemed she could not just figure out the rhythm of it, she needed me to verbally cue her up and down and even then it was challenging for her. Yet the last time she came it all clicked and she just did it, no cues no reminders, she was just trotting around posting on the correct diagonal like she had always done it. When we stopped for a moment to give her legs a rest she leaned down, gave Camille a big hug and said “Now we are sisters.” A very heartwarming moment for the three of us. It seemed even Camille understood why that moment was so special. For horse people you understand the connection built when you work together, figure out each others rhythms and movement and the reward in that. When I am able to provide and facilitate it for others it makes everything worth it. Building a bond with someone else and sharing in the glow of accomplishment is something that will be remembered for a lifetime and carries over into other parts of their life. I know this little girl will always remember her “sister” Camille and what she was able to do with her.

Unfortunately due to the alarming across the board budget cuts in our area, her parents are unsure if she will be able to come anymore. Her funding has been cut as it has been for many individuals with disabilities. Our weekly group from the school for at-risk young boys has also had to cut back due to their challenging budget. At the last lesson, the boys said their tearful good-byes to their favorite mounts.. the young man who for the last 2 years confided his inner most secrets to Camille whispered his last for now.

Dream On Curls riding Center INC over the years has helped people access funding from different area agencies to help provide rewarding experiences like these and is now excited to announce that it has become a 501(c)3 organization. This will allow us to fundraise and provide scholarships for riders. Visit our web site and click on the donations page to see how you can help ! http://www.vermontel.net/~top/dreamoncurls.htm Anyone can - through pay pal or by sending a check, sponsor a rider with a scholarship. Please consider this kind gift for our riders. Your gift is tax deductible to the full extent of the IRS Code Section 501(c)3.

Now that we have received our long awaited determination form the IRS, we have been busy writing grants so all our riders can continue without budget concerns. There is also a button at the bottom of the blogger page you can click on for iGive. Every time you shop at any of 700+ online stores in the iGive network, a portion of the money you spend benefits Dream On Curls Riding Center. It's a free service, and you'll never pay more when you reach a store through iGive. In fact, smart shoppers will enjoy iGive's repository of coupons, free shipping deals, and sales. To get started, just create your free iGive account. And when you search the web, do it through iSearchiGive.com where each search means a penny (or more!) for our cause! Check it out and consider joining up. You can raise money every time you search the web, at iSearchiGive.com. Make it your homepage and use it to find everything from news on the economy, to mood-lifting jokes (we recommend the latter). Dream On Curls Riding Center gets a penny (or more!) every time you search. Believe it or not, it adds up quickly and best of all, it costs you NOTHING! Start iGiving at: www.iSearchiGive.com/DreamOnCurlsRidingCenter.

Enjoy your day ~