PATH Conference in Bozeman

FullSizeRender (3)  Last weekend was the PATH conference in Bozeman, Montana. Dad, mom and I drove over on Thursday to be there Friday morning to set up my exhibitor table. I had my saddle and reins as part of the display, along with my picture of Chester and I. We had a great time at Eagle Mount Recreation Center. What an incredible place! In addition to having a stable for 15 horses and heated riding arena, they have a huge therapy pool.  It was so exciting to be one of the speakers at the conference, sharing some of my life and reading my book. I even sold some of my books, and met some inspirational people from as far away as Colorado and Anchorage, Alaska, all who have a love for horses and therapeutic riding. I might even attend the conference next year in Ellensburg, as I was the big winner of the drawing for free attendance next year!

Auction Time!

The Free Rein auction is almost here! Friday night is the big event, and I am excited about helping out. Mom and I will be there Friday morning with a big group of volunteers helping to set up. I am very excited because I am going to have a table in the silent auction area and will be selling my book! My friend Anne is going to be my date that night. She had been a caregiver for me for about a year, and is now in nursing school so has no extra time for working. We have a lot to catch up on!

My First Speaking Engagement

I am so excited to share my news with everyone. I have been accepted as a speaker at the PATH International Conference (Region 9) which is being held in Bozeman, Montana, May 29 – 31st.  PATH stands for  Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship which is the organization governing riding facilities like Free Rein. Region 9 includes Alaska,  Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Alberta and British Columbia.

Jeanne and Katie from ENSO (the agency who has been working with me in getting a job and promoting my book) are going to be going to the conference also. Now I have to work on what I am going to say. I will read my book, maybe have some pictures to share, do a short speech and have a question and answer time.  This is so cool!

LOVE the SUN

Love the Sun

What a beautiful day it was for our first time back in the saddle since December. It was a little cool with a breeze, but the sun was wonderful. My riding buddies, Grace and Nathaniel, were back; with Nathaniel sporting a new helmet and Grace wearing new riding britches. My good friend Donna was back to show Chester and I the way; and I have new sidewalkers. Free Rein has been very excited to train over 70 new sidewalkers for this upcoming session.

STCU and FREE REIN

Spokane Teachers Credit Union (STCU) over the last two weeks was running a contest ‘Who Do You Love’.  A person could nominate their favorite charity to receive a donation from STCU. In the first week, the top ten charities were picked and Free Rein was in the running. Yesterday the top three were announced; with  Free Rein coming in second. They will receive a donation of $1,500.

Spring Session Has Started

Friday,  February 28th, we started our ‘spring session’ of therapeutic riding. Chester and I had a great ride and joining us was my friend, Grace; and her horse, Whistle. We even had a chance to ride outside on the snowy trail. The riders that were scheduled for Saturday, didn’t  have the same luck as we did; because the temperature took a turn for the worse causing their classes to be cancelled. Chester thinks spring is coming  because he is SHEDDING.  My side walker, Susan, carries a hanky to wipe my nose when it runs in this cold weather; and when she wiped my nose she got Chester hair on my face. Then trying to remove that with her hairy gloves was a challenge. It was pretty funny!

Last Ride of 2013

Yesterday was our last time in the saddle for 2013. We were scheduled to ride the week before but because the weather was not cooperating (a high for several days of 15 degrees) classes were cancelled.  Yesterday was a balmy 30 degrees, no sun, a little breeze. I had a great ride. Mom and I made caramel corn that we passed out to my ‘team’ and left a big bag of carrots for Chester to share. We are scheduled to be back in the saddle again the end of February.

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Everyday Hero

Sandy Jones, the director of Free Rein, was honored as an Everyday Hero by KXLY April 23 on the 6:30 news. It was filmed back in March when we first started riding and it happened to be a day I was there; so mom and I  are in the video too. It is a fantastic video and is a really big honor for Sandy! You can watch it by checking out the following link:  http://www.kxly.com/news/spokane-news/Everyday-Heroes-Sandy-Jones/-/101214/19870238/-/wf08icz/-/index.html

Horses on ‘Spring Break’

Chester & Andrea We have had great weather for the start of our spring session this year. My pciture is from last week when Chester and I got together to go for a ride!  The horses are on ‘spring break’ this week.

Spring is HERE!

Spirng is here and I am back in the saddle again! We started riding last Friday and have had great weather so far.  Last week we forgot to take Chester carrots and boy did he give us a dirty look. He did get his carrots this week. Last week there was a cameraman from one of the tv stations. They are going to be doing a segment on Sandy and Free Rein. I may be in the video. I will let you know when that will be on. It is so great to be riding again!