Riding To The Top
News
~ December 2020 ~
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As winter solstice ushers in the start of longer days and the holidays approach, we send our best wishes to you. We are so thankful for our generous donors and volunteers whose support has allowed us to continue serving our clients and caring for our horses. Even in our limited capacity, the past year has had moments of wonder and joy.
We look forward to brighter days in the new year as the vaccine becomes available to our clients, volunteers and eventually our staff. Meanwhile, we will remain vigilant in our mask wearing, physical distancing requirements and personal and facility hygiene. We look forward to the day when we not only see light at the end of the tunnel, but when we are out of the tunnel!!
RTT has remained a healthy and safe place with humans and horses all doing well--we are ready and well positioned for 2021!!
As we look ahead to the new year here are some of the things that we are looking forward to:
- The start of our Winter Term on 1/11/21. The Winter term will be 5 weeks long instead of our usual 6 weeks;
- Continued work with our colleagues in Colorado and team at MMCRI on planning for the start of a NIH funded research project on the physiological effects of therapeutic riding on children with Autism--stay tuned for more in one of our upcoming newsletters;
- Enhanced Zoom meetings and curbside opportunities for those who cannot be at the farm this winter;
- Ongoing virtual learning through our school based programming with Westbrook and Greely schools and we hope to add others! This programming utilizes weekly Zoom gatherings and when possible an outdoor visit from Cookie, our miniature horse to the school; and
- Most importantly, moving into Phases V and VI of our reopening plan when it is safe to do so!
Please join me in looking forward to lengthening daylight hours and a bright new year filled with promise and a renewed sense of hope.
As always, be well and all the best to you and yours for the holidays!
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On November 11th, RTT was notified that it had won $2,000 from Town and Country Federal Credit Union's Better neighbor Fund for its Children and Horses – Inspiration, Learning and Discovery. Thanks to those who voted on FB during the month of October, our "Project CHILD" was a top vote getter. The grant will provide "riderships" for children ages 3 to 18 with disabilities from households with low-mod income. Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote for RTT and thank you to TCFCU!
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On December 1, Giving Tuesday, we set a goal to raise enough funds to pay for hay for the herd this winter-$6,000 for 1,000 bales. We are thrilled to announce that to date over $7,500 has been raised to date! That will buy more than 1,250 bales of hay for the RTT herd keeping them warm and cozy this winter!! Lucky and Orion, along with the rest of the herd say "thank you" to everyone who supported "Hay for the Herd" on Giving Tuesday! |
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Paxton, a beautiful Warmblood Cross Mare had a very special visitor on Monday, December 7th when her former owner, Mary Jordan, came to the farm. Mary bred her horse, Nutmeg Brown Ale to a Hanoverian stallion (who was in The Black Stallion movie!) and Paxton was the result. Mary was the only person there when Paxton was born and the tie between the two of them remains strong 22 years later. (Below: Mary with Paxton and her mother, Nutmeg Brown Ale)
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Their reunion was magical and emotional. Mary was able to watch Paxton in a lesson and she spent some time with Paxton grooming her and giving her lots of love! Mary also brought many photos of Paxton as a foal for us to copy and have at RTT. We are SO fortunate to share in the story of this special horse. |
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A Special Christmas Cookie |
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One of many class pictures! |
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COVID-19 has impacted the ability of schools to attend in person programming at the farm, but this fall RTT has been hosting weekly Zoom sessions with special needs students from two area schools. We ended the semester this week with a very special visit to one of these schools—If the students can’t come to us, we’ll go to them!! On December 21st, Cookie, with the help of special RTT friend, Becca Platz (who is caring for her this winter), traveled to Westbrook for an in-person visit. Not only did the kids who we’ve been working with get to spend some hands on time with Cookie, but they toured the entire perimeter of the school, stopping outside each classroom so that the entire school got to visit with Cookie! It was a joyful and meaningful day for the 100+ students, the school staff and for all of us at RTT! In the words of one of the teachers, “Thank you so incredibly much for yesterday. It lifted the spirits of the entire school. The kids are still talking about it today! What an amazing thing for them to experience.”
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Fitness Counts ~ For Horses and Riders! |
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Keeping our horses fit and our riders (and horses) thinking!!
Riding To The Top is fortunate to have outstanding staff instructors and a first rate group of "Schoolers". Together they are tasked with keeping our herd fit and ready for our riders.
Each month during our Volunteer Schooling Team Zoom meetings, Kristin, our Equine Manager shares new exercises for us to incorporate into our horses' exercise routines. This month we are working on a pole set-up called the labyrinth, which is a unique way to help the horses focus and improve their balance and flexibility.
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This exercise not only helps the horse, but it also challenges the rider to work on eye, hand and body position. And we often use these exercises in our lessons as well! Check out these videos of our participants riding through the labyrinth. Even big horses like Abby can be careful about their foot placement!
This has been a fun way to keep riding and groundwork sessions different and engaging for both horse and rider, all while improving our horses' strength and fitness.
We are so thankful for these very talented volunteers!
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CARES ACT and 2020 Donations |
Did you know that you can now write off up to $300 in cash donations on your 2020 income tax return without itemizing? Prior to the passage of the CARES Act, you had to itemize deductions to write off donations to nonprofits. For more details on this tax code change*, see How the CARES Act changes deducting charitable contributions.
*RTT does not provide tax or legal advice and suggests you consult your tax advisor for specific guidance and information.
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Keeping Track!
Our regular newsletters for clients and volunteers are full of information and resources, to learn more see this document which contains links to RTT Safe at Home Activities and Resources!
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Shopping from home? Shop for RTT! |
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