Archive

[2009] City to Saddle Launches National Charter Member Initiative

June, 2009

Glenda Faris, an equestrian and riding instructor from the Kingsport Tennessee area, has become City to Saddle’s first charter member, launching the Appalachian Region City to Saddle program this past summer. (Coming soon: photos and article about her experience saddling up children from the Greater Kingsport Boys and Girls Club in East Tennessee.)

Extending its mission nationwide, City to Saddle has established the “Charter Member Program” to help likeminded equestrian groups and individuals throughout the USA fund and develop horsemanship opportunities for underserved children residing in and around urban regions throughout the country.

Charter members are independent entities that affiliate and collaborate with City to Saddle Inc., and its other charter members nationwide. Membership includes use of the City to Saddle brand name and logo, City to Saddle website, and formatted marketing materials. In addition, charter members are supplied program and administrative templates. Affiliation enables charter members to register and fundraise as a tax-exempt charitable 501 (c) 3 non-profit under the City to Saddle umbrella organization, without filing and registering for separate non-profit status with the IRS.

City to Saddle Executive Director, Barbara Zenker, believes this initiative will both strengthen our organization’s mission, and help to assure the viability of similar grass roots efforts throughout the country. “By sharing resources, reducing costs and duplication, and offering materials and ‘know- how’, City to Saddle can establish the critical mass necessary to attract the dollars required to open many more barn doors for deserving boys and girls throughout the nation.”

For more information about the City to Saddle Charter Member Program click on Charter Member Standards and Application Form.

[2009] The Second Annual CTS “Meridian Equidance Fall Festival” Fundraiser was held on Oct. 17th from 4pm-8pm at Apple Knoll Farm, Millis, MA.

Meridian Equidance Company, an equestrian dance troupe founded by nationally recognized Instructor and Trainer, Susanne Winslade, held its 2nd annual Harvest Festival Fundraiser at Apple Knoll Farm, Millis, MA.  City to Saddle once again was chosen as the beneficiary.

Attended by nearly 200 guests, the evening event featured talented horses and riders performing to popular movie sound tracts. The venue, Apple Knoll Farm and its large indoor arena, was the perfect compliment to the show. A catered dinner was served in an elegant dining room created at one end of the arena, enhanced with patio heaters, a carpeted floor and decorated tables. Professional sound, theatrical lighting and hundreds of twinkling lights completed the effect. A live and silent auction added to the festivities.

Performers included members of the Meridian Equidance Company, The Dale Perkins Horse Show, Leslie DeGrandmaison and several other guest performers.

Three City to Saddle Children from Worcester, MA, Delines Candelaria, Amina Osman, and Fernan (Gabby) Montalvo starred in a featured equestrian vaulting act with Dale Perkins, Owner/ Director of Mesa Farm, Rutland, MA and  host to City to Saddle’s Worcester area summer riding program. The act produced hearty cheers from the crowd, and huge smiles from the young performers and their attending families.  Treated to dinner and front row tableside viewing along with their chaperones, these young equestrians bedecked in furs and crowns, also portrayed Kings and Queens in a Narnia interpretation.  

Members of the Equidance Company work throughout the year preparing for the evening…choreographing rides, choosing music, creating costumes and securing event sponsors. Their talents and contributions resulted in an extraordinarily successful event grossing nearly $15,000. Over 40% of the proceeds were donated to City to Saddle.

We wish to thank the cast and crew.

For more information about the event, and the Meridian Equidance Company, click here.

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[2009] 3rd Annual City To Saddle Benefit Luncheon at the Fidelity Investments Jumper Classic Held

23 July 2009

Saturday, September 5, 2009 11:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Silver Oak Equestrian Center 340 Exeter Road Hampton Falls, NH 03844.

The Fidelity Jumper Classic was a lovely day on all accounts. The weather was perfect. The food and flowers were excellent and the guests had a great time. A number of CTS children were able to attend on a bus provided by Girls Inc. The children enjoyed pony rides, crafts and a beautiful day out with horses. Many thanks to Melissa Lovasco and the Fidelity Jumper Classic for providing this opportunity.

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[2009] Walnut Hill Farm, Plainville, MA - Next Session: August 10-14

(pictures to follow)

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[2009] Mesa Farm, Rutland, MA -  Next Session: August 3-7 

See pictures.

Letter from Bonnie Gibbs- Autumn House, Worcester, MA

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[2009] Woodsong Farm, Brewster, MA  - Sessions Completed

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[2009] Windrush Farm, Boxford, MA - Session: July 27-31

Windrush Farm Holds a City to Saddle camp again for 2009. Thanks to host Tina Fransioli, four City to Saddle children were welcomed back to Windrush Farm once again in 2009. The children kept up a busy schedule of riding twice a day, learning about chores and horse care and many other fun, summertime activities. A special treat for 2009, the children learned a bit about driving! Read on for a general daily summary from the farm.

The kids arrived each day at 9:00 AM. They started by grooming their horses and tacking them up before their morning riding lesson, during which we focused on riding on the flat. After their lesson, they washed their horses and then completed barn chores, which include cleaning stalls, scrubbing and refilling water buckets, giving hay & grain, sweeping and raking. The kids then eat an early lunch, during which we would discuss a stable management topic. After lunch the kids would groom and saddle their horses for their second riding lesson during which they would practice jumping. Last summer this group learned a dressage test, which they performed on the last morning, and either jumped a little course or completed an obstacle course.

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[2009] Children’s Equitation Center, LeeElla Farm, Ashfield, MA - Next Session: July 27-August 4

Letter from Maggie’s Mom to City to Saddle

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[2009] Congratulations to Bob H.!!

Winning ribbons barrel racing in Raynham, MA! He will be participating in the City to Saddle/Windrush Farm riding program in July.

 

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[2009] Five CTS Youngsters Featured in "The Literary Horse: When Legends Come to Life" Photo Shoot at Bear Spot Farm, Concord, MA

February 2009

(pictures to follow)

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[2009] Boys, Girls, and Youth Organization Directors

City to Saddle has begun planning its 2009 summer riding programs for boys and girls ages 6-13. Both new riders and past participants are welcomed to enroll in the upcoming sessions!!

Participation fees: $15.00/ week session (new enrollees) $25.00/week session (past participants) payable in advance to City to Saddle. You’ll also be invited to attend some very special events! Once scheduled, we’ll keep you posted as to their dates and locations.

Please contact your youth organization supervisor, or e-mail citytosaddle@comcast.net, or call 781-891-5920 as soon as possible if you are interested in joining the 2009 City to Saddle Program!

You can download our program flyer here.

Barbara Zenker
Co-Founder, City to Saddle

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[2009] Hope Comes to City to Saddle

13 February 2009

Children discover hope in many places. In the case of 8 year old Dorchester youngster, Tajarah Clark, hope can be found in the person of Hope Cooper, a 12 year old equestrian. Through City To Saddle, a non-profit organization that funds and accesses riding programs for underserved urban youngsters, Hope will realize her wish: sharing her special world and love of ponies with Tajarah.

Beginning in March, Tajarah will spend Saturdays learning to ride and care for Hope’s wonderful pony Orion. With guidance and oversight from Hope’s mom, Jane Karol, a highly regarded Grand Prix Dressage rider, instructor and trainer, Hope will mentor Tajarah in the ways of horses and the bond that can form when young girls and ponies come together.

“Hope spoke to me about her desire to teach a City to Saddle child to ride, to share her lifelong experiences caring for, and loving horses and helping another little girl fulfill her pony dreams. Impressed with Hope’s horsemanship talents, and more importantly, her character, I considered this wish nothing less than a wonderful opportunity for City To Saddle, and a very special gift for one of our deserving fledgling riders,” states Barbara Zenker, Founding Director of the City To Saddle program. For Hope’s part, she is nothing less than “Excited by the opportunity to share her love of horses and to make a new friend!”

There is a famous quote from Plato stating,"The most effective kind of education is that a child should play amongst lovely things. Surely he foresaw an enchanted Tajarah seated proudly upon the warm, fuzzy back of gentle Orion, guided by the sure hand, and kind heart of a lovely girl named Hope!"

Hope, Tajarah and Orion will begin their partnership next month at Bear Spot Farm in Concord, MA.

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[2008] City to Saddle Equestrians Attend US Pony Club Clinic

Nine City to Saddle boys and girls participated in a horsemanship clinic very generously sponsored by CTS Board member Susan Smith. The event was graciously hosted by trainer/ instructor Deb Kirsch at her Looking Glass Farm Equestrian Facility in Middleborough, MA, and featured US Pony Club Executive Director, Peggy Entrekin, as officiating Event Clinician. The full day of activities included both mounted and unmounted horsemanship exercises. Each child was assigned a horse, and, with benefit of individual coaching, given responsibility for pre and post ride grooming, tacking, cooldown and leading one of Deb's wonderful school horses safely to and from the indoor lesson ring. Although Sunday was extremely hot and humid, the children also took advantage of watching the more advanced pony clubber participants coached by Peggy over a series of outdoor jumping courses.... ...hurdles which may well be tackled by these City to saddle equestrians in the not so distant future!! (Look for pics - Soon to follow on the Gallery Page)

[2008] City to Saddle Raises $5,000 at Equus Foundation Auction

Seven items, donated for sale on behalf of City to Saddle, raised $5,000 at the Equus Foundation Auction. The Saturday event, held at the Fairfield County Horse Show, capped a week-long series of equestrian activities and competitions including the Grand Prix Jumper Classic viewed by spectators enjoying ringside seats at the tented Equus Foundation champagne lunch.

Sincere thanks to our very generous donor friends DePrisco Jewelers, Barbara and Arnold Zenker, Martial and Josette Andre/Provence Shop.com, Alexandra Cherubini/Equifit, Dover Saddlery, Elliot Vance/Carry Art Handbags, and an anonymous friend of City to Saddle.

[2008] Two New Members Appointed

Susanne Winslade, a nationally recognized equestrian instructor and trainer, has been appointed to the City to Saddle Board. She brings to our organization both knowledge and experience working with all levels and ages of riders and horses - from the very novice to professionals and amateurs competing horses at national and international events. Many youngsters participating in programs and clinics run by the United States Pony Clubs, Inc. have benefited from her extraordinary teaching capabilities. Esteemed throughout the equestrian community for her Seatworks Clinics, Sue focuses on mounted and unmounted body awareness exercises to bring elements of human balance, symmetry, harmony and movement into fusion with those of the horse.

Greatly supportive of City to Saddle’s mission, Sue will be exhibiting her Meridian Equidance Company at the October Fest Equestrian Performance and supper. This fundraiser event, conceived and organized by Suzanne and her team of riders to benefit City to Saddle, will be held October 3rd at BearSpot Farm in Concord, MA.

Sue is honored to be part of the City to Saddle organization, and states the following. “I believe horses are a terrific medium that connects children and opportunities for growth experiences related to life. I also believe that when riders can share their horses and their time, it broadens their perspective with the world.”

Susan Smith, a resident of Cape Cod and Tortola, British Virgin Islands, has been appointed to the City to Saddle Board. An active equestrian and long-time advocate for charitable programs involving both riding and children, she has served as a generous contributor to City to Saddle, continually demonstrating her personal commitment to our mission and program growth.

In 1981, when her son joined the United States Pony Clubs, Susan became a Club volunteer at the local level. For the past 27 years, she has logged many hours with the organization both regionally and nationally, serving on the USPC National Board for three terms, and currently involved with the USPC International Exchange Program.

Susan has volunteered for other children’s organizations as well, including Museum and Historical Society programs in Rhode Island. She and her husband, Austin, have two sons and five grandchildren.

[2007] EquiFit Inc, and City to Saddle Continue to Make a Difference at the 2007 Fidelity Investment Jumper Classic

Read full article here.

[2006] City to Saddle Receives $7,000 from Equus Foundation

The Equus Foundation awarded City to Saddle a $6,000 grant. Based in Westport, Connecticut, this non-profit fund raising and granting organization promotes the positive use of the horse for the benefit of the general public and the equestrian sport as a whole. An additional $1,000 was paid to City to Saddle from the proceeds generated by items auctioned on behalf of City to Saddle at the Equus benefit auction held in Wellington, Florida, this past February.

[2006] City to Saddle Boys and Girls Attend Fidelity Jumper Classic

Myopia Hunt Club, Hamilton, MA, September 9,10

Thanks to the generosity of City to Saddle board members.

[2006] 1st Annual Jumper Clinic to Benefit City to Saddle Raises $3,600 and Wows City to Saddle Onlookers

23 riders from Novice to Grand Prix level participated in a jumper clinic hosted by trainer /instructor Paul Valliere and his wife Jill at their Acres Wild Farm in Plainville, MA. Twenty four City to Saddle children sat front row, center stage along old stone walls admiring the skills, bravery, and grace of horses and riders. Joining auditors and riders, the boys and girls were treated to lunch and refreshments throughout the beautiful autumn day. Thanks to the generosity of clinic arranger and sponsor, Randy Levesque, his wife, Donna, and clinician Paul Valliere and Jill, the entire clinic proceeds, including rider and auditor fees, were donated to City to Saddle. (See photo in Gallery)

City to Saddle Welcomes New Board Members

Alexandra Cherubini, Randy Levesque, Timmy Boulton, Laurie Diamond, Susan Smith, and Susanne Winslade, have been appointed to the City to Saddle Board of Directors.

Alexandra Cherubini is founder and President of Equifit, Inc., a Massachusetts-based company which designs and manufactures technologically advanced products for top riders and horses throughout the world. EquiFit's "shoulders back" device is improving the postures and effectiveness of many equestrians, and is exhibited in the Museum of Modern Art in recognition of its outstanding function and design. Alexandra has been riding since the age of twelve, and competes her horses in both the hunters and jumpers circuits nationwide. Her passion for riding and love of horses is reflected in her commitmant to affording underserved, urban children access to the equestrian arena.

Randy Levesque owns and manages Equine Insurance Services and Aquidneck Island Insurance, Middletown, Rhode Island. Intrigued with his children’s riding activities, ten years ago he segued from spectator to rider. Today, he competes his horse, Simon, in Jumper classes. Raised in the inner city, Randy looks forward to helping other disadvantaged, urban children experience the benefits and pleasures of riding.

Laurie Diamond is a Registered Nurse practicing in the ICU unit of Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Newton, MA. Previously, she worked in the health care industry for twenty years as a sales and marketing professional. A City to Saddle volunteer since the organization’s 2003 creation, Laurie heads the Stewardship program, and manages the administrative and programmatic interactions between host barns and youth organizations. Laurie’s loyalty, commitment and demonstrated organizational skills serve as valuable assets to the stability and growth of City to Saddle.

Tim Boulton, a national competitive jumper, has been combining a love of riding with equestrian–related business ventures. He is the owner of “LePeche Market, Inc., a gourmet food company with locations in the city of Wellington and the Wellington Winter Equestrian Festival, and is assistant to Eugene R. Mische, president of Stadium Jumping Inc- the largest horse show production company in the world. A member of the board of Governors for the Equestrian Aid Foundation, and supporter of Just for World, a non-profit organization aiding children in third world countries, Tim is eager to support City to Saddle’s equestrian/youth based mission by adding marketing and business expertise to the City to Saddle Board.

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