Barn Bits-

Rachel

Rachel Markels Webber is an equestrian trainer and dressage instructor at Apple Valley Farm, Littleton, MA. Founder and Director of the New England Valkyries Association. She runs the City to Saddle Equestrian Vaulting Summer Program at Apple Valley, and, with her colleague, equestrian trainer/instructor, Heidi Lepage, the Dunvegan Farm/ City to Saddle Equestrian Vaulting Program located in Wrentham, MA.

City to Saddle Day 1 June 2004. I




A black one and a white one.

All of a sudden color has become the theme of the day. I try, and quickly give up explaining what they are going to do. They are simply too excited. Heidi and I herd them up to the ring.

I have a plan. I
After @ 29 seconds I

I look around at the mayhem and say,

There are moments that stand out in my mind. One father
The next summer we encourage the girls to come, and Louanna is more advanced than the returning boys-she has paid attention. One day her mother tells me that Louanna called her at work three times to remind her to come home early to take them to Vaulting. And Yuri, Louanna

At the end, we all agree it is Victor who had exceeded all our expectations. Loud, ADD Type, bullyish, 0 self-esteem, Victor talks so much he has no idea what

I recently received an email from a former vaulter. In the email she talks about what she learned.

Thank you , all of you, for being part of a program that brings so much joy to so many children. For being part of a program where young people grow and develop through their relationship with the most perfect of all beings

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