Category Archives: Equine Assisted Therapy

Equine Assisted Therapy, Show Jumping, Training/Clinics

Olympian Peter Wylde Announced as Clinician for Horses Healing Hearts Sunshine Series Jumping Clinic

January 15, 2014 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Peter Wylde attended a Horses Healing Hearts session where he interacted with the children and experienced the program first-hand.

Wellington, FL – January 14, 2014 – It was only four months ago that Olympic Gold Medalist Peter Wylde joined Horses Healing Hearts (HHH) as their first Show Jumping Ambassador. After attending an HHH Saturday Session last month, Wylde made the decision to step forward as a clinician for the all-new Sunshine Series Jumping Clinic to be held Sunday, January 26, 2014 at Sunshine Meadows in Delray Beach, Fla. It was a direct result of his time spent with the children during that Saturday afternoon that led him to step forward for the first clinic of the series.

“I was impressed with the honesty of the children and their ability to talk about things that were troubling them,” Wylde stated. “All the kids present made it clear how important this program was to them and how much joy it brought to their lives. This was priceless. The program confirms to me the value of a relationship between a horse and a person.”

The Sunshine Series Circuit will kick off with the jumping clinic by Wylde and will be followed by three show dates to be announced in the near future. Peter Wylde’s clinic on Sunday will offer three, 90 minute sessions with four riders in each. Levels are as follows: beginner (2’3 – 2’6″), intermediate (2’9″ – 3′) and advanced (3’3″ – 3’6″).

One hundred percent of the net proceeds of the clinic are benefitting Horses Healing Hearts; fees are as follows: $200 per rider and $25 per auditor. Please contact Liz Olszewski to reserve a spot today by e-mailing liz@hhhusa.org.

“My biggest goal is to simplify riding and get people to think calmly and methodically,” Wylde described. “I also like to humanize myself and get my students to feel comfortable in having a conversation about riding. Adapting to each horse is the most important part of the clinic. Every horse is different and needs to be addressed as such. A clever horseman is capable of reading a horse, and helping the student understand how to work and relate to their partner.”

There are more than 28 million children of alcoholics living among us, but HHH is the first non-profit of its kind, helping to ease the pain of kids growing up in a home with substance abuse. Horse Healing Hearts provides these children with the opportunity to help heal emotionally by working with horses while having fun and learning positive life-coping skills, responsibility and confidence. Using equine experiential learning, HHH is the only program in the nation that works with the specific demographic of children of alcoholics and addicts. These gentle giants help them understand life, themselves and how to cope with their parent’s addiction to substance abuse.

Wylde continued, “In the short time period of a clinic I think it’s important to simplify. The flat work is simple and not gimmicky. Depending on the level of the group, there will be jumping exercises related to and directed towards riding a course.”

Wylde first made his national mark in the equestrian world when he was 17 years old. He rode to the United States’ highest junior honor when he captured the Rolex-Maclay National Equitation Championship at the National Horse Show in Madison Square Garden. His nationally acclaimed win was only the beginning to a long list of accolades ahead.

Since then, he has won some of the most prestigious titles in the world of show jumping including the President’s Cup at the Washington International Horse Show, the $100,000 Rolex/USET Show Jumping Championship at the Bayer/USET Festival of Champions, the $50,000 FedEx Gold Coast Grand Prix and a Grand Prix at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian.

During the 1990s he was chosen to represent the United States in World Cup competition and at the Pan American Games, where he won both team and individual silver medals in 1999. That year he was named the United States Olympic Committee’s Male Equestrian of the Year.

In 2002, Wylde and Fein Cera represented the United States at the World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain, where they won the individual bronze medal and Fein Cera earned the coveted “Best Horse” honor. In 2004, the pair was again chosen to represent the United States at the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, where they won the team gold.

Wylde is the Head Clinician and Vice President of the United States Hunter Jumper Associations’ Emerging Athletes Program, which seeks to identify and cultivate equestrian talent and reward horsemanship skills to aspiring young professionals.

Together with Eduard Mullenders, Wylde runs Mullenders & Wylde Horses LLC, a Millbrook, New York-based training operation for top level horses and riders with a concentration on providing the highest level of care and training for the horse.

“The EAP is an incredible program which brings some of the best trainers in our industry together with talented and inspired young riders. It also strives to enlighten young riders about the importance of horsemanship, with the hope that these kids will become better professionals in the future,” Wylde said. “Many of us feel that there needs to be more education in our country, teaching our future professionals all the different aspects of horse care, training and management. Programs like the EAP and HHH’s clinic series is a great way to educate and enlighten future horsemen and women. And holding a clinic to benefit such an admirable cause as HHH is a double win.”

“We are incredibly fortunate to have someone of Peter’s caliber donating his time and talent to benefit our cause,” shared HHH Founder Liz Olszewski. “He does a lot for the youth in our equestrian community, and this is one more example. He’s a true leader in his sport.”

The jumping clinic is set to take place at 1 p.m. on Sunday, January 26, 2014 at Sunshine Meadows in Delray Beach, Fla. The sessions will each run for an hour and a half. Beverages and food will be available for all attendees. For inquiries about trailers or stabling, please contact Liz Olszewski liz@hhhusa.org or text 561-713-6133. All proceeds will benefit Horses Healing Hearts.

Horses Healing Hearts is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization dedicated to bettering the lives of children of alcoholics and substance abuse through equine experiential learning. To learn more about Horses Healing Hearts or how you can help with donations of money or time, visit www.HHHUSA.org or e-mail Liz Olszewski at liz@hhhusa.org or call (561) 713-6133.

Horses Healing Hearts Sunshine Series Jumping Clinic with Peter Wylde Fast Facts

What: Three 90-minute sessions of four riders each:
Beginner session: 2’3″ – 2’6″
Intermediate session: 2’9″ – 3’0″
Advanced session: 3’3″ – 3’6″

Where: Sunshine Meadows
16668 Winners Cir.
Delray Beach, FL

When: January 26, 2014, 1-5:30pm

Directions:
From the Florida Turnpike:
Merge onto Florida’s Turnpike S toward Miami (Portions toll). Take the SR-806/Atlantic Ave exit, EXIT 81. Turn right onto W Atlantic Ave/SR-806 W. If you are on W Atlantic Ave E and reach E Tranquility Lake Drive you’ve gone about 0.2 miles too far. Turn left onto US-441 S/SR-7 S. In 1.6 miles turn right onto Winners Circle. 16668 WINNERS CIR is on the left.

From I-95:
Take the SR-806 W/Atlantic Av exit, EXIT 52. Keep right at the fork to go on W Atlantic Ave/SR-806 W. Turn left onto US-441 S/SR-7 S. US-441 S is 0.5 miles past Half Mile Rd. If you reach 105th Drive S you’ve gone about 0.5 miles too far. Turn right onto Winners Cir. Turn left to stay on Winners Cir. 16668 WINNERS CIR is on the left.

Information: Contact Liz Olszewski to reserve a spot, first come, first served.
Liz@HHHUSA.org
Website: www.HHHUSA.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HHHUSA

Media Contact: Kendall Bierer
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

*Featured/Spotlights, Equine Assisted Therapy, Polo

Local Charities Biggest Winners at Dec. 19-20 Piaget World Snow Polo Championship

December 17, 2013 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Snow Polo returns to downtown Aspen.

ASPEN, CO. — Dec. 17, 2013 — Sopris Therapy Services, a Colorado-based non-profit serving children and adults with daily challenges since 1994, has been designated as one of the charities for the Dec. 19-20 Piaget World Snow Polo Championship at Wagner Park.

Pat Horwitz, executive director of Sopris Therapy Services, said the organization depends on community support to help empower children, adults and wounded veterans with disabilities to reach their full potential through equine assisted therapies.

“When we started out we found that we could combine physical therapy and horses,” Horwitz said. “It has been done in other parts of the country. We studied and worked with other organizations and decided to start Sopris Therapy.

“I get tears in my eyes every day,” Horwitz said. “I can’t believe the progress that’s made with the connection between the horses and children. It’s about the movement of the horses creating a brain connection with the child or adult and stimulating the nerve endings. It helps with better movement with walking, balance and core strength. Equine movement is a treatment strategy and another way to get patients to move their body. People believe in what we do. We are very appreciative of the Ganzis for selecting us.”

Melissa and Marc Ganzi, owners of Aspen Valley Polo Club, sister club of their Wellington-based Grand Champions Polo Club, along with Nacho Figueras and Larry Boland, president of Piaget North America, are hosting the final stop on the World Polo Tour.

The much-anticipated snow polo event has attracted three of the biggest names in polo and two of only six players in the world with the perfect 10-goal rating.

The Dec. 20 championship will be a round-robin tournament format with three polo teams: Audi, Piaget and St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, where teams will compete for valuable World Polo Tour points in the final snow polo event of the year.

*Ten-goaler Facundo Pieres will head the Audi Polo Team during the Dec. 20 tournament.*

Ten-goaler Facundo Pieres, ranked second in the world, will captain the Audi Polo Team. Gonzalito Pieres, also a 10-goaler, will head the Piaget Polo Team and 6-goaler Nacho Figueras will captain the St. Regis Hotels & Resorts Polo Team.

Figueras, who serves as a St. Regis Connoisseur, is one of the sport’s most popular and well-recognized players in the world.

On Wednesday, a press conference and cocktail party will be held in The St. Regis Aspen Resort hotel lobby from 6-7 p.m. where team jerseys will be distributed to the players.

On Thursday, Dec. 19, media day and St. Regis brunch at Wagner Park will be held while polo practice chukkers are played to enable players and horses to acclimate to the weather and playing surface.

Friday tournament action gets underway. At 11:40 a.m. Piaget will play St. Regis Hotels & Resorts Polo Team; 12:30 p.m. Audi will play the loser of the Piaget-St. Regis Hotels & Resorts Polo Team game and at 1:15 p.m. Audi will play the winner of the Piaget-St. Regis Hotels & Resorts Polo Team game.

The awards ceremony is 2:15 p.m. followed by the lavish VIP Tent After Party.

Polo fans can relax and watch world-class snow polo from the VIP Pavilion while enjoying mountain fare from the St. Regis Aspen Resort, including the brand’s signature Afternoon Tea Service along with cocktails from Johnnie Walker Blue.

Tickets are available through Ticket Leap (www.ticketleap.com). A one-day pass for the VIP tent is $150.

The VIP Pavilion ticket includes full access to the heated tent, lunch courtesy of The St. Regis Aspen Resort and cocktails provided by Johnnie Walker’s mixologist.

General admission is free to the public and will be first-come, first-served bleacher seating on the east side of the park.

ASPEN VALLEY POLO CLUB

CONTACT INFORMATION: Phone: 970-710-1663 and email: aspenvalleypolo@bellsouth.net.

ABOUT THE CLUB: The nation’s newest private polo club still in its developing stages features a complete facility offering stick-and-ball field, club house, wooden horse polo pit, exercise track, indoor school, arena, pony hire, livery, coaches, stable and turn to hire and grooms accommodations.

Sharon Robb for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12230 Forest Hill Blvd.
Suite 214
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
www.phelpsmediagroup.com

Benefits, Community/Charity, Equine Assisted Therapy

Tickets Selling Fast for Third Annual White, White West Party Benefiting Horses Healing Hearts

December 15, 2013 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Wellington, FL – December 13, 2013 – The lights dim as country melodies resound throughout the banquet room, heels click against the wooden dance floor adding to the majesty of the ambiance. The Coach House, formerly the Players Club, is transformed into the epitome of a white, western cocktail party. On February 21, 2014, the White, White West Party benefiting Horses Healing Hearts is back for its third year, bigger and better than ever. Wear your best boots and come out to the only party where white meets western. Tickets are $80 pre-event and $100 at the door, but they are selling out fast.

To buy your White, White West Party ticket, click here.

Horses Healing Hearts helps children raised with addictions in the home by working with horses through equine experiential learning. The organization teaches the children self-empowerment, life coping skills, and it helps them to build self-confidence while riding and taking care of the horses. HHH, a 501(c)3 charitable organization, is the only program in the nation using horses to help the specific demographic of children of alcoholics and addicts. Through the human and horse relationship, the children in the program are taught about responsibility and confidence.

On February 21, 2014 at 7 p.m. the Coach House in Wellington will transform into an elegant cocktail party adorned with white. Guests will wear their best boots and benefit Horses Healing Hearts as they kick off the year with the White, White West Party. Guests will enjoy food, fun, entertainment and exciting silent and live auctions. Last year, the event raised over $50,000 for Horses Healing Hearts, and attendance nearly doubled from the previous year. The tickets are selling fast, so now is the time to act.

If you are unable to attend the White, White West Party, please feel free to make a pledge at www.HHHUSA.org to help HHH meet their mission of helping children in families with substance abuse through equine experiential learning. Corporate and Foundation Sponsorships ranging from $500 to $5,000 are still available for this highlight event of the social calendar. For more information, please contact Liz@HHHUSA.org.

To learn more about Horses Healing Hearts or how you can help with donations of money or time, go to www.HHHUSA.org or e-mail Liz Olszewski at liz@hhhusa.org or call (561) 713-6133.

White, White West Fast Facts:

What: White, White West (White Party Meets Western Party)

When: Friday, February 21, 2014

Time: 7-10 pm

Where:
Players Club
13410 South Shore Blvd.
Wellington, FL 33414

For Event Information, Sponsorship Packages and Tickets:
E-mail Liz@hhhusa.com or Tere@hhhusa.org
Or go to www.HHHUSA.org or click here.

Tickets for the event are $80 if purchased before February 20, 2014. Tickets at the door cost $100. There will be a buffet/carving station, and a cash bar at the event.

Media Contact: Kendall Bierer
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Community/Charity, Equine Assisted Therapy

Horses Healing Hearts Adds Equine Assisted Learning to Program through EAGALA Certification

December 3, 2013 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Wellington, FL – December 2, 2013 – Horses Healing Hearts (HHH) is proud to announce their membership in the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning (EAGALA) Program. Since 1999, EAGALA has been the leading international nonprofit association for professionals using equine therapy to address mental health and human development needs. Following their model and training, founder of HHH Lizabeth Olszewski is now certified in the EAGALA model, opening up new doors and limitless possibilities for the expanding nonprofit organization.

Horses Healing Hearts, founded in September 2009 by Olszewski of Wellington, FL, helps ease the pain of kids growing up in a home affected by substance abuse. HHH provides these children with the opportunity to help heal emotionally by working with horses while having fun and learning positive life-coping skills, responsibility and confidence. After completing the EAGALA certification, HHH will now be able to start a revenue arm for their program, which will assist in funding their mission to help children through equine experiential learning.

The EAGALA Model is based on a team approach in which an Equine Specialist and Mental Health professional work through the horses to help the client. There is no horseback riding involved, only unmounted activities in which the horses sometimes serve as a metaphor and a mirror for the participants themselves or situations in their lives. Each client has the best solutions for themselves when given the opportunity to discover them. Because EAGALA is an experiential model, participants will have the chance to problem-solve, take risks, employ creativity and find the solutions that best work for them.

Founder Liz Olszewski shared, “Dr. Patricia O’Gorman, HHH Advisory Committee Chair, suggested that we start researching associations in which to be certified in order to increase our skill level and credibility. We chose EAGALA due to its worldwide presence and balanced, professional model for which it is known. Because it is a model with unmounted activities, we can use it interspersed with our HHH children’s program (which is mounted), but it will be the ‘backbone’ of the EAP/EAL services we offer in the mission-based program coming soon.”

The EAGALA certification opens up a new division for HHH, which will now have the ability to help adult clients from substance abuse treatment centers. HHH will utilize Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) to reach out to a variety of clients for fee-based services which will, in turn, help fund the HHH children’s program.

(Left to Right) Ana Maria de Jager, Medical Doctor, Equine Specialist, Frisian Association Director in Mexico, Annie Ricalde, Mental Health Professional, EAGALA trainer, EAGALA Latinoamerica Coordinator, co-founder of TAAC, Equine Specialist and Founder of HHH Lizabeth Olszewski, and Amy Blossom Lomas, EAGALA Trainer, EAGALA Illinois Coordinator, and Reins of Change Founder/Executive Director. Photo Courtesy of Client.

EAL can be used for individuals and groups and is often used to evaluate group dynamics via team building exercises with executive corporate teams. “I was very impressed to hear that in Mexico City, Annie Ricalde (EAGALA Latin America Coordinator) and Ana Maria de Jager (Medical Doctor and Equine Specialist) not only use EAL to help ‘at-risk’ street kids but also have used the model to train executives from Wal-Mart, Chrysler, Shell, American Express, Danone, Revlon, SAMS, etc.” Olszewski said. “The fact that Fortune 500 companies are realizing the benefits of EAL with their team-building efforts speaks volumes.”

EAGALA is often called “a ropes course with horses” and is experiential in nature. The process acts as a powerful and effective therapeutic approach for people of all demographics. The possibilities with the EAGALA Model are endless, and with over 4,000 members in 49 countries, it is no wonder that the nonprofit organization has become so well known for its ability to help those suffering from addiction, depression and trauma.

Media Contact: Kendall Bierer
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Community/Charity, Equine Assisted Therapy

Two Florida Therapy Horses Newest Breyer Model Horses

November 26, 2013 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity based in Gainesville, Florida. The teams of tiny horses visit over 25,000 adults and children each year inside hospitals, hospice programs and with children who have experienced traumatic events. From Sandy Hook Elementary School/ Newtown, CT to the tornado survivors in Moore, OK to child trafficking victims in Washington, D.C., they bring their special love where it is needed most. Gentle Carousel is currently working with children living in orphanages in Athens, Greece and then will be returning home to make hospital visits in Nashville, TN and Florida for the holidays.

Gentle Carousel therapy horses Magic and Hamlet are the newest Breyer Model Horses. Earlier this year, therapy horse Magic was even invited to tour the famous Breyer factory (Reeves International Inc.) in Pequannock, NJ and meet the artist working on her original model. She was returning from a second trip to Sandy Hook/Newtown, CT and the Yale-New Haven Children’s hospital and stopped to visit a child with a life ending illness in New Jersey where the factory is located. Magic is the first horse to ever to visit inside the Breyer factory.

Magic and Hamlet will be also be special guests at the 25th Silver Celebration BreyerFest in 2014. BreyerFest, the world’s largest model horse collector and equine festival, is held each year at the Kentucky Horse Park. More than 10,000 people will attend. Breyer has strong ties to the real horse world and say they add “the latest and greatest stars” to their model line each year.

Therapy horse Magic was also named by TIME Magazine one of History’s Ten Most Heroic Animals (the only living animal on the list). She is AARP’s Most Heroic Pet in America, a Readers Digest/Americantowns Power of One Hero and was one of Newsweek/The Daily Beast’s Ten Most Heroic Animals in America.

Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses
www.Horse-Therapy.org
www.facebook.com/TherapyHorses
352-226-9009

Community/Charity, Equine Assisted Therapy, EQUUS Foundation

Horses Win the First Bonus in the Animal Planet R.O.A.R. Campaign October 14 – November 12

October 24, 2013 Associate Editor Leave a comment

WESTPORT, CT – October 23, 2013 – Animal Planet announced today that the EQUUS Foundation was awarded the first of eight $5,000 bonuses in the Animal Planet R.O.A.R. Matching Campaign running through November 12. In addition to the $40,000 in bonuses, Animal Planet is matching $100,000 in the first donations received by its seven charitable partners. The EQUUS Foundation is the only HORSE charity.

The EQUUS Foundation received $5,000 for its efforts in pre-promoting the campaign during the two weeks before the official launch date on October 14 by reaching out to the more than 800 equine organizations on the Foundation’s Equine Welfare Network, its Alliance members, and individual equine enthusiasts and donors.

“We reached out and our horse lovers answered!” said Lynn Coakley, EQUUS Foundation President. “We are also doing great in matching gifts. According to the standings today, we are third in the number of individual donors and fourth in donations raised. The EQUUS Foundation may be the youngest of the seven charitable partners, but we have a loud voice!”

Even if you are unable to donate, you can still help us win the $10,000 “Most Traffic” bonus and the $5,000 Loudest Roar!

Click Here to show your support!
Pass this link – http://www.equusfoundation.org/ROAR – to your friends and associates!

Here’s what to know:

There’s 30 days to ROAR – beginning October 14 through November 12, 2013.

Animal Planet will match donations dollar for dollar up to $100,000 – but it is FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED – so we need to get your donations in early!

We’re also competing for $40,000 in bonuses! The winner in each category will earn a $5,000 bonus. The categories are:
* Top Fundraiser (October 14 – October 28) & (October 29 – November 12);
* Greatest Number of Donors (October 14 – October 28) & (October 29 – November 12);
* Most Traffic to Our Cause Page (October 14 – October 28) & (October 29 – November 12);
* Loudest “ROAR” Heard by Judges; and
* Most Active Pre-Launch Promotion.

Our cause . . . Rescue – Rehab – Retrain & Re-Home
Reduce the US unwanted horse population
Make equine therapy available to more people.

The number of unwanted horses has reached an epidemic level in the US. Tragically, many are slaughtered. Instead, they can be rescued, rehabilitated and retrained. Many can be re-homed as therapy horses.

Equine therapy has been shown to be an effective treatment for physical, cognitive & emotional disabilities such as Autism, Brain Injuries, Amputations, Attention Deficit Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Cerebrovascular Accident/Stroke, Deafness, Down Syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Spina Bifida, Spinal Cord Injuries, and Visual Impairment.

Whether it’s a five-year-old with Down syndrome, a 45-year-old recovering from a spinal cord injury, a senior citizen recovering from a stroke or a teenager struggling with depression, research shows that individuals of all ages who participate in equine therapy and equine assisted activities can experience physical and emotional rewards. For individuals with emotional challenges, the unique relationship formed with the horse can lead to increased confidence, patience and self-esteem.

Over 1,000 organizations now use horses to provide therapy to over 60,000 people with special needs. However, over 37 million individuals (12.1%) of all ages in the US reported having disabilities in 2011. An estimated 1.5 million Americans live with Autism and 1 in 4 veterans come home with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

With more trained horses, fewer horses will be slaughtered and many more people will benefit.

Let’s prove that Horses Have the Loudest Roar!

Click Here to show your support!
Pass this link – www.equusfoundation.org/ROAR – to your friends and associates!

About EQUUS Foundation

The EQUUS Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity established in 2002, also known as Horse Charities of America, is dedicated to improving the quality of life of horses, enabling the therapeutic use of horses for those in need, fostering the horse-human bond, and educating the public about the horse’s unique ability to empower, teach and heal. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. Contact the EQUUS Foundation, Inc., at 168 Long Lots Road, Westport, CT 06880, Tele: (203) 259-1550, E-Mail: equus@equusfoundation.org, Website: www.equusfoundation.org.

About Animal Planet Media

Animal Planet Media (APM), a multi-media business unit of Discovery Communications LLC, is the world’s only entertainment brand that immerses viewers in the full range of life in the animal kingdom with rich, deep content via multiple platforms and offers animal lovers and pet owners access to a centralized, online, television and mobile community for immersive, engaging, high-quality entertainment, information and enrichment. APM consists of the Animal Planet television network, available in more than 97 million homes in the US; online assets www.animalplanet.com, the ultimate online destination for all things animal; the 24/7 broadband channel, Animal Planet Beyond; and other media platforms including a robust Video-on-Demand (VOD) service; mobile content; and merchandising extensions.

About Discovery Impact

Through its Discovery Impact programs, Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCAB, DISCK) leverages the power of its brands, businesses and employees to give back to the world. From programming that inspires and educates to annual events that make a direct impact on the communities in which we live and work, Discovery strives to celebrate, support and sustain the majesty of the earth’s people, animals and natural beauty. For more information about how Discovery is making an impact, please visit: http://impact.discovery.com/.

About GlobalGiving

GlobalGiving (http://www.globalgiving.org) enables individual and corporate donors to find and direct funds to high-impact, grassroots projects around the world. By aggregating many donors, GlobalGiving is creating a new source of funding for people with innovative solutions to challenging world issues. Utilizing its network of local projects and web-based platform, globalgiving.org, GlobalGiving helps companies achieve their charitable, corporate responsibility, employee engagement, and cause-marketing goals. GlobalGiving finds and vets projects, disburses funds, ensures reporting, and develops web solutions that leverage its community for corporate partner programs. GlobalGiving is a 501c(3) registered nonprofit organization located in Washington, D.C. To date the GlobalGiving community has made over $49 million in contributions to more than 4,300 projects around the world.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Community/Charity, Equine Assisted Therapy, EQUUS Foundation

Horses Will ROAR with Animal Planet! October 14 – November 12

October 14, 2013 Associate Editor Leave a comment

WESTPORT, CT – October 14, 2013 – Starting today, October 14, through November 12, horse lovers everywhere will have the opportunity to prove that “Horses Have the Loudest ROAR” in the Animal Planet ROAR (Reach Out. Act. Respond) Campaign hosted by GlobalGiving. The EQUUS Foundation is one of Animal Planet’s seven charitable partners and the only charity representing horses.

“If you’ve been thinking about making a donation to help unwanted horses or enable more children to benefit from equine therapy, or if you are planning to make a holiday donation, now is the perfect time!” said Lynn Coakley, EQUUS Foundation President. “Animal Planet’s matching gifts will help twice as many horses and people! Animal Planet matches the donations as they are received so please donate quickly; otherwise, the matching donations will go to another charity. We are the only HORSE charity!”

Even if you are unable to donate, you can still help us win the “Most Traffic” bonus! Click this link – http://www.equusfoundation.org/ROAR – EVERY DAY between October 14 and November 12 and encourage all your fellow horse lovers to do the same!

Click Here to show your support!
Pass this link – http://www.equusfoundation.org/ROAR – to your friends and associates!

Here’s what to know:

There’s 30 days to ROAR – beginning October 14 through November 12, 2013.

Animal Planet will match donations dollar for dollar up to $100,000 – but it is FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED – so we need to get your donations in early!

Our cause . . . Rescue – Rehab – Retrain & Re-Home
Reduce the US unwanted horse population
Make equine therapy available to more people.

With more trained horses, fewer horses will be slaughtered and many more people will benefit.

Let’s prove that Horses Have the Loudest Roar!

Click Here to show your support!
Pass this link – www.equusfoundation.org/ROAR – to your friends and associates!

About EQUUS Foundation

About Animal Planet Media

About Discovery Impact

About GlobalGiving

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Community/Charity, Equine Assisted Therapy

Olympic Gold Medalist Peter Wylde Joins Horses Healing Hearts as First Show Jumping Ambassador

September 4, 2013 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Peter Wylde at the 2013 Winter Equestrian Festival aboard Lipton L’Othian. Photo By: Carrie Wirth/Phelps Media Group.

Wellington, FL – September 4, 2013 – There are more than 28 million children of alcoholics living among us, but there is only one organization that brings smiles to their faces weekly by joining them with horses and mentors: Horses Healing Hearts (HHH). The inspirational national non-profit organization is proud to announce that Olympic Gold Medalist Peter Wylde has joined Horses Healing Hearts as their first Show Jumping Ambassador.

The first of its kind, HHH was founded in September 2009 by Liz Olszewski of Wellington, FL, and helps ease the pain of kids growing up in a home with substance abuse. Horse Healing Hearts provides these children with the opportunity to help heal emotionally by working with horses while having fun and learning positive life-coping skills, responsibility and confidence. Using equine experiential learning, HHH is the only program in the nation that works with the specific demographic of children of alcoholics and addicts. These gentle giants help them understand life, themselves and how to cope with their parents’ addiction to substance abuse.

“Horses can have a very transformative effect, particularly on children,” Wylde explained. “Horses Healing Hearts is an organization that helps children of families dealing with substance abuse issues to change their lives through riding and horsemanship. I am honored to be chosen as an Ambassador and I’m excited to be part of the amazing work they do with these children and families.”

Since then, he has won some of the most prestigious titles in the world of show jumping including the President’s Cup at the Washington International Horse Show, the $100,000 Rolex/USET Show Jumping Championship at the Bayer/USET Festival of Champions, the $50,000 FedEx Gold Coast Grand Prix, and a Grand Prix at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian.

In 2002, Wylde and Fein Cera represented the United States at the World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain, where they won the individual bronze medal and Fein Cera earned the coveted “Best Horse” honor. In 2004 the pair was again chosen to represent the United States at the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, where they won the team gold.

Wylde is the Head Clinician and Vice President of the United States Hunter Jumper Association’s Emerging Athletes Program, which seeks to identify and cultivate equestrian talent and reward horsemanship skills to aspiring young professionals.

Together with his partner Eduard Mullenders, Wylde runs Mullenders & Wylde Horses LLC, a Millbrook, New York-based training operation for top level horses and riders with a concentration on providing the highest level of care and training for the horse.

“HHH could not be more proud to have a leader in the industry like Mr. Wylde on board. With his history of already giving back to youth, his involvement seemed like a natural fit. We’re looking forward to a long and fruitful partnership helping these kids understand they are a product of their decisions and actions, not of their circumstances,” commented Liz Olszewski, Founder of Horses Healing Hearts.

Horses Healing Hearts is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization dedicated to bettering the lives of children of alcoholics and substance abuse through equine experiential learning. To learn more about Horses Healing Hearts or how you can help with donations of money or time, go to http://www.HHHUSA.org or e-mail Liz Olszewski at liz@hhhusa.org or call (561) 713-6133.

Media Contact: Kendall Bierer
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Community/Charity, Equine Assisted Therapy

Southeast Medal Finals Aids Unbridled Warriors Inc.

July 9, 2013 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Unbridled Warriors Inc.’s mission is to provide equine assisted personal growth, equine experiential growth and services to military personnel and veterans.

Jacksonville, FL – July 9, 2013 – The Southeast Medal Finals brings some of the country’s top competitors and trainers to Jacksonville, FL, and this year the show is also bringing support of a new nonprofit, Unbridled Warriors Inc. All proceeds from live and silent auctions held during the show, September 19-22, 2013, will be donated to support the worthy organization.

Based in Green Cove Springs, FL, Unbridled Warriors Inc. provides equine assisted programs and equine interactive learning to military personnel, veterans, first responders and the families of these service men and women.

“Unbridled Warriors is a nonprofit created because we were seeing more and more military and first responders as participants in equine assisted programs, and most of them are limited in their ability to access that type of programming,” Unbridled Warriors founder StarrLee Heady shared. “This programming provides equine interactive learning or equine assisted programs that can help them deal with post-traumatic stress disorder, combat stress, relationship problems, intimacy issues – just about anything that comes up.”

Heady has worked with military personnel in similar programming pro-bono since July 2011, but as the need for the equine assisted services continued to grow, Unbridled Warriors came to fruition and received its 501(c)3 nonprofit status in January 2013. Now, Heady is thrilled with the opportunity that the Southeast Medal Finals has presented the growing organization.

“It just means so much,” she said. “It’s good exposure to the rest of the horse world. There are so many people in the horse industry who understand how much of a difference it’s made in their own lives to work with horses, but they aren’t aware that horses are being utilized to do this sort of service in our community. It’s just tremendous that another horse industry group would support us in this way.”

Southeast Medal Finals features the ASPCA Maclay Regionals, the Phelps Media Group Southeast Junior 3′ Medal Finals, the $25,000 Land Rover of Jacksonville Grand Prix, the $10,000 Children’s/Adult Southeast Championship and more. The four-day show is held at one of the premier equestrian facilities on the east coast, the Jacksonville Equestrian Center, centrally located for USHJA Zone 4 and Region 3 competitors. The complex includes a network of adjacent trails, available to explore and enjoy for a casual hack during horse show down times. With excellent footing and some of the top junior riders in the country, Southeast Medal Finals is the perfect preparation for the fall indoor circuit. To learn more about Southeast Medal Finals, check out www.southeastmedalfinals.com.

Southeast Medal Finals Fast Facts:

WHAT: The Southeast Medal Finals is an A-Rated indoor hunter, jumper and equitation horse show attracting the top riders from USHJA Zone 4 and beyond.

WEBSITE: www.southeastmedalfinals.com

WHEN: September 19-23, 2013

WHERE: The Jacksonville Equestrian Center, Jacksonville, FL, featuring a large indoor coliseum with 3,000 seats, two outdoor rings and 500 permanent stalls.

FEATURES:
Phelps Media Group Southeast Junior 3′ Medal Finals
Southeast Adult 3′ Medal Finals
$25,000 Land Rover Jacksonville Grand Prix
ASPCA Maclay Regionals

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Susan Rindal – 904-655-5497 – rindal@bellsouth.net
James Lala – 561-906-6668 – jdlala@aol.com
Bob Bell – 843-768-5503 – bbell@earthlink.net

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:

Banners: 20 Eight Foot Banners to Hang in Ring
Parties: Welcome Party, Jumper Cocktail Party, Maclay Breakfast
Program Ads: Full Color, Full Page – Business Card Size
Tables: 20 VP Tables for Six with full service
Prize Money: Hunter and Jumper Divisions
Cooler Sponsors: 10 Coolers Awarded to Championship Winners
Grooms Award

DIRECTIONS: For map and address information, visit http://www.southeastmedalfinals.com/Location.aspx.

Carrie Wirth for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12230 Forest Hill Blvd.
Suite 214
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
www.phelpsmediagroup.com

Equine Assisted Therapy, Phelps Media Group

Pegasus Therapeutic Riding Gives Students Wings to Soar Past Challenges

May 5, 2013 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Grace LaBarre demonstrates her half-seat while trotting at last year’s Pegasus Horse Show. Photo: Christine Fitzgerald/Pegasus Therapeutic Riding.

Brewster, NY – May 3, 2013 – Since its founding in 1975, Pegasus Therapeutic Riding has touched the lives of thousands of individuals with needs. In partnership with their therapeutic horses, Pegasus students have found the strength, the freedom and the wings to rise above their physical, cognitive and emotional challenges.

One former student summed up the experience perfectly when she said:

“Riding with Pegasus gave me wings and a sense of accomplishment. Finally I found a sport that I was able to excel at. In the saddle, I for once felt ‘normal.'”

This young woman is one of many military veterans, people with special needs and at-risk individuals who benefit from the equine-assisted therapeutic programs Pegasus offers.

On May 17-18, 2013, the 32nd Annual Pegasus Horse Show will allow these students to showcase their accomplishments and abilities for the families, friends, staff and volunteers who believe in the opportunities and benefits Pegasus creates.

Laurie Howlett is among those parents who have seen the difference that Pegasus can make in the life of a child, and she shared the following:

“My 20-year-old son, Luke, has multiple developmental delays. Inherent in the special needs journey is isolation, and consequently, loneliness. Pegasus, however, is the great equalizer, for when on the horse, the rider is no longer defined by his/her diagnosis, and those moments are glorious, a glimpse into normal.”

Another mother, Karen LaBarre, wrote of her daughter Grace: “My daughter has Hypotonia, a disorder that affects motor nerve control by the brain, muscle strength, speech, social and sensory issues… There are not enough words of thank you to Pegasus when your child, who struggles every day with walking, especially on stairs, is doing a half-seat while trotting, giggling up a storm with pride.”

Over the two days of the Pegasus Horse Show, riders like Luke and Grace will demonstrate what they have learned in their weekly therapeutic lessons. Each student will receive a ribbon in recognition of some aspect of his or her riding, such as best position, best half seat or best use of aids.

“This experience has opened up a whole new wonderful world for Luke that puts a smile on his face and most importantly, in his heart,” Howlett said.

The students and their families aren’t the only ones reaping the benefits of the programs Pegasus offers. One teen volunteer eloquently explained how she too has grown from her time with Pegasus:

“The most powerful lesson that I have learned as a therapeutic volunteer turns out to be a very personal one for me – it is about invisible efforts. By this I mean that on the outside, the work that we do as volunteers doesn’t look like much; we guide the horses, hold up the children, or gently encourage them. Also, from an onlooker’s perspective, the children don’t appear to be working so hard; they just seem to be going along for the ride. But one day, something amazing happens. One day, an eight-year-old boy suddenly sits upright in his saddle, alone, and without our help. What most people wouldn’t realize is how many months or years he had been ‘invisibly’ squeezing his muscles into the saddle or side of the horse, building his strength, balance and confidence. When I see how all those efforts add up over time, I am reminded to believe in my own struggles. These young riders, together with the leaders of the program, have helped me see myself in ways that my everyday life never could.”

The programs that Pegasus Therapeutic Riding offers and the Annual Pegasus Horse Show would not be possible without these dedicated volunteers and the generous donors and sponsors who underwrite more than 90 percent of Pegasus’ annual budget.

To learn more about Pegasus Therapeutic Riding, the 32nd Annual Pegasus Horse Show and how you can get involved, visit www.pegasustr.org.

Pegasus Therapeutic Riding offers programs to more than 225 individuals each year at four regional chapters: Pleasantville, N.Y.; Greenwich, Conn.; Darien, Conn.; and Pegasus Farm in Brewster, N.Y. All programs are led by Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) certified physical therapists, occupational therapists, licensed educators and therapeutic riding instructors.

32nd Annual Pegasus Horse Show Fast Facts:

WHEN: Friday, May 17, 2013 starting at 6pm and Saturday, May 18, 2013 starting at 10am

WHERE: Pegasus Farm – Brewster, New York

WEB SITE: www.pegasustr.org/horseshow

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:

Presenting Sponsor: $25,000
Funds a six-week program for 20 students

Grand Champion Sponsor: $10,000
Funds a 12-week program for four students

Gold Medal Sponsor: $5,000
Funds a year of daily care for a therapeutic horse

Silver Medal Sponsor: $2,500
Funds five student scholarships for 12 weeks

Bronze Medal Sponsor: $1,000
Funds one student scholarship for a year

Blue Ribbon Sponsor: $500
Funds one student scholarship for 12 weeks or one year of equine veterinary services for a therapeutic horse

Red Ribbon Sponsor: $250
Funds one student’s summer program or helps support Pegasus’ emergency vet care fund for its therapeutic horse horses

Yellow Ribbon Sponsor: $100
Funds a comprehensive therapeutic evaluation for one perspective student

Interested sponsors may contact Syreeta Jones at Pegasus Therapeutic Riding by phone at (845) 669-8235 ext. 101 or by email at sjones@pegasustr.org for further information.

Emily Riden for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

Media Contact:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd.
Suite 105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Horses in the South – An Equine News Publisher

Category Archives: Equine Assisted Therapy

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