News from Brickhouse Equestrian Center (BEC) and Charleston Area Therapeutic Riding  (CATR) 
January 2017 


CATR Summer Camp  Under the Roof 

For many years, our staff has wanted to offer a summer camp experience for CATR students.  The completion of the Covered Arena now makes it possible!  We are thrilled to announce that our staff has planned a pilot Summer Camp Program for CATR students!  This four-day camp will be offered June 6th through the 9th from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.  
 

CATR's Summer Camp Program will give students the opportunity to spend an extended period of time at the barn engaging in horsemanship activities and interacting with peers! Students of all levels will get in-depth and unique experiences grooming and tacking, riding and vaulting!  Students will have the chance to participate in horse-related games and arts and crafts. 

We are looking forward to offering this exciting opportunity to CATR students this summer!  

For more information please contact Anja Cain at acain@catr-program.org. 
 


CATR & BEC Events

January 6th & January 20th 
BEC Pony Club Meet

January 28th
Volunteer Orientation and Training  
*Contact Anja Cain at volunteers@catr-program.org to sign up. 

January 28th
Sand Dollar Horse Show

February 3rd & February 24th
BEC Pony Club Meet

February 11th - May 12th
CATR's Spring Therapeutic Riding Session 

April 10th - April 15th
CATR Spring Break 

April 23rd
In the Company of Horses
*For information about Sponsorship Opportunities, contact Amanda Gerald at info@catr-program.org.

April 24th - April 29th
Volunteer Appreciation Week

May 13th

CATR Student Horse Show

June 6th - June 9th 
CATR Summer Camp
   
June 12th - 15th,
June 19th - 22nd &
June 26th - 29th  
BEC Horseback Riding Summer Camp 

July 10th - 13th   
BEC Advanced Horseback Riding Summer Camp

*For more information about BEC Summer Camps contact Julia Nichols at lessons@brickhouseec.com 
 
Looking Back on 2016 
An Exciting Year for CATR 

In 2016, we celebrated a successful 25 years of improving lives through riding and interacting with horses.  In 1991, CATR had one instructor, six volunteers, four horses and two students. Today ten PATH Intl. certified therapeutic riding instructors work together with 150 volunteers and twelve therapy horses to serve 150 individuals a year at our 43-acre farm that is now home to a state-of-the-art covered riding space and viewing area. 

We kicked off our 25th year with construction of our covered arena and started our fall therapeutic riding session under the completed "roof" in September.  In October, we were thrilled to invite our community to join us for the Grand Opening Celebration of the Charleston Area Therapeutic Riding Murray Stanton Neale Arena!

To top off an already great year, The Speedwell Foundation challenged CATR with a $50,000 matching gift for our holiday giving campaign!  Volunteers, students and their families, staff members, board members, BEC boarders, old friends and new supporters came together to meet and exceed the match, raising a total of $124,575 for our mission!  A huge thanks to all who gave this holiday season! 

This tremendous support allows
us to look forward to a 2017 full of growth and new possibilities to better serve individuals with disabilities, both in our community and throughout the country.  Our staff has already developed a curriculum and is offering a pilot Summer Camp Program to therapeutic riding students.  In addition, we are taking the next step toward becoming a teaching and education center by hosting a PATH Intl. Therapeutic Riding Instructor Workshop in June 2017.  

Throughout the years, countless people have given their time, treasure and talents to make CATR what it is today!  We are grateful to all who continue to believe in CATR's mission and are looking forward to the next 25 years!
  
Making Volunteer Education a Top Priority 
Continuing Education Opportunities

Our volunteers are vital to our therapeutic riding programs, and we are constantly striving to find new ways to express our gratitude.  For the last two years, one of the ways we have been showing our appreciation to current volunteers is by offering continuing education workshops throughout the year.  These events are designed to give our volunteers the opportunity to ask questions, work with different horses in a variety of ways, develop a sense of community with other volunteers and receive hands-on instruction and feedback.   

In 2016 the CATR staff offered the following workshops:
  • February 8th: Tack and Equipment and Deep Grooming
  • May 5th: Advanced Leader Workshop: Improving the Quality of Gait to Better Benefit the Student
  • July 9th: Advanced Leader Workshop and Spa Day
  • August 6th: Spa Day
  • August 20th: Facility Orientation and Volunteer Workshop: Leader Workshop and Side Walker Refresher
  • November 22nd: Advanced Leader Workshop: Reading the Horse's Body Language and The Use of the Dressage Whip
Participation in these workshops has continued to grow, and the response has been very positive.  We plan to continue offering Leader Workshops, Side Walker Workshops and the very popular, Spa Day in the summer! We are always open to suggestions for continuing education, so please let us know if there is a topic you are interested in learning more about. 

In addition, CATR will be hosting a PATH Intl. Therapeutic Riding Instructor Workshop on June 1st, 2nd and 3rd.  This two and a half day workshop led by PATH Intl. Faculty Members is open to anybody interested in learning more about the field of Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies.  For details, please contact Anja Cain at acain@catr-program.org.
 
Annual Holiday Party 
CATR & BEC Students and Families 
 
To celebrate the end of a fabulous fall session, CATR and BEC staff and CATR's Volunteer Auxiliary hosted our Annual Student Holiday Party on Saturday, December 10th.  It was a chilly but beautiful day at the farm, and many students, families and friends came out to join in the festivities.  Children (and some adults too!) enjoyed jumping in the jump castle, getting their faces painted, decorating and eating cookies and making ornaments.  Santa and Mrs. Claus also made an appearance with gifts for all!  
 
This year's holiday party also included a vaulting presentation by Vaulting Coaches, Anja Cain and Juliette Cain and BEC Vaulting students, Annika Astle, Kassidy Batts, Kindred Batts, Aviva LeVasseur and Blynn Roumillat Vaulting at BEC consists of  practicing gymnastic positions on a static barrel and on the back of a moving horse. This fun, physically challenging activity is a great way to interact with friends, improve balance and coordination, and increase muscle strength!  
                                                                                  
During the fall, Annika, Kassidy, Kindred, Aviva and Blynn participated in BEC's six-week Vaulting Session and learned vaulting techniques and positions such as mounting a moving horse, kneeling, standing, star position, prince seat, clicks and scissors.  After learning the basics and mastering these moves, they worked on choreographing a short performance to the beat of music! 

To sign up for BEC's Spring Vaulting Session contact Anja Cain at acain@catr-program.org