'Hello'
from RTT!
'Hi!' from Sara Gagliarducci
Hi Everyone!

I am SO happy to be back at RTT! It was a long few months! I have missed the horses, staff, volunteers, and clients very much.

I have been with RTT for four years. I volunteered for a year and then began teaching. I have been a certified instructor for many years but didn’t have an opportunity to teach until I moved back to Maine (from Massachusetts) and met the amazing people at RTT.
I began riding horses when I was 8 years old. I bought my horse, Lad when I was 14, and owned him for 17 years. I am also an occupational therapist. I didn’t learn about therapeutic riding/horsemanship until my freshman year of college. I was so excited when I discovered therapeutic riding/horsemanship because it is a combination of two things that I love: horses and helping people to improve their function.

I live in Phippsburg with my husband and our three rescue hounds: Willie, Ruger, and Moxie. I enjoy boating and bass fishing with my husband. I am very lucky as I live 5 minutes from 3 beaches in my town. I love the ocean!

~Sara
Read more on how RTT's staff members have been staying busy here .
An update on RTT's phased re-opening plan can be found here .
Featured Horse of the Week... Abby!

Abby is a 19 year old draft cross mare who is 16 hands high – the largest on the farm! She was generously donated by Dr. Leslie Elston, and has been at RTT since last fall. She lives with Lilly and Paxton, and you might find her 'guarding' the gate and keeping a close eye on her pasture mates. Although Abby is relatively new to the program her easy going and steadfast nature have made her a fast favorite of many!
Abby shares her thoughts with you...

Hello everyone, it's Abby! You all may know me as the look-a-like to longtime RTT horse, “Friday”. Just like Friday, I am large, gray and a percheron draft cross, but I am also very distinguished in my own right! I have done SO many things in my past: been a trail riding pro, pulled a carriage during the holidays in Freeport, and learned some fancy dressage movements from my previous owner, Leslie. As you can tell from my impressive resume I am smart and quick to learn new things! I really am getting to like my new work as a therapeutic riding and driving horse and I really love going out on the trails. My riders seem to really enjoy working with me, too – and the driving team thinks I am the best! It has been great to have more of you coming to the farm – I hope to see everyone back soon!
Check out this video of Abby in action!
Exercises for All!
Our exercises this week focus on loosening and opening up the hip joints. As riders having flexibility in our hips improves our ability to follow the horse’s motion, sit deeply in the saddle and to hold an effective 2-point position. These simple exercises can be done just about anywhere as long as you are standing on a level, solid surface and have something to hold onto (a chair or a railing will do). Try these before your next ride and notice the difference!
Continuing Education for Volunteers!
In this video, RTT barn volunteers explain some of the many things they help with on the farm - picking paddocks, repairing fences, cleaning and filling waters, and so much more! Check out this video to learn more about how you can help at RTT (and how RTT can help you!). If you are interested in working on our 'grounds crew' - join us 7/30 from 1 - 2pm for a training! Please note: space is limited. Contact Nick for more information.
If you still need to complete the RTT Covid-19 Training, please email Nick [volunteers@ridingtothetop.org] to schedule a time!
PATH Intl. Survey on Diversity - Request for Participation by Center Participants and Volunteers! 

Riding To The Top is a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) Premier Accredited Center. PATH Intl. is striving to collect anonymous data from participants, volunteers and staff at centers across the country. This quick (less than 3 minutes) survey will help to inform an initiative by PATH Intl. to determine what more can be done to support the under served of our country from a financial and health perspective. On behalf of PATH Intl. thanks in advance for your participation in this voluntary survey!
Stay Connected
Follow us on Social Media
If you don't already, follow us on social media to see herd and farm updates. Find us on  Facebook   , Instagram (@ridingtothetop),  YouTube   , and on our private  RTT Participants and Volunteers group   .

Send us an e-mail
We want to  hear from you ! Tell us what you want to see from us, or just send us a hello!

Keeping Track!
We have been packing these newsletters full of information and resources and wanted a way to keep track of it all.   This document   contains links to  RTT Safe at Home Activities and Resources!
Shopping from home? Shop for RTT!
Choose RTT as your charity of choice on Amazon Smile , while you're shopping, pick out a few items on RTT's Wish List !
Riding To The Top | ridingtothetop.org