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February 2021
News from RTT
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Happy Valentine's Day from all of us at the farm! The great news is that we are well on our way towards Spring—and there’s proof of this in the calls of the song birds and the shedding that our horses are beginning to do! Did you know that horses shed their coats based on the amount of daylight hours? As soon as the days start getting longer, many horses begin shedding. Thankfully, many of RTT’s horses wait a bit longer—they must know that Maine winters last a bit longer and it’s wise to keep their winter coats on past December 21st!
New in this month’s newsletter is a section on PATH Intl.—the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International. PATH Intl. is the accrediting body for centers who provide equine assisted services, setting safety standards and establishing best practices and standards for safe and ethical human-equine interactions. RTT has been a member center of PATH Intl. since 1998, and we have been a Premier Accredited Center since 2000! Our membership with PATH Intl. demonstrates the commitment that Riding To The Top has made to providing the highest quality services through the professional training and certification of our instructors, the training of our volunteers, the exceptional care of our horses and the work we do to maintain our facilities.
In this month's newsletter, we are excited to announce that two members of the RTT family are winners of awards for Region 1 of PATH Intl! They now will move on to competition for the 2020 International Awards. Read on to learn more about these two worthy winners--one two legged and one four legged!!
Be well and from all of us at RTT, have a Happy Valentine’s Day!
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Thanks to Zoe H. for the great painting of Mattie, who retired from RTT this fall! |
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2021 PATH Intl. Awards for RTT!! |
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Every year PATH Intl. selects regional winners in a variety of categories who demonstrate extraordinary service and dedication to the field of equine assisted services. This year two of Riding To The Top’s team members were selected as winners in Region 1 (all of New England and eastern maritime Canada provinces). In total, PATH Intl. has 11 regions in the US and internationally. Pat Niboli, was named the Region I Volunteer of the Year, and Luke, one of RTT's trustworthy Haflingers was named the Region 1 Horse of the Year.
Pat has volunteered at Riding To The Top for over 10 years. She is a dedicated and passionate advocate for RTT, assisting in the barn, working in lessons (both therapeutic horseback riding and carriage driving), exercising and training horses, and leading fundraising efforts. Pat is a friend to all and she strives to recognize the best in every person. She has been extraordinary through thick and thin and shows up in snowstorms, during pandemics and lends a hand with many special projects (remember last month's article on our new hay hut??!). We are thrilled with this announcement by PATH Intl. for someone so deserving!!
Luke, RTT's 27 year old Haflinger gelding, has been a member of our herd for nearly 15 years--and prior to that worked in another therapeutic program! Luke is an amazing horse (actually a pony, but don’t tell him that!); steady and calm for those needing a lot of support, and responsive yet challenging for emerging independent riders. Luke has given confidence and happiness to countless riders and is adored and trusted by all of our instructors and volunteers. This award is well deserved, and we are so proud of him!
Now all of the Regional winners go on to the International competition with the winners announced in October. You can bet we're voting for Pat and Luke!!
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Bangor Savings Bank is donating more than $140,000 to charitable nonprofit organizations in ME & NH!
Please vote for RTT before the end of February!!
Just ONE vote (not every day like other contests!!) will help to put us in the running for a $5,000 grant!!
It's easy to vote (one vote per email address)--just follow the link below and
- Select Maine
- Scroll to the Cumberland County section
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At "other" write in our name, Riding To The Top.
- Share with friends and family!
Thank you!!
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Hello Fellow RTT parents and caregivers!
Happy Valentine’s Day! It's also the time of year to spread love and cheer to friends, family and neighbors. Try some of these activities to help put you in the Valentine’s spirit.
1. Watch this read aloud to see how Cornelia Augusta spreads love and cheer to her friends for Valentine’s Day.
2. Be a bit crafty and make this super easy Valentine’s Day craft for someone you love. All you need is a few pieces of paper, glue, scissors and some markers or crayons. Have fun!
3. Have you ever seen a Hot Chocolate Bomb?! It’s the newest way to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate. This is a bit of a challenge to make at home with everyday ingredients, but something super fun to try if you are up to having a little fun in the kitchen! You can click on this link How to make a hot chocolate bomb! or at the very least, watch this amazing video of how hot chocolate bombs work!
4. Feeling like a sweet holiday treat? Try making a fun Valentine’s Day trail mix…use this as a guide or be creative and make your own with the ingredients that you have on hand! Either way it will cure your sweet tooth! For the recipe, click here!
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Thanks to Morgan for these great ideas!! Do YOU have something to share? We would love to share your fun and creative ideas too! Send along a video, picture or link to Kate!
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Need some last minute Valentines?? What could be better than some custom valentines featuring RTT's horses!! These are the very best valentines to send to your FAVORITE RTT horse, volunteer, instructor, family members and friends! There's a valentine for each of RTT's herd members. To print them at home follow this link: RTT Horse Valentines!
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For a school community service project, Zoey, one of our participants made some great signs for RTT. You will see signs like the one she is holding in the photo on the right posted throughout the main building. Thanks, Zoey, for your great community awareness and efforts to keep RTT safe! |
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Did you know that every 6 weeks horses at RTT have a very special "pedicure" from one of our three farriers (horse shoers). Most of our horses go "barefoot," with just a few who benefit from the support of shoes. In these two videos, farriers Susan Walker and Kristen Pretorius describe the work they are doing on Paxton and Abby. |
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Spring Term Dates & RTT Paperwork! |
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It may not FEEL like spring outside, but our spring semester is on the doorstep! After taking school vacation week away from programming, we will start back into lessons on Monday, February 22nd. The two 7-week terms will run from Feb. 22- April 9th and April 26th - June 11th, with a two week break in between. For questions, please email Kate.
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NOTE: Please do not email any personal financial information; you may either bring it in, fax it to 892-6523, or mail it!
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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!
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Shopping from home? Shop for RTT! |
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