Greetings from the farm!
We hope everyone has been enjoying the warmer temperatures and May sunshine! With our Spring Session wrapping up soon, we are rolling right into our Summer Session beginning June 12, and we look forward to welcoming new and returning participants and volunteers to the farm. This has been a busy month for Southern Reins with the celebration of our 8th Annual Jockeys & Juleps Derby Party, and it was simply spectacular. We share our immense appreciation and gratitude to our wonderful event sponsors, donors, and guests who helped raise more than $360,000 to support our mission outreach. From all of us at the farm, THANK YOU for joining us to change lives . . . one ride at a time.
Here are just a few of our May highlights sharing all of the great things happening at the farm as we continue to change lives . . . one ride at a time.
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8th Annual Jockeys & Juleps Derby Party |
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Attended by more than 850 guests, the 8th Annual Jockeys & Juleps Derby Party included an incredible silent and live auction, live music by The River Bluff Clan, delicious southern-style fare, awards for best hat and best dressed gent, and an exciting live broadcast of the 149th Annual Kentucky Derby! Presented by First Horizon Advisors, attendees witnessed Mage pull forward and win by a length! Honorary Event Chairs Alan and Vail Gates were joined by their daughter, Lauren Gates - who is a program participant, volunteer, and member of Southern Reins’ barn staff – to welcome guests and celebrate the organization’s largest and most successful annual fundraiser.
Decked out in their derby best, guests enjoyed big hats, bourbon, and bluegrass while sipping on signature mint juleps. Southern Reins' participants and their families also attended the event to share their stories about how our program has changed their lives.
This year’s Jockeys & Juleps Derby Party raised more than $360,000 to sustain and grow our program services. Thank you for your incredible generosity, and for joining us to celebrate the Run for the Roses . . . Memphis style!
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We have some amazing items still available in our Jockeys & Juleps Second Chance Auction! Online bidding opens on Wednesday, May 17 at Noon and closes on Wednesday, May 24 at 7PM Central Time. Winning bidders can pickup their items at the farm on Thursday, May 25 through Wednesday, May 31 from 9AM to 4PM.
Every dollar you bid helps support equine-assisted services for individuals with disabilities and hardship throughout our community. You can also donate to support our Scholarship Fund and to help where it is needed most.
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Register for Our Summer Session |
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It's time to register for our 6-week Summer Session!
The summer session begins June 12 and concludes July 29. To learn more about our adaptive horseback riding program, click here.
Summer Session registration closes May 22.
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Program Update: Welcome Shannon Body |
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Southern Reins would like to share a very warm welcome to our newest therapist specializing in Occupational Therapy incorporating Hippotherapy, Shannon Body!
Shannon received her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology with a Therapeutic Rehabilitation emphasis from Sacramento State University, and received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from West Coast University in Los Angeles. She has provided Occupational Therapy services in pediatrics, geriatrics, and acute care since 2018. She and her husband moved to Oxford, MS in 2020, where he is currently studying in a PhD program at Ole Miss.
Shannon grew up an avid equestrian on her family’s horse farm in Northern California, and has been riding and showing horses since a very young age. She continues to ride, train, and show her horse, Opus, in the jumpers. Shannon joined Southern Reins as a therapist in 2023 and provides client sessions on Saturdays.
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Check Out our New Southern Reins Video |
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We had a great time shooting our new Southern Reins video that premiered during the 8th Annual Jockeys & Juleps Derby Party! The video highlights four of our participants and their stories about the relationships they have developed with our therapy horses. We love witnessing the incredible connections made between horse and human every day here at
the farm.
Special thanks to our amazing videographer, Justin Malone, and our featured participants - Susannah, Clark, Chad, and Julia!
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Clyde Visits Perea Preschool
Our UK Shetland Pony, Clyde, wrapped up his 6-week session at Perea Preschool as part of our TEACH Program! He loved making so many new friends and helping children improve their learning readiness and educational experience through his weekly visits.
We can't wait to return this fall!
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Youth Villages Spreads Positivity
Youth Villages recently wrapped up their 7-week Spring Session. During their weekly visits with our horses, they were able to learn life skills to promote independence, build self-esteem, and enhance coping skills. At the end of their session they painted Rebel with a word to demonstrate how they felt after completing the program.
POSITIVITY.
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New Sensory Station
We share our deepest gratitude to Garrett for donating his time and expertise to build a new sensory station on our trail as his Eagle Scout final project! This new station includes a chalk board and mailbox that will allow our participants the ability to participate in activities that stimulate their senses and encourage balance and coordination. From all of us at Southern Reins, thank you, Garrett!
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New Volunteer Training
We always love welcoming new volunteers to Southern Reins, and we look forward to seeing you back at the farm for the start of our Summer Session!
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Our mission is to serve individuals with physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities and hardship by providing equine-assisted service to empower, inspire, nurture and succeed. |
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SOUTHERN REINS CENTER FOR EQUINE THERAPY
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