Spring Session

April 1 - May 26

Mark your calendars now for the Spring Session! This will be a very busy session, and we will need all of the hands we can get! I will send a specific email to all class volunteers later this month with our spring schedule and a sign up form, so please watch for that!

If you know of anyone who you would like to "recruit" to volunteer in the Spring Session, please send them my way! Or, feel free to bring them to watch a class that you are volunteering in! Volunteer training dates are listed above, so let's see how many people we can welcome to the team for the Spring Session!

New Training Video- HEARTS Sessions in the Arena!

Did you know we have 15 HEARTS sessions this winter?? Because winter can have some chilly temps in the barn, we wanted to give some tips on conducting HEARTS sessions in the heated arena. Click on the video below to see some important safety issues to be aware of for these types of HEARTS sessions. Let our instructors know if you have any questions!

Valentine's Day Fundraiser

Monday, February 13 - Wednesday, February 15

It's the season of love and the horses are putting themselves out there. View their dating profiles and send them a valentine or two! The horse with the most valentines on Thursday, February 16 will be the 2023 SMILES Sweetheart of the Year! Valentine's can be purchased in the office or on the website February 13-15. Watch for more details about this soon!

Virtual Tack Sale

Friday, March 17 - Monday, March 20

Our Virtual Tack Sale is coming up quickly! Our Committee Members have been busy planning the event, and several of our volunteers have helped us to clean and organize tack! Check out the save the date HERE!

Volunteers are needed to help clean tack and set up for this event. We have several dates available during the month of March. Please check out the dates and sign up using the link below!

Ken Monestero!!

How did you become involved with SMILES and how long have you been volunteering?

I responded to a request for volunteers I saw in the newspaper. I have been volunteering for 6 years.

Where did you grow up?

My early years in Edison Park, IL and my teenage years in Park Ridge, IL.

Who is your favorite horse at SMILES and why?

I am fond of all the horses. I do feel close to Buster since I work with him a lot.

Do you have a favorite SMILES event? If you are new, which event are you most interested in attending?

The student horse show is my favorite.

What would you say to someone who is interested in volunteering at SMILES?

It is a great place to volunteer. You will truly enjoy helping at SMILES. Every volunteer at SMILES is greatly appreciated.

Happy Birthday!!

Kathy Schmidt, February 1

Jean Firn, February 2

Lynn Peterson, February 3

Madlynne Neuls, February 4

Tam Hagen, February 6

Katie VanEgeren, February 10

Barb Bobbe, February 12

Kevin Gong, February 13

Troy Moldenhauer, February 15

Suzanne Peters, February 21

Sharon Vandenbroucke, February 22

Tom Gretschmann, February 23