Join us at the Fun Show & Family Day on Saturday, April 27!

Rainbow Riding will be hosting our annual Fun Show & Family Day on Saturday, April 27, 2019 from 10 am to 2 pm.  It will be an incredibly fun day for families from across our larger community.  In addition to a petting zoo, crafts and activities, and a raffle, you encourage you to support and be a part of this very special and important day for our riders. It is so meaningful to have a crowd cheering our athletes on as they showcase their skills. 

New this year, to promote our Fun Show & Family Day, we are also hosting an Online Horse Race on Facebook! Check out this video from Finny to learn more about how it all works.

Over the next two weeks, you’ll be hearing from each of our horses on Facebook. (If you haven’t already, like our Facebook Page so you can stay up-to-date!) Please help the horses WIN the race by liking and sharing their videos, and donating! You can vote for as many horses and as many times as you like! We will announce the winners with the most likes and donations at the Fun Show & Family Day.

Thank you for being part of the Rainbow family.  We hope to see you on April 27th and, as always, thank you for your continued support.

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH — DECEMBER 2018

Rainbow Volunteer of the Month for May is Julie Baldwin.

Julie has been a resident of Northern Virginia area for 20 years. She learned about Rainbow while working in a local high school, and came out to train in August of 2017.

In spite of her busy schedule at home, Julie volunteers for multiple lessons each week as a sidewalker. Sidewalkers have the important job of walking alongside the rider, providing support if needed. She has always enjoyed working with children, but being around horses is a new experience for Julie. She has really enjoyed learning about them, and has even taken up riding lessons at a local lesson barn.

Thank you, Julie, for your continued support at Rainbow. We are glad you are enjoying your volunteer experience while making it possible for others to enjoy and benefit from therapeutic riding!

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH — SEPTEMBER 2018

Rainbow Volunteer of the Month for May is Valerie Yeakle.

Valerie came to Rainbow to volunteer in May of this year.   A social worker in the ER at Inova Fairfax Hospital, Valerie received her Master's in Social Work from George Mason University in 2016.  She lived in California for a couple years. While there, she volunteered with J.F Shea Therapeutic Riding Center in San Juan Capistrano.  Valerie fell in love with therapeutic riding, and is interested in becoming a PATH instructor someday. She started riding at Shenandoah River Farm in Strasburg, Virginia when she was 12,  and worked at the stables, helped to train horses, and helped manage the barn for about seven years. Valerie also owned her own horse in high school; a Percheron named " Petite V" (pictured here).

Valerie says:  “What I like best as a volunteer is seeing the joy that riding brings the students at Rainbow.   It makes it all worthwhile. Volunteering at Rainbow has easily become my favorite part of the week and I'm so grateful that I am able to be a part of the team here.”

We are grateful too, for your help, Valerie!  Thank you for joining our volunteer family here at Rainbow Therapeutic Riding!

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH — AUGUST 2018

Rainbow Volunteer of the Month for May is Anna Sauls.

Anna came to Rainbow as soon as she was old enough to volunteer at the Center.  After completing volunteer training, she began right away helping with lessons as a sidewalker.  She also has helped with barn chores, summer camps and with our Fall Open House and outdoor concert.  

Currently a senior at Battlefield High School, Anna plans to study clinical neuroscience while continuing to volunteer after graduation.

Anna is  a regular sidewalker on our busy Wednesday afternoon team.   Students and instructors alike appreciate Anna’s reliability and her  quiet confidence. At home, Anna enjoys hiking, cooking and playing video games.

Thank you, Anna for your help over the past few years! We’re so glad you’re a part of our Rainbow Volunteer Family!  

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH — MAY 2018

Rainbow Volunteer of the Month for May is Carol Bachmann.

Carol came to our Volunteer Training in February of this year.  She jumped right in helping in any way she could; Sidewalking, barn chores as well as helping with our Fun Show.  Carol writes about her volunteer experience:

“I have been blessed in more ways than I can count.  After retiring from 44 years of various forms of government service, I wanted to give back.  I’ve loved horses all my life. I knew of therapeutic riding places through watching “Horses that Heal” on Ride TV.  When we moved to Haymarket last year, I did some online research to see what places might be nearby. As luck would have it, Rainbow turned out to be 10 minutes from my house.  I visited Rainbow one day, and loved what I saw. I signed up for training in February, and it took off from there. I love every minute of being at Rainbow, whether I’m doing barn chores, sidewalking, or just visiting the horses and staff.  I get to feel those soft noses in my hand and see the smile on a child’s face. That’s worth everything.”

Thank you Carol for all your hard work and dedication!

JOIN IN THE FUN: A LETTER FROM BOB FINI ABOUT OUR FUN SHOW

Dear Rainbow Students, Families, and Friends of the Program,

I am a parent of a disabled child who rode at Rainbow Center for over 20 years. My family has seen Rainbow transform from a small, seasonal, outdoor program on a leased farm to the wonderful full-time program at its beautiful permanent home. I really understand what an impact it has had on my child’s life, as well as all the other riders Rainbow has served including children, young adults, at-risk youth and wounded services personnel coming from Walter Reed Medical Center. We are truly lucky to have such a wonderful organization in our community. Recently Inside NOVA announced Rainbow Center as the best equestrian facility in Prince William County again, for the third year in a row.

I would like to talk to you briefly about the Rainbow Therapeutic Riding Center Fun SHow scheduled for April 28th, 2018. As most of you know, the tuition we pay for lessons covers only a portion of the total costs. In fact, less than half of Rainbow Center’s revenues come from tuition and other program income. The remainder must come from donations and fundraising. In some cases, Rainbow Center provides scholarships to offset tuition costs for riders who otherwise could not ride, and that too requires fundraising.

Rainbow Center holds several fundraisers a year to help make up the difference. But only one, the fun Show, is really specific in asking the Rainbow Families to solicit help. Rainbow is in more need of a successful Fun Show than ever in order to sustain existing programs and grow new ones. So I would like to urge you to do two things:

1. Come to the event with your rider and have fun!

2. Please try to get pledges to help support the fundraising goal of the event.

The intent of this fundraiser is not to place an additional burden on our families to contribute money who simply cannot afford it. There are some who can and are welcome to, but the success of this fundraiser lies elsewhere. The goal of the Fun Show fundraiser is for you to seek help from friends, family and especially professionals and businesses that you know to sponsor your rider’s participation. Please emphasize how important Rainbow Center is to you and the disabled individuals that benefit. Please sign up as many sponsors are you can. Thank you for helping make this a successful Fun Show. It is very important to our program. And please don’t forget to come and enjoy the special events of the day.

Yours Truly,

Bob Fini

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH — FEBRUARY 2018

Rainbow Volunteer of the Month for February is Kim Nykanen.

Kim has always enjoyed being with children, and around horses. Before relocating to the Northern Virginia area, Kim had volunteered with a variety of therapeutic riding programs in three other states. When her husband retired from the Army and took a job in Washington, DC, Kim looked for a therapeutic riding organization in the area that she could become involved with. We are so glad she came to us at Rainbow!

Like all new volunteers, Kim attended a training session for new volunteers. She quickly became a regular and reliable sidewalker for some of our weekday afternoon classes. When we were looking for a Saturday Greeter, Kim stepped up to fill that role. Throughout the summer, fall and winter of 2017, Kim kept the coffee hot, the water cold, and kept our families feeling welcome as they arrived for Saturday lessons. As a retired mental health counselor for children, Kim has a natural ability of making others feel at home and at ease.

Thank you, Kim, for giving your time and talents to us here at Rainbow. We are so fortunate to have capable and caring volunteers like you!

CAN WE COUNT ON YOUR SUPPORT?

Dear Friend of Rainbow,

Will you make a Holiday donation so Rainbow can continue serving local disabled children and wounded soldiers?

To keep the doors open, I count on kind and generous friends like you — friends who understand the magic that occurs when a cognitively disabled, autistic, or otherwise impaired child
bonds with a horse…

… or, when a soldier suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or traumatic brain injury (TBI) spends time with a gentle animal that offers unconditional love…

… or, when a young soldier missing his right arm and lower leg received a boost to his confidence as he straddled a horse (imagine that for a second)… Every week, I see little miracles — and I wish you could too! Like the young student who made the transition from life in a residential facility to independent living — partly thanks to the confidence he gained from riding…

And, that moment when an autistic child realized his horse was “listening” to him…

I’m sure you know that horse ownership is expensive. A bale of hay costs $6.25 and lasts a horse about two days, the farrier comes every five weeks to trim hooves and replace shoes, insurance must be paid, and there are a hundred other costs.

Knock on wood, we will have no serious medical issues, but, with ten horses now in the barn, I know I’ll have to spend what averages out to about $75 per horse each month over the course of the coming year for routine immunizations, dental care, supplements, their state-mandated
blood test, and other veterinary expenses.

But here’s an amazing fact: We’ve been able to enroll 38 more children to the program over the last 12 months and, today, we serve about 70 children each week! And, in the same period, 24 service members from Walter Reed have participated in our program!

There is no way we could pass along the true cost of the service we provide to the families and soldiers we serve; they simply could not afford it. So, both our growth and the cost of maintaining the program are only possible because friends like you donate the funds needed to keep our doors open and help enrich the lives of these children and soldiers through their bond with the horses and they therapeutic work they do with them.

Today, we are running in the black — but, as we end one year and enter the new one, I’m asking for your continued support.

Almost every day, your gift will produce small triumphs and incremental progress.

To continue supplying these services I need your help!

This is our most important fundraising appeal of the year, and your gift goes right to the bottom line. Every penny you donate goes directly towards feeding and housing our wonderful, loving horses and other essential expenses.

Fact is, we are 100% dependent on donations to make ends meet — a humbling and sometimes precarious existence that requires me to ask you for help as we close the year…

I hope I can count on you to make a special year-end holiday gift of $25, $50, $35 or even more.

Regardless, I want to wish you and your loved ones a wonderful holiday season and the warmest thanks for your past support!

Sincerely,
Inga Janke,
Executive Director

P.S. Remember, most of the children and soldiers we help would not be able to benefit from this program if we passed along the full cost to them. You can see how a gift of $25 or $30 or even $100 can really help — and why we need continued support in order to keep our doors open.

Your gift will help provide the services that benefit so many local children — and the wounded veterans who find this program so helpful in their recovery. I’m counting on your help!

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH — NOVEMBER 2017

Rainbow Volunteer of the Month for November is Dave Jerome

Dave came to Rainbow because one of his cycling mates and Rainbow volunteer, Bob Shannon, told him about our mission “and the good work that you do”. Dave joined our Volunteer Team in April this year. He and Bob have been our “go – to” farm work/maintenance helpers extraordinaire. Both regularly help with lessons as well.

In addition to volunteering at Rainbow, Dave is an avid cyclist, who rides approximately 35 miles per day! He also serves as Chairman of the Northern Virginia Senior Olympics. Dave says: “I encourage others to check out the Rainbow Riding Center and see first hand the impact that they have and the great things that they do.”

Thank you, Dave, for being a valued part of that impact, and helping us in so many ways at Rainbow.

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH — OCTOBER 2017

Rainbow’s Volunteer of the Month for October is Donna Burkhardt.

Donna was drawn to Rainbow by her love of horses, and their innate ability to relate to humans in an honest and helpful way. She attended our December 2016 training session and jumped right into sidewalking in lessons.

Donna says, “I am fortunate to have found such a positive place as Rainbow, and it’s almost in my backyard! Rainbow’s staff and students always make volunteers feel important and welcome. I always leave Rainbow having learned valuable lessons and tips from the staff, the students and, of course, the wonderful horses!”

We are so glad Donna is a member of our dedicated team of Sidewalkers and Horse Leaders! She volunteers regularly for lessons on two weekdays and is often one of the first to respond when a fill-in is needed.

Thank you, Donna, for putting your love of horses and interest in helping, to good here at Rainbow!

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH — SEPTEMBER 2017

Rainbow’s Volunteer of the Month for September is Nicole Dabney.

Nicole has been a valued volunteer for over five years here at Rainbow. In that time she has probably worn out a lot of shoes (Sidewalking and Horse Leading as much as she does)! Nicole Horse Leads twice during the week, and on Saturdays, and exercises horses as well! We are so fortunate to have capable, dedicated young people like Nicole on our Volunteer Team.

A 2016 graduate of Fairfax High School, Nicole is currently attending Northern Virginia community college. She is also a budding fashion designer, with a few of her own original creations!

Thank you, Nicole, for all of the ways you help our riders, horses and instructors here at Rainbow!

Photo credit: Mary Vardi – (Students had a special treat on Halloween- Goodies from their instructor, and volunteers dressed in costume! Nicole took some time between lessons to exercise Charlie, one of our beloved lesson horses.)

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH — AUGUST 2017

Rainbow’s Volunteer of the Month for August is Lila Shipley

Lila Shipley came to Rainbow last summer as a Girl Power camper. She loved the camp experience and wanted to come back to Rainbow as a volunteer. Since completing the Volunteer Training this past June, Lila immediately signed up to help with ALL four of our summer camp sessions, as well as sidewalking for private lessons and helping with upcoming events!

Now a sophomore at Battlefield High School, Lila enjoys singing in the choir and playing softball. In addition to volunteering at Rainbow, she is also a teacher’s assistant with the 1st grade Sunday School at St. Katherine Drexel Mission.

Lila’s favorite Rainbow horses are Kingston and Jack (and Chance who recently retired).

Thank you, Lila for giving so much of your time to help our campers and students! We are so glad you are one of our Rainbow family members!

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH — JUNE 2017

Rainbow’s Volunteer of the Month for June is Nathan Ray.

Nathan Ray began volunteering at the Rainbow Riding Center in 2016 because he wanted to give back to his community and support positive change for those who need it most.  He continues volunteering at the Riding Center because of the smiling faces of all those he meets, as well as the determination of fellow volunteers to create positive experiences for riders.  Nathan is a rising Senior at Battlefield High School and enjoys leading the Clarinet section of the Battlefield Marching Band, as well as playing clarinet in Battlefield’s Wind Ensemble.  Aside from band, Nathan also plays on the Battlefield Varsity Tennis Team.

We are thankful to have Nathan here as a volunteer.  Thank you, Nathan for all your great help at Rainbow!

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH — APRIL 2017

Rainbow’s Volunteer of the Month for April is Sonya Giffin.

Sonya is from Charleston, South Carolina. Her first introduction to Rainbow was in June 2015 when she held a 2-day Equus Workshop at our facility.  Sonya fell in love with Virginia’s horse country and moved to the area in November 2016.

Sonya loves to spend time with horses, so naturally that is what she looks forward to most when volunteering at Rainbow. Her favorite horses are Lad and our newest addition, Charlie.

Professionally, Sonya works with individuals, leaders and groups in the areas of personal growth, leadership, team building and business strategy.  Since moving to Virginia, Sonya and our own Meg, have created a business called Indieglow, offering Equus Coaching and nature-based learning.

We are thankful to have Sonya here as a volunteer Horse Leader and Side walker.  Thank you, Sonya for all your great help at Rainbow!

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH — MARCH 2017

Rainbow Volunteer of the Month for March is Margee Tyrrell.

Margee’s interest in horses and in helping others led her here to Rainbow in October of 2015.  Since then, Margee has made Rainbow her home away from home!  She is a valued, competent and reliable Sidewalker on multiple weekday lessons and with our Walter Reed Riders, as well as all day Saturdays and very often as a fill in on short notice!

Margee loves to help with anything and everything at Rainbow… Whether it’s lessons, our Fun Show, or our Open House, you will see Margee here.  You can see many great photos of Margee in action on our Facebook page – and it’s no accident she is always smiling – Margee truly loves Rainbow.

We are thankful that Margee is part of our Volunteer Family!

NEW BARN CONSTRUCTION AND BULL RUN OBSERVER ARTICLE

We’re excited about construction beginning on our new 11-stall barn. The new barn will have a large, climatized tack room, a feed room, a wash stall, and an upstairs loft that will be used as a meeting room and for seminars and education.

While we have begun construction, we are still raising money. Especially for items like landscaping, a washing machine, a dryer, and stall mats, etc. Our need is about $15,000 for these important odds and ends. Please consider a donation to help make the barn the best it can be for our therapy horses and their riders.

Read the article written by our own Mary Vardi for the Bull Run Observer, below.

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH — OCTOBER 2016

Our Volunteer of the Month is Anne Archer.

Anne came to Rainbow last year, and brought her enthusiasm with her!  She is an active sidewalker and Horse Leader, helping with several classes on multiple weekdays, as well as filling in on short notice when she can.

Anne works as a Nanny and enjoys trail riding and dressage with her horse, Buddy.  She is also studying to be a yoga instructor for children.

Anne became involved with therapeutic riding when she donated her childhood pony, Patches, to a riding program.  She watched as dozens of kids fell in love with him, and he came into his own as a therapy pony.

When she moved to Northern Virginia last year, Anne began volunteering at Rainbow.  She really appreciates all she learns here from our fabulous instructors (our thoughts, but Anne’s words on that…) She also learns so much from other volunteers, as well as the students and the horses.

Her work ethic and attitude are a fitting tribute to her pony, Patches:  Everyone has something to share.  Thank you, Anne for sharing your time and talents with us at Rainbow!

HUMAN & HORSE STORY IN HAYMARKET LIFESTYLE

We’re pleased to share this great article about Rainbow that was published in Haymarket Lifestyle’s November Issue. Following is a just a taste:

Human & Horse

By Mary Vardi

“The history of humans’ partnership with horses goes back many centuries. They helped us tame the land, they carried and pulled us across continents and until modern times, fought at our side in battles, great and small. The working horse has faded from the landscape and the competitive and pleasure horse has taken his place.

Equine assisted activities are any specific center activity, e.g. therapeutic riding mounted or ground activities that are used with special needs children and adults for the purpose of contributing positively to the cognitive, physical, emotional and social well-being of individuals with special needs.”

You can read the entire article here as a PDF.

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH — SEPTEMBER 2016

Hi folks! We’re running a bit behind due to the Fun Show and working to catch up.

Our Volunteer of the Month for September is Halle Kozlowski. Halle is a freshman at Battlefield High School and participated in our Training Session at Rainbow in September. Halle has jumped right in as a volunteer sidewalker, although her favorite task is keeping our smaller ponies exercised regularly. Halle is also one of the many awesome volunteers who helped with our Fun Show. We are glad you are part of our volunteer family! Thank you, Halle, for all your help here at Rainbow!

The Lift

We have this amazing contraption at Rainbow Therapeutic Riding Center. It’s called “The Lift.”

Yes, it deserves capital letters. It’s held in very high regard like our equines, our volunteers, and our students. It doesn’t have a heart or a soul like the others, but it makes our hearts sing!

How could something made with metal and a motor make us so happy you ask? Well, “The Lift” allows us to mount up our riders who use a wheelchair for mobility. It helps us safely “lift” our riders out of their mechanical devices and gently place them on top of a horse. Then the freedom begins. It gives them the ability to sit tall and have a bird’s-eye view from atop a horse.

Oh, what a view! The metal and wheels and plastic and motors are left far behind. They are free now. Free to walk and trot and go on trails in the woods. Away from all contraptions that make life easier but are not natural like the movement of a four-legged equine.

The air is different up there. It’s lighter. It’s easier to breathe. It’s magical. The views, the air, the freedom, it’s almost too much to take in. So yes, we are all very grateful for “The Lift.”

Thank you to everyone who made this possible!