A Successful Gala: Thanks to Our Sponsors!
By Dan Roark After a gala that was not only successful, but from the comments – the best so far, the first order of business is to thank the sponsors, without whom the gala would not have been possible. We had 220 attendees and raised over $90,000 to support New Hope’s programs. We’ll provide more […]
Volunteer Highlight: Sean Jacobson
By Dan Roark At volunteer orientations at New Hope, when asked what brought them to volunteer, the majority of the potential volunteers talk about wanting to work with horses and/or children of special needs. When they say working with horses, they generally mean side-walking and grooming. Some realize that tacking up a horse may be […]
HH: Tommy, a Farrier and a Chiropractor
By Dan Roark This Horse Highlight is about Tommy, 1200+ pounds of horse. As I have said before, riding Tommy is like being at the top of the world. Which is one of the reasons why some of the riders ride Tommy during lessons. It gives them a sense of being above all their issues […]
Instructor Highlight – Kimberly Mescha
By Dan Roark Kimberly’s lessons are on Saturdays and her riders love her. When it was too hot for lessons in the summer, Kimberly would meet Cyndy at New Hope on Thursdays to rinse off the horses to cool them down. What brought you to New Hope to be an instructor? I was introduced to […]
3rd Annual Hope Gala – A Night at the Races!
By Dan Roark I have had the good fortune to be at both of the previous Galas and I would like to share with you what it’s like. So, if you are just thinking about it, I hope to convince you that you will miss a night of tremendous fun amid the satisfaction of giving […]
Expressions of New Hope – Thomas (T.J.)
By Dan Roark Thomas – he prefers TJ – is one of the new riders for the Fall session of lessons. Due to various issues he needs to be propped up on the horse. In the picture to the left, you can see the wedge behind him. We are trying various wedges and techniques to […]
A Variety of Volunteers is Needed
By Dan Roark At volunteer orientation, the concentration is on volunteers to work with riders, whether it be side walker, horse leader and the like. These are the immediate volunteer needs. Yet there is a myriad of volunteer duties that are available. Special projects pop up all the time. Projects which, if volunteers are not […]
Horse Highlight – Flash Meets Dr. Scholl, Part 2
By Dan Roark And now the culmination of the story of Flash meeting Dr. Scholl – through Wyatt Myr, farrier. Wyatt made time in his schedule to give Flash his new shoes when it wasn’t his scheduled New Hope visit, which is every four or five weeks depending on circumstances. Wyatt is not only a […]
Horse Highlight: Flash Meets Dr. Scholl, Part 1
By Dan Roark Well, ok, not Dr. Scholl really, but you’ll see what I mean in part two. To start at the beginning, Flash was walking a little funny. And he was acting like something was wrong. Kim, barn manager, thought he might have an abscess in one, or both, of his front hooves. She […]
10 Days – 10 Reasons to Get Tickets For the Gala
By Dan Roark Or more correctly, 10 posts. The days may not necessarily be consecutive, but we’ll do what we can. New Hope Gala posts on Facebook will also intermingle with the posts containing blog links there. Regardless, the next 10 posts will each give you a reason why you should get your tickets to […]
Volunteer Highlight – Madeline
By Dan Roark I was taking pictures the night Madeline went through orientation. During orientation, one can get a sense of which potential volunteers will actually follow through and sign up for lessons. I had no doubt Madeline was earnest in her desire to volunteer. I was not wrong. She is cognizant of the riders […]
Expressions of New Hope – Darren
By Dan Roark New Hope has riders of all ages, which is also true of the new riders this year. It’s hard to tell which riders are the most excited – those who are returning or those just getting started. Darren is one of the older returning riders. He began riding at New Hope in […]
Horse/Dog Highlight: Tommy and Dani
By Dan Roark Last Saturday morning, as will happen with any of the horses at any given lesson, Tommy was tacked up and ready for a lesson, when a rider – for whatever reason – was unable to make it. Since it would be a while before Tommy would have a rider, Emily took him […]
And They’re Off!! – Fall Lessons Begin
By Dan Roark Using the theme for the New Hope Gala, – “And they’re off!” – the beginning of the season’s lessons kicked into full force last Saturday, September 7. Due to the rain the first of that week, Saturday was “opening day.” The current riders enjoyed starting back up after the summer. The two […]
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New Hope on Local Podcasts
By Dan Roark New Hope has had the good fortune to be featured on two local podcasts. Sharla and Dave spoke to Nicole Osei on the WBAP Impact Texas podcast on July 16. They discussed the history and purpose of New Hope with insights that had shown themselves along the way. But the highlight of […]
Caring For an Ageing Herd
By Dan Roark When the heat kicks in, so does its affect on the herd – particularly an ageing herd. Horses get cranky, too (it’s not just us), which cannot only exacerbate symptoms, it can also be a sign of symptoms. Yet, beyond that, the heat does have a negative effect on the horses in […]
Saying Good-by to Missy
By Dan Roark Knowing that it is an aging herd still doesn’t prepare all of those involved for one of the horses being let go. Our dear Missy was ravaged with tumors as a result of colon cancer and it was necessary to let her go today. Although it isn’t any comfort for those still […]
Barn Manager Highlight – Kim Martin
By Dan Roark When you have a herd of 11 horses and a mule, two goats, and a pig, you would think that the barn manager was the hardest working person on the property. With Kim Martin, barn manager at New Hope, you would be absolutely correct. She manages the people on the feed crew […]
Cooling Vests, Fans, Heat and Horses, Oh My!
By Dan Roark I frequently borrow and alter my favorite line from Wizard Of Oz, like I did in the title. It’s actually one of the few lines and songs that I remember from the movie. Because it oozes urgency and and anticipation of unknown forces. Which certainly applies here. As we approach what’s called […]
The Family That Volunteers Together . . .
If you have been present on any Saturday morning in the past 5 years you’ve probably heard the Tarzan-like yell of Ho-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-rse from Jim Robison followed by three echoes of the same from his children Ben, Abby and Gavin as they lead their horses and riders into the riding arena. That is because almost half […]
Rider Highlight – Tonya Goes to the National Veteran’s Wheelchair Games!
By Dan Roark It’s been quite a journey! This weekend, Tonya Andrews, a medically retired disabled Air Force veteran, will compete at the National Veteran’s Wheelchair Games in New Orleans. Tonya qualified to compete in Bocce Ball, Archery, Bowling, and Power Soccer. Let me go back to the beginning. For background, see my Thanksgiving post […]
It’s Always Something – Water Drainage
By Dan Roark [Author’s Note: It occurred to me that, with the constant influx of new expenses that can plague a nonprofit involving a herd of horses, It’s Always Something would be a good title for a weekly fundraising post. There are many ways to support and help New Hope. While it is true that […]
Volunteer Highlight – Melissa Sines
By Dan Roark I followed Sharla when she took the New Hope trailer with a few horses to the Stock Show and Rodeo grounds in Ft. Worth for Chisholm Challenge in January. It was not her only trip. When we got to Will Rogers Coliseum paddocks, Melissa was at the door. She helped get the […]
Expressions of New Hope – Ella
By Dan Roark Like most riders at New Hope, Ella is happiest on a horse as you can see by her expressions. And their vibrant smiles are mirrored by the smiles of the volunteers. And their squeals of delight when trotting or learning something new warms the hearts of those around them regardless of the […]
Horses Helping Heroes, New Board Member
By Dan Roark Sometimes an episode of a television show will start out with a scene that is actually the ending with the important parts missing. Then “three hours (or whatever) earlier” flashes across the screen. Then the actual episode begins. So….. New Hope, while all board members are very much appreciated, has a new […]
The Farrier Returns – Wyatt Myr
By Dan Roark Not only was it the customary fifth week for the farrier to return to New Hope, it was also the return of Wyatt Myr to work after breaking his neck and back in an accident during a polo match. Fortunately, the doctor told him it was the best case scenario for neck […]
It’s Always Something
By Dan Roark There is always something to do. But particularly so for nonprofits, especially when that nonprofit includes a herd of horses (and a mule) and various other animals. Depending on volunteers (who are very much appreciated) means there will be times when there are – for whatever reason – no volunteers available. The […]
Expressions of New Hope – Eduardo
By Dan Roark When I first began taking pictures at New Hope, and New Hope events, Eduardo barely opened his eyes and didn’t talk much – other than the random sports recitations during lessons. At first, it had as much to do with my being a new person in his therapy sphere as it did […]
Instructor Highlight – Susan Altshuler
By Dan Roark I walked into the New Hope barn and decided to check the folder to see if any volunteers had filled out their questionnaires. I was pleasantly surprised to see that Susan had filled one out – marking out Volunteer and adding Instructor. I have purposely taken pictures of Susan for just such […]
Sponsorships Needed for the Third Annual New Hope Gala
By Dan Roark While you’re making plans for after the heat that’s coming when things get cooler, mark your calendar for the Third Annual Hope Gala – this year themed “A Night At The Races” – benefitting New Hope. It will again be at Lucky Spur Ranch in Justin, Texas. You can get your tickets […]
The Hits Just Keep on Coming – Expenses-wise!
By Dan Roark While I was posting about how well Libby was dealing with equine Cushing’s disease, her health began to go south, adding to the vet issues and bills which accelerated with Olivia’s visit to the equine ICU recently. Libby contracted pneumonia, causing an overnight stay at the vet hospital – which also revealed […]
Expressions of New Hope – Margaret
By Dan Roark Margaret is usually wearing sunglasses of some sort. She always has fun riding, but especially so on Family Fun Day. I don’t know if she took them off for my sake – the sun was still bright – but she did pose for me. In the picture in which Rain is trotting, […]
Equine Therapy is For Horses, Too – Libby
By Dan Roark The reason Sharla was clipping Libby during the Farrier’s visit was due to Libby having equine Cushing’s disease, as I mentioned in the Farrier post. Cushing’s disease, whether in humans or horses, involves the pituitary gland and is generally found in the female species of both. The effects, however, while both are […]
Before the Deluge Recap – The Coming of the Farrier
By Dan Roark The farrier comes every five weeks. The last time was on May 20 – before the torrential unforgiving rains. Joey was substituting for the regular farrier, Wyatt, who was in the hospital with health issues. Joey’s assistant was Rylee, affectionately referred to by Joey as the “Dutch Hammer.” One of the things […]
Before the Deluge Recap – Family Fun Day
By Dan Roark [More pictures can be found on the New Hope Facebook page. But I wanted to highlight the work Susan did to set up the games and facilitate the events.] Despite the rain the latter part of the week before, the sun shone bright for Family Fun Day on Saturday, May 18, which […]
New Hope – After the Deluge
By Dan Roark I had originally planned to begin by saying “after the rains and storms of last week” when the bottom dropped out again as I was sitting there. Then more rain came. The rain is freaking relentless. And so is the need for funds in this little nonprofit world we call New […]
Horses Helping Heroes, New Board Member
By Dan Roark Sometimes an episode of a television show will start out with a scene that is actually the ending with the important parts missing. Then “three hours (or whatever) earlier” flashes across the screen. Then the actual episode begins. So….. New Hope, while all board members are very much appreciated, has a new […]
Claire, FFA, and Horse Judging
By Dan Roark Claire and I were talking during one of the two Denton Riding Club Playdays in which New Hope riders participated. She was telling Cyndy and I about her team competing in Horse Judging events through FFA at school. I thought it would make a great post and asked her to write it […]
Expressions of New Hope: Ashwik
By Dan Roark In the couple of years since Ashwik began riding at New Hope, I have taken pictures of him on numerous occasions. When he first began riding, it was almost impossible to get a shot with his eyes open. Each lesson that I took pictures of him, he opened up a little more. […]