Blue Rider Messenger Volume #17 | Issue #1 | Year-End Report Issue | Spring 2018 (413) 528-5299 • www.bluerider.org • [email protected] Year End Report 2017

Thank you for your continued interest in and support of Blue Rider Stables. As you know, we offer mindful connections through the equine experience. Our sessions are designed for children and adults of all ages and skill levels to help facilitate growth, learning and healing. Without With an open heart, we invite you to step into you, our community and donors, we could that tiny barn and join us for one winter’s day not exist even one day doing what we are in the life of Blue Rider Stables. Experience how passionate about here in our tiny blue barn our small staff and herd of equines work tirelessly in the Berkshires. “behind the scenes”, as well as hear from our treasured clients whom we share our day and our passion. Enjoy the day!

“I arrive around 8am before everyone else, to start cleaning up after the horses and donkeys have had the night to do as they please. While some might think that filling a wheelbarrow with equine excrements is not a good way to start the day, I find it very centering to work among my furry friends. Before feeding, medications, and lessons take over their morning, I get to share their down time. Some mornings all the creatures are inside and I have to politely ask them to move so I can do my work, other mornings they are in the pasture or in the ring but a few will wander in to check up on what I am doing. I always enjoy being at the stables and doing what I can to help out, but the time I am there alone with the animals is the most special to me.” -EH, staff .

Welcome to a day at Blue Rider! “As soon as I walk through the barn door I am met with 17 sets of eyes “ ” and a few nickers — the sound of a typical day beginning. I say good morning as I walk through the herd on my way to the hayshed; a few furry friends are following closely behind me. As I go out the back gate, I always make sure to latch it behind me. I have limited time to complete the morning chores which leaves me no extra time for chasing an escaped Ramona down the driveway and around the neighbors property (this has happened multiple times in the past and will most likely again in the future). First thing I do is feed the horses who are on special diets. How much they get is determined by their weight, age, health, and weather. I start with the two horses who struggle to keep weight on and need the most time to eat. (Think about eating a salad with flat worn down teeth, teeth with extra sharp edges, teeth that don’t align correctly, or missing teeth. Doesn’t sound too easy, does it?) These two horses eat chopped up hay which comes in a bag. The smaller the piece, the less they have to struggle to chew. It doesn’t work for them as well as we hoped and another source of food will be given to them after all of the other horses get breakfast. Ramona is always waiting in the box for me. I put the tub of hay in the box with her, put Romeo in, and close the door. Next it’s time for two who don’t need as much food. I put them in a box together with a flake of hay in a haynet for them to share. In the third box I’ll choose a horse who either needs a little extra food or a horse who may need some quiet time. (Quiet time is reserved for a horse who might, for example, get chased around more than others during meal times or a horse who seems more agitated than others.) Now it’s time to feed the other twelve equines! I put four haynets into feeders and flakes of hay into various feeders around the premises. This may sound like a simple task but there are many days where the horses act like they are starving and run around chasing other horses to be sure they get the hay first. Remember, we are often in the middle of this chaos. Some days are easier than others and I try to not let the added 10lbs of winter clothes slow me down. Now that everyone has been fed hay, I start my second round of the morning. Breakfast part two for Ramona and Romeo, medications, and special attention for anyone who needs it… and I’m off to finish the rest of my morning chores…” -RT, staff

We have 3 to 5 lessons in the morning, ranging from one-on-one clients to jointly taught lessons of 3 or 4 clients. While these lessons are in progress, the herd of horses is out grazing, eating hay, sleeping, or walking into the lesson to see what’s going on. They are ever present as a herd, and we are teaching with and around them. “When we get to Blue Rider, it’s geting out of the car and taking a deep breath of the fresh horsey air.... Then we knock on the barn door, and wait for our invitation to come in. The view into the barn as the door opens is always beautiful - lots of gorgeous horses and helpers waiting to greet us. Four equines are ready and waiting to work with these four ladies. As each of the ladies gets on her equine, life forces are awakened. The ladies sit taller, are more present, breathe, and become riders. Walking on, changing rein, going through cones, and then exercises. The morning stretches while sitting on their equines is something everyone should see and do! The riding lesson always finishes up with trotting, which one of my ladies refers to as dancing on her horse. Watching her, I must agree! After dismounting, the job of the riders is not over - They have to pat and praise their equine for a job well done, and put their tack away. Then back to the barn door, and out with a thank you and see you next week. The instructors and helpers see the ladies to the car and each gets a personal goodbye with hugs and high fives. Now the ride begins back home. I hear breathing and excited happy words. ‘Did you see me? I like riding! I love Willie Wonka!” The steps are clearer, the voices brighter, and the cheeks rosy!... I see many behavior changes in all my ladies that ride; especially their self esteem and how proud they are … (they) feel less stressed and more focused as we leave the barn. I think they stand straighter each week and that we each leave the barn with a little more knowledge on how to take care of each other, animals, and our bodies.” -JB, residential caregiver

“My time upon a horse is life saving” (I am speaking from my heart as I write). “As soon as I begin my walk into the stable I feel comfort. I know my riding teacher will observe how I move and the energy I enter with. She will see beyond the smile which is so okay as Blue Rider is my safe place, a space where humans, equines and the donkeys know me and accept me – wherever I am at in the moment. The intuitive nature of horses is my truest way out of the quagmire of pain as they instinctively know what I need to come back to center. Nervous about how my energy will hit the horse that has chosen to work with me is the typical way I enter Blue Rider. Walking up the stairs I am anxious about my ability to even swing a leg over this sensitive animal. Yet, without seeming to, my instructor will calmly and deliberately remain matter of fact thus enabling me to *just be me*. Being met wherever I am at is the beginning. I then sit, breath, oh yes take a breath, and begin. My trusted equine walks me around, communicating to me and to the other person, what I need. Slowly my muscles relax, my anxiety goes with no effort on my part, just a willingness; no a yearning - to be free, free of the illness that so often has a grip of iron on me... You see my life of a Mom of 3 young adults who were traumatized in their youth is a burden that, to this day, can bring me to my knees. Day to day is a challenge. I live with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as my ever constant companion. This can look like startling at a leaf drifting to the welcoming ground, heart pounding from vivid nightmares and an icy sweat of fear that the call of death became too strong for my precious ones to ignore... Anxiety can make my vision blur and thoughts to scatter like a hive of bees knocked out of their hive. My wanting and willing me out of illness just isn’t enough. Many who don’t have mental illness will say “just get over it”. Oh, if only. This is not only my story. I speak for all who come to this place where we are cherished for our very real humanness. No stigma, no judgments cast on anyone. Rather a nudge and encouragement to move through what we need to, let go of what we don’t and heal. Do our best and really, just be. The knowledge I will leave grounded and healthier is a blessing beyond measure.” -JS, client Noontime! lunch • lessons • Vet • Hay! Some of us are at this time eating lunch, some have gone home for the day. Lessons continue throughout the day. The instructors that are not needed for lessons are grooming, stretching or training horses, never a dull moment! On top of this, there are always days where the vet comes, or the farrier, the chiropractor, the equine dentist, so many things to throw us off track! This is also the time to feed lunch hay, which is a continuation of the morning feeding, with the same attention to detail.

“Along with the nutritional side of things, it’s important for horses to stay active and mentally and physically.... This is easier in the summer when they have access to pastures where they can kick up their heels and frolic, and harder in the winter when they are in our smaller enclosure by the barn. Each horse has a ‘training session’ with an instructor each week. For the more seasoned lesson ponies this is an opportunity to remind them of their manners, for the more stiff horses we get them to work out the kinks and be more supple, and for the ones with more energy (or the ones who need to lose some weight) we work them harder and faster than they would work in a typical lesson. We counter the riding with stretches and myotherapy, to ensure that each equine is capable of their job. Assisted stretching helps the horses gain flexibility through their joints that they may not be able to stretch on their own… Bella holds the stress of being the herd leader in her withers. I stretch her rib cage and lower back. She takes a huge deep breath, and turns to look at me. I hear crackling like rice crispies in her neck, and then she snorts and walks away. This tells me that she’s had enough for today. Bella hangs her head so her nose is almost on the ground. She rests a hind leg, her lips tremble and twitch, and she can’t stop yawning. I give her a pat and leave her to process.” -AS, staff

CAN & BOTTLE DRIVE - Ongoing at the barn, collecting nickels for the horse medicine fund.

“I am an adult rider.... AFTERNOON: The children’s program who, in my retirement years, has been fortunate to be able to begin to learn to ride horses and even fills our afternoon; which own a wonderful Quarter Horse. I work with him include lessons, vaulting, at another barn down the road where he is stabled. and our helper program. Of For the past few years I have been able to augment AFTERNOON course, any time between my training at BRS, riding the very special equines lessons continues to be Lessons that are rescued and rehabbed and then put back spent always mucking, to work with people like me. The work I do at Vaulting grooming, stretching, and BRS has been so incredibly helpful to my learning training the equines. The to ride correctly. By riding bareback, and often Programs difference is that in the without a bridle, I have been able to work on my afternoon the helpers Grooming seat, leg position, use of my back and, of course, help with all of this work, how to use my hands more effectively. Each part and get horse snuggle can be isolated and with Christine’s (as well as her well trained staff) genius, she is able to help times in return. me break bad habits and learn to use each tool so much better. And, in addition, we have a lot of fun!!” -LGL “My daughter has been riding at Blue Rider for a litle over a year.. She started with a weekly riding lesson, moved on to vaulting (which is her absolute favorite!), and moving up to the helper program last fall. We are a horse family, owning our own horses, and I myself have managed a competitive barn for 15 years. My daughter started riding at my own barn and at another local “kids” barn. I felt that at both places there was something missing for her. At Blue Rider she has really grown and learned some great horsemanship skills and her riding has improved with their method of no saddles and bridles all while having FUN and being with a group of great kids. That’s one of the most important things to me as a mom and a horse person is that she learns while having fun. This past year we have had some personal family struggles and the staff at Blue Rider was very understanding and helpful not only to my daughter but to me also. When I asked my daughter what her favorite thing at Blue Rider is her response was ‘riding Twist with no reins and him listening to her seat aids’. The approach at Blue Rider in my opinion is the best way to start kids and we have enjoyed every minute of it . Thank you for doing what you do.” -ML, parent

Evening: Along with the staf, the helpers fll haynets for the evening, check and clean the water trough, and get everything ready for fnishing the day at the barn.

“Blue Rider Stables has been a huge component in my daughter’s growth as an athlete, as a teammate and as a person. She’s a much more social child now, more patient, she hears you now when spoken to. She’s worked hard learning to ride and vault, and is often helping the younger kids. She is also constantly drawing comparisons between vaulting and riding to her figure skating and vice versa. She’s also taking what she’s learned from the staff and equines and translating it to school, where she’s now made the honor roll in her first two quarters of High School.” -GB, parent of helper

The day ends with last check that all gates and doors are closed tight, the bunnies are snug, the cats are fed, and all is well.

We hope you enjoyed your day at the barn. Please do come by and say hi! Cheers, Christine Sierau, Co-Founder and Head Instructor Thank you to our Business and Organization Donors! Adelson & Co First Congregational Church of S. Egremont Out of Hand Agway Frames on Wheels Passiflora Alliance for Special Needs Fuel Coffee Shop Pawsh Buddies Anna Stanton Therapeutic Massage GB Eats Prairie Whale Apex Automotive GB9 Ray Murray, Inc Applebee’s Bar & Grill Great Barrington Fairgrounds Rubiner’s Cheesemonger Barrington Brewery & Restaurant Griffin Sebastian’s Hair Studio Barrington Outfitters Guido’s Fresh Marketplace Seekonk House Berkshire Aviation Happy Dog Kennel and Day Care Seward’s Tires, Inc Berkshire Bike and Board Harmony Hill Farm Siegel Saddlery Berkshire Botanical Garden Hay Where’s That, Inc. Soco Creamery Berkshire Fence Co. High Spirit Community Farm Sundari Hair Studio Berkshire Gold & Silversmith Hildi B’s Swiss Hutte Berkshire Mountain Bakery Hill-Over Healthy & Fresh T.P. Saddle Blanket Berkshire Mountain Distillers Indian Line Farm Tea Guys Berkshire Mountain Spring Water Interlaken House Team Equine Berkshire Pottery J F Graney Metal Design The Don Ward Co. Berkshire Pulse James A Modolo VFW The Great Barrington Bagel Company Berkshire South Community Center Jerome Errico Chiropratic The Keator Group, LLC Berkshire Styles Salon John Andrews Restaurant The Mount Body & Soul Home Day Spa Joshua Harr Shane Foundation The Mount Washington House Butternut Tree and Land Care Katherine Shoemaker Painter The Playyard Camphill Village Copake Kimball Fuel The Well Campo di Fiori Kripalu Tom’s Toys Carr Hardware & Supply Company, Inc. Lee Bank Triplex Cinema Casana T House Life Data Labs, Inc. Trotta’s Fine Wine and Spirits Catamount Ski Area Linda Clayton Animal Communications True Balance Animal Wellness Catherine’s Chocolates Linda Wayne Collection Ventfort Hall Cellerbration Wine, Beer and Spirits Linen Village Scoop Chesterwood Living Health Vitality Chiropractic Christopher House North Lucky Nails Ward’s Nursery Church St Trading Co. Mahaiwe Chiropractic Wash & Wag CJM Wealth Management Michael Wainwright Studio Store Welcome Massage Cosmic Resonance Michele’s Salon and Day Spa Wheatleigh Crispina Designs Mocha Joe’s Wheeler & Taylor CT Brigham Mom’s Country Cafe Whimsy Wearable Art and Gifts Daniel Bellow Porcelain Moving Into Well-Being Whitdiots Eagle Shoe & Boot Co. Mystique Salon Wildflowers Ed Harrington, Inc. Naumkeag Windy Hill Farm Egremont Country Club Neuberger Berman Wonderful Things Egremont Village Inn Noel Alsop Farrier WSBS Elements Norman Rockwell Museum Yellow House Books Emporium Antique Center North Egremont Country Store YMCA Camp Hi Rock Enlanded Wellness Old Mill Evergreen Orion Magazine Matching Gift Companies SOROS Fund Charitable Foundation Goldman, Sachs & Co. Foundations and Trusts Coolidge Hill Foundation Joshua Harr Shane Foundation Te Janey Fund We are grateful for you support, we couldn’t do it without you! Tributes Sebastien Grouard in honor of Sophie and Inès Grouard Maia & Dan Magder in honor of Ayelet Magder Sandra & Robert Morgan in honor of Stephanie Bergman Becky & Bill Stanton in honor of Brock Hathaway Patricia Cook Brown in honor of Jin Fernbacher Paul & Alexcia Adams in honor of Billy Boy Susan & Thomas Andonucci in honor of Dear Sweet Becky Judy Schoenberg in honor of Jack and Lila Murphy, Robin and Sascha`s friends from San Francisco Margot Stein in honor of Raffi Stein-Klotz Michele Machalani in honor of Sophie and Ines Grouard Thomas H. Friedman in honor of Ross Friedman David & Matthew Keator in honor of Laurie Lindner Barbara Blumenfeld in honor of Laurie Lindner Amanda Rogers-Thieriot in honor of Falcur, Willie and Billy Carol Lazar in honor of Falcur and Juniper Estelle Perera in honor of Grace Jeffers Steven Kuchuck in honor of Julia Riley Grace Jeffers in honor of Rythm & Big Twist Stephanie Bergman in honor of Twist & Mia Leslie Stone in honor of Billy Boy Joe & Jane Reilly in honor of Caroline Reilly Rajiv Gulati in honor of Romeo Amy & Keith Callahan in honor of Romeo

In Memoriam Kevin A. & Joanne Wholey in memory of Breki Pat LoNano in memory of Pony Boy Janet Harp in memory of Jim Harp Renni Greenberg Gallagher in memory of my parents, Myra and Lionel Greenberg Laura Chester in memory of George M. Chester Sr. Kimberley Hyatt in memory of horses that have passed on to the “Rainbow Bridge” Elizabeth Graywolf in memory of Breki Marj Wexler in memory of Rhythm Margaretta Galanty in memory of Rhythm Jessica Ryan in memory of Rhythm Sue Tarnawa in memory of Rhythm Paul & Amanda Dotson in memory of Rhythm Norma Cutler in memory of Rhythm Susan & Robert Macveety in memory of Peg Sweeney Charles & Dorothy Flynn in memory of Louise Sierau Lynn & William Wood in memory of Louise 2017 Individual Donors - Thank you! We would like to express our deepest appreciation to the following people without whom Blue Rider Stables could not function! David Irwin James Kimball Susan & Thomas Andonucci Alan & Benes Glackman Sandy Morningstar David Brunner Emily Beaulieu Dea Angiolillo Robin & Peter Goldberg Benjamin Morris-Siegel Gail Smallridge Brandy McKie Ron & Sy Ashendorf Eugene Gollogly Ted Moy Anna Stanton Mark Barker Christina Babarovic Sherri Gorelick Jasper Nash Bob & Jane Holcomb Linda Clayton Susan Bachelder Laurel & John Graney Jan O’Brient Jennifer Greco Linda Wayne Judith & Harry Ballan Elizabeth Graywolf Jessica O’Neil Gary Happ Joan Basis Maria & Frank Battista Gaby & Rob Greenberg Kathy Orlando Peter Drucker Christina Root Stephanie Bergman Renni Greenberg Gallagher Sharon & Lucky Pease Joe Solan Drs Larry & Nancy Bronstein Carter Berking Jo Grossman Estelle Perera Chris Ives Michael Wainwright Susan Bernhardt Sebastien Grouard Maxine Phillips Cynthia Grippaldi Michele Wilkinson Michael Beuth Margot Grover Charles & Ellen Proctor Brian Mckie Karla Lumbra Julie Bishop Rajiv Gulati Anne & Henry Putzel Tom Parker Danielle & Tina Emlaw Meryl Blackman Beth Hacker Joe & Jane Reilly Richard Bourdon Cheryl Luft Sarah Blaugrund Norma Haight Colman Rosalind Mae Reis Michael Sharry Theresa Smith Barbara Blumenfeld Lorri Hamilton Patrick Riordan Ron Hoos Margaret Moulton Lorimer Burns Kari Harendorf Jonathan Roemer Erika Stosiek-Radice Elizabeth Cribbs Meredith Burr Janet Harp Michael Roemer Bettina Montano Noel Allsop Rachel Bynum Brock Hathaway Amanda Rogers-Thieriot Jenise Lucey Tara Scimandle Amy & Keith Callahan Sally Haver Jill Rosenberg Jones Annie Rand Frank & Diana Pastier Anne & Maria Campbell Elizabeth & Jerry Hellman Jessica Ryan Doone & Stephen Marshall Ginny Filkins Karen Cape Hope Hewlett Beth Sackler Nellie Wilson Karen Gagne Michele & Jon Caplan Edie Hofstatter Carla Sadoff Christine Pizzuti Katherine Shanahan Angela Cardinali April Hoskeer Stephen Sagarin Barbara Bockbrader Ken Davis Erika & Joe Carini Linda Hotchkiss Toby Sanders Bart & Marshall Raser Cindy Giannaris Sally Carlson Kimberley Hyatt Richard & Virginia Scarlet Carrie Chen Bettina Schwartz Barbara & Ed Carr Grace Jeffers Margie Schaffel Heather Dellea Casey Harvey Elizabeth Chakkappan Barbara Kalish Judy Schoenberg Matthew Sinico Matt Rubiner Sonni Chamberland Tayo & Tracey Kaufman Karen & Will Seltzer Joe Smegal Sebastian Anselmi Craig Cheney Samahria & Barry Kaufman Charissa Seward Erin Glasheen-Sheldon Derek & Lesley Eshelman Laura Chester Alison Kiefer Hilda Banks Shapiro Cynthia Schuyler Pat Seward Bonnie & Don Chester Rudd & Suzanna Kierstead Nelson Simon Hillary Rush Joshua Siegel Laura Chester Deborah Koffman Christine Sinopoli Charles Massimo Erik Bruun Maryellen Cole Pat Konecky John & Joely Snyder Elfie Six Julie Peretti Dana Coleman Cindy Konrad Anna & Toby Stanton Crispina Ffrench Gert & Cindy Alper Meg Columbia-Walsh Sarah Kraft Becky & Bill Stanton John Omelenchuck Jack Polizzi Patricia Cook Brown Steven Kuchuck Margot Stein Daniel Bellow Jason Dinelle Delphina Coster Alfred & Helen Lafave Leslie Stone Barbara Kiriakedes Justen Oedell Dolores Curto Jeanne & David Laskin Laurie Sunderland Carol June Don Ward Norma Cutler Maymuchka Lauriston Robert & Virginia Swain Frank Mazzarelli Bob & Karen Climo Aimee Davis Carol Lazar Rose Tannenbaum Gigi Teeley David & Matthew Keator Allan Dean Nicky Lazar Sue Tarnawa Jill Schwartz Alex Sniffen Chester Delaney Annabel Lee Natasha Tarnawa Arthur Greenstone Kelly Fox Cecile Depraetere Anne Legene Theresa Tatro Hope Fitzgerald Susan & George Clark Olivia Dhaliwal Paul Lightfoot Sarah Trench Sturgis Barbara Watkins Hilary Drucker Paul & Ama Dotson Laurie Lindner Margot Trout Ellen Proctor Tom Levin Anne Douglas Linda Lis Benjamin Trout Hilary Sutcliffe Lisa Rizzo Kristin & Peter Drucker Lydia Littlefield Michelle Turner Robin & Will Curletti Sean Kane Chris & Norma Drumm Pat LoNano Jo Valens Pierre Cum Alden Beane Sacha Dunn Michele Machalani Astrid Vaughan Tessa Connally Nancy Whelan Judith Eddy Susan & Robert Macveety Richard Vermillion Janet & Bart Elsbach Kevin Draves Amy Edelman Maia & Dan Magder Eileen & Ted Vining Connie Griffen Kristine Olsen Margot & Eric Egan Holly J. Mahoney Kathleen Ward Dona Senecal Jodi Cahillane Christian Elloie Anne Malcolm Dale & Phyllis Webb Nora Hayes Robin Mallory Kimberly Ezequelle Janet Malcolm Patti West Aimee Boyer Emily Wagner Michael Fernbacher Joanne & John Mallory Marj Wexler Taylor Dennis Mark Wilhelm Robert & Vivian Fernbacher Peggy Marchi Kevin A. & Joanne Wholey Lesley Lutyens Doug Goudey Charles & Dorothy Flynn Kristen Marino-McCullough Lynn & William Wood Hildi B. Kaufmann Margaretta Galanty Cathy Fracasse Christiane Marks Tom & Susan Young Donna Barringer Christopher Brophy Isabelle Frank Kendal McTeigue Deirdre Ypma Elizabeth Keen Bob Palmer Elizabeth Fraser Barrows Richard Meyers Dino Zabian John Greene Judy Mareb Anne Fribourg Eric & Linda Miller Jean Zay John Graney Harry & Debbie Sano Thomas H. Friedman Kathleen & Joel Millonzi Dr. Heidi Zorn Colleen Callan Dave Isby Clark Friedman Sharon Milukas Jill Zukowski Sweet Jerome & Rachel Errico Bonnie & Bob Benson Jennifer & Lauren Gagnon Michael David & Lauren Dan Smith Jessica Speer-Holmes Donna Gallers Mitchell Judy Harr Shane Paul & Alexcia Adams Shawna Garanzuay Kirsten & Brett Morgan Katherine Shoemaker Richard Allen Corrina & Paul Gitterman Sandra & Robert Morgan Thank you to our Volunteers We would like to send our deepest appreciation to the following list of volunteers and helpers, without whom this barn and organization could not function! These people have worked tirelessly to help us in our efforts of making our fund raisers fun as well as profitable. There are probably many names left off this list....our apologies... Eric Ecklund Mackenzie Morgan Marie Edesess Arwen King Karen Tarnauskas Stan Kay Avery Ball Aidan Ball Nina deLuca Maebel Spencer Kristen Flynn Kristin Sanzone Renzo Battaglia Kari Harendorf Nova Kent Limon Jim Stockfsch Lucy Coleman Robin Rainwalker Kristine Stockfsch Marley Zorn Jo Grossman Chris Drumm Sebastian Hardy Heidi Taberman Jo-Anne Broderick Sacha Dunn Lisa Reynolds Jonathan Gagnon Heather Ciccotelli Aimee Davis Tim Foster Jean Pollock Isabel Haywood Kimberley Hyatt Michelle Turner Marcus Cole Jeanne Bassis Jason Hanley Robin Parow Colaine Dennis Nellie Stockfsch Susi Fili Jin Fernbacher Amy Callahan Krisztina Koval Caity Foster Stephanie Bergman Vila Maya King Christine Foster Tilda Doscher Ted Vining Kirstin Morgan Jonathan Schwartz Michael Fernbacher John Graney Laurel Graney Christine Pizzuti Sadie Levine Elyshia Mann Robin Graney Maryellen Cole Tayo Kaufman Lotus Cohen Emily Shaw Delphina Coster Hailey Lofus Gretchen Ball Erin Wilkerson Richard Mutch Kayla Sweet Jane Berger Larry Haywood Georgia Drumm Ihor Shuhan Colby Sweet Charles Tompson Julia Reilly Steven Horowitz Ethan Vaughn Yury Seagull Anne Haywood Francesca Edesess Fiona Kerr Paulina Deseve Christine Sierau Hope Hewlett Matteo Edesess Caitlin Hotaling Deirdre Ypma Tom Sierau Norma Drumm Riley Davis Gagnon Susan Dennis Max Levine Julian Stanton Tracey Kaufman Leah Sprague Evie Kerr Johanna Spencer Anna Stanton Robert Hoechster Joely Snyder Karma Cohen Ed Hotaling Rachel Tarnauskas Laszlo Koval Joe Brolli Sophia deLuca Burt Ball Julie Schwindt Lily Sanzone Dana Coleman Lucara Aman Jacky Boyd Anna Seagull Piper Morgan Dakota Callahan Ana Garcia-Kwan Mariah Broderick Olha Motsna Brett Morgan Allie Cole Maya Bergman Hoechster Jacque Jones Jade Hogan Malika Kent Limon Austin Cole Lisa Ecklund Anne Jones

2017 Spending Overview Expenses Income Wages $232,130 Donations $106,258 Animals $42,384 Workshops $60,342 Maintenance $37,388 Therapy $79,605 Insurance $16,549 Lessons $34,500 Scholarships $16,841 Fundraising $30,192 Miscellaneous $8,050 Grants $48,400 Professional fees $16,475 Membership $4,675 Marketing $20,573 Total $363,972 Total $390,390

To request a full financial overview, email [email protected] Calendar of Events for 2018 June 2, Saturday 10:30am-12:30pm… Circus July 21st, Saturday 6-9pm… Hoedown! We proudly present our annual Hippity Hop Dance the evening away in our barn. Bonfire, Circus! Allow our horses and riders to show what refreshments, good times — everything one could they have learned throughout the year in a musical wish for! $5 per person celebration of “Our True Colors” August 25th, Saturday 10am-4pm… Fun Day Refreshments for sale. $10 parking. Free admission. Our big fundraiser at French Park in Egremont. The show must go on, regardless of weather! Pony rides, food, music, games and face-painting June 11th, Monday… Summer Camp begins too! Great for the whole family. Where riding is so much more than sitting on a Oct 7th, Sunday 10am-3pm… Horse Show horse! Spend a week or more with Blue Rider and Everyone who has ridden at Blue Rider the last year be prepared for rare and wonderful equine and has a chance to be in our horse show an win a few farm life experience. Ages 5-16. Full and Half-Days ribbons! Entry fee includes refreshments. available. Ends Aug. 24th

We have composted manure for sale throughout the year; either for you to pick up in buckets, or by trailer load. It is very benefcial for gardeners, and has no bedding or chemicals. Please call ahead for availability; if we’re out, don’t worry, we’ll be getting more!

CAN & BOTTLE DRIVE - Ongoing at the barn, collecting nickels for the horse medicine fund.

Spending Overview Spending

List of Donors of List

Bi-Annual Narrative Bi-Annual

INSIDE:

Sadof Carla

John Green John

Deirdre Ypma, Treasurer Ypma, Deirdre

Laurie Lindner, Co-Chair Lindner, Laurie

Anna Stanton, Chair Stanton, Anna

Board of Directors of Board

Great Barrington, MA 01230 MA Barrington, Great

P.O. Box 924 Box P.O. Blue Rider Stables, Inc. Stables, Rider Blue