"I like riding fast!"
"I love all the horses."
"I love horseback riding. These big, gentle animals are my friends. They know my scent and they know my voice when I call their names. Riding on Ice, Poco and Tia makes me happy. I like to brush them and give them treats like peppermints. I have been riding since I was 12. I hope I can ride for a long, long time."
"Riding has helped strengthen the trunk. She's like a jack-in-the-box, she now has the strength to sit up and stay up under her own power, which she could not do before. She really enjoys riding too."
"I like trotting - bouncy trot and up down trot"
"My favorite thing to do is trot, because it's fast!"
“Riding is number 1, not number 2.”
"I like to trot-trot because it's bouncy and it makes me happy!"
"I like riding Elsie because we get along so well together."
"Horseback riding so much fun. Good day. I like to trot-trot-trot and go fast."
"I like trotting and Tia the horse is my favorite."
"I like trotting and going fast, it's exhilarating. The people at Horsefeathers are loving and caring souls."
"I like cantering because I'm getting really good at it and stronger. I like circling around corners, it is much fun, and I sometimes like to do it at the trot"
"I like trot-trot because it's fast and I like up-downs!"
"Riding has opened me up and I'm not as scared. It has helped my balance a lot, and I am more positive about myself."
"Riding has greatly improved my son's hand-eye coordination and balance. Because of this, he is now able to ride a bike and play video games, things that every little boy his age should be able to do."
News and Events
Needed Silent Auction Items
Attention all Horsefeathers supporters, we are having a fundraiser in April and need everyones help. We are in need of silient auction items! Please get a hold of us if you need anything or have questions.
The Rainbow Bridge – Lynda Vital (1952-2011)
Everyone connected with Horsefeathers has been touched our dear friend Lynda Vital – volunteer extraordinaire, resident artist, seamstress, published author, and jack-of-all-trades creative force. Her ready laugh, irreverent wit, generous spirit, and boundless good will graced Horsefeathers through good times and hard times, sustaining horses and humans alike.
One look around the barn reveals countless Lynda creations: the office wall of paintings illustrating 23 episodes of her As the Barn Turns serial in the Horsefeathers Newsletter; her coloring book pictures of every horse (and Tigger); in the arena, full size paintings of ponies past – Lil Sugar and Hollywood Pony; the mural of Horse Dreams; color panels illustrating all kinds of horse activities, from jumping to jousting to polo to circus tricks; and hand crafted personalized pony blankets worn by Calvin, Lucky, and Rover the Brave.
Lynda’s two books, A New Life for Bud and A Tale of Two Ponies, delighted readers of all ages.
We salute our friend Lynda, whose spirit is always with Horsefeathers, and whose laughter still rings in the barn and in our hearts.
Receptionist
Looking for a gentler volunteer opportunity then sidewalking? We would like someone to answer the phone and staff the desk.
If you have the time we need coverage on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 12-5, or Saturdays 9-4
Google Calendar Help
If you use an electronic calendar you may be able to download events or add our calendar as a share. If not, you will be able to print a list of events.
Google Calender Share Links:
ICS Address
XML Address
HTML Address
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities
Please check out our new google calendar for a complete list of all our events.
If you use an electronic calendar you may be able to download events or add our calendar as a share. If not, you will be able to print a list of events.
Boy Scout
Boy Scout Crew & Troop 333
1st and 3rd Sundays, 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Naperville Sun Eion 2011
One of our riders was featured in an article for the NapervilleSun. Check out the article online
Chicago TribLocal SO 2011
The Chicago TribLocal printed our story on our trip to the Special Olympics of Illinois Equestrian Event on Thursday, September 22, 2011. The full story is as follows or you can catch it online.
WGN Morning News
WGN Morning news was kind enough to do a segment on some of our riders. You can see the video on their website
Horsefeathers 2nd Annual Spring Fundraiser
Horsefeathers invites you to join us at our benefit to help those in need receive horse therapy.
Beer, wine, and appetizers 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Silent Auction, 50/50 Raffle
Ticket price: $50.00
($25.00 is tax deductible)
Please join us at:
| Trax Bar & Grill 833 Deerfield Road Deerfield, IL 60015 |
Dancin In The Dirt'
Friday January 6th 6:00-9:00 P.M.
HORSEFEATHERS
At
Liberty Farms
1181 Riverwoods Rd.
Lake Forest, IL 60045
• Music with a D.J.
• Fun games for the kids
• Potluck – Please bring an appetizer or dessert to share
Please R.S.V.P. at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Contact us at (847) 234-2411 for questions
Horse Shows 2010
All four shows will be held at Liberty Farms on Friday evenings at 5:00 PM.
Dates are: Friday, April 15th, Friday, May 20th, Friday, June 17th & Friday, July 15th
So take a look at your family’s calendar now, and schedule which shows you’d like to ride in. The shows are fun and exciting and a great opportunity for each rider to strive for his or her personal best. (And if you haven’t decided yet whether Special Olympics is something you aspire to, go ahead and plan your show dates anyway; you’ll have fun and will be qualified just in case.)
Who can enter Special Olympics? Entrants must be at least 8 years old, and must ride in any two qualifying shows: Friday, April 15th, Friday, May 20th, Friday, June 17th & Friday, July 15th. What’s it cost? In the spirit of the Special Olympics, there is no cost for riding in our horse shows and we do not charge for the Special Olympic events.
It may seem that September and Special Olympics are a long way off, but we are making plans now to take our horses and as many qualified riders as want to participate, for the Horsefeathers entry. We would love to have every rider who wants to, be part of it.
Special Olympics 2010
At the Special Olympics Illinois 2010 Outdoor Sports Festival, September 11, 2010 was a very good day. Sixteen riders from Horsefeathers Therapeutic Riding, NFP, came home with seven gold medals, eight silver medals, and one well-earned bronze
Horsefeathers horses, Scatman, Big Red, Ice, Calvin, Poco, and Harley, traveled in style in the Airstream trailer of Brookwood Farms, kindness of Rush and Caroline Weeden The riders, who traveled down to Decatur with their parents and familes for the big event, were Jennifer, Carly, Mackenzie, Eion, Amanda, Becca, Kelly, Stephanie, Vidya, Amanda, Leah, Angel, Melissa, Laura, Martha, and Lucy.
The whole weekend was truly a magical experience for all the riders, families, and volunteers. Friday evening began with a pool party at the hotel with lots of fun and splashing to be had by all. Saturday morning started early with all the hustle of horses getting groomed, braided, and tacked up for the show. Riders hurried around, nervous and excited for their chance to ride and show everyone how far they have come, and justify all their hard work leading up to that day. After a hard day, everyone got to relax for a bit before the opening ceremony in Central Park, located in downtown Decatur. The ceremony included lighting of the torch carried by our very own Stephanie Padilla. The streets were full during the Parade of Athletes to the Civic Center for a dinner served by the Decatur Knights of Columbus, with the dance following right after. It was an extraordinary weekend of lasting memories – accomplishments to savor, excitement, friendships, and the delightful thought of “next year.”
Special thanks to…
Rush and Caroline Weeden of Brookwood Farms, who delivered the horses in the fanciest trailer our horses have ever seen
Our Riders and their families for all their hard work.
Our Volunteers, without whom it would not have been possible for our success
Sundh family for keeping us well fed and happy with wonderful snacks
The Jiongco family for supplying the horses with all the show essentials
Lastly, everyone who helped by supporting us by donating to support us at the 1st Horsefeathers Yard Sale – which raised funds to help offset the expenses of Special Olympics.
Subcategories
- News
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Events
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Horse Shows
Our horse shows celebrate our riders’ achievements. They are a great time for family and friends to come and cheer the riders on. They are also terrific practice for the Special Olympics!
This year we will have four shows, spread out over spring and early summer to accommodate family vacation schedules.These shows will be qualifying for the Special Olympics – if that is the rider’s goal – but are open to any Horsefeathers riders, whether or not you have Special Olympics in mind. (If you are interested in going to Special Olympics you must ride in two horse shows.)
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Special Olympics
The Illinois Special Olympics is the event our riders wait for all year. It’s a chance for all the riders to show off and celebrate their achievements. We could not be more proud of all the riders.
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Horse Shows
