Lilly 6

lilly"I like trotting - bouncy trot and up down trot"

Melissa

melissa“Riding is number 1, not number 2.”

Mackenzie 13

"I like trotting because of how fast it is.  I love the feeling of how tall I am on a horse.  Ice and Poco are my favorites."

Chris B. 13

chris b"I love all the horses."

Dominque

dominique2"Horseback riding so much fun.  Good day.  I like to trot-trot-trot and go fast."

Jay's Mom

jay"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."

Stephanie 21

stephaine"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."

Charlie F.

charlief"I like trotting and going fast, it's exhilarating.  The people at Horsefeathers are loving and caring souls."

Becky

becky"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."

Nancy

"I like trotting the very best because I'm doing something instead of sitting.  I feel like I am able-bodied and free."

Maddie 8

maddie"My favorite thing to do is trot, because it's fast!"

Jake

jake"I like riding fast!"

Jeffery, age 8

jeffery"I like trot-trot because it's fast and I like up-downs!"

Kelly, age 19

kelly"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"

Danielle 17

danielle 17"I like riding Elsie because we get along so well together."

Abby's dad

abby"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."

Sandy

"Horsefeathers is such a joyous place, getting up in the morning knowing you're going to be with horses is what I've wanted to do all my life - a dream come true!"

Sandy

"Volunteering with Nick and the horses doing therapeutic riding has been the love of my life for almost 10 years.  Working with the crew at Horsefeathers --- four-footed and two-footed alike --- is as therapeutic for me as for any of our riders."

Jacob, age 4

facejacob"I like to trot-trot because it's bouncy and it makes me happy!"

Amanda 17

"My favorite thing is up & downs at the trot.  Big Red is my favorite horse because he was dressed up as a pirate for Halloween & he is stubborn like me."

Annie F.

AnnieF"I like trotting and Tia the horse is my favorite."

Events

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

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.

Dancin In The Dirt'

horsey2horsey4horsey1

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

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

  • 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.)

  • 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.


Horsefeathers Therapeutic Riding, NFP is a registered NFP Charity, IRS 501 (c)(3) Organization
1181 Riverwoods Rd, Lake Forest, IL 60045 * 847.234.2411