FEBRUARY 2011 UPDATE

Winter is in full force here at Miracles! The snow is piling up in the paddocks, the parking lot and on the roof, but thanks to the very hard work and dedication of a lot of folks (especially Annie and Sophie), we are able to still turn our horses out safely. We continue to ride and have lessons with some of our clients, but it is definitely our slowest time of the year. Thankfully, next winter will be a lot warmer! Thank you so much to Timken for approving a grant for us to heat our indoor arena!  Their generosity will allow us to serve more clients in a far more comfortable environment year round, and on behalf of those wonderful clients, THANK YOU TIMKEN!

We have said adieu to a couple of equine friends in the past few months: Mac has moved on to Kentucky and is apparently very much enjoying that famous blue grass. Dawson has found a very special home of his own in Belmont, and his new mom absolutely loves him. We have a couple of new boarders- Tommy, who is Annie’s lovely draft cross (she calls his interesting color “chocolate pumpkin cheesecake"); Eric's Incredible Ace, who at over 17 hands really is “Incredible”, and my own new dressage project, Baltic Kyra, a beautiful Swedish Warmblood. We have our last stall reserved for March, so the barn is happily full. We have a crew of very hardy and dedicated riders who are here every week keeping our lesson horses fit and happy. Tink, Rhonda, Nutty all have their devoted riders, and Isabelle, in particular has made huge strides in her training, thanks to Erin.

As I mentioned, winter is our very slowest season, and we really depend very much on the generosity and support of our local community. If you are able to contribute in any way to Miracles, we would be so grateful. With the cost of hay, heat, payroll for our employees and care for our horses, each and every dollar counts! If you can’t contribute with a financial gift, we are always delighted to have volunteers to help with lessons, barn chores and of course, shoveling!! If you own a snowblower and are able to come by for a few hours and help out, we would be really thrilled. Our girls do their best with shovels and the roof rake, but when the snow slides off of the roof, we really need some heavier equipment.

Thankfully, Spring will come soon. We have so much to look forward to: the return of our regular riders and meeting new friends, new programs to develop and new relationships to forge. I once read that it is in the challenging  times that our spirits are tempered and formed in order for us to truly bloom, find gratitude and peace in all that life hands us. In the cold of winter and in any hardships that you may have, I pray that you will find peace,hope and gratitude in your life!

Victoria