What's Up at Saddle Up?
2024 SUMMER SESSION WRAP-UP EDITION
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Saddle Up! Launches Pilot for Volunteer Mentor Program
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Last spring, we celebrated our first graduate from the Alumni Transitions program, Jon! His long-time volunteer and SU! board member, Kristy Williams, wondered what might be available for Jon as a volunteer that would put what he had learned in Alumni Transitions to use and give Jon the opportunity to remain a part of the Saddle Up! community. With the assistance of AT instructor, Anne Craig, Director of Program Operations, Lindsey Wood, our volunteer team and Jon’s mom and, after months of planning, Kristy’s dream became a reality! Together, Jon and Kristy are our first Volunteer Mentor team and they work together at Saddle Up! one morning a week, putting into action the many skills Jon learned during his time as a rider at Saddle Up!.
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When the program was ready to launch, Jon’s mom, DeeDee, wrote us, “What an awesome day this was for Jon!! When we asked Jon after he graduated from the wonderful Alumni Transitions program about the possibility of being the first Saddle Up! rider graduate to do a Volunteer Mentor program, he was SO excited and spelled, 'Very much am interested in being a volunteer and honored to be considered for it, and would be fine with being with the horses and not riding because I just love being there with the horses and everyone and helping with what I can. So excited about the possibility greatly much breaking barriers down, so I’m breathless at the chance and possibly getting to be a trailblazer. So thankful for the possibility because it's a dream of mine, so best idea ever, and thanks to all involved.'"
When the big day finally arrived and Jon finished his first volunteer shift at Saddle Up!, Jon’s mom asked him to share how it went. Jon spelled, "It went very well and I was so happy to be there and helping the Saddle Up! family because I love them all so much, both the people and horses, and they are all my heroes—especially Kristy—and everyone who has made this possible. They make me happy and feel useful and fulfilled, so what a great thing to be there. Love, Jon." Jon’s mom shares her gratitude “to his wonderful mentor Kristy, Saddle Up!, and all those who've made this possible for Jon.”
Congratulations, Jon and Kristy! You are truly Saddle Up! trailblazers and we are so excited about what this program can mean for our young adults! Walk on!
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Miss Heather and super intern Charli planned an incredible summer for our Fun on the Farm kids and every session was full of horse fun, crafts, water games, hayrides and more! We learned a lot, laughed a lot and made many new friends! Fun on the Farm team for the win!
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Saddle Up! First Ever Summer Therapy Intensive
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Saddle Up! therapist, Sandra Zacarri, and Director of Program Operations, Lindsey Wood, have been planning to devote a summer week to an intensive, five-day therapy program for some time. We were thrilled to see another addition to our programs and another dream become reality this summer. The program was a huge success and we will be monitoring the progress of the participants in the coming months.
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Chukkers for Charity Welcomes Polo Legends Adam Snow and Nic Roldan
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Tickets are on sale NOW and you will NOT want to miss this year’s Chukkers for Charity Presented by Medical House Calls. This polo match will be the HIGHEST RATED match in the state of Tennessee for 2024! Polo legends Adam Snow and Nic Roldan will headline the teams at this year's event to be held Saturday, September 7 at Orrin Ingram’s Riverview Farm in Franklin. As a nod to these legendary players, the theme for this year’s Chukkers for Charity is Legends of the Fall. Chukkers will "Return to Rustic" and attendees are sure to have a fantastic day capturing the theme through dress, decor, and signature cocktails of the era.
Special thanks to Presenting Sponsor Medical House Calls, Goal Sponsor Lifepoint Health, Field Sponsor LoKey Ranch, Horsepower Sponsor Andrews Transportation Group, Team Sponsors Colonial Hill Farm and Iron Horse Farm and Mallet Sponsor Barrett Farm.
Art by Lexie Armstrong
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(The annual Chukkers for Charity auction will be open for bidding Friday, August 30 through Saturday, September 7. You or your business can still donate items here.)
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We have new herd members and are delighted with the wonderful qualities they bring to our team of incredible therapy horses! Queen, a 2008 Belgian mare, and Pip aka “Pipsqueak” a 13.1 hh pony, could not be more different in size but share the same good attitude and willingness to work as a steady partner with our riders. Both were rescued by Copper Horse Crusade in Ohio (where Bishop was also rescued!) and both are already in lessons and doing great! In the training program, we welcome Taylor (so named because she has a “13” brand on her shoulder) and Solstice (born during the summer solstice), both QH type mares with sweet personalities. Kiska is among the most recent recruits. She is a genuine Chincoteague pony whose Army family will be stationed in Germany for three years. She will be with us while they are overseas serving. Kiska has miles of kid experience and came to us “sensory field” ready. We would also like you to meet Ruby, a sweet grey Arabian mare on loan to our program. We expect her to do well in her trial period.
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Music Country Grand Prix Wrap Up
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Congratulations to the twenty-four competitors who made this year’s $50,000 Tractor Supply Music Country Grand Prix arguably the most exciting ever! Eight horses came back to the jump off on a perfect course but it was Lisa Goldman-Smolen aboard Barbara Disko’s, Ivaro N who came out on top!
This year’s event generated over $130,000 to support Saddle Up!’s programs. Special thanks to co-chairs Lise Bohannon and Trina Hayes and to honorary chairperson Sarah Ingram. SU! board member Sheree Kelley lent her considerable hospitality talents to a revamped buffet and bar experience, and Lorie Duke and Laura Landstreet once again made the party sparkle with beautiful décor.
A highlight of the day was honoring the Saddle Up! “OG’s” – Tina Carpenter, Anne Craig, Lynne Evans, Bonnie Garner, and Jane Muir – for their years of service and guidance to Saddle Up!.
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Saddle Up! welcomes Farm and Barn Assistant Audrie Parke and Lesson Assistant Alena Sapienza-Wright to the team.
Audrie joins us in a full-time role assisting in a wide range of farm and barn activities and stepping in to support lessons as needed. She comes to Middle Tennessee from Utah, where she attended Utah State and BYU with honors and gained experience in horse-assisted therapy at Bridle Up Hope. Alena is a Vanderbilt graduate, and her full time job is as a grant writer at the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition. She will be at Saddle Up! supporting lessons on Wednesday evenings and on Saturday. Welcome, Audrie P. and Alena!
And Sara Crossan is a familiar and well-loved face around the farm but now we get to see her incredible smile even more often! Sara is now a full-time lesson assistant and we are so happy to have her in this expanded role. Sara is working on her PATH CTRI certification as well!
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It was our honor to recognize two Fantastic Fundraisers this summer, Nate Rittenberry, Saddle Up! parent and board member and Louise Renaudin, long-time Saddle Up! volunteer and supporter. Nate has been a fabulous Pony Up! team leader and chairperson and has helped grow this campaign beyond its goals. Louise was the driving force behind the 2023 Music Country Grand Prix silent auction, the most successful in the event’s history, and is a devoted horse sponsor. Thank you, Nate and Louise, for all you do for us!
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Saddle Up! Receives 2024 Helper Grant from Predators Foundation
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We are so grateful for the ongoing support of The Predators Foundation! The generous 2024 Helper Grant that SU! received funded what is now known as the PREDS PADDOCK, a safe space for horses that need to be quarantined when they first arrive on property or be out of the herd for health reasons, but close to the barn and offices for observation. The Predators Foundation grants are named the Helper Grants in honor of Gerry Helper, former (retired) Nashville Predators Senior Vice President and Senior Advisor.
THANK YOU, PREDATORS FOUNDATION, for all you do for Saddle Up!.
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It was our pleasure to have the children who benefit from the work of the Jordan Thomas Foundation here for day of fun with horses through our “From the Ground Up” Program. JTF helps kids get the prostheses they need to lead healthy and active lives. We are thrilled to work with them as a community impact partner! Their Program Director, April De Leon, sent a message after their day here and wrote:
"On behalf of the Jordan Thomas Foundation, I wanted to extend our deepest gratitude to you and everyone at Saddle Up for hosting our kids and families last week. It was truly an unforgettable experience for all involved.
The joy and excitement on the children's faces as they interacted with the horses were priceless. Many of them had never been close to a horse before, and your team's patience and expertise made it such a positive and safe experience for them. The parents were equally thrilled to see their children engage so enthusiastically.
A special thank you goes out to your dedicated volunteers who went above and beyond to make the day extra special. Their kindness and compassion did not go unnoticed and contributed immensely to the overall enjoyment of the event.
We believe experiences like these create lasting memories and bring immense joy to our kids and families, and Saddle Up played a crucial role in making this happen. Your commitment to our community and willingness to open your doors to us are deeply appreciated."
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Saddle Up! Staff is Treated to Christmas in July!
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What a wonderful day! The Speer Foundation generously poured love on our staff with a "Christmas in July" lunch! We were blown away! And what's really cool is that four other incredible non-profits were selected by the Speer Foundation staff for catering, florals, desserts and gifts! Thank you to Nashville Food Project for a wonderful meal, to Moms BLOOM for the most beautiful flower arrangements, to the Nashville Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition for to-die-for treats from Sweet Daisy. The Speer Foundation also gave every member of the staff a generous gift card to Thistle Farms. WOW! Our hearts were full and everyone on the staff had a wonderful time - thank you to the Speer family and everyone at the foundation for their ongoing support and for this incredible gift to recognize the work and commitment of the Saddle Up! team!
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Fearlessly and Wonderfully Created Art Show and Sale to Benefit Saddle Up!
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Saddle Up!
1549 Old Hillsboro Rd,
Franklin, TN 37069
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| | Saddle Up!
1549 Old Hillsboro Rd,
Franklin, TN 37069
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1549 Old Hillsboro Road | Franklin, TN 37069 US
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