Thanks to all who participated in the gala, and especially to those brave enough to venture into the photo booth! We have so many great shots from this year’s event. Here are a few of your photographer’s favorites.
As always, the rest of the images can be viewed and purchased at http://photos.xenophontrc.org.
As always, you can view and purchase photos at photos.xenophontrc.org.
Chris Ellsworth is a well-known trainer operating out of Rawking Horse Ranch in Briones. Chris spent most of his formative years working as a cattleman in Wyoming, Montana and South Dakota. Throughout that 30 year history, Chris worked with scores of fabulous horse trainers who taught him many things, but in the end, Chris realized it was the horse itself that was the greatest teacher. He began to realize he wanted to devote his life to making horses’ lives better, just as they had done for him. “I began to forge my own path, to follow where the horses led me. Letting go of what I thought I knew, learning to trust my instincts and turn in the direction the horses themselves were offering was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. But now I consider this breaking away from all traditions to learn directly from horses to be my greatest accomplishment.” Chris has an affinity for reading horses and figuring out just what they are communicating to their human companions. By helping people to understand this, he can improve the relationship between horse and rider.
Xenophon was fortunate to have Chris come and donate his time and expertise to our Xenophon horses and horse handlers. Chris spent three hours on Sunday, August 26th up at the center, providing insight into our horses’ unique personalities. He quickly sized up our Xennies, identifying personality challenges. No one was surprised when he identified Kiwi as a dominant mare who has been “around the block”, and needed her handler to establish a leader position from the get go. He gave insight into GoGo, being an Arabian and having been bred to charge through Bedouin camps, and how to keep her calm. He also worked on getting her to be more accepting and less defensive of her herd mates. Chris’s calm demeanor and motivating attitude instilled confidence in the attendees and he provided wonderful tools that our handlers can use to help each horse be successful in its job. Everyone came away from the clinic with new skill sets and information. Thank you, Chris, for this incredible opportunity. Our horses will thank you, too!
Through a grant generously donated by the Lions club we introduce Lion’s Sergeant Pepper as the newest member of the Xenophon herd. Pepper is a 10-year-old bay Appaloosa Gelding. Coming from a reigning/roping background, therapeutic riding is all new to Pepper. That said during our initial testing we were pleasantly surprised by his near non-reaction to the many therapeutic toys we presented to him. Curious and playful yet he approaches his job in a very calm manner. Pepper adores people, has an abundance of character and has been eager to take on these new challenges. He has a willingness to work and is a quick learner. Standing at 15.1 hands with his beautiful appaloosa eyes and light dusting of white speckles, he is an eye catcher.
While the contribution that Xenophon’s program horses make to the well-being of the participants in our programs is widely known, it is not so widely known that they are contributing to the “growth” of our community in another unique way….manure! Most of you have seen the large bins on the edge of our parking lot at the base of the lower arena. Did you know that these are sophisticated composting bins? The designs for these special bins comes from O2 Compost, a company started by an environmental engineer who specializes in compost systems. They have a forced air system that “cooks” the compost at 140-160 degrees, making it usable in about 6 week’s time.
Needless to say, with 7 program horses we have an unlimited supply of raw materials, which renders us a constant supply of compost. So what do we do with all that “top shelf” compost? Xenophon is now collaborating with Moraga Gardens Farm (MGF), another local non-profit, run by volunteers, who grow an amazing variety of crops. These crops are supplied to local community organizations who assist families in need and are also sold to local groceries and restaurants in the Berkeley and Lamorinda area. The money raised is used to buy seed and assist with the maintenance of the garden infrastructure. Xenophon supplies a stable supply of compost to Moraga Gardens Farm, who use it to grow fabulous food for the community. Go MFG and go Xennies! Check out the article in the MGF newsletter!
http://xenophontrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/MGF-jun-2018-newsletter.pdf
PATH International is the governing body for equine-assisted therapy in the United States. It provides credentialing, sets safety standards, and ensures the professionalism and growth of our industry. In addition, they provide educational opportunities so that certified instructors can meet required continuing education requirements. One of the ways they do this is through regional and national conferences.
On July 27-29, 2018, six Xenophon staff headed down to Shadow Hills Riding Club, just outside Burbank, CA, for the PATH Region 11 conference. The regional conferences usually take place at a local therapeutic riding center, with classroom created with tents and practical demonstrations in the arena. It makes for a lovely setting, but also meant attendees braved 97 degree temperatures, taking advantage of the big fans and misters provided by the host center. The heat did not prevent attendees from enjoying the diverse, quality presentations offered throughout the weekend. Topics ranged from information on Veteran’s programs, to offering unmounted lessons, to how to develop a quality 5-year strategic plan.
Mari Parino, our Executive Director, and Wanda Sayuk, a Xen Instructor and Facilitator for Connected Horse at Xenophon, presented on the accomplishments and challenges of our new Alzheimer’s/Dementia program. Linda Parsons, our Assistant Barn Manager, and Mari, presented a workshop on line lining that included instructional games and the experience of long lining Mari’s two Friesian horses, whom she trailered all the way down to Los Angeles. It was a quality, educational conference, with the experience providing new ideas to augment Xenophon’s wonderful programs.
Xenophon’s Annual Horse Show and Open House is the culmination of our students’ hard work and determination throughout the lesson season. Our amazing riders and staff have prepared a spectacular day of equestrian demonstrations to showcase the importance and impact of our services. Food, Fun, and entertainment are guaranteed. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience Xenophon at it’s best and to be inspired by our amazing riders!
Saturday, September 29th 9:00 AM- 1:30 PM
60 Don Gabriel Way Orinda
It was a Battle of the Bay, and what a battle it was! The score went back and forth, with the lead changing by innings. It turned into a nail-biter as the score was tied up in the bottom of the 8th inning, sending the game to extra innings! Fifty-five A’s and Giants’ fans from Xenophon turned out for a night of BBQ and baseball on July 21, 2018 for an awesome evening. The fun started with a tailgate party at the Coliseum in Oakland and continued in the stadium with friendly competition between those sporting the green and gold and those in orange and black. It was a great way to get to know others in the Xenophon family.
Thank you, Janet Alexander, for all your planning. If you missed out this year, come and join the fun next year, but get your tickets early… it sells out!
Last August, Xenophon piloted a program designed to address the stress and strain that accompanies a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or dementia. In partner with Connected Horse, another non-profit that developed the curriculum based on research studies at both Stanford University and UC Davis, the program uses therapy horses to provide centered experiences to reduce stress, increase communication and improve other life functions. We have seen remarkable results in the program and the feedback from participants has been tremendous both from the person living with dementia and from the care partner. Often the care partner comes thinking the program is just for the individual affected with the disease, but find they are changed from their own experience.
While we see the benefits of this valuable program firsthand, we wanted to introduce it to the geriatric community. On Monday, June 11, 2018, Xenophon and Connected Horse hosted a group of 30 professionals at the center from a wide range of geriatric specialties. Through interactive stations, attendees were given a glimpse into the exercises that participants experience when they come. from Over the Fence meet and greet with the horses to grooming to leading, as well as grounding exercises designed to regulate breathing and connect people to the moment. The morning was concluded with a box lunch and Question and Answer period.
The event was a huge success with positive feedback from the attendees. We hope to hold additional Professional Days in the future as we introduce this valuable program to others in our community.
It was a beautiful day at Golden Gate Fields. The perfect day on which to end their spring racing season. With Justify’s win of the Triple Crown the day before, many folks were in the mood for horse racing. That or the $1.00 beer, mimosas and hot dogs brought them in.
Several times during the year, Golden Gate Fields have non-profits come in to run their “Dollar Day” food and drink booths. We receive $1,000 in exchange for providing the work force to pour beer and hand out hot dogs.
The crowds were out in force yesterday and it was lucky for Xenophon we had an A-team of helpers there. The first hour before the races started was rather slow, and we were able to watch the first group of horses cross the finish line. That was the last glimpse of horses we ever saw, because for the next 4 hours we were running our own race to pour beer, mix mimosas, fill glasses and keep the booth stocked. The line often stretched 20 yards and the hot dogs were flying out faster than we could keep them stocked. Jim Taylor, Peter Molgaard and David Besenfelder practically never turned the beer spigots off except to change out a keg. Paula Newton, Tammy Kaida and her husband, Scott, were constantly mixing mimosas and filling champagne glasses. Scott gets the award for the fastest champagne cork popper ever. Our front line, Michelle Bushong, Kaitlin Parodi, Lisa Powell, Wendy Markel and Mari Parino, held the day, serving guests and making those tips! David Hylton was invaluable running beer, refilling supplies and helping at the front counter. These folks worked tirelessly for the entire day! We have never seen a Golden Gate Fields Dollar Day with the lines so long. It was a hard-earned $1,000. Thank you one and all!
