Project R.I.D.E. Inc. http://projectride.org Harnessing the Magic to Change Lives Mon, 26 Jul 2010 20:16:15 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Welcome Stella http://projectride.org/welcome-stella/ http://projectride.org/welcome-stella/#comments Wed, 14 Jul 2010 18:50:54 +0000 admin http://projectride.org/?p=1572 After a long wait, our newest tool for use in our program has finally arrived: “Stella” our new Equicizer. The Equicizer is a custom-built handmade mechanical horse used for jockey training and therapy. It moves and simulates the motion of riding, powered by the rider’s movement. It is a great workout and a lot of fun, and our students are already enjoying its benefits. If you’d like to see Stella in action, drop by the barn and visit!

]]> http://projectride.org/welcome-stella/feed/ 0 The Teacher Has Never Seen Her So Confident http://projectride.org/the-teacher-has-never-seen-her-so-confident/ http://projectride.org/the-teacher-has-never-seen-her-so-confident/#comments Wed, 02 Jun 2010 18:02:10 +0000 admin http://projectride.org/?p=1493 “I knew [Project R.I.D.E.] meant a lot to my daughter and she always looked forward to it but when I just plain forgot to take her to her lesson last Friday, I really understood the impact of her not going. She was so upset when I missed that day and she gave the school office grief, her teacher grief, it was just crazy. After I explained to her what happened, I asked her why she was still so upset.

She said, ‘Mommy, that’s really important and when I go there, no one makes fun of me for being slow or forgetting what I’m supposed to do, and I just like it over there with the horses and Ms. Marissa and Ms. Emily and all of the volunteers are really nice too’. I talked with her a little more and assured her that we would not miss any remaining lessons.

She went on to stand in front of the class and say a speech—-A SPEECH!! The teacher said that she did great and that she might get to read her speech at her 6th grade Promotion. She’s always so shy when it came to things like that. The teacher said he’s never seen her so confident. I am really so very proud of [my daughter] and I just hope we can give back as much as you have given us.

Just thank you so much, you really do make a difference!

~Gina B

Addendum
Excerpt from Shelbi’s Graduation Speech
I get to ride horses now at a place called Project Ride. I learn about them, how to take care of them, how to make them walk the way I want. I’m in control of them. Moonie and Samantha are beautiful like me and Bubba and Benny are the biggest and handsome too. I look forward to riding them each Friday. I have way more confidence now. I know I can do anything. When I grow up I want to be a singer, or a doctor, or a veterinarian, or a teacher like Ms. Emily. Ms. Emily teaches kids with disabilities like me to not be afraid and be confident and strong when we ride and take care of the horses. It made me brave enough to say my speech in front of the whole class and all of you.

]]> http://projectride.org/the-teacher-has-never-seen-her-so-confident/feed/ 0 I’m Making a Real Difference http://projectride.org/im-making-a-real-difference/ http://projectride.org/im-making-a-real-difference/#comments Tue, 18 May 2010 17:51:05 +0000 admin http://projectride.org/?p=1434 I definitely feel as though I have made a difference for the people I have served. The kids always look forward to coming to Project R.I.D.E., and without the volunteers, they would not be able to come and ride the horses. While here, the kids can have fun and can feel almost normal. They can also have lessons and exercises that help them with their disability, whether it is a physical one or a mental disability. Doing this work makes me feel good about myself, and I feel as though I’m making a real difference.

Kelsey P
High School Student

]]> http://projectride.org/im-making-a-real-difference/feed/ 0 I Loved Volunteering with Project R.I.D.E. http://projectride.org/i-loved-volunteering-with-project-r-i-d-e/ http://projectride.org/i-loved-volunteering-with-project-r-i-d-e/#comments Mon, 17 May 2010 16:59:23 +0000 admin http://projectride.org/?p=1427 I loved volunteering with Project R.I.D.E. I enjoyed working with each child, and everyone was very nice to work with. It’s great to see the growth within each child when they come here and to know that I had some part in it.

Rayna S.
CSUS Child Development student

]]> http://projectride.org/i-loved-volunteering-with-project-r-i-d-e/feed/ 0 It Was Priceless http://projectride.org/it-was-priceless/ http://projectride.org/it-was-priceless/#comments Tue, 11 May 2010 17:50:13 +0000 admin http://projectride.org/?p=1402 It was a very rewarding experience, I enjoyed each and every day and I met many new friendly people. Most of all I saw the growth of the students over the weeks and the excitement in their eyes when they arrived. It was priceless.
~Amanda S.
Child Development Student

]]> http://projectride.org/it-was-priceless/feed/ 0 It Opened up My Eyes http://projectride.org/it-opened-up-my-eyes/ http://projectride.org/it-opened-up-my-eyes/#comments Tue, 11 May 2010 17:48:08 +0000 admin http://projectride.org/?p=1400 Coming into this experience, I was only concerned with completing my hours for class. However, even after my first experience of volunteering it opened up my eyes to a whole new way of looking and appreciating things. The staff and students were so warm and welcoming, I am sincerely grateful and thankful for my time at Project R.I.D.E.
~anon

]]> http://projectride.org/it-opened-up-my-eyes/feed/ 0 Thank you for another wonderful Trail Ride http://projectride.org/thank-you-for-another-wonderful-trail-ride/ http://projectride.org/thank-you-for-another-wonderful-trail-ride/#comments Mon, 19 Apr 2010 17:29:14 +0000 admin http://projectride.org/?p=1280 THANK YOU to all our guests who joined us for an unforgettable day of riding at the beautiful Barton Ranch and enjoyed a steak dinner and an amazing show at our arena. Thanks also go out to the small army of volunteers who produced the event and the students and faculty of Jessie Baker School who worked for weeks to create an inspiring and exciting stage show for us.

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If you were with us and would like to share your pictures of the event, please email them to volunteer@projectride.org and we will add them to our slideshow.

THANK YOU to volunteers Kati Garner, Kirsten Hegge and volunteer/rider Dianne Smith for graciously sharing their beautiful photos with us!

Color Pictures from Kati and Dianne

[[View slideshow]]

Sepia Pictures by Kirsten

[[View slideshow]] ]]> http://projectride.org/thank-you-for-another-wonderful-trail-ride/feed/ 0 The Kids Are Amazing! http://projectride.org/the-kids-are-amazing/ http://projectride.org/the-kids-are-amazing/#comments Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:00:20 +0000 admin http://projectride.org/?p=1141 I would like to thank you for the opportunity you have given me with Project R.I.D.E. Friday afternoons are something I look forward to. Not only do I get to help out with several volunteers who are as enthusiastic as I am, but the kids are amazing! I haven’t had this much fun in a long time. They are simply spectacular, and I am so grateful that you came to our class and offered us the opportunity to be part of a volunteer project that makes a difference in the world.

Chris M – Sacramento State Student

]]> http://projectride.org/the-kids-are-amazing/feed/ 0 Project RIDE’s 11th Crab Feed Was Our Best Ever! http://projectride.org/project-rides-11th-crab-feed-was-our-best-ever/ http://projectride.org/project-rides-11th-crab-feed-was-our-best-ever/#comments Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:48:22 +0000 admin http://projectride.org/?p=1078 Thanks to the efforts of hundreds of volunteers, the board of directors and staff, Project RIDE is pleased to announce the success of our largest annual fundraiser, the Shrimp and Crab Feed. Over 1700 guests enjoyed delicious salad, pasta and bread followed by huge shrimp and pound after pound of fresh crab. This event raises a large portion of our operating funds for the year and we are truly grateful for the continuing generosity of the Elk Grove and Sacramento communities. In fact, some guests arrived from out of state, having heard the rumors of the biggest and best crab feed in the Western US. A big screen TV, a Wii, a gun safe and over 50 incredible raffle prizes were the highlight of the evening, which benefited our therapeutic horseback riding program for people with special needs.

Photo credit: Kati Garner

]]> http://projectride.org/project-rides-11th-crab-feed-was-our-best-ever/feed/ 0 Rest in Peace, Baylee http://projectride.org/rest-in-peace-baylee/ http://projectride.org/rest-in-peace-baylee/#comments Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:31:58 +0000 admin http://projectride.org/?p=1027 Recently we lost one of our young students, Baylee Tadlock. Baylee participated in our program for many years and was a staff and volunteer favorite. We will miss you, Baylee.

Please donate-bayleeclick here if you are interested in remembering Baylee with a donation to Project R.I.D.E. Or you can purchase scrapbooking supplies from Scrap for a Cure and they will donate 5% of sales from April – June to Project RIDE.

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