*update*
BINGO raised $1670 from ticket sales plus an additional $550 from the Silent Auction, and received $130 in donations that night. PARD would like to thank Tracy Magee-Graham for the great job she did organizing ticket sales and collecting items for the silent auction. We also thank Delta Bingo, and everyone who supported the event by purchasing a ticket and attending the event!
~Angie

BINGO has returned! For $20 you get everything you need to dab the night away...game cards (and they come with a handy guide for the newbies - so you have no excuse if you've never played before), a bingo dabber which you can keep as a sentimental token of the wonderful memories you will make that night, an entry into the door prize draw, and a chance to peruse the silent action table to snag some fabulous finds! Bring a friend for even more fun!  

Are you a rider or supporter and want to lend us a hand by selling tickets to your friends and coworkers? Please contact us today and we will arrange to get you a book of tickets asap! 

As always, PARD receives $10 from every ticket sold and $15 if you actually come to play! So you can still buy a ticket even if you can't make (but we really want you to come because it's fun and you might win, which makes it even funner. Yes, funner. Now DAB!

The Ennismore Curling Club has selected PARD Therapeutic Riding to be the beneficiary of the 2019 Curl for a Cause Bonspiel on February 9th 2019. This event is open to area curlers and details can be found by visiting their website or checking out the flyer below. You can enter as an individual, pair or team. Entry fee includes two eight-end games, lunch, dinner and prizes. PARD is also accepting silent auction items, please contact PARD if you have something you would like to donate.  HURRY HARD!

*edit*
​Curl for a Cause generously raised $6000 for PARD from entry fees, the silent auction, and the raffle table. PARD was overwhelmed by the effort Susan and Sharon put into making this a fun and fabulous event! Thank you to everyone who donated and curled! 

In April of 2018, our therapy horse “Bobby” received the best birthday present ever...a $5000 Platinum-level “Grand Prix” sponsorship from the Gainey Foundation! Established in memory of Cathy and Laura Gainey, the Gainey Foundation is committed to supporting charitable organizations that offer environmental and arts education programs for youth*. PARD thought it was only fitting to have Mr Bob Gainey sponsor a horse named Bobby! And now thanks to the generous sponsorship of the Gainey Foundation, Bobby (the horse, of course) has his board, hay, feed, nutritional supplements, vet visits, farrier visits, and so much more covered for one year. Bobby was 16 years old when he joined the program in 2015. He’s the smallest of the five horses we currently have, making him an ideal fit for our young riders. He has won the hearts of many of our volunteers with his kind disposition and willingness to please. He has many good years to offer PARD as a therapy horse.

*http://www.gaineyfoundation.com/gainey-foundation/about-the-foundation/

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At PARD our riders get onto the the horse by using either the traditional block mount or a ramp mount. The block mount (pictured above) is similar to the mounting blocks that you would see at other barns; whether they be a plastic portable one or a more fixed structure. PARD's block mount is a permanent structure in the designated 'mounting area' that provides enough room for the rider and instructor to be on the mount at the same time. This provides the instructor the ability to assist the rider physically if needed and/or simply be there to encourage proper technique.

For riders with assistive devices such as walkers and wheelchairs, the ramp mount system allows the rider to utilize the device to safely enter the mount area and move up the ramps. The ramp mount makes it easier for riders with mobility issues to mount. It does this in two ways. The first being that it puts the rider higher than the horse so when he/she moves their leg over the horse to mount it requires less flexibility through the hip and pelvic area. The second way is called a crest mount. This mount is when the rider stands with his/her back toward the horse at the saddle and with assistance from the instructor and volunteers sits on the saddle. The rider is guided to sit forward while his/her legs are raised together up and over the horses neck. The riders legs are then guided down each side of the horse into proper position. Both of these methods provide a safer and more comfortable mount for riders with mobility and flexibility concerns.

The ramp mount can be complex and very demanding for our volunteers and horses. The horse is led into a chute created by a ramped platform on either side. The horse is required to remain standing still and patiently until the rider is mounted, at which time the horse, rider, volunteers and instructor move down the ramp and out of the mounting area in a synchronous fashion.

This mounting process is one of the reasons it takes a special horse to be a therapy horse. Our amazing PARD boys have the skill, patience and forgiveness to pull this off several times each lesson night, twice a week. It's just one of the many, MANY reasons we love them.

This year's Hunter-Jumper Charity Classic was just like the rest of the summer...hot and humid! Thank-you to those who did put up with the heat to raise a few dollars for our favourite equine friends! The PARD boys truly appreciate your support. Maybe it was the heat, or the long weekend, but attendance this year was lower than expected despite the new costume class and more cash prizes. If you have some thoughts or ideas on how we can boost participation in future shows, please drop us a line. Oh, and here are the pictures as promised...if you'd like a copy feel free to save it to your computer or email for an original file for printing, etc. 
​~Angie Muir, Chairperson

Last year the program underwent some changes that meant PARD would no longer offer cantering and jumping to our independent riders. After discussing it with the riders and their families it was decided that PARD could no longer fulfill their riding goals and it would be time for them to move on to a regular program in order to continue to grow their horsemanship and riding skills. This bittersweet decision was celebrated on Sunday June 10th with a "Graduation Ceremony" where each of the riders were presented with a certificate, a picture of their horse, and a little gift. It was a time to recognize all of the hard work they have put into the program, and their dedication to becoming accomplished riders. As Instructors and Volunteers we couldn't be more proud of these young women and although we will miss them, we look forward to keeping in touch and watching these ladies concur the world!

Congratulations:
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Aimee Carter
     PARD rider ages 4 -23
Frances Emery
     PARD rider ages 5-17
Isabelle Charron
     TROTT rider ages 8-11, and PARD rider ages 11-21

In case you missed it, PARD celebrated 35 years as an incorporated charity in the Peterborough area this spring! Truth is, we've been serving the community for almost 40 years now! PARD is very grateful to all of our supporters, past and present, who have made it possible for PARD to deliver high quality therapeutic riding to so many people over the years (decades)! If you have some old pictures you'd like to share with us, we'd love to see them! Email pardtherapeuticriding@gmail.com or share them on our facebook page! 
Here's a few pictures of our Open House and 35th Anniversary. It wasn't much of a celebration, mother nature had other plans, but thank you to the few who braved the rain to come check out the program and enjoy a cupcake. If you we're planning on attending but the rain kept you away, it's not too late to volunteer for the season. Just drop us line and let us know what night you'd like to come and we'll hook you up with a returning volunteer to answer all your questions!
Cheers!

Check out the new show flyer with new classes and LOT of CASH PRIZES! Sign up for the new COSTUME JUMPER division for extra fun this year! 

PARD is now accepting sponsorship for divisions. If you'd like to become a sponsor and support a great cause email us at info@pard.ca

As always, proceeds form this show go directly back into the program. PARD fundraisers cover operational costs such as board and care of our horses to help keep our Rider fees low. PARD is a registered charity, run 100% by awesome volunteers!