United Way Days of Caring - THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS

On September 22nd, Ivy Hill had over 28 volunteers mostly from Univest and Hatfield Quality Meats come and spend the day at our facility as part of the United Way's Days of Caring.



They helped with a variety of tasks including:
~removing sawdust/manure, removing and cleaning stall mats, leveling the stall grit, replacing the mats and adding new sawdust.
~all run outs were cleared of manure
~two stall doors were repaired
~flower beds were weeded and fall mums planted.
~property was weed whacked or mowed.
~indoor ground hog holes were repaired and more grit added.
~white fence at driveway entrance was secured from leaning.
~indoor ramp was supported ~cobwebs were removed from ceilings.
~barn stalls were painted
~round pen was moved as requested
~one stall window repaired.

These volunteers did an amazing amount of work in one day & really helped to make Ivy Hill shine. The barn is so much brighter with the stalls freshly painted. Thank you for help!

4th Annual Golf Outing a Success!!

On September 22nd Ivy Hill Therapeutic Equestrian Center hosted its 4th Annual Golf Outing at the Indian Valley Country Club, Telford, PA. Under cloudy but warm skies, 28 golfers teed off in a shotgun start. After several hours of great competition the winners were determined. The first place team was comprised of players Mark Smolij, Jim Walker, Kevin Hunt and Dave Shaw Close behind in second place were Bill Shelow, Russ Talone, Fred Dunhour and Janice Dunhour. To add to the excitement Dennis Keating won the men's long drive competition and Janice Dunhour won the women's long drive competition. Bill Donnelly won the closest to the pin competition.

The evening wrapped up with a fantastic dinner and awards ceremony in the Indian Valley Country Club ballroom. Ivy Hill Board members Chris Brockett and Bill Shelow presented awards to the winners and spoke about Ivy Hill's continued growth and benefit to the community which it serves only with the help of friends and donors like those in attendance.

In the end it was a great day for Ivy Hill Therapeutic Equestrian Center. Ivy Hill would like to thank all of the golfers, sponsors and the friendly staff at Indian Valley Country Club for making our annual golf outing and fundraiser a success!

Can You help Us?

If you have ever been interested in volunteering here at Ivy Hill, now is the time. Ivy Hill has an immediate need for volunteers on Tuesdays and Thursday from 9:00 - 1:00 to assist with lessons. No experience is needed - we will train you! If you are able to volunteer from 9-1 or just part of those hours on either day, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at (215) 822-2515 ext. 4. To assist with lessons, volunteers must be 11 years old or older. Thank you!!

Wawa Hoagie Certificates Still Available

Don't forget, as part of an ongoing fundraiser with Ivy Hill, we have Wawa hoagie certificates for sale. These are great for hot summer nights when no one feels like cooking!

Due to an increase by Wawa, we are now selling certificates for $4.00 each. These are good at any Wawa location and on any shorti hoagie. For more information please see Megan Strychowski at (215) 822-2515 ext. 1 or mstrychowski@ivyhillequestrian.org

Thank you for your continued support!!

Congratulations Special Olympians!!!!

Ivy Hill would like to congratulate all of our students who participated in Special Olympic State competition this past weekend. Out of the 13 students from Ivy Hill who went, they earned the following medals:

First- 12
Second- 10
Third- 5
Fourth- 7
Fifth- 3
Sixth- 1

Classes included Showmanship, equitation, dressage and trail classes as well as team relays. We couldn't be more proud of your accomplishments! Way to go!!!!

Best Wishes Special Olympians!!

Ivy Hill Board Members and Staff would like to wish "Best of Luck" to all ours students participating in Special Olympic State Competition right now at Penn State University! Thirteen students & four horses earned SO spots this year. Students left yesterday & will be competing until Saturday evening.

Best of luck Sean, DJ, Drake, Justin, Abby S, Hailey L, Sophia L, Regan, Kieire, Krista, Crystal, Nicole and Gia.

A Special thank you to all staff and volunteers who are also at Penn State this weekend as well. Without your help, our students would not be able to participate in such a rewarding experience.

REMINDER: There are no lessons today or tomorrow due to Special Olympics. Thank you!

The 30th Annual Handicapped Riders Division

On Memorial Day weekend, students from Ivy Hill competed in the Handicapped Division of the Devon Horse Show. In all, thirteen Ivy Hill students competed in dressage, equitation, and trail classes. Eight different programs from PA, MD, DE brought 198 students to compete. The event was held at Thorncroft, Inc., Malvern, PA.

In addition to ribbons awarded to each student, perpetual trophies are awarded in a variety of categories. Those nominated for perpetual trophies are invited to ride on Sunday at the Devon Showgrounds in the Ann Dixon Oval. This is a great honor for riders. This year, Ivy Hill had two students chosen for additional awards. This is the third year in a row, Ivy Hill has had students or horses (yes even the horses are honored at Devon) receive awards at the showgrounds!! For the past two years, Ivy Hill horses, Blue & Bean, won The Francis P. Hayes Championship Cooler For Champion Therapeutic Horse.

Crystal Rhodes and Sean O'Brien were honored to ride on Sunday at the Dixon Oval. Crystal was awarded Champion for the Anne Joyce Cocharne Perpetual Memorial Trophy- Awarded to the rider with the highest trail score, Reserve for the Francis de Ruschi Perpetual Trophy- Awarded to the rider with the highest combined score in division II and Reserve for the Brushwood Trophy- Awarded to the rider with the highest combined score in Equitation and Dressage in Division I, II, III, or IV.

Sean O'Brien was awarded Champion for the Thorncroft Perpetual Trophy- Awarded to the rider with the highest combined score in Division III and Reserve for the Anne Joyce Cochrane Perpetual Memorial Trophy- Awarded to the rider with the highest trail score.

Congratulations to Crystal, Sean and all Ivy Hill students for participating in the show! You all did a great job & should be very proud of yourselves!!