Kind, Patient... Fantastic!

This week's entry is the voice of Jessi Goble, an Idaho native who recently spent eight weeks at High Hopes for the Instructor Training Course.  Jessi graduated from the University of Idaho May 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in Child Development with a Specialization in Disabilities. She currently has an Appaloosa that she rides English and Western, and trains for 3-day eventing. 

Fall 2010 Instructor Training Candidates -
Dick Lasnier, Jessi Goble, Yael Dekel, Katie Posner, Klara Shim

I may not be from Israel or South Korea like some of my fellow ITCs, but picking up and leaving my cozy little northern Idaho home and coming to the wild, wild East seemed like moving across the world. I knew what to expect at home and had no idea what to expect here at High Hopes.

I don’t know how many times my parents reassured me: “Jessi, people who work in therapeutic riding have got to be kind and patient.” Like most kids, I didn't think my parents could be right, but yet again, they were. But they were also wrong…My parents were wrong because the people here are not only kind and patient, but they are also fantastic!  I have never met so many people who are so open and willing to help in any situation or at any moment in life. It’s even more amazing when I think about all of the ITCs, on-site certification candidates, and the large number of people in general who walk through the front doors of High Hopes. The  instructors, staff, and volunteers still have the time and the patience to be open and helpful to those who stop in.

An Introduction to Driving for ITCs

During my two month stop here,  I feel as if I have made many friends--with instructors, staff, and-- most important-- volunteers. I am going to miss all of you and hope that I can keep in contact with the folks connected to High Hopes and perhaps come back later for conferences or for further training. Don’t ever change! Thank you for making my time here so memorable, fun and full of hard work! Keep showing these children and adults your "high hopes" in their abilities to do whatever they are brave enough to try. Happy Trails--until we meet again.

~Jessi Linder Goble/ NARHA Registered Level Instructor/ Graduate of High Hopes Instructor Training Course, Fall 2010

Fundraising - Choosing to Be Involved



I became a volunteer at HH in the fall of 2003, with no experience in Therapeutic Riding, but intrigued by the idea of animals helping people.  Slowly and over time, I began to witness the breadth and depth of what High Hopes and therapeutic riding have to offer. The magic that occurs at High Hopes is very subtle; it doesn't hit you over the head, but simply allows you to bear witness.  As if by osmosis, I began to absorb the incredible level of technical expertise of the teaching staff, the barn staff and the administrative staff.  Years ago, I had been a management consultant and had worked for Fortune 500 companies that were striving to identify and develop their own positive and motivating corporate mission statements.  Much to my surprise, without the business suits and consultants and meetings that I had experienced, everyone at High Hopes seemed to already "get it;" they were all present for the same reason.  As in pole jumping, the bar at High Hopes was set high, and it went unsaid that everyone was expected to clear the mark.  



Concert in the Barn 2009



In the spring of 2005, I cautiously became involved in the Concert in the Barn benefit.  Yes, I became involved in FUNDRAISING. 





Smiling after a Ride



To this day, many people tend to shy away when they hear I am involved in FUNDRAISING. FUNDRAISING is viewed almost as a "dirty word."  They don't want to be involved, don't want to ask anyone for money.  Don't want to impose, and don't understand why I have chosen to become involved. The reality is that without volunteers who are willing to "make the ask," the rest of the volunteers would not be able to do what they love to do for the participants.  Like it or not, it takes money to run such a large and professional organization.  It takes money to underwrite 70% of the cost of a rider's lesson.  Think about that.  SEVENTY PERCENT.  The average cost for an hour long lesson at High Hopes is $107.  High Hopes only charges $40, and out of everyone who particpates, HALF of those are on scholarship.   This is with heartfelt thanks to you and your friends who donate to the annual appeal, you and your neighbors who attend the benefit events, and your local businesses who donate for corporate sponsorships.

Learning to Pick Feet

When you are passionate about a cause, about its beneficiaries and participants, and when you respect the professionals delivering the services, it makes it easier to ask for support.  The money that we raise is not for me... it is for Victoria on Mondays, ....Janet on Tuesdays, ....Ozzy on Wednesdays...Ian on Thursdays...Sylvia on Fridays...and the 200 other participants that leave with a sense of accomplishment, acceptance and FUN that can be hard to find anywhere else in their lives.  



(Above) Patty at Concert in the Barn 2009 and
(below left) riding her horse at the High Hopes Schooling Show

To be completely honest, I am having fun as well.  Where else can you spend time and have such an impact? Where else can you work with such a professional group of individuals, both volunteer and paid staff, and get such immediate gratification for time well spent?  I witness hugs for the horses, high fives for the volunteers, grateful and happy looks from caregivers in the lounge, people having fun on the dance floor during a benefit...that is why I choose to fundraise.  Because it is not easy.  But because the payback is so huge. 





~ Patty Ganey/ Program & Special Events Volunteer/ Committee Member





 






High Hopes is currently recruiting volunteers to help with fundraisers and other special events.  If you are interested in becoming involved, please contact Karen Pfeil at kpfeil@highhopestr.org or (860)434-1974 ext 21.