You Are Invited To The Biggest Event of the Year at Hearts!

On May 27, 2012 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, riders of all ages will compete in an Olympic-style horse show before a cheering crowd of family, friends and supporters. We hope you will come to celebrate with us.
Our show this year is inspired by the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Students with physical and cognitive challenges will “Go for the Gold”. There will be a Celebration of Excellence, demonstrating how Hearts helps students achieve their personal best, both in the arena and in their lives.  A Torch relay and a delicious BBQ lunch will round out the exciting day.

You can Sponsor an Olympian!

 Your sponsorship will help provide therapeutic riding lessons year round for children and adults with disabilities, including US military veterans. 

Gold Medal Event Sponsor                                                                      $500

Support Hearts Therapeutic Riding Program
Hang your sign or banner in the arena (optional)
Present ribbons to an Olympian Team (optional)
6 Gold Medal Lunch tickets
Full Page Ad in the Horseshow Program
Recognition at the event
Recognition in any articles published
Recognition in the Hearts e-newsletter and on the Hearts website      

Olympian Team Sponsor                                               $250

Support Hearts Therapeutic Riding Program
4 Gold Medal Lunch tickets
Recognition in the Horseshow Program
Recognition at the event
Recognition in any articles published
Recognition in the Hearts e-newsletter and on the Hearts website

 Sportsmanship Sponsor                                                                           $100

Support Hearts Therapeutic Riding Program
2 Gold Medal Lunch tickets
Recognition in the Horseshow Program        
Recognition in the Hearts e-newsletter and on the Hearts website

To Become a Sponsor, call 805-964-1519!

Hearts Summer Horse Experience: An Inclusive Horse Experience For Kids of All Abilities

Isa Topete can’t help but smile when she’s riding. Although she has severe disabilities, you would never know that when watching her on horseback. After four years at Hearts Therapeutic Riding Center, Isa has become confident and strong.  Her mother, Annie Topete, believes that Hearts has helped her daughter most by providing a safe and nurturing environment. “The big thing for me as a parent with a disabled child is that we can just be ourselves here,” Topete explained. “Everyone at Hearts knows Isa and can give her the support she needs."

This summer, Hearts will continue making a difference for children of all abilities through a unique Summer Horse Camp.  “The summer program is particularly powerful, because we include children with and without disabilities,” said Program Director, Connie Weinsoff. “We talk about the differences among the horses as a way to help kids understand and respect their own differences.  By riding together, children with disabilities and those without disabilities are able to build relationships and learn from one another.”

Each camp day includes a riding segment; opportunities to groom, tack and bathe the horses; plus a hands-on, educational topic of the day such as equine nutrition, vet care, and horse behavior.  All classes are taught by certified riding instructors. At the end of the week, riders will demonstrate their new skills for family and friends in a mini-horseshow.

Children will leave the Hearts Summer Horse Experience knowing much more than horsemanship and horseback riding skills; they will leave with more self-confidence, higher self-esteem, and a greater appreciation for the value of other people.

“We focus on empowerment, peer interaction, and education,” said Weinsoff.  “Even though the camp is only for five days, the kids make a visible progression in that time frame. They go from feeling anxious or nervous on the horse or with their peers, to feeling confident and comfortable.”

Come to the Hearts Horse Show to learn more about Camp

May 27^th   9am-4pm    Camp Presentations at 11:00 and 1:00

Dates:         June 11- 16 (FULL)

June 18-22

June 25-29

July 30-August 3

August 20 -24 (Select one day -- parents and kids ride together)

Time:          9 am-12 pm

Tuition:      $350 per Week

For more information, call Connie Weinsoff at 805-964-1519 or visit www.HeartsSB.org

Angela Kelly: A Woman with a Big Heart

Angela Kelly has an innate desire to help others. Whether it’s through horses, art, or her profession as a therapist, she is passionate about helping people overcome obstacles. Angela recalls that, “growing up with horses, I have watched them do their magic all my life”. When she was in her twenties, she volunteered at a therapeutic horseback riding center.  Since that time, she has been convinced of the healing power of horses and Therapeutic Riding. Today, Angela is a volunteer at Hearts as well as a psychotherapist. In both settings, she uses holistic and natural ways to help people heal from trauma.

“Our family believes that if you do good things, good things will happen,” she said.

Kelly grew up with artistic parents and became an artist herself, believing that art can also help people heal. She has been producing art shows for over 25 years and is motivated by the conviction that art serves a purpose other than being a commodity. Art is a vehicle for self-expression, and healing, as well as a way to connect with others. “I use my art to advocate for a social issue or to bring attention to an important organization,” she explained. “My Art Shows create visibility for non-profits, and initiate new relationships and opportunities for them.”

In fact, Kelly first heard about Hearts when she and her son Max went to an art show, where she met a Hearts volunteer who told them about the organization. A love affair began after she attended the Pegasus Luncheon, where a rider spoke about therapeutic riding and how it helped him overcome PTSD.  She was so moved by his story that she knew she was going to stick around.

“Horses are the most natural cure for people who have survived unnatural situations,” Kelly said. “In my therapy practice, I see how horses can help kids with therapeutic backgrounds.”

This year, Kelly created “Horse Love in Santa Barbara,” an equine-themed art show, hosted by the Santa Barbara Frame Shop and Gallery ,to benefit Hearts. Featured artists included Katie Upton, Jeremy Harper, Brian Chessmar, Nick Van Hecke, David Schler, Jessica Rees, and Linda Collison. Funds raised by this event provide scholarships for riders who would not otherwise be able to benefit from therapeutic riding lessons.

Kelly said she will do whatever she can to help Hearts because of its mission to change lives and enhance people’s abilities. “Every week I take Max to Hearts to feed the horses, and sometimes we stay to watch the kids ride…It’s amazing to see what they can do!”

Pegasus Luncheon 2011

The Pegasus Luncheon, Hearts’ annual fundraising event, will take place on Thursday, October 6^th from 11:45 – 1:00 pm.  Featuring heart-warming talks by riders and volunteers, the luncheon offers an inspiring demonstration of how therapeutic riding changes lives.  At the event, guests will have an opportunity to partner with Hearts by making a financial contribution to support this important work. If you would like to attend, please contact Kirby Gillispie, Executive Director, at 805-591-9792.

Remembering Jan Montgomery

In 1984, a tragic horse-back riding accident left expert horsewoman Jan Montgomery with severe injuries and a loss of mobility. Although she could not walk, her intense love for horses and her fiercely independent nature inspired Jan to dream about resuming horseback riding again someday.  Would she be able to do it? 

The answer for Jan was a resounding "yes!"  She embraced her goal with courage, enthusiasm and determination. With the help of instructors at Hearts, and with volunteers supporting her from either side, Jan worked diligently to re-gain the strength and balance necessary to once again sit tall in the saddle.  Eventually, she was able to ride independently once again. She progressed from riding in an arena at Hearts to trail riding throughout Hope Ranch on her own beloved Connemara pony named Luke.  She also rode with the Sage Hens on their annual rides. Her “impossible dream” had come true. 

Jan was one of the first riders to benefit from therapeutic horseback riding when Hearts was newly established in Santa Barbara as what was then known as "4-H Hearts".  For 26 years, she remained a devoted supporter of Hearts and an advocate for therapeutic riding. Her passion for life also found expression in her fondness for travel and her deep commitment to protecting the environment as well as supporting women's rights around the world and here in Santa Barbara.

Jan Montgomery passed away on May 20, 2011.  Her many friends at Hearts remember her abundant spirit and tremendous courage with great admiration.

Hearts Summer Camps 2011

Hearts enjoyed another successful series of summer horse camps this year, enriching the lives of 45 kids.  The first two weeks were inclusion camps, where kids with and without disabilities learn and play together.  Our theme was “The Wild West.”  Campers learned about different styles of riding, including the infamous “bareback” day. 

We are thankful to Laura Denny for providing some wonderful art projects including painting on the Hearts horses (they make a great canvas!).  Riders went out on the trail for a “cattle round-up,” and had a “bean bag shoot-out” in the arena. Some campers spotted a real bobcat, skunk and king snake around the Hearts property.  Those were “unplanned” Wild West bonuses!

Another two weeks of camp gave children who are involved in CALM (Child Abuse Listening & Mediation) an opportunity to experience horseback riding and the self-confidence that comes from it.   We appreciate the Santa Barbara Youth Project for funding this camp for 20 campers each summer – a tremendous gift to the kids involved.

One child from CALM had never been on a horse before.  He told his instructor “I need to get off now,” after his horse, Buddy, took a few steps.  After walking once around the arena, Dylan exclaimed, “I can do this now!”  With encouragement from his volunteers and instructors be became braver and more independent each day. On the final day of camp, he was proudly barrel racing independently at the trot!!  It was a sight to see and a highlight of the camp. 

Connie Weinsoff, Program Director, and Cliff Earle, Instructor, conducted a specialty camp in collaboration with the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, which was focused on the natural history of the horse. In addition to riding, the campers fed the Hearts horses their breakfast and learned about nutrition, herd dynamics, and veterinary care.  They also experienced vaulting, ground training, grooming and saddling, and behavior modification techniques. Of course, their favorite activity was cleaning the corrals and scooping up the poop!

Hearts extends a special and HUGE thank you to all of the hard working and dedicated volunteers who came out to help with camps all summer long.  Thanks to the Hearts Summer camp instructing staff: Emily Larson, Alex Kincaid and Darcie Simson.  We appreciate Dr. Saunders for his veterinary demos.  Also, thank you to Alex Kincaid for showing the kids how to rope cattle and to Robbie Elconin for providing “The Vinnie show.” 

Hearts summer camps are open to children between the ages of 8-13.  They are some of the only “inclusive” summer camp programs in Santa Barbara County.  This was a wonderful summer and we hope to see everyone again next year!

By Kristine Eckert,  Hearts Summer Camp Director

Many Thanks For A Wonderful Party!

The Hearts Horses celebrated their Birthday in great style, thanks to the generosity of their many friends at Hearts, especially the Heart Strings volunteers, led by Ellie Tuazon, who organized the party in their honor.

Advisory Board member Tracy Beard arranged for a beautiful cake to be donated by Robyn Loves Cake (www.Robynlovescake.com), along with popcorn from The Dreier Group, strawberries from The Berry Man (theberryman.com) and lots of treats for humans and equines alike. The Santa Barbara Camera Club contributed the amazing photographs below.Thirty guests tried to guess the weight of Vinnie the Mini, with Patty Clements coming in closest at 260 lbs. (Vinnie weighs 264 lbs.).

 The horses (and staff) are shouting out a huge “Thank-You” to the following friends for the amazing birthday gifts:

The Beechick Family

Rachel Brown

Bruce Bennett, Jaime Raney and Anna Hanne and Daniel Dreier

The Dreier Group

Lou Dartanner 
Jeannette Iwatsuki

Jedlicka’s Saddlery

Sue Jackson

Si and Karen Jenkins

Heather and Jan Kaarsh
Judy McGrath

Roxanne Murrell

Carol Newton

Lura & Aidan Pearson

The Reardon Family

Lisa Runyan

Denise Stevens

Nancy Tuomey 

Lorraine Wilson


AND all the wonderful people who purchased and left gifts for Hearts at Jedlicka’s Saddlery and La Cumbre Feed Store.


If you gave us a gift and are not acknowledged here, please let us know so we can thank you personally for your generosity.

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