programs

 

 

HAVE YOU ALWAYS WANTED
TO RIDE AND CARE FOR A HORSE?


 Press Release from the Villager Newspaper of March 19, 2010


Now that Spring is here.....Dawn-Mar Ranch, in Hopkinton, home of Shared Gifts, welcomes anyone, of any age or life situation, to experience the joy of grooming and riding one of our beloved rescued horses.  Each horse has a story and all riders are individually matched with SAFETY FIRST in mind.  The beginner or intermediate lesson (usually 1 and 1/2 hours at $40) will include horsemanship, grooming, tacking, English or Western riding, and driving if desired.   No previous experience is necessary.  Marcia Evans has been teaching for 40 years and has personally rescued and rehabilitated all of her horses at the ranch ( see www.shared-gifts.org).  Boarders are welcome as well, and the first riding lesson is free.  Hours of instruction are always flexible.  Some scholarships and sibling discounts are available. 
 

Contact:  specific questions re. lessons..Marcia Evans   746-3884
general questions re programs, volunteer opportunities, other
Mary Congoran  529-2692

Click here for Marcia's resume


 

Programs at Dawn-Mar Riding Academy

Contact Marcia Evans, directly (746-3884), for questions and rate schedules
(some scholarships and sibling discounts available).

 

 

4H Easy Riders

 

 

4-H is a community of young people who learn leadership, citizenship and life skills under the direction of 4-H volunteer leaders.  A leader receives no monetary incentive, but is rewarded by knowing that they are guiding our country’s future citizens and leaders.  All youth (8-21 years of age) are welcome regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, creed, national origin or disability. 

 

When Marcia Evans formed the 4-H Easy Rider Program in 1969, she found the perfect way to combine her love of children and horses for the benefit of both.  The children learn to ride, but more importantly, they learn to make good decisions and to accept the responsibilities involved in caring for the horses, preparing for competitions and establishing supportive relationships with their equine and human friends.  The 4-H environment nourishes a sense of belonging, independence, generosity and mastery of the skills needed to succeed.  

 

Most of the Easy Riders are not fortunate enough to own their own horse.  Horse leases are available and consideration for special economic circumstances will be made.  Siblings are always offered a discount. 

Lessons begin on April 1 and end on December 1.  A once-a-week session will include lessons in horsemanship, grooming and riding.

 

In addition to the equine events and activities, the 4-H members participate in many other projects.  Fundraisers, community service opportunities and “just for fun” outings are some of the things the children enjoy.  Exploring 4-H projects and activities exposes young people to the skills needed to make positive career and life choices.

 

Marcia is always encouraged by the number of her 4-H members who continue to give back to their communities or commit to becoming the next 4-H leaders. The lessons learned and the memories made are everlasting.

 

The best part about 4-H is that IT’S FUN

 

COMMUNITY SERVICE

 

Participation in Fourth of July parade and ice cream sales to support scholarships for the Hopkinton Recreation Department

 

Hopkinton State Fair

 

 

Prepared and donated local Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets

using 4-H Easy Rider Club earnings

 

Trimmed Christmas tree with hand-made ornaments and purchased horse related gifts for under the tree to support the Shriner’s Festival of Trees with proceeds going to the Shriner’s Burn Unit.

 

ACTIVITIES

        

Horse Shows

 

Lipizzaner Stallions Performance – Attendance

 

Myhre Equine Clinic – Visit and personal tour

 

FUNDRAISERS

 

 

Merrimack Valley Special Olympics Program

The mission of Special Olympics New Hampshire is to provide year round participation in sports training and athletic competition in a variety of well coached Olympic-type sports for all individuals with intellectual challenges.  Participation in Special Olympics provides athletes with continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness skills, express courage, experience joy and share their talents and accomplishments with their families, friends and fellow Special Olympics athletes.   

 

Special Olympics is open to every person with intellectual challenges who is at least eight years of age.  Since there is no maximum age limit for participation, athletes may continue to compete as long as they desire to do so.  Currently, our oldest competitor is fifty-two years old and he enjoys each competition as though it was his first. 

    

Merrimack Valley Equestrian Special Olympics has been providing people with an opportunity to improve their physical fitness and their self esteem through riding and driving since 1989. When Marcia Evans entered her brother George in a Special Olympics equestrian competition, she was inspired by the joy and satisfaction it brought him and was determined to offer the same experience to others.  For the past twenty years, as a Special Olympics coach, Marcia has enhanced the lives of special individuals by providing not only a healthy physical activity, but also a loving and supportive community where lasting friendships are formed.  The athletes enjoy both the competition, and the camaraderie.

 

A very unique aspect of the Merrimack Valley Equestrian Special Olympics is the “unified barn” concept by which special students may, in addition to competing in Special Olympics, also be included in 4-H competition.  This year four of our kids qualified to compete in the 4-H State riding competition and we were very proud of their performance. Thanks to this equal opportunity approach, in addition to learning to ride, children in both clubs work together to care for their proud service animals as they embrace their differences and offer each other support and friendship.  It is unmistakably apparent that the children sincerely wish to see their friends succeed. 

 

Our athletes also train for and compete in the bowling competition.

Lessons are provided and the athletes are ready and eagerly look forward to doing their very best.  Win or lose, everyone has a good time.

 

In addition to the training and Special Olympics competition, the athletes participate in other activities throughout the year.  One of the favorites this year was the Lipizzaner Stallions performance at the Whittemore Center in Durham. 

 

The competitors are always anxious to help support their program through fundraising.  This year’s fundraising events included:

Our Special Olympics athletes themselves have become the teachers-- changing attitudes and helping others to understand the challenges they face.  We are grateful to them.

 

If you would like to learn more about our program, please visit our “Contact Us” page.