FUND RAISERS

LOOKING FOR A GREAT SUMMER PROGRAM?

WE HAVE FULL DAY & HALF DAY SESSIONS

EVERYONE IS WELCOME AT THE COMMON SENSE RANCH

JULY 7-11, 2008

July 21-25, 2008

July 28-Aug. 1, 2008

FULL DAYS 9 AM – 5 PM MONDAY thru FRIDAY

AGES 8 AND UP

$250.00 week

$150.00 with registration, $100.00 balance due first day

HALF DAYS CHOOSE Session 1: July 14-18, 2008 9 AM TILL 1 PM

OR CHOOSE Session 2: July 14-18, 2008 1 PM TILL 5 PM

AGES 6 AND UP * MONDAY thru FRIDAY

$40.00 PER CHILD FOR ONE HALF DAY OR

$150.00 WEEKLY PER CHILD FOR A HALF DAY

(before/after care available for an additional fee)

FAMILY & FRIENDS DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE

Sessions limited to 10 participants

Some scholarships available

At the peaceful 14 acre Common Sense Ranch, it is always our wish to give our guests the opportunity to discover the historical, magical allure of the horse in our world. The horse lives in cooperation instead of competition within their herd and we strive for that value.

OUR Horsemanship programs involve experiential learning, with the gentle and sentient horse as a co-facilitator to help reflect on issues and attitudes, which increases awareness of non-verbal communication skills. Our activities support positive expressions of self-concept and heighten coping and relationship skills. Activities include “natural horsemanship” training a young horse in a round pen, Western & English riding & Driving Lessons, and Stable Management. All participants will have the opportunity to care for 14 different breeds of 25 friendly, gentle equines, many rescued from abusive and neglectful situations, then rehabilitated and desensitized to provide therapies for humans!

Ø BEST GROOMED HORSE CONTEST, COSTUME CONTEST & GAMES ON & OFF THE HORSES, ARTS & CRAFTS & WATER PLAY IN A SAFE, FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE.

Ø EACH PARTICIPANT WILL RECEIVE A HORSEMANSHIP MANUAL

Ø ASTM/SEI APPROVED HELMETS WILL BE PROVIDED & MUST BE WORN WHEN WITH EQUINES

Ø PARTICIPANTS MUST PROVIDE THEIR OWN LUNCH & DRINKS

Ø WE PROVIDE ICE COLD WATER AND ALL SNACKS

Ø SPECIAL GUESTS & CHILDREN & PARENTS PAST & PRESENT MAY JOIN US

Ø CHA CERTIFIED INSTRUCTORS/ASSISTANTS WILL OVERSEE ALL ACTIVITIES and are managed by Clairese Austin, HorseSister’s Founder & Executive Director, with 45 years of equine experience, teaching life skills with horses as her guides and accredited with degrees in Human Services-Youth & Family and Psychology. Both Clairese and Instructor MaryAnn Strenad, with 50 years of equine experience, hold instructor certifications through CHA-Certified Horsemanship Association in English & Western and also hold the prestigious certification - IRD – Instructor for Riders with Disabilities, both achieving the highest levels in physical and cognitive treatments. MaryAnn and Clairese are proud to also be certified Equine Special Olympic Coaches. All HorseSisters' staff maintain Federal background clearance checks and CPR and First Aid certifications.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FULL DAY APPLICATION

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE HALF DAY APPLICATION

The Fourth Annual EQUIFEST family festival was again held at the comfortable Lake Helen Equestrian Center on April 12th. Dog agility demonstrations and Jack Russell Terrier racing went on all day. The “Mane Event” equestrian showcase kicked off at 12:30 PM.

The “Mane Event” featured Denny Chapman, Ivory Pal, Olympic Dressage Bronze Medalist Michael Poulin and daughters, Kate and Gwen, both US Dressage Federation Young Rider gold medalists, Mary Rivers, the Silver Sands Drill Team, Paso Elegante Drill Team, Fantasy Arabians, Bruno Gonzales, Barrel Racing, Pole Bending, Cowboy Mounted Shooting, & a Comanche Indian Demonstration. Also returning, for the fourth year now, Horsesisters, an ALL VOLUNTEER 501(c)(3) nonprofit equine assisted therapy and rescue agency in Mims, Florida. Clairese and Thunder provided rides in their "surrey with the fringe on top" for spectators during the day. The Equifest event is always presented in conjunction with the equine art exhibition "Equus: Celebrating the Art of the Horse", at the Deland Museum of Florida Art.