Spring Is Coming

As we are excitingly waiting for the green to appear in the grass and the buds to form on the trees it is clear winter has not faded away yet. 

Alas, ASPIRE staff are making the most of the winter months.  We have traveled to Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota to receive instructor training.  We have stayed at the beautiful Lake Geneva and visited 4 centers to get teaching hours and wonderful horseback riding lessons.  I even rode a horse.  I have not ridden in awhile it was great to get back on and walk around the arena.  The staff has learned about different horses, different disabilities, different styles of teaching and lots of great ideas to bring back. They have seen some beautiful centers and have had discussions about how we need something like this in our community.   They have certainly learned and are growing with awesome experience.   It truly has been an awesome time but they are missing their families.  It is a long time to be away from family. 

They are learning, growing and facilitating to bring all of you great lessons and camps this year.  God truly has blessed our lives with many of the best people in our industry.  At least in my opinion.  The time at each of these facilities have been learning and growing.  I can't begin to thank our facilities and individuals enough for the wonderful training experience.  I have high regard for each of these organizations and individuals.  God's blessings to Mainstay, Hanson Center, Equul Access, Smiles and Jenny Vlahos.  We could not have imagined the wonderful time we have had and thanks for the laughter.  Kudos and all the hard work you have put into helping our staff become more than they thought was possible.  God says all things are possible to those that believe.

I truly will miss getting up in the morning and driving by the beautiful lake and ending up in Woodstock, Ill.  Once we arrive we are greeted by several nice dogs and pretty cats.  Then a good morning from Jenny.  The staff gets busy and gets their horses and tacks them up and all the while they are learning and asking questions.  Once we are in the arena there is more learning, riding and laughter.  I will miss the morning laughter and the knowledge.  I have learned so much from Jenny by just watching and listening.  She has been so willing to answer our questions and willing to work with us on the pattern they have to learn.  It has been fun watching them ride and learn.  Starting from scratch and then actually riding the pattern for instructor certification.   They have learned so much and I am so proud of them.  God truly is in the mix.  I truly believe these people that have helped us gain so much are angels that were brought to us for a wonderful reason. 

I am looking forward to a great year which starts with our Miniature Horse Camp during Spring Break.   Blessings for a wonderful day and may God watch over you.  Happy Spring!!!!!