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Air
His lovely disposition makes him the apple of many of our riders’ eye. From the smallest to the largest, Air takes great care with all the riders. He has been part of our equine staff for the last 5 years. Last week Noah came to the office with a mile wide smile to inform us that he took his first canter steps on Air. Something that one year ago Noah’s mother thought might be impossible.
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Belle
A petite pretty pony, Belle has many different jobs at the Center. Her small size and lovely steady smooth trot gives our riders confidence to ride on their own. Khiria always looks forward to her Saturday morning ride on Belle so that she can practice her independent riding, hoping to compete at Special Olympics in the independent division.
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Blondie
Blondie’s golden coat matches her golden heart. This Quarter Horse mare has worked her way quickly and smoothly into the program and it couldn’t have been at a better time. Not long after her arrival we were preparing to host our largest Special Olympics Equestrian Area games with 41 riders. Needless to say, we were in need of another equestrian team member. Without even a flinch, Blondie completed our conditioning program just in time to participate in Special Olympics. Blondie was a star from the day she arrived!
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Bounty
Bounty was donated to VTRC by one of our faithful volunteers. His excellent prior training has prepared Bounty for his job here at VTRC and his willing personality will take him and his riders to new levels. This handsome 12 year old Arabian/Paint has all of our mares whinnying “Hello.” His smooth appearance is a perfect match for his pleasant gaits as he is now helping us teach our independent riders how to canter.
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Cinderella
This elegant seven year old Quarter-Horse was purchased for the VTRC programs though a grant provided by the Christopher Reeve Foundation. After receiving the grant we looked high and low for the perfect horse and finally the proverbial glass “horse” shoe fit. Cinderella (we call her Cinder for short) stepped on to VTRC property with inquisitive yet accepting eyes and quickly made friends with her new equine family. At 14.2 hands she is the perfect size for both kids and many adults and is currently being used for a handful of lead line and independent lessons.
Cinder recently won first place in the Pleasure Class of the American Competitive Trail Horse Association Ride for the Rescues Guinness World Record Competition! We are very proud of her and her rider for this accomplishment!
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Cracker Jack
CJ as he is known at the barn as the dream horse of many of the little girls that come to our program. He charms them with his good looks and gentlemanly manner. One of our riders, Danny, has featured him in her scrapbook. He has worked for the center for 14 years. He is entrusted with many of our smallest riders often teaching them the posting trot.
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Desi
“Desi" (short for Destination X) is a cool & composed Arabian whose smooth gates and calm personality has already made him a favorite amongst our riders. Like many Arabs, he is a real looker with his bright eyes and flowing mane. Desi is fitting perfectly into our program and we look forward to seeing all he can do.
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Freckles
He came to live at VTRC in May of 2005 when his mom was called to duty in Iraq. He had been a member of her family for quite sometime. She was grateful to know all the riders at VTRC would become his new family. One of our riders, “Skylar,” especially loves Freckles because she has freckles like he does. Gabby has taken her first small jump on Freckles. We wish his mom well and thank her for her service to our country and entrusting us with Freckle’s care.
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Hidden Creek Jones
In the Spring of 2009 VTRC was blessed to have this retired Grand Prix Jumper donated to the program. Jones quickly adapted to his new career and seems to be enjoying his new harem of admirers. He is by far the tallest horse at VTRC. At 16.3 hands he could intimidate some riders, but his gentle and kind spirit puts everyone at ease. Our instructors especially enjoy working with him because whenever he doesn’t understand what is rider is asking him to do, he stands still and looks directly at the instructor as if to say, “Help please”.
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Jamie
Charming, cute and just the right size for many of our riders that need more assistance. He is small enough for the staff to reach the rider to give support yet large enough to carry a small adult. Off the lead line he has lots of zip and is a favorite mount of many or our volunteers.
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Lexus
Sleek and good-looking, his smooth gaits make it easy for his riders to canter. His specialty is teaching riders to jump. He will safely carry our more advanced independent riders through a jump course. He also helps our Special Olympic riders complete the highest level of dressage test with top scores.
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Millie Vanilie
She got her name because of the crazy things that she does with her mouth. She is the senior horse on staff at Vinceremos. We took her as a 2 year old, more as a rescue than to be used as a program horse. Some things are just meant to be. She began to work in the program at 3. She is now 19. She is our most all-round horse. She teaches many of our riders who are able to canter on the lunge line. Even at 19 she has to throw in a small buck when the weather’s cool just to remind staff that she isn’t entirely perfect.
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Misty May
If she was a doll her name would be Barbie. Her long flowing mane and cute as button looks make all her small riders fall in love. She works hard in the program, patiently going through her paces helping the riders accomplish their task. Sometimes its waiting while an uncoordinated hand works to put a toy in the box or sometimes its is continuous walking without stopping providing an autistic rider calming motion. Emily loves to trot on Misty May! Why? “Because it’s CRAZY!”
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Skippy
Skippy is the newest addition to Vinceremos. This young Halflinger is the perfect height for riders who need hands on assistance and his thick build gives him the strength to carry heavy mounts. As a 2 1/2 year old we are currently training him in hopes that he will one day help us start a driving program which will allow VTRC to serve even more clients in need of therapy and recreation.
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Teddy
Our mascot! However, he has a more important job than just being cute. Our most timid riders become more comfortable with horses because of his less imposing stature and our wheelchair bound riders love having something that they can reach to groom.
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Tommy
His steady and easy-going way has made him quite popular on our teaching list. He is willing to stand patiently while even our most physically involved riders are mounted. He seems to sense when he must be most careful with his special cargo.
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Trouble
Maybe his name comes from the sparkle in his eye because he is never any trouble. He is used for our most physically impaired riders because he is willing to stand steady while they mount – as long as it may take. He has been at VTRC for 6 years. Each week Andrew pops into the barn to make sure that his name is on the list next to Trouble.
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Will
Bubbly and vivacious “what’s up” personality makes him the center of attention in the barn. If that doesn’t do it, he opens his feed door and puts his nose right into the activity in the barn isle. He has been at VTRC for almost 2 years and has done most every job. He is a huge show off and loves horse shows.
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