Giddyup for STAR

The end of Blogathon 2007 approaches! Of course, I feel like I should run until 9:30am. As I understand it, you can sponsor us for 48 hours past the end of our blogging. Please do!

A riding lesson at STAR can be 4 riders with 1 instructor (plus volunteers for safety). As soon as STAR gets the indoor arena built, this:

Can start to look like this:

Thank you for your help!

If I count the ribbons on Tommy’s wall I see that he has participated in 4 horse shows (12 ribbons- 7 blue, 3 red, 2 yellow). That would put him with his first horse show in 2003. Unfortunately, 2004 is the earliest entry I can find.

Dad reports this morning:
Tommy did GREAT yesterday! He was scared to death so when we arrived at the horse show he sleep in the car..hid in the car would be a better way to put it. They announced the schedule and after a brief riding demonstration the judges would break for lunch and then Tommy’s class would come up. They skipped the lunch and Tommy had to get hastily prepared in front of everyone (which meant changing his shirt but that is a big bother to him) so he bit into his mother pretty hard. However, he got in the arena and performed exceptionally.

While the riders were lined up to hear who got what ribbons Tommy was going to town on his lips so much that you’d think he was going to bite through them. He received two first place ribbons and a second place (I’ll have to look up the specifics and post later). The glee on his face is almost beyond words. He almost floated out of the saddle. It was a very good moment!

[Source]

I like seeing Tommy happy and proud of himself!

Cathy came upstairs to help keep me awake. She is sleeping on the couch and believe it or not that has been very helpful! In part, I have to keep looking over at her because she doesn’t know I pointed a camera her way showing Molly and Cathy sleeping. She would be terribly unhappy if that gown rode up enough to be all too revealing.

I was very tickled to learn that another group of bloggers is doing Blogathon for STAR! (see also) Out of 370 blogathoners, two groups chose an organization local to Knoxville as their charity! Michael should jump on that as an example of how strong blogging is in East TN! I have been so caught up in my own dramas that I am only now looking in on Barnyard Kitty. Special thanks to Jasper for helping me find the link.

I have never seen this list before! STAR has a wish list posted on their site:

Shooting for the STARS

• Rider sponsorships
• Rubber footing for Indoor Arena
• NARHA National Conference Fees for 1 Staff Member

Office Needs

• 1" x 2 5/8" mailing labels
• Stamps
• Copy paper
• Rechargeable batteries AA
• Toilet paper
• Tissue

Animal Care

• De-worming for 24 horses

Facility Maintenance

• Oil changes for two trucks
• Weed eater
• 39 + gallon size trash cans
• Brooms
• Gift cards (Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Office Supply, Target, etc.)
• Metal hose nozzles
• 1/2" electric drill
• Magnetic signs for vehicles
• Large door mats
• Boot scrapers
• Leaf blower
• Outdoor propane heater

[Source]

STAR gets some large corporate sponsors. They also raise money through auctions (Tommy’s hand print is on that one). They still need your help! By contributing through Blogathon, even if you give only a small amount, could help a rider have lessons.

Our STAR riders are asked to pay only a portion of the actual cost of lesson fees. We do not ever want to turn away a rider for inability to pay, therefore, we offer Rider Sponsorships to families who need financial help to ride at STAR. [Source]

STAR gets help through rider sponsorships, lesson patrons (sponsors that pay the lesson costs which are not passed onto the riders), volunteer work, gifts in-kind, and your individual donations. Thank you for helping this fantastic program!