MACH1 (Move A Child Higher) Summer/Fall 2009 Newsletter
A NARHA Premier Center Based in the Hahamongna Watershed Park, Pasadena, California, Horse Show at the Flintridge Riding Club, La Canada MACH 1S HEART VOLUNTEERS

BRAY IN THE ARROYO

MACH 1 was fortunate to have two EAGLE SCOUT PROJECTS that enhanced our program and site. Brennan Murphy completed the first project in the fall of 2008. He and members of his Scout troop painted our chairs and repaired two of our existing horse saddle racks and added three more. These saddle racks are very useful to the program as they hold our saddles and pads used for lessons, plus they give a contented herd look when they are sitting in front of the barn. We are grateful to Brennan and his friends.
Patrick Cowell finished his Eagle Scout project the spring of 2009 with his scout troop helpers by painting the office shed, mounting block and various other items that needed paint badly. The structures look so much better and will be ready to move to the new site. The staff, board, riders, volunteers, families and friends thank Patrick.

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Summer/Fall 2009

Bray in the Arroyo

Message from the Founder
In case you didnt notice the newsletter has changed its name from Hoofprints to, Bray in the Arroyo. Why the change? Well there isnt a week that goes by without someone mentioning our donkey Mercy Lavenders loud bray that echoes throughout the upper arroyo. Weve heard questions from, how many donkeys do you have? to, weve tried in vain to search Map Quest for the source of the Joy Rittenhouse bray. Where is the Hahamongna Watershed Park? Weve all read about or seen a bear if you live anywhere near Bradbury or Monrovia, weve heard about or seen a mountain lion if you live anywhere near the foothills and weve seen coyotes and ground squirrels, not to mention snakes but a bray in Pasadena is a familiar yet not familiar sound where a rose queen court, a parade and football games reign. Visitors from other cities shop our sophisticated stores and dine on excellent cuisine in Old Town. One can experience Tiffanys or visit Berg Hardware. Pasadena has just about anything and everything one could ever want. Yearly the Pasadena Police Department generously donates helicopter and police car rides to the MACH 1 ride a thon and everyone appreciates these exciting rides. Our program offers a different kind of ride in the city. In front of the foothills adjacent to the arroyo on a trail next to JPL sits a small shed barn with two Haflinger horses from Austria, a Fiord horse from Norway, a black and white spotted American draft and a lovely small donkey named Mercy Lavender who loves to lie down on command and raise her hooves in the air. These wonderful, patient equines allow disabled riders to participate in equine activities and ride in the arroyo area. Mercy, our mascot, offers horsemanship lessons to some of our students who are not able to ride or groom the bigger horses. With her head and long ears hanging through the gate of her stall she will greet you happily with the loudest bray youve ever heard. Stop by and greet her with your bray and thank her for her welcome call.
MELISSA MUSSON NEW PROGRAM DIRECTOR Melissa has extensive knowledge of horses, has been around horses and has ridden all her life. She is consistently safety conscious in the training and handling of the MACH 1 horses. Melissa is willing to learn and wants to understand the various aspects of her job regarding the riders disabilities in relation to their riding skills and safety. In that regard she is able to communicate a passion and enthusiasm that is needed to achieve successful results with each rider. She understands the value of equine assisted activities in achieving centered balance, focusing skills, and in using the horse as a motivator to achieve the success needed to enhance the riders goals. She works in the legal dept. of Warner Bros. and we are proud to have her as our new Program Director.

Melissa Musson

Page 3 Summer/Fall 2009 A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO: FLINTRIDGE RIDING CLUB For those who are not aware MACH 1 got its start at the Flintridge Riding Club in 1996. For the last thirteen years the riding club has been a huge support in the development of the program especially by giving so generously to the annual horseshow and through member support. This year the horse show was our biggest success ever and with the economy being what it is we are very grateful for the members who keep giving above and beyond. Thank you, Flintridge Riding Club.

Bray in the Arroyo

JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION DONATES $20,000 MACH 1 thanks the Jewish Community Foundation on behalf of Dorothy Chen for the generous donation of $20,000 to buy paddocks for our horses on the new site and the ongoing support over the years that is so critical to the development and operating expenses.
PASADENA ROTARY CLUB GIVES GRANT A huge thank you to the Pasadena Rotary Club for $1,900 for the purchase of a new ADA portable toilet. This grant allows us to save over $200 a month in lease costs. PASADENA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION GIVES GRANT MACH 1 is pleased to have received a grant for $6,700 for the purchase of a Mac Computer and laser printer so we are able to save on printing costs and continue to create our own graphics. The Pasadena Community Foundation has been an important mainstay in the development and growth of MACH 1. We are grateful for their continued support.
PASADENA LIONS CLUB PRESENTATION In May MACH 1 was asked to give a presentation to the Pasadena Lions Club. Joy Rittenhouse and Lee Ann Fleming, whose child is in the program, gave a talk about the program and plans for the new facility and site. The message was enthusiastically received. MACH 1 thanks the Pasadena Lions Club for their interest in learning about the program and presence in the City.
THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS 2009 Ronald McDonald Charities El Monte Chief Emeritus Wayne C. Clayton Foundation California Paraders Association Selders Foundation Tanya Danforth, Attorney, Gift in kind Pasadena Police Dept. Blanco Family

DONATE ON LINE

MACH 1 is in the process of raising money for our new facility where every dollar counts. If you would like to donate to MACH 1 it is now possible to donate on line either by credit card or donation gift. Our website is moveachildhigher.org.

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12th ANNUAL MUSICAL HORSE SHOW

By Erin Kelly

The annual MACH 1 Horse Show fundraiser was held June 13, 2009. Flintridge Riding Club generously hosted the shows venue for the 12th consecutive year. The stands were completely filled with parents and friends filled at the main arena to watch the Dont Fence Me In Musical Horse Show. Although the day began with gloomy drizzle, this was the best attended show and benefit dinner ever. By 3 p.m. the skies and temperature were perfect for the El Monte Police mounted unit to carry in the colors to kick off the show. Then it was time for the MACH 1 kids to show off their riding skills that they practice each week.
The entertainment and demos this year included the Broken Horn Ropers who participate in the Tournament of Roses Parade each year and generously support the MACH 1 show as well. MACH 1 roper protg Darcy Martin DelCampo also made his second annual special demo appearance with the ropers. David Johnston did a musical freestyle on his horse and Anita Nardine and Susie Newman demonstrated dressage on their horses Revival and Robbie. Mercy Lavender cruised past the stands to carry the lavender sachet bags being thrown to the audience by enthusiastic volunteers. In addition Mercy, decked out in her lavender hat, was the subject of a demo with Nikita Wang. Nikita showed James Takhar riding Dr. Dotz and Marilyn Townson, OTR off her knowledge of equine anatomy by matchdemonstrating the movement ing names to the various locations such as the hoof, muzzle and mane. Dinner followed under the beautiful oaks on the Flintridge Riding Club patio. Outback Catering provided barbequed tri-tip and chicken with plenty of side dishes and apple cobbler a la mode for dessert. Our favorite band Fiddlers Green entertained with live music. The silent auction exceeded even last year with over 200 selections of valuable baskets, gift certificates and wonderful and unusual gift items.
Mercy Lavender led by Volunteer Katelyn with Brette, Eilen and Ellen
Opening Ceremony with El Monte Police

Luca riding Heidi

Thank you to everyone from Flintridge Riding Club and all the volunteers and participants who helped make this the most successful show ever.

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Anita Nardine riding Revival and Suzie Newman riding Robbie
SPECIAL RECOGNITION AND THANKS
Felix Lopez of the Broken Horn Ropers and Darcy Martin-Del-Campo
Emily Brockhurst riding Will-O, sidewalker Erin Kelly
Flintridge Riding Club El Monte Police for their continued support throughout the year. Jorge Bran Gardening Services for the flowers. Lee Ann Fleming Wade and Anthea Hanniball Kerry Kelly Russell Kingman Karla Marshall for the silent auction Melissa Orr for the silent auction Jamie J. Plummer Russell Weld Universal Studios

David Johnston

Pictures taken by Wade Hanniball
A HEARTY THANKS TO OUR HORSE SHOW DONORS: Cinedigm Digital Cinema Corp., $1,000 Lourinda Bray, $1,000, Gifts in Kind El Monte Police, Gifts in Kind Fedde Fine Furniture, $3,000, Gifts in Kind Fiddlers Green, Gifts in Kind Interiors and Exteriors By Carolyn Von Der Ahe, $1,000 Lexus of Glendale, $1,000 Nestle USA, $1,000 $500 and above: Esmeralda and Les Brockurst Bette Hobbs LL Building Materials Inc, Irwindale Manhattan Capital Corporation Warner Bros. $200 and above: Country Gardens El Monte Police Department Mary and William Fedde Flanders Company Cheryl and Leonard Ginzton Cynthia Martin-Del-Campo And thank you to all the class sponsors ($100) and volunteers.

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Summer/Fall 2009 WATCHING CHILDREN GROW By James Shankwiler, M.D.
Watching children grow and change can be a humbling experience. We all have expectations and plans. We foresee and we fantasize about our and childrens futures. It has been said that life is what happens while we are waiting for other things to occur. No one expects their child to have a handicap or disability, and no one has a set of rules or ready-made map for their futures. After the diagnosis is made you search for whatever might assist your child to a better life. This is how we began looking for help with our son Danny for his autism. Equine therapy is not the sort of specific regimen or treatment that is often mentioned in medical texts for autism. However, the results of his time with Joy and the volunteers for his equine therapy have been profound. Danny has gained a new dimension of freedom, enjoyment and socialization in his life that has helped him progress in many ways. We learn to expect small gains, and appreciate the often-overlooked things with our children. However, with time, the assistance of good people like Mach I, great things are often obtained.

NEW MACH 1 BOARD MEMBER

Connie Flanders is MACH 1s newest board member. She works as a Sales Rep in the Publishing Division of Jostens and has for 28 years. She is a member of Rose Bowl Riders and one of our NARHA instructors. Her husband, John, owns Flanders Company, Pasadena. Connie is a vital member of our program and much appreciated. HERE COMES FERGIE Fergie arrived, delivered, ridden and loaned to MACH 1 by Don Fedde. Due to the upkeep of the site and the dragging of the arena when we have lessons MACH 1 was in need of a handy tractor. Don Fedde brought in a red Massie Fergusson tractor that could not only handle the upkeep but had a bucket large enough to clean all the stalls and deliver the manure to the bin in one trip. This has saved not only time but effort as well. The staff grew so fond of the tractor it was easy to name her Fergie with the red hair given her red color.

Connie Flanders

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ART FAIRE AT THE SHAKESPARE CLUB IN PASADENA MACH 1 held its first Annual Art Faire at The Shakespeare Club in Pasadena on Sunday, May 17th featuring over 10 local artists who generously donated a portion of their proceeds from the event to MACH 1. Individual donations were also made by Fedde Furniture (Trish Kertes piece for raffle), Gary Pantiskas (San Pascual), and NY Life Charitable Planning (Tribute to Mozart by Melanie Taylor Kent). Over 250 guests attended on Sunday, and enjoyed refreshments and classical music while browsing paintings, stone sculptures, photography and handcrafted jewelry. Local artists featured were Nick Bitar - Oils, Carole Babcock - Stone Sculptor, Ann Mitchell -AnKara Designs - Handcrafted Jewelry, Deborah Levine Latter Handcrafted Jewelry, Andrew Kasiske Photography, Gail Martin and Trish Kertes - Plein Air Oils, paintings by Desdy Kellogg-Baggott and Eleanor Erickson Hargrave., Howard Zazove Illustrator. Proceeds will benefit MACH 1s capital campaign to raise funds to build the new facility co-sponsored with The City of Pasadenas Adaptive Recreation Program. The new facility will allow MACH 1 to grow its capacity to serve riders with disabilities and special needs.

RIDE-A-THON AND OPEN HOUSE 2009 Sunday, November 1st, 2009
If you are interested in the new MACH 1 site and development of the facility and growth please attend the Open House during our annual ride-a-thon and take a tour of the new site. At that time MACH 1 will be enjoying its 12th ride-a-thon November 1st. at Rose Bowl Riders located in the Hahamongna Watershed Park, Pasadena. Offered will be three trail rides, one north into the Angeles forest, the other south to the Rose Bowl and the other is a small loop around the arroyo. These trails are designed for beginners through advanced trail riders. The ride a thon is like a walk a thon except the ride is on horseback and the money raised is for the ride and not mileage. The MACH 1 students will also be participating in the Rose Bowl Riders large arena. There will be music and a BBQ lunch. Enjoy the MACH 1 students and demonstrations. The El Monte Police mounted unit will be with us again along with Rose Bowl Riders, Flintridge Riding Club, ETI members, Tom Sawyer Camp and many others. Please come, support our riders, enjoy a BBQ lunch, see the plans, talk to our board and staff and view the new site. Info, call: 626-798-1222
We need your help with donations for the great MACH 1 Labor Day YARD SALE Saturday, Sept 5th, in Big Bear
Yard sales are a big activity on that Big Bear weekend and were loading two large enclosed trailers to make the trip. Were seeking items to support MACH 1s current needs and future growth. MACH 1 volunteers will manage the sale. In kind donation tax receipts will be available when the donations are delivered. We regret we are unable to take clothing or very large upholstered furniture, but hope you and your friends or relatives can find things you no longer need in your storage areas to make the trip worthwhile. Small item donations in boxes (as opposed to bags) will make it easier to load the trailers, and we hope that things that plug-in will work. After August 1st, donations can be brought on weekdays during business hours to: FLANDERS Co. at 340 South Fair Oaks , Pasadena (626-792-7384), 9-4pm OR: FEDDE FURNITURE, 32 North Sierra Madre Blvd, Pasadena (626-437-5609) 10-4pm

Tax ID #95-4560255 626-798-1222 joymach1@yahoo.com www.moveachildhigher.org

MACH 1

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MACH 1 (Move A Child Higher) 1430 Topeka Street Pasadena, CA 91104