A very successful, and fun day...........

.................. was enjoyed  by all  on Saturday, Oct 16th at our 2nd Pumpkins and Ponies Fundraising event!

Saddle Pals Therapeutic Riding program and Blue Fountain Farm teamed up to put this event on to raise funds for the students of the program. People showed up from everywhere to support us and enjoy the day with us! 

The weather gods were with us, as we had a marvelous day for our event, and it rained the following day.  We started our day  out with a flag presentation by the American Legion Color Guard.........

......and then the classes for the Therapeutic riders started.  The riders, and their volunteer helpers, all did a great job!

The participants all seemed to have a great time.........

and they enjoyed the medals they won, as well as the support of the crowds!

It's great to see the rapport that develops between the students, the horses, and the volunteers - it really is a team effort, and everyone did their best!

We had several demos presented - including help from the Empire Carriage Co to remove the trail obstacles from the arena with their great pulling team of a Percheron and a mule.........

as well as a presentation by Leslie Ann Webb of her PMU horses, Sam and Oscar............ (Sam, the horse she is riding, is about 18.2 Hands!!)........

We were also privileged to have Joe Kasza, dressed in his native Hungarian attire .......

and his beautiful Lipizzan team, show us how the cone obstacles are driven in a combined driving competition...............

Rock 'n Horse Ranch showed off their talented minis.........

and Ricky Nicolazzi - our neighbor from across the street - wowed everyone with his reining demo.............

Of course, one of my favorite parts of this event is the costumes, worn by all - younger, older, human, equine - even canine.................

There was a live auction of "Painted Ponies" (small statues painted by the Saddle Pals students),  a great Silent Auction with many wonderful items donated, as well as a huge raffle.  A lot of  time and effort went into putting this event on, and thanks are due to everyone who had a part in this busy, and heart-warming  day - from all the people who donated items for the auctions and raffles, the people who donated money to the cause, the volunteers who come out every week to help the students and their horses, the staff and helpers at BFF for all work getting the facilities ready for this day, and mostly to the few behind the scenes people who really did the lion's share of the work. 

For anyone who might be interested in finding out more about Saddle Pals, or who might want to volunteer their time to helping such a worthy cause, you can contact UCP , or the director of our Grass Valley program, Jane de'Zell for more information.  I took quite a few photos during the day, and they can all be seen at my photo site.  

Halloween is still around the corner - so..........BEWARE!!  Ever get that feeling that someone is watching you?

Happy Halloween!!