Region 5

Region 1 Conference News:

The Region 1 Conference was held June 2 & 3 at the beautiful Camp Akeela and High Horses Therapeutic Riding Program. Over 86 attendees attended fabulous presentations by a variety of professionals on topics related to disabilities, administration, horse care, self-care, and more. We were excited to have Kathy Alm, PATH Intl. CEO, Ross Braun, President of the Board of Trustees, and Patti Coyle, Board of Trustees Secretary and Region 1 member.

During the Saturday night dinner, we recognized Region 1 Award winners:
Horse of the Year—Watson, UpReach Therapeutic Equestrian Center, Goffstown, NH
Veterinarian of the Year—Dr. Kirsten Glass, High Horses Therapeutic Riding, Sharon, VT
Volunteer of the Year—Jacqueline “Jackie” Kangley, High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Old Lyme, CT
Credentialed Professional of the Year—Lindley Christina “Tina” Fransioli, Windrush Farm Equitation, Inc., North Andover, MA

Thanks to everyone who completed the conference survey! We appreciate your feedback and will use the information gathered to continue to improve the conference experience and education.

Join the Region 1 Social Media Sites:

Region 1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1472283369670508/?ref=bookmarks
Yahoo List Serve: https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/PATHIntl-Region1/info
Subscribe to Yahoo List Serve: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Community Connections on PATH Website Link: https://www.pathintl.org/path-intl-membership/my-community Once at this point, you will fill in your information and then look for the Region One Page

2019 AQHA Regional Show:

The AQHA Regional Show to be held at Eastern States Expo in July of 2019 and is working on the inclusion of EWD (Equestrian’s with Disabilities). EWD classes include both supported and independent divisions. The class are HUS, Equitation (pattern) Western Pleasure, Horsemanship and Trail (pattern classes) You do not need to own a QH to enter. All classes are Walk/Trot or Walk/Jog. Elizabeth Craig Smith would like to know if folks in New England are interested and would they have participants to compete. She herself is a competitor in EWD Nationally and is quite excited by this prospect. Please contact Elizabeth at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you would like more information or would be interested in participating.

NESAR:

Many members of Region 1 are not aware that there is a non-profit organization, New England Special Activities Resources (NESAR), which was established to provide scholarships to Region 1 members. The scholarship program focuses on individuals who might not be able to attend educational programs and certifications without financial support.

Scholarship applications are approved by the Scholarship Committee and are capped at 50% of tuition costs or $300, whichever is less. Only tuition costs are eligible for scholarship. Housing or travel expenses are not considered.

To qualify for a NESAR scholarship, you must be a current PATH Intl. member, reside or provide equine assisted activities in PATH Intl. Region 1 (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, New Hampshire, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Rhode Island, or Vermont), and have not received a NESAR scholarship within a 2-year calendar period. The application can be found on the Region 1 page of the PATH Intl. website or by clicking here.

Please contact Kristen McGraw at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any questions.

Maine News:

Carlisle Academy in Lyman continues to offer monthly training clinics in both para-dressage and para-driving with FEI trainers Deb Dean Smith and Scott Monroe, both seasoned clinicians in their respective fields with a keen interest in assisting para-athletes, and in particular, veterans coming into the sport. Each clinic includes a Lunch & Learn for para-eligible athletes, including veterans and personnel, to learn more about the sport pipeline. For more information about upcoming clinics go to: https://carlisleacademymaine.com/clinics/

Feature Para-Equestrian athlete:
Mika participated in the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage Coach Pilot Program at Carlisle Academy on May 25-26th. USEF Head of Coach Development Michel Assouline worked with 13 coaches and 7 demonstration athletes from all over the United States to develop their coaching methodology, including their philosophy, approach, and sport-specific knowledge. Mika was one of the demonstration riders, who was also newly classified as a para-equestrian athlete with USEF Classifier Kerri Sowers at the event.

Mika Mckinney is a lifelong equestrian from Belfast Maine. In 2017 Mika was diagnosed with osteosarcoma at the age of 21. Following an intensive chemotherapy regiment, Mika had her left leg amputated above the knee. Previously, Mika competed on Mt. Holyoke college’s collegiate dressage and hunt seat equitation teams, representing them at the Nationals multiple years. While Mika was in chemotherapy she captained and led her IDA team to the reserve collegiate national champion title, contributing a winning ride at her level. Mika is a USDF Bronze Medalist with hopes of finishing her needed PSG scores for her silver. Mika was able to get back in the saddle just 41 days post amputation at Carlisle Academy and then traveled to Wellington, FL to continue riding and training with Barton Patrick and Kathy Connelly at Haven Safe Farm.

Manes and Tails, located in northern Maine (Aroostook County) have at long last purchased their own facility and working hard at getting ready for a summer of day camps and therapeutic riding! Congratulations!!

Riding To The Top in Windham, is looking forward to hosting two training workshops in August (ESMHL and OSWC). For more information or to register, go to: http://www.ridingtothetop.org/events.php and scroll down to the bottom of the page. The ESMHL workshop is scheduled for August 10-13 and the OSWC is scheduled for August 17-20. In addition, RTT is hosting a ½ day Driving Workshop on August 22nd with Mary Gray. Final details are being worked out for the Driving Clinic—if interested in learning more about it or attending please email Mario Pascarelli at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

New Hampshire News:

Full Circle Farm in Newport, NH is delighted to have achieved their nonprofit status.

Special Equine Connections for Riding Therapy at Whispering Horse Stables in Boscawen has recently joined PATH Intl as a member center.

UpReach Therapeutic Equestrian Center in Goffstown wrapped up the Vocational Training program pilot in June. Two students came to the barn 2 mornings a week to learn the ins and outs of employment in the equine industry. In the fall we will be offering the program to students and will be adding an adult cohort. For more information, contact Allison at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Hermman’s Royal Lipizzan Stallions are making a visit to UpReach over Labor Day weekend, performing four shows. For more information contact Kristen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Calendar of events: Contact Kristen McGraw at 603-497-2343 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for additional information or to register
• Open Barn Day for Military Families-July 28
• Lipizzan Stallions August 31-September 3

Vermont News:

Vermont Horse Assisted Therapy in Middlesex, VT held an eight-week spring after-school session for students with special needs that ended with a crowd of family and relatives gathering for the demonstration of new skills and the awarding of homemade ribbons for "Bravery", "Trotting Champion", and "Most Improved." One mom wrote: "Oh my goodness! T. loved his first session yesterday! He was a different kid last night...he seemed so much more mature too! Thank you so much for offering this (program) and you might have a hard time getting rid of him!" In July we will offer half-day week-long camps for students-at-risk through the Clara Martin Center in Randolph, VT.

High Horses in Sharon, VT had an amazing spring and was very honored to have hosted the Region 1 Conference. We were so delighted to see so many smiling faces at our facility on Sunday! The presentations were insightful, well presented, on topic and all received positive feedback. Mother Nature was very kind and provided us a weekend of glorious sunshine.

Our annual fundraiser benefit horse show in conjunction with the Green Mountain Horse Association is June 20th. We are looking forward to stiff competition in both the jumping and dressage arenas. Some High Horses staff may even be competing this year.

Dan & Whit’s a local market will be hosting a wine tasting to benefit High Horses on July 11th. If you are in the Norwich, VT area stop in to enjoy a variety of wine flavors.
We have been enjoying learning from Sharon Wilsie author of “Horse Speak” and Heidi Potter author of “Open Heart, Open Mind” and will have them both back later this fall. Heidi will do a Centered Riding Clinic August 25-26th.

October is when High Horses plans the annual Hoofin’ It ride-a-thon. Beautiful foliage is still blazing and the trails are magnificent. Come enjoy 8 – 10 miles of Vermont trails for a great cause.

Connecticut News:

Manes & Motions Therapeutic Riding Center, in Middletown CT had a busy spring! The center, which is an affiliate of the Hospital for Special Care, served over 95 individuals through the therapeutic riding program and equine-assisted learning workshops and programs. The busy month of June kicked off with five instructional staff attending the informative (and fun!) region conference in Vermont, then returned to Manes to celebrate our participants during Horse Show Days, a week-long event to showcase their accomplishments for family and friends. The week ended with the annual Freedom Ride & Walk, raising over $5000 in support of the program.

Manes & Motions also welcomed newest herd member Jimmy, a beautiful chestnut gelding that was a hunt horse from Fairfield County. The summer six-week session is sure to go by quickly with over 70 participants, wrapping up the second week of August after a four-day integrated program for children called Horse Adventure. Wishing all our friends at Region One an enjoyable summer. For more info on Manes & Motions, visit www.manesandmotions.