November Volunteer Spotlight!
Austin leading one of our riders at our 2023 Rodeo!
Ashley helping out and having fun at the same time, at our 2023 Fare & Stable Tailgate Event as a Barn Attendant :)
Ashley and Austin, the A’s in the A team!
Helping a rider on Jack, the Marshmallow horse!
Ashley and Austin working together to tack up Ivan for a lesson!
Ashley and Austin with the rest of the amazing volunteer crew at our holiday show 2022!
ASHLEY & AUSTIN
Our volunteer spotlight of the month for November is on a fantastic mother and daughter duo, Ashley and Austin!
Ashley and Austin have been volunteering with us since February 2022! Once they started coming and helping us, they have never stopped! Both Ashley and Austin are regular fixtures for our Saturday lessons, and even though Austin has band and work and school she still manages to join her mom to help us out a lot of Saturdays, and with our shows! They are both horse leader extraordinaries and Ashley is a favorite side-walker for many of our riders! She always has a huge smile and a particular love for her “Benny Boo”. Ashley even helps us out when we are in a bind during the week around her busy family and work life! Two of the members of our “A Team” (detailed in their responses below), we always love having them in lessons! They are always willing to help with anything we ask and are always so supportive and willing to help out new volunteers! They help put anyone around them at ease and we love seeing their smiling faces at the barn! We hope to keep them as part of our Hands and Hearts for Horses family for a long time to come!
Check out our spotlight interview with Ashley and Austin below!
1. What motivated you to volunteer at Hands and Hearts for Horses?
It was something that we wanted to do together. I need to get in my weekly horse snuggles and Austin is so patient and kind with the kiddos!
2. Do you have a Hands and Hearts for Horses moment you can share? (Funny, heartwarming, meaningful, memorable, favorite, etc)
Saturday mornings with the “A team”, Austin, I and Mr Joe, enjoying Kelsey laughing at all the things that make us nervous!
3. Who is your favorite horse at Hands and Hearts for Horses and why?
Do we have to pick just one?!?!?! Ben, because we love grumpy old men. Chancy because he is the sweetest most patient of all the horses! And he’s a good snuggler! Teena because she has such a spunky and vibrant personality!
4. What's one piece of advice you would give a new volunteer?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions!
5. How long have you been volunteering with Hands and Hearts for Horses?
2 years
Ms. Stephanie the volunteer coordinator hanging out with her “A Team” gals