Dear Reins of Life Friend,
As we approach the close of another year, we reflect on the many milestones we have achieved together, including last year’s The Mane Event at Winterthur, which marked 30 years of providing therapeutic horseback riding to our cherished riders and their families. This celebration of three decades of service would not have been possible without your unwavering support, and for that, we are deeply grateful to our sponsors and donors.
This year, we have welcomed many new riders and volunteers, expanded our sibling riding program (a favorite among families), and continued to refine our therapeutic riding techniques. However, it has also been a year of personal and collective challenges. My family has faced illness and loss, and we are incredibly thankful for the support from our volunteers and friends during these trying times. We are especially saddened by the passing of our beloved Haflinger horse, Chrisse, who was a cornerstone of Reins of Life for 18 years. In October, we gathered to honor her memory at a Celebration of Life, where we shared prayers and scattered her ashes, reflecting on the deep bond we share with our horses.
A bright moment this year was our feature on Channel 6 Action News on October 30th. We are excited to share this story with you which can be viewed and shared from the Reins of Life website.
We hope it serves as an inspiring reminder of the impact of Reins of Life and encourages end-of-year donations, which are vital for sustaining our programs through the winter months.
While we were unable to organize our annual gala fundraising event this year, we are already planning for the
The Mane Event Gala at Winterthur, to be held on November 15, 2025 and we look forward to having you join us to enjoy Winterthur, at its most festive time of year!
A new Fundraiser Chairperson is being appointed to help lead the effort. In early 2025, the Gala Committee will be reaching out to you for your continued support.
In the meantime, if you are able to make a tax-deductible donation before the end of the year, it would be deeply appreciated. Your generosity allows us to continue offering therapeutic riding to our riders, as the fees we charge only cover a small fraction of our costs. Every contribution makes a difference, especially as we prepare the year ahead. A link to donate can be found on our website, or you can send a contribution directly to our address.
Reins of Life relies on your support to keep our program running, and we are truly thankful for your generosity. We wish you and your loved ones a joyful holiday and look forward to reconnecting with you in the New Year.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Judy Hendrickson and the Reins of Life Family