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Pumpkin, our beloved spokes-horse and longtime member of the Positive Strides herd, was recently honored in a heartfelt retirement ceremony that felt every bit as sweet as he is. This bright-eyed Quarter Horse—now part of our cherished “over 30” club—has spent nearly ten years serving as an equine therapy partner at Positive Strides. He has officially stepped back from mounted lessons, but not from the important work he loves. Before joining Positive Strides, Pumpkin lived a spirited life with a family who used him as a guest horse for fox hunting. When he arrived at the farm in 2016, he settled in as though he’d been here all along, bringing with him the kind of steady, gentlemanly presence riders instantly trust. Comfortable to ride, endlessly patient, and universally adored, he quickly became one of the horses students asked for by name. As he moves into this new chapter, Pumpkin will continue to play a vital role in our unmounted programs, teaching riders how to groom, lead, communicate, and care for a horse. He’ll still get all the brushing, pampering, and affection he can stand—something he has always excelled at receiving. Retirement simply means more time for the things he enjoys most. Pumpkin has offered steady support, quiet confidence, and kindness to every rider who crossed his path. He is, and always will be, a calm teacher and gentle soul who has left hoof prints all over our hearts.
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The farm was buzzing with joy as riders, families, and volunteers gathered for our annual Fall Horse Show. From the first confident trot down the rail to the final medal placed around a proud rider’s neck, the day was filled with the moments that remind us why this community is so special. Riders shined as they demonstrated the skills they’ve been building all season, and our ever-patient horses carried them with steady hearts. The whole place felt wrapped in celebration. We were also joined by vendor Bri from Memory Farm Creations, whose cheerful booth added a bright splash of color and charm to the show grounds. And the day wouldn’t have been complete without the generosity of our amazing friends and volunteers. They filled tables with homemade treats, warm dishes, baked goods, auction items, and handcrafted treasures—and they tacked horses, led, side-walked, encouraged, steadied, cheered, and made sure every rider felt supported every step of the way. It takes a village, and ours shows up beautifully. Below you’ll find a slideshow capturing some of our favorite moments. You can see the rest of the pictures and download your favorites here. There are a few images more to come so check back for updates.
Meet Tracey! Tracey grew up in New Jersey before moving to Centreville at age twelve—and she’s called Greensboro home for the past 31 years. She and her husband, John, share a deep commitment to service. John is a firefighter in Anne Arundel County and a proud member of the National Guard, currently deployed overseas. Together they’ve raised four wonderful kids: Mikaela, a teacher; Montana, who works for Talbot County; Mckenna, who’s married; and Dakota, preparing for his first deployment. When she’s not cheering on her family, you’ll find Tracey enjoying life on two wheels, catching a good game, getting outdoors for a walk, adding to her tattoo collection, or spending time with the people she loves most. At Positive Strides, Tracey’s favorite part of volunteering is meeting new people and watching riders blossom with confidence as they progress. If she could pick a theme song for her time here, it would be “Happy” by Pharrell Williams—because that’s exactly how she feels watching the riders succeed. Our fall riding session is officially underway, and the barn is buzzing with joy and determination. Nearly 40 riders are participating this season, spread across three lesson days each week. We’re thrilled to welcome both brand-new riders discovering the magic of therapeutic riding and familiar faces returning with excitement to continue their journey.The first week has already been full of unforgettable moments. One of our non-verbal riders proudly shouted out “WALK ON” for the very first time—an incredible milestone that brought cheers and tears to everyone present. These moments remind us why our program matters so deeply. The fun doesn’t stop there. Each lesson is packed with activities that bring laughter, learning, and accomplishment, and the barn is filled with big smiles. Our volunteers are right in the heart of it all—encouraging riders, leading horses, and walking alongside to ensure safety and success. Their support transforms each ride into a meaningful experience. With such a large group of riders this session, our need for volunteers is greater than ever. Many of our riders require a horse leader and two sidewalkers for every lesson, which means we rely on the steady commitment of our volunteer family each and every day. We need helping hands on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings, as well as some afternoons. If you have a passion for helping others and a love for horses, we invite you to join us. By filling out a Volunteer Application, you’ll become part of a team that makes these extraordinary breakthroughs possible. Together, we can ensure every rider has the chance to shine. Our fall riding session is fast approaching as we say hello to new riders and new volunteers! Our herd, Ben, Clacky, Fred, Pumpkin, Skipper and Mandi are rested ready to go!
To jump in and join us, complete the Rider Application to register your rider (physician forms are right there, and you can pay online). Claim your spot, bring a friend, and let’s launch a season of progress, joy, and horse-powered magic! Fill out . The required Physician forms can be downloaded directly from the application page. We have a new option to pay online! You can find the Volunteer Application on our Volunteer page as well as our Volunteer Handbook. Thanks for cheering on our riders, families, and volunteers—this community is the heart of Positive Strides. Here’s to crisp mornings, brave steps, and the kind of progress that sneaks up as pure joy. See you at the farm! Congress is beginning to make decisions about how much funding each program will get next year, and programs that support and protect people with disabilities are at serious risk.
The President's budget proposal is the starting point of this annual process. It recommends that Congress make cuts to programs that millions of people with disabilities and families rely on. The President recommends that Congress eliminate funding for two vital Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act) programs: University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities and Projects of National Significance. The President also recommends that Congress reduce funding for two more: Protection & Advocacy agencies and State DD Councils. So very many of our riders currently benefit from these services. Please consider taking a moment to use this user friendly page to let your voice be heard! Nancy just started volunteering at Positive Strides last year! She moved to Greensboro (from Wellesley, MA) in September 2023 and luckily (lucky for us!) “discovered” Positive Strides early in 2024. Nancy grew up in a small urban town in New Jersey named West New York. She says, "I must have explained that name thousands of times". The town is right on the Hudson River directly across from Manhattan. Some of Nancy's favorite past times include tennis, downhill skiing, hiking, biking, kayaking and swimming and these are her favorite sports. She also enjoys gardening, cooking, reading, volunteering and spending time with family and friends. Another of the things Nancy loves to do is travel! We asked, "I know you travel, can you name a place you think is a MUST go?" She answered, "This is a difficult question because the world is filled with so many wonderful places! In the US I suggest the magnificent Utah National Parks, especially Bryce Canyon. Outside the US I recommend Seville, Spain. It’s amazing! When asked about her favorite horse at Positive Strides, she remarked that they are all lovely but she has a soft spot for Pumpkin. If she had a song for Positives Strides, it would be "Beautiful Day" by U2. Asked about volunteering at Positive Strides, she most enjoys the opportunity to work with the exceptional people who run the program, the enthusiastic riders and the hard-working, cheerful volunteers. Thank you, Nancy for all you do!
We had a fantastic turnout for our PonyPower Camp on June 30th, welcoming an enthusiastic group of kids and chaperones from Critchlow Adkins! Campers got hands-on with our horses through a variety of fun and engaging activities—grooming Ben, leading Pumpkin, painting our very patient pal Clacky, "riding" Bucky, learning reining skills and more. PonyPower Camps are all about building social and emotional skills, boosting confidence, getting kids moving, and developing important tools like sequencing, memory, and problem-solving—all while having a blast with our four-legged friends. Participants rotated through small group learning stations, each offering something unique and exciting. Even with the summer heat, this awesome crew brought great energy and made the most of a memorable day at the farm! A huge thank-you to all the incredible volunteers who made this event possible—your time, energy, and dedication are what make these days so special for our campers and horses alike! Today, with the temperature soaring to 97 degrees, we braved the summer heat to host a special horse experience for families from the Judy Center in Easton, MD. Thanks to the dedication of our team and volunteers, the heat didn’t stop the smiles, learning, and connection. Participants learned all about horses — from what they eat to how to care for them, where they live, and the many beautiful colors they come in. Our wonderful herd members were the stars of the day: gentle Pumpkin gave children the chance to practice leading, sweet Ben stood patiently for grooming lessons, and our paint-loving pal Clacky became a living canvas as kids decorated him with colorful, washable paint. Even in the heat, there was room for cool-downs: a kiddie pool gave little ones the chance to splash and play, while our horses stayed hydrated and shaded in the outdoor arena with plenty of fans creating a welcome breeze. Clacky, ever the good sport, had his tongue hanging out by the end, but he seemed to enjoy the attention just as much as the kids did! We’re especially grateful to the dozen volunteers who arrived early, stayed late, and gave their time and energy to make this event a success. Often, you give time you don’t have, and we see and appreciate you. A huge thank-you as well to our Volunteer Coordinator, Meredith Skirka, who not only managed the team but also prepared each learning station and carefully crafted the schedule for the day. And of course, our sincere thanks to the families and staff from the Judy Center for spending this day with us. Your energy, curiosity, and kindness made it a day to remember! |
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December 2025
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