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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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We had such an unforgettable time at the Jaime Lee Hutchison Memorial Horse Show on June 14–15, 2025, and we just had to share the moments! Our amazing riders were so proud to show off what they’ve learned and earn their medals. It was a beautiful celebration of progress, passion, and community — surrounded by riders, volunteers, family, and friends. Here’s a link to the images in case you’d like to download pictures of your favorites. Rudy joined the Positive Strides herd in 2017 and quickly became one of our most beloved horses. A 23-year-old Quarter Horse with a rich and colorful past, Rudy spent his earlier years barrel racing and giving trail rides — including leading rides across the historic Gettysburg battlefields. Since arriving, he’s been a standout favorite in our program, touching the hearts of riders, volunteers, and staff alike. Just recently, Rudy was proudly voted Favorite Horse in our community contest — a testament to the impact he’s had here. Fittingly, Rudy’s final event with Positive Strides was our Horse Show this past Sunday — a celebration of everything he’s helped us achieve. While we’ll miss him greatly, we’re overjoyed that he’ll now enjoy a well-earned retirement with his loving owner. Thank you, Rudy, for the joy, strength, and heart you’ve brought to our herd. 💙  What a race it was right out of the chute! Skipper took an early lead, but Pumpkin wasn’t far behind, quickly surging ahead to make it a neck-and-neck battle. Ben gained momentum and started closing in—but then came the surprise of the day! Dark horse Rudy kicked it into high gear down the homestretch, flying past the competition to cross the finish line in first place! AND we raised $446 that will help feed and care for our horses! It couldn’t have been a more perfect ending, as yesterday’s Jaime Lee Hutchison Memorial Horse Show marked Rudy’s final workday at Positive Strides before heading into a well-earned retirement. We celebrated his incredible service in true style, giving him the sendoff he deserves. Stay tuned for a special post dedicated to Rudy in the coming days. He’s been an irreplaceable part of our herd and an absolute joy in our program. Rudy will be deeply missed—our champion, our friend, our Favorite Horse.  AND THEY'RE NECK AND NECK, FOLKS! Pumpkin's in the lead with 22 votes, but Skipper's hot on his heels with 20 votes! Ben's made a move, surging into third place with 8 votes! Meanwhile, Rudy, Clacky, and Mandi are lagging behind. Don't get left in the dust! Cast your vote for your favorite horse and support our herd's care. Every $3 vote counts, and you can bet on your favorite up to 6 times per transaction! Voting closes June 15th at 1:00 PM sharp, so get your votes in NOW!
We’d love to hear your story! Whether you’re a rider, family member, caregiver, volunteer, or supporter, your words help showcase the heart of Positive Strides. Share a favorite moment, meaningful experience, or how being part of our community has impacted you. Feel free to include stories about the horses, volunteers, lessons, or programs—anything that captures what Positive Strides means to you. Testimonials can be anonymous if you prefer. Your voice matters, and your story can inspire others.
Please click this link - we can't wait to hear what you have to share! May's Volunteer Spotlight is Lynn Leibig who has been volunteering at Positive Strides since 2018 and what an active volunteer! She is part of our Thursday crew and helps out with fundraising and special events. Lynn grew up in central Pennsylvania and lived overseas for 25 years as an adult. Her interests include tennis, skiing, golf, riding, gardening and dogs! Her many activities include growing baby oysters for cleaning the Bay, volunteering at the Talbot Historical Society and she actively supports Habitat for Humanity. What Lynn enjoys most about volunteering at Positive Strides is the camaraderie of our volunteer group and the joy we share with our riders as the move to milestones of independence and self-confidence. Her theme song for Positive Strides would be "Wild Horses (Couldn't Drag Me Away)" by the Rolling Stones. Thank you, Lynn, for all you do for Positive Strides! Last week was an exciting one with 20 amazing riders and 15 volunteers on Wednesday and Thursday, joining us for fun-filled riding lessons! Sadly, we had to cancel Tuesday's lessons due to rain. Horses Clacky, Rudy, Pumpkin, Skipper, and Mandi were thrilled to see their riders and loved how well they remembered their commands. Our newest horse, Gentle Ben, had a great time getting to know his riders too! We played several fun games on horseback—one favorite was horseshoes, where riders aimed for the post to score a ringer. We had quite a few ringers and even more big smiles. Everyone had a great time!
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December 2025
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