Author Archives: Erica

Reminder: NO CLASSES Nov 3 — Nov 6!
A reminder for all riders, families and volunteers — there will be NO CLASSES during the week of November 3 — November 6^th. The Mitey Rider staff will be in Denver, CO attending the NARHA National Convention. We will see everyone when classes resume on Wednesday, November 10^th!

Pigtails & Crewcuts Blakeney to Support Mitey Riders!
During the week of Nov 1 — Nov 6, 2010, Pigtails & Crewcuts Blakeney will be donating 10% of ALL sales to Mitey Riders! Catered specifically to children, this creative salon is the perfect place to get your child’s holiday haircuts! Pigtails & Crewcuts Blakeney is walk in only, so stop in anytime and help raise funds and awareness for Mitey Riders! Hours are Monday-Friday 9–6 and Sat 9–4. Hailey and Mike Arthur, owners of Pigtails & Crewcuts Blakeney, are the proud parents of Shep Arthur, a Wednesday Mitey Rider. [704–541-3386 — pigtailsblakeney@hotmail.com — www.pigtailsandcrewcuts.com]

» CLICK HERE to read the recent article that ran in the Charlotte Observer about this partnership!

VOLUNTEER POSITION OPEN: Saturday AM Volunteer Coordinator
Looking to do just a little bit more in the Mitey Rider organization? We are looking for a Saturday AM Volunteer Coordinator to manage the 10am and 11am classes. Please email us at: if you are interested or have any questions! We need to fill this position ASAP. Please note: If you want to lead in either of these classes, we ask that you do not apply for this position — we have limited leaders and need every one of you!

Stay Up To Date — We are regularly updating our web site with important and exciting information about the Mitey Rider program. Be sure to visit the site regularly, or contact us via , Twitter and Facebook!

During the week of November 1 — November 6, 2010, Pigtails & Crewcuts Blakeney will be donating 10% of ALL sales to Mitey Riders! Catered specifically to children, this creative salon is the perfect place to get your child’s holiday haircuts! Pigtails & Crewcuts Blakeney is walk in only, so stop in anytime and help raise funds and awareness for Misty Meadows Mitey Riders! Hours are Monday-Friday 9–6 and Sat 9–4. 

Hailey and Mike Arthur, owners of Pigtails & Crewcuts Blakeney, are the proud parents of Shep Arthur, a Wednesday Mitey Rider.

Pigtails & Crewcuts
Blakeney Crossing
TEL:  704–541-3386
www.pigtailsandcrewcuts.com
pigtailsblakeney@hotmail.com

Thank you — Pigtails & Crewcuts Blakeney — for your support!

Our first week of classes is rapidly approaching! Lessons will start on Wednesday, Sept 22. Make sure all of your paperwork is in and your rider is ready to go with long pants, approved helmet and appropriate shoes. Please don’t hesitate to email (ridewithus@miteyriders.org) the farm with any questions!

Please note: our interactive calendar has been temporarily disabled. Refer to your parent handbook or calendar magnets for full updates.

YogaFlex is hosting a series of Karma Yoga sessions to benefit Mitey Riders! If you love yoga, or know others who do, please pass along the information below!

Karma Yoga for Mitey Riders at YogaFlex, Sunday July 18 5:30–6:30
Join us at YogaFlex this Sunday, July 18 at 5:30 for Karma Yoga benefiting Mitey Riders at Misty Meadows Farm in Waxhaw.  The beautiful horses and 2-legged volunteers at Misty Meadows provide therapeutic riding for special needs children.  Sunday’s class will be a one hour mixed-level Power Yoga class, and the entrance fee is a donation of your choice.100% of money collected will go to the Mitey Riders.  Come flex, stretch and sweat with us for the Mitey Riders!

•••

Thank you YogaFlex for supporting our Mitey Riders!

Happy Summer MR Community!
We hope you are enjoying your summer so far. The horses and staff are already gearing up for the next season of Mitey Riders, as well as enjoying a break from the regular day-to-day action. Be sure to visit our web site regularly for updates and news both throughout the summer and during the program season. Also, please don’t hesitate to contact us via , Twitter and Facebook!

ATTENTION — Please Change Your Email Address Books!
As we continue to stream-line our technology efforts for Mitey Riders, we are changing our email address as well! The main email address for the Mitey Rider program will now be — please send all emails to this address, and update your address book so you can receive information from us as well. The old email of miteyriders@carolina.rr.com will NO LONGER BE USED. Thank you!

Safety Training Dates
All volunteers (new, returning and parents) must choose one of the following sessions to attend before the start of classes:
– August 4 at 7pm
– August 7 at 10am
– August 18 at 7pm
– August 28 at 10am
– September 1 at 7pm
– September 25 at 1pm

All volunteers interested in a leader position or to work in the barn must attend an *additional* training session from the list below. Leaders must be at least 16 with horse experience, and barn workers must be at least 15. Please RSVP to one of the following sessions IN ADDITION TO one of the above All Volunteer Safety Training Sessions.
– August 7 at 11:30am — Leaders Only
– August 7 at 12 Noon — Barn Only
– August 18 at 8pm — Leaders Only
– August 28 at 11:30am — Leaders Only
– August 28 at 12 Noon — Barn Only

There will NOT be additional Safety Training Sessions held throughout the season. Please RSVP to one of these dates as soon as possible. Safety Training is required EVERY YEAR and for every individual (parent, volunteer and staff alike) in order for our program to maintain NARHA Premier Center status. Thank you for your cooperation. To RSVP, please contact Amanda at 704.841.0602 (farm office) or ridewithus@miteyriders.org.

Summer Projects
We have many summer projects going on around the farm — from refreshing the sensory trail to rebuilding a couple of our pasture barns, and giving the indoor arena a bit of a make-over. If you are interested in helping us with any of these summer projects, please email us at — thanks!

Harris Teeter VIC Cards — #5317
Just a friendly reminder to link your Harris Teeter VIC card to the Misty Meadows Mitey Riders, Inc. account — number 5317. When you link your card, and purchase Harris Teeter brand items, Mitey Riders received 2% back on every purchase! You can have up to 5 organizations/schools linked on your card, and anyone can do it! VIC cards must be re-linked EVERY August. Visit www.harristeeter.com to link your card online, or have a cashier do it for you in the store. We will also have a computer set up to link VIC cards for you at all Safety Training sessions.

Stay in touch via , Twitter and Facebook!

Click HERE to check out information about our 2010 Mitey Rider Spring Festival taking place on Saturday, May 1^st! In addition to watching all of our riders strut their stuff, attractions include a bake sale, face painting, merchandise, food, and a petting zoo! Don’t miss out on this fun-filled, family-friendly day and learn more about our Misty Meadows Mitey Riders!

Click HERE for an At-A-Glance of the updated Rider Schedule!

ATTENTION RIDERS AND VOLUNTEERS — If you have any questions about your participation this day, please contact us by or phone — 704.841.0602.

March 21^st marked the last performance of the Playing For Others (PFO) rendition of “There’s A Monster in My Closet” at Actors Theatre Charlotte, but it’s just the beginning of a lifelong friendship between Playing For Others (playingforothers.org) and Mitey Riders. Over the last nine months, PFO has buddied up with our riders and our organization, offering a unique experience for all involved. And to culminate the season, PFO presented Mitey Riders with a donation of $15,000 at their final performance on March 21^st. Tears were shed, kinds words were spoken, and memories were made that will never be forgotten.

Mitey Riders offers its sincerest gratitude to the PFO teens and advisors, who have not only changed the lives of our riders, but also the future of our organization. Look for our invited guests from PFO at our Spring Festival on May 1^st and be sure to extend a hug, and hand-shake, and a Mitey big thank you!

Mitey Riders plans to use the money in support of a new therapy horse for the program, and new horse trailer — to help spread the word about Mitey Riders (and PFO!) and offer more opportunities for our riders.

For more about PFO, visit: www.playingforothers.org

Playing for Others (PFO) is a nine-month volunteer opportunity for teens who have a love for the arts. Each year, PFO partners with another non-profit in Charlotte that directly impacts children with disabilities. Teens learn the power of passion, the importance of civic responsibility and the acceptance of others. For the 2009–2010 school season, Mitey Riders is grateful to have been chosen as PFO’s non-profit partner.

Each teen in PFO is partnered with a buddy from our partner non-profit.  Through our fall retreat, teens receive professional training about the disability and how to interact with their buddy. They quickly learn that a child is just a child, difference and all. Following the retreat, teens meet their buddies and begin monthly buddy events.  Each buddy event is themed in the arts; music, storytelling, puppetry, photography and visual art.  Buddy events are designed for all teens and buddies to participate in together. Beyond the once a month planned buddy event exchange, teens and buddy families can opt to spend outside time together.  Past buddy pairs have gone pumpkin picking, saw a show together, went roller skating, had a picnic and played at the park.  These extra outings allow buddies to develop an even deeper relationship.

To read one Mitey Rider parent’s perspective on the PFO/MR Buddy relationship click HERE.

Because PFO reaches out to teens who love the arts, they wrap up the year with the opportunity to participate in one of three intensive arts experiences during: Theatre, Music or Visual Arts. Experiences are led by professionals in the field who offer an avenue for teens to give back to their community through the use of their artistic talents. As a culminating celebration, PFO hosts an annual Arts Festival Weekend. This year the event begins March 12^th and runs through the 21^st. All Arts Festival events are ticketed and open to the public.

Highlights include:
▪ Multiple performances of the musical, “There’s a Monster in my Closet” at the Actors Theatre of Charlotte — starting Friday, March 12^th
▪ Red carpet event for our buddies, with limo rides, paparazzi & front row seats to the musical — Sunday, March 14^th 3:00 pm
▪ Songwriting Competition finals & performance of the newest PFO theme song by the PFO teens at the McGlohan Theatre — Saturday, March 13^th 8:00 pm
▪ Juried Art Show & the revealing of the collaborative sculpture by the PFO teens at Amelie’s French Bakery & Café — Saturday, March 20^th 10:30 am
▪ Check presentation to Mitey Riders — Sunday, March 21^st 3:00 pm

To purchase tickets, please click HERE.
To view complete a complete schedule for Arts Festival Weekend, please click HERE.

Remember, supporting Playing For Others supports Mitey Riders and other like-minded organizations in our community. Please join us and experience this amazing partnership first-hand! Look for more information and updates on the Arts Festival as we get closer to the date!

This week (Feb 24–27) at Mitey Riders is our Annual Volunteer Appreciation Week! Over the years, we have had hundreds — literally, hundreds — of volunteers take part in Mitey Riders as individuals, families, businesses and local youth groups. Volunteers are an integral part to the success of Mitey Riders. Without dedicated, weekly volunteers, Mitey Riders would not be able to help as many children as we do each year. Below are some facts about the valuable hours donated by volunteers…

Our Mitey Riders benefit from:
• Over 250 volunteer hours each week
• Over 50 hours each week volunteered by students earning high school or scouting service hours
• Over 6,750 volunteer hours each season
• Over 2,100 hours volunteered by parents of our riders
• Over 100 hours volunteered by Church and School groups
• Over 1,200 hours volunteered by individuals and groups on projects and tasks outside of normal riding class hours each year

RIDERS & FAMILIES — Please take a moment to thank your wonderful volunteers this week, and every week moving forward. It is because of them that we can continue to offer high quality therapeutic riding to a large number of children and teens in our community.

VOLUNTEERS — Thank you for all that you do and all that are!

A big thank you to Heather Lopina and the Volunteer Appreciation Committee of the Mitey Rider Council.

Hello all Mitey Rider families and volunteers! This week — February 17–20 — we are on Winter Break from classes. Classes will resume Wednesday, February 24^th! Hopefully we will see some sunshine and warmer weather coming soon! Enjoy the break and see everyone next week!