Ellie rides for a therapeutic Equestrian Center and this Sat they have their annual fundraiser. Tonight was the practice run! OMG the place is to die for, Gorgeous. Tix to the event.. are pricey - super pricey.. But it's all for a good cause! This org does incredible things with Special needs children. AND they subsidize. Even tho many may not get that, each riding session for our dd is around $30. Most everything she does elsewhere is a minimum of $100 per hour which is also probably their true cost. l love this org and so does she (I used to ride, so yeah.. I'm biased, BUT... they truly make miracles happen!)
They have a strong volunteer support base and they get lots of donors to help. So Saturday's event is really special and important! I will be going *sans* other children! Let's just say that my hubby ( who is NEVER late) but has some big pressures at work of late, mis-read the time tonight, so little guy ended up going with. Alex stayed with a neighbor til George could get home. But I didnt get to watch as intently as I would have liked.
The location is beautiful.. The setting is somewhat surprising. It looks like a gorgeous vineyard settin: wedding location on one side and the other side of the building is an indoor arena with mirrors, lights, places for folks to sit, stalls skirting the outer rim for horses. It's like 2 worlds were sewn together in this very delicate mix, cause the two worlds (at least in my experience) dont often mix like this in any way I know. Sat should be interesting. I saw the older "vaulting team" practicing and they were doing handstands on the back of a horse - AMAZING!
I completely understand why the time was set the way it was (6 PM practice session) BUT I am fairly neurotic about night time activities for my kids and this was (yes!) nearly night time. Generally, Elllie is asleep by 730 pm as she wakes early. We didnt get home til about 8:15 and then everyone was on "hyper-overdrive".. yep that "neurotic mom thing" at least for me is life-saving. Of course Sat is a weekend and I will have her nap (and she will) prior to, but tonight as they were practicing her various vaulting moves, she lost her balance several times (never have seen that) and had to be caught.. Stuff after 5 PM in this neurotic mama's mind.. WAY too late! Again, I recognize the importance, not only for the riders but horses. Such that everyone saw the lighting the way it would be on Sat night and the horses as well could see things at this time of day.. I get it.. We did it.. and Sat night will be better due to a nap, but I have to admit I'm a cranky mom when I'm attempting to muscle my kids in to bed long after bed time and we still have to read for that "homework".. stuff... Ok neurotic and complaining mom signing off.. VERY grateful tonight .... in spite of the neuroses! :)
Looking off to the West! Last remnants of a sunset!
Looking back at the meeting room/wedding/sit down food type room! Looks gorgeous and is.. Inside those windows, the room has windows into the indoor riding arena on other side! Go figure!~ :)
And my VERY tired but very HAPPY girl (she's always thrilled on the back of a horse) standing. I set my camera to "no flash" but the lighting made everything really slow. this came out ok.. Hoping I can figure something for Sat, so I can take some great pics without flash!
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