On Wings of Hope

Providing hope and healing through gentle horses

and the love of God
December 2018 Wings of Hope Equitherapy P.O. Box 445 Burleson, TX 76097

Faces at wings
Through the 22 years that Wings of Hope has existed, many
faces have come and gone. The beautiful faces of those wonder-
ful equestrians have been such a blessing as they have partnered
with the many equine faces who have served at our barn. Many
of the faces, however, have come, stayed, and changed as the
years have passed. One of those beautiful faces is that of Shelby
Crump

Seven year old Shelby came to Wings of Hope at the very begin-
ning, when we were located at another barn. Shelby has literally
grown up at (and with) Wings of Hope, having ridden for over 21
years.

Shelby’s life since the age of 9 months has been filled with
doctors, genetic specialists, lab tests, hospitals and therapies but
her life at Wings of Hope has given her a place to gain independ-
ence and have fun.

Shelby as a seven year old beginning equestrian

As one can imagine, Shelby has ridden many horses

in the last 21+ years at Wings of Hope. Since Shelby
is non-verbal, if she has a favorite horse, she is not
able to tell us; however, she does express her love of
all the horses and the volunteers, and her love of
riding.

Shelby enjoys trail rides, and helping to put away

saddles after her class each week. The independence
Shelby has gained as a result of riding has been a big
benefit, along with confidence building. As Shelby’s
mom says, “I can tell you that Shelby is not in
control of much that goes on in her life, but she loves
being in control of that horse when she rides!”

Turn to page 2 to read more Shelby, many years ago at Regional Equestrian Special
about Shelby Olympics
 Left, Shelby Crump is
shown with Red in her
class at Wings several
years ago.

Right, Shelby is riding Red

at a Fort Worth Stock
Show Chisholm Challenge
many years ago. Red was
retired from Wings of
Hope in 2014

Through the years, Shelby has demonstrated her love of

the horses by competing with Wings of Hope at Special
Olympics and Chisholm Challenge. She has also
excitedly accompanied her Girl Scout troop and her Day
-Hab friends to Wings of Hope for visits.

Shelby’s family is very supportive in her many activities,

which include many other Special Olympics events.
Shelby is the fourth of five children born to Tom and
Cheryl Crump, and she is an aunt, sister, cousin, niece
and sister-in-law. Shelby’s dad, Tom, is a long-time
employee of Lockheed Martin which donated Wings of
Hope’s tack room, several loafing sheds, a round pen,
water lines, and help with our latest arena project.

Shelby has a sister and a sister-in-law who are members

of the Junior League of Fort Worth which has provided
volunteers to Wings of Hope for over 10 years. The
Junior League of Fort Worth also contributed funds for
our shiny new tractor, which you can read about below.

Thumbs up to Shelby and all the Crump family!

HAVE YOU SEEN OUR NEW TRACTOR?

Funds donated by The Junior League of Fort Worth, Texas, Incorporated allowed Wings of Hope to purchase a new
tractor to use in our covered arena where nearly 100% of services take place. The tractor will be used daily to groom
the arena for lessons and will serve in a multitude of areas on the property. The Junior League of Fort Worth, Texas,
Incorporated volunteers will work in the arena as side walkers and leaders while working directly with riders and
their equine therapy partners.

At right, Wings of Hope’s

Director of Development,
Allison Gross, shows off the
new tractor.

Pictured at left with Sunny, one of Wings of Hope’s equine therapy

partners, and Director of Development, Allison Gross, are Junior
League members Chelsea Brown and Kristin Martin, placement
volunteers.
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 Each bag of feed for our equine therapy partners
DID YOU costs $25.50. Our herd of 21 equine therapy partners

KNOW?? eats 10 bags of feed each week. That’s 40 bags each

month, and 480 bags, or 19,200 lbs., of feed per year.

SUNNY
As a Tennessee Walker,
Sunny is an excellent
therapy partner for our
equestrians who
benefit from the move-
ment of his gait.
sunny
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 WITNESS THE POWER OF A HORSE
VOLUNTEER !!
NUGGET
Nugget, a haflinger, and
Wings of Hope’s largest
pony, has been with us
nearly one year now. In his
former career he was a
child’s horse, so he works
well with some of our small
equestrians. Nugget also is
able to partner with larger
equestrians who may need
more support from their Nugget,
side-walkers. Wings of Hope’s haflinger pony

DID YOU To keep our herd happy and healthy, it costs nearly $625 per week
to provide hay and feed for our 21 equine therapy partners, which is
KNOW? $2,708 a month and $32,500 per year.

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May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust
in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the
Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
A MESSAGE FROM BOARD PRESIDENT
MARK SUTHERLAND
Dear Friends and Supporters,

It is hard to believe another year of hope, love and healing is coming to a close. At year end we have so much for
which to be thankful.

I recently walked through our facility. Watching our equestrians enjoy their equine experience, while overcoming
numerous obstacles, never fails to bring joy to my heart. Through your generous support and the grace of God,
Wings of Hope makes all this happen, ultimately making the world a better place……one ride at a time.

As we enter the Christmas season, I am reminded of the many blessings that make Wings of Hope that shining
beacon of faith and optimism. We are blessed with…….

A first-rate equine therapy facility

An amazing and talented staff that guide our programs day in and day out
21 hardworking, gentle horses that make the riding experience a reality
A Board of Directors dedicated to fulfilling the Wings of Hope Mission and Vision
Generous donors and supporters that provide much needed financial and material resources
An army of volunteers without whose tireless support we could not exist
85 riders who forever guide our Ministry and give us purpose
The love of God

I thank you for your continued support and confidence in Wings of Hope. May you and yours have a Merry
Christmas and many blessings in 2019.

In His service,
Mark

Thank you, Gilchrist Automotive, for your support of

Round-Up for Riders!

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 HANK

Hank goes to the Fort Worth

Stock Show’s Chisholm Hank always makes the yearly
Challenge each year. trip to Regional Equestrian
Special Olympics.

One of Wings of Hope’s most beloved and dependable therapy

partners is Hank. Hank was foaled in 2001, and American Paint
Horse Association registered as CHR High Life Hank. Hank is smart,
and very patient with equestrians learning independent riding.

Wings of Hope’s equine therapy partners serve between 75 to 90

equestrians weekly. These equestrians are able to participate in equine
assisted activities on the same day and time each week, and partner with the
same horse and team of volunteers each time they are in our barn.
These activities take place through the help of many dedicated
volunteers. Without them we could not do what we do here at Wings of Hope,
as we work to make a difference in the lives of those we serve. Volunteers
must be 14 years of age or older and do not need to have any prior horse
experience. Our 21 equine therapy partners and our staff are able to teach
new volunteers a skillset unique to each equestrian and horse they will be
working with. A donation of 1 to 2 hours per week makes a direct impact in
the life and family of an individual with unique physical, mental, or emotional
challenges.

COME SHARE YOUR GIFTS, TALENTS,

AND LOVE IN OUR ARENA!
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Wings of Hope
P.O. Box 445
Burleson, TX 76097-0445

817-790-8810
Fax: 817-783-7072
E-mail: office@wingsofhopehorses.org
www.wingsofhopehorses.org

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

“...and His name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6b

Christmas Blessings
From
Wings of Hope Equitherapy

Supporting the therapy horses of

Wings of Hope Equitherapy

carrots for christmas 8