Giant Steps Therapeutic Equestrian Center

Giant Steps alumni update! Mr. Fizz’s owner (and current Giant Steps Board Chair) Susan went to visit recently, and shared the following: For all you Mr. Fizz fans out there, I got to see him this weekend at his retirement home, where he’s been living the life! He’s happy, healthy and strong.

Photos from yesterday's Giant Steps Farm to sTable Picnic & Movie Presented by Marin Subaru are now available! Huge thanks to Arrowood Photography for capturing the beautiful day, and many thanks to our sponsors, volunteers, and supporters for an enjoyable, successful event! You can check out the full album at https://picti.net/LYflg

TICKETS AVAILABLE! Join us at Beaumont Farms on May 1st for a special screening of Secretariat with cohosts Wild Heart Restart Ranch and Twin Oaks Roadhouse! Meet a local OTTB, enter the raffle for great prizes, and enjoy a socially distanced evening out of the house! Tickets are $50/4, and available to purchase at Twin Oaks Roadhouse in Penngrove, at the Giant Steps barn (cash/check only) at Sonoma Horse Park, or online at http://FTS21.Givesmart.com. Thank you to our spon...sors! Marin Subaru, Delgado Family Vineyards, Halter Project, and Marin Outdoor Fitness. If you are looking for Farm to sTable Picnic tickets, we are SOLD OUT and running a waitlist. Please contact [email protected] to be added. Marin Subaru Presents Secretariat at Beaumont Farms Farm to sTable Picnic Presented by Marin Subaru

It’s #fjordfriday! Join us in welcoming this adorable little dude to the Giant Steps herd. S’mores starts his trial today, and comes from the family of a former volunteer. Welcome to Sonoma Horse Park S’mores!

Giant Steps alum update! Stallone, fka Buddy, is living his best life with Collins Equestrian U.S. in Livermore, as a Grand Prix jumper turned lesson horse. He even has his own Instagram account! You can follow him at @_stands.alone._

February is #blackhistorymonth, and we’re highlighting black individuals with a disability who are making a difference. Simone Biles is the most decorated American gymnast in history, with a combined total of 30 Olympic and World Championship medals. She also lives with ADHD, a non-curable condition that can include hyperactivity, mood swings, and difficulty focusing. It is one of the most commonly diagnosed disorders, and approximately 10% of Giant Steps clients live with it or its close relative ADD. #representationmatters #disabilityawareness

Scarlet says haaaaaaaaaay! She is sponsored by Sterling View Farm LLC

Midway through this blur of a year, I mentioned in staff meeting that I was really growing to hate the word "pivot." Poor "pivot." It wasn’t the word’s fault. No, it was the constancy of its use, and the constant need to use it that I hated Click here to read the full note from Giant Steps Executive Director Beth Porter, reflecting on 2020 - https://mailchi.mp/giantstepsriding/cmon2021 Image created by Dana's Doodles #ThankfulThursday

#GivingTuesday It's week four of our last campaign of the year - just 10 days left to give in 2020! How does Giant Steps benefit our clients and volunteers? Here are just a couple quotes: "We are especially grateful that the volunteers and staff have been there for us to ensure continued involvement and socialization for her this year during COVID. This has been no small feat, but in characteristic Giant Steps fashion the program has not missed a beat. Giant Steps is truly a ...mission-driven organization." "At Giant Steps, she is simply a rider, participating in her sport with little to no obvious limitation. She loves the experience and barely misses a day. As her mother, I am certain that riding and the Giant Steps community is an integral part of her health and wellness." "To see a child wanting to bond with a horse but too afraid to ride, week after week the instructor and I patiently encouraging them to try, then finally being able to get them on a horse for the first time thinking they would probably make it around the arena half way if we were lucky, feeling their death grip on your arm as you walked by their side holding their leg, then feeling their grip loosen as they calmed down feeling the horses movement underneath them, seeing the smile on their face when they gave into their fear and let the horse guide them seeing them go not half way around the arena but finish the whole class on top of their horse, there is nothing like it." "In our daily lives we get discouraged by the way people look at our children like they’re 'icky.' Giant Steps was the only place where my child was respected and liked. It blew me away that people would give their free time to help my child be happy and feel successful!" If you are able, we hope you will include Giant Steps in your end of year giving. Thank you, and happy holidays! Don't want to donate via Facebook? Visit our online portal at http://www.giantstepsriding.org/make-donation/, or you can mail your gift to 1390 N. McDowell Blvd, Suite G331, Petaluma, CA 94954

If you celebrate, Merry Christmas today! And even if you don’t, enjoy Hazel listening to the music by Christopher Ameruoso

VIDEO PREMIERE! Have you opened your monthly newsletter? Last week we premiered our new video highlighting Suzie's experience with Giant Steps, and we love it! Many thanks to TaraArrowood and Kevin Meynell Photography for their dedication and expertise to this project! Click here to watch: http://www.giantstepsriding.org//suc/suzie-at-giant-steps/ Don't get our newsletter and want to? Click here to subscribe: https://giantstepsriding.us13.list-manage.com/subscribe

#fridayfunny for you...how would your favorite Giant Steps horse do with this? https://www.facebook.com/watch/?ref=saved&v=396100758183129

It’s been a stressful 24 hours. How are you managing anxiety you may be feeling? Tell us in the comments!

Happy birthday to Giant Steps instructor and Facilities Manager Sean Willer!

Happy Birthday to our Executive Director Beth!

It’s that time of the year... Graphic created by The Idea of Order.

Your vote matters! Election Day is Tuesday, and early voting is available in California. Make your voice heard! Voting information for Sonoma County here: https://sonomacounty.ca.gov//November-3-2020-Presidential/

Happy Halloween from Giant Steps! - https://mailchi.mp/giantstepsriding/october2020