Wow! What a remarkable year it has been. Turning fifty is a major milestone. It is a time to gather friends and family to celebrate – whether it’s a birthday, golden wedding anniversary, or the anniversary of an organization that has touched so many lives. For High Hopes, our golden jubilee year has been one of celebration, reflection, remembrance, and recommitment. We are grateful for the dedicated volunteers of the 50th Anniversary Committee, led by co-chairs Jeff and Holly Ridgway and Jane and Keith Bolles.
January: Kicking Off with a Volunteer Enrichment Series
In January, we started the year with our Volunteer Enrichment Series, designed to provide valuable learning opportunities for our dedicated volunteers. These sessions featured various informative and hands-on activities, including equine massage, emergency procedures, and lunging horses. Our volunteers had the chance to deepen their knowledge and skills, and experience the indoor arena in a different setting!
February: “Horse Love”
We began the year by inviting participants, family, staff, and volunteers to share what they love about horses. These messages of caring and affection were written on paper hearts and pinned to a display titled Horse Love. This simple yet meaningful activity reminded us of the powerful bond between people and horses.
March: Founders’ Day Open House
On March 25th, we hosted our Founders’ Day Open House, honoring Sis Gould, our visionary founder, and reflecting on our modest beginnings: a group of itinerant volunteers, eight participants, and borrowed horses. The event was a chance to celebrate Sis, an extraordinary woman whose energy, kindness, and passion brought friends, neighbors, and horses together and created High Hopes. To honor Sis and her husband, Lytt, also instrumental in High Hopes’ creation, we renamed our Legacy Society the Sis and Lytt Gould Society.
May: Horse Show Days
In May, participants showcased their skills during our annual Horse Show Days. Whether in the saddle or in a horsemanship class, each participant demonstrated what they had learned throughout the year, sharing their achievements with family and friends. We also held a Sis and Lytt Gould Society garden party event in the Legacy Garden.
June: A Gala to Remember
We marked our golden anniversary with a spectacular June Gala. From the elegant black-and-gold invitations to the meticulously planned evening of food, fun, and festivities, every detail celebrated the significance of this milestone year.
July: A New Chapter Begins
In July, we welcomed Missy Lamont as our new executive director. Reflecting on her first impressions, Missy shared, “From the moment I walked through the doors, I felt embraced by this extraordinary community. It’s an honor to contribute to a mission that brings so much meaning and impact. Horses have a unique, intuitive, and calming presence, making them truly special partners.”
September: PATH Intl. Reaccreditation and Trustee Gratitude
Beginning September, we officially received our PATH Intl. Premier Center Reaccreditation, a significant milestone for our organization. This achievement represents the culmination of months of hard work, dedication, and rigorous evaluation. This reaccreditation reflects our commitment to providing exceptional therapeutic riding programs and ensuring the highest level of care for both our riders and horses. We ended the month with a gratitude reception honoring our former trustees for their incredible leadership service.
October: Homecoming Reunion, Postcards to the Future & Staff Retreat
As our 50th year began to draw to a close, we celebrated with a Homecoming event in October. Guests were invited to share their hopes and dreams for High Hopes’ future by writing messages on postcards and placing them in a specially created mailbox we called Postcards to the Future. Staff also attended an inspiring retreat in the barn that fostered renewed dedication to our mission of helping others. The retreat provided a valuable opportunity for reflection, team-building and growth, while reinforcing the commitment that drives our work. It was an uplifting experience that not only inspired new ideas but also reminded us how incredibly fortunate we are to have such a passionate team.
November: Volunteer Gratitude and Petra’s Award
In November, we hosted a Volunteer Social that brought our staff and volunteers together for a fun evening filled with laughter. This event provided an opportunity for everyone to connect with volunteers and staff they might not typically interact with. In the spirit of community, both staff and volunteers brought delicious dishes to share—there was hardly any room left on the tables! To end the month, our equine staff member, Petra, was awarded Honorable Mention for Social Service by the Chamber of Eastern Connecticut; an award usually given to humans.
Throughout the Year: New Programs and Engagements
- New Wellness Programs: We launched equine-assisted wellness programs tailored to community needs, including one for individuals with Parkinson’s disease and another for women veterans.
- Focus Groups: For the first time, we invited parents, guardians, and independent participants to share their insights in a focus group.
- Workshops: We hosted a two-day equine first aid and training workshop in partnership with the Equine Health Academy.
- Coffee Mornings: Missy held a series of get-acquainted coffee gatherings to connect with the High Hopes community.
- History Timeline: An interactive timeline graced our hallway walls, which allowed visitors to post a sticker with their name on the year they walked through our (barn) doors.
- 50th Historical Stories and Photos: All 50th anniversary stories and photos were thoughtfully curated and archived by two dedicated High Hopes volunteers; Judith Cohen and Susan Shulman.
Looking Ahead
While we cannot predict the High Hopes of 2074, one thing is certain: the magic of horses will continue to bring comfort, healing, and joy to countless lives. As we close this golden chapter, we recommit to our mission and look forward to the next fifty years.
Thank you everyone for being part of this extraordinary journey.