WELCOME to
at Good Hope Farm
Champlain Adaptive Mounted Program
57 East Shore Road
South Hero, VT 05486
E-Mail CHAMP
802-372-4087
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CHAMP Unveils a Special New Outdoor Mounting Ramp
The double 28 foot ramps are each five feet wide allowing a rider to easily mount a horse with or without the aid of a helper. One ramp is constructed for the needs of a rider and the second ramp for a helper. The ramps slope gently up to 30 inches at the mounting height, include steel safety railings and access stairs at the mounting end.
As Evan Rodriguez cut the ribbon unveiling the new mounting ramp he said, “It was a much bigger project than I thought it would be.” Evan of Boy Scout Troop 822 in South Hero found that CHAMP needed a new ramp and he needed a project to complete requirements to become an Eagle Scout. Over the past two years, he spent 80+ hours and was joined by his father, Scout Master, Derek Rodriguez, Scouts and adults, all volunteers from the South Hero community, and in the summers his grandfather Hank Young helped too. They worked with CHAMP staff and volunteers, researched needs, location and specifications required to meet the design guidelines of NARHA and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
In the summer of 2008 they began the process of fundraising and fabrication of sub-assemblies. Along the way adjustments were made for the higher than expected ground water levels and the slope, almost 200 hours of labor and two summers later, Evan’s ramp is now a very valuable and permanent addition to the CHAMP program.
CHAMP is very grateful to the Rodriguez family, Troop 822 and the South Hero Community. We are also grateful to the General Dynamics Employee Community Action Council (ECAC) who made the basic funding grant; to NorthCountry Federal Credit Union for their matching grant; to Delbert Gallagher, manager of Lowes of South Burlington and his staff who were extremely supportive of the project, donating all the composite decking and discounting other materials needed; and to F.E. Hart Fencing of Williston who provided discounts for the needed railings.
CHAMP has served many in the Champlain Valley since 1987 and is grateful for contributions like Evan’s and for all of the intrepid volunteers who make our program so effective.
Evan and Derek Rodriguez
Other things we need now!
We’d be happy to accept your tax deductible contribution of cash, maerials or services to help us purchase any of these items.
• We are looking for a paid chore and maintenance person 10-12 hours/week mostly on weekends. If you are interested contact Jean at 802-372-4087.
• We need the help of a carpenter or two to install some windows and other critical projects that are a bit beyond our usual abilities.
• We need a couple of outdoor water troughs, a chop or compound saw, a riding mower, a portable generator.
• We have begun working with TruexCullins who are donating the design of a new "safe" covered and accessible entrance; a covered, temperature controlled Education Center in the arena complete with an accessible rest room; a view of the arena; an accessible office etc. We will need the materials, construction crews and all the other necessities to construct this major and much needed improvement to our facility. We will post the drawings as soon as they are completed.
• We need to upgrade the run to the pastures for the horses It is currently wet clay and is frequently boggy and up to knee deep mud after rains or snow melt. We need a lot of gravel to accomplish the fix - contributed labor has been promised. We'll post the amounts needed and the cost estimate soon.
• John Deere "Gator" Utility Vehical (or equivalent) and attachments for the Farm: new or used (range $8-15,000): This is a vital piece of equipment not yet secured which CHAMP needs to drag the arena before each class, bring hay to the horses living in the pastures, and overall errands on the land to service the riders and horses.
• Special Saddles can cost $6,000 or more. A Class 1 medical device allows people with severe disabilities improved balance, head and trunk control, improved digestion, breathing and circulation, and the ability to sit properly on a horse. CHAMP can only currently handle some of these riders, and only with a degree of difficulty by having sidewalkers physically hold each rider continuously in a semi-upright position. These saddles can also enhances the rider’s sense of the horse’s rhythmic movement.
• Sponsor a CHAMP horse: (Monthly or Annual) $450 per month covers food and vet expenses for an official CHAMP or jointly owned horse.
• 6 foot folding tables • 10-15 Stacking or folding chairs • Picnic Tables• Cavalettis • Water/Fade resistant bench cushions and we always need replacement barn items like saddle pads, helmets, reins, large plastic water buckets, hoses, rakes, brooms, etc.
Things we have gratefully received!
• We are hoping to upgrade the arena floor with new materials like rubber chips. This will will make it
safer for our riders and more comfortable for our sidewalkers and horses and reduce the amount of dust. The cost will be about $5000 a portion of which has already been contributed. Funded by a grant from? the Joseph Markoly Foundation 2010.
CHAMP's new Truck, Becky Piaseczny, Lorrie Rainville, Jean Desranleau, Mort Shapiro
CHAMP is grateful for the generosity of Mort Shapiro and Freedom Nisson for donating this Ford F-150 Truck. He is pictured on the right giving the keys to Champlain Adaptive Mounted Program's Executive Director Jean Desranleau. To the left is CHAMP's Lorrie Rainville and Yipe's Becky Piaseczny who facilitated the signage. Chris Amato, of Real Clean, detailed the truck and Marshall Learned of Yipes Auto Accessories donated the signage. This long needed truck will be doing chores around CHAMP at Good Hope Farm in South Hero, moving hay to the feeding stations in the fields and a lot more. It was a large request on CHAMP's wish list.
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• Air compressor donated by Susan and Mark Lukeharris
• Electronic Mount a one person elevator adjacent to mounting ramp which allows rider to be raised electronically to the level of the horse’s saddle for easy mounting and dismounting. Purchased with an anonymous contribution
• Arena Groomer for leveling the arenas. <Partial funding by Parma Co.
• Garden Cart < Thanks Gardeners Supply
• Metal Round Pen (60’ diameter) : $1500-2200. As riders build their self-confidence and desire less hands-on interaction from volunteer staff, giving them access to a riding area smaller than the arena provides a feeling of freedom while minimizing safety concerns for themselves and the horse. Walking and steering/controlling one’s horse independently , even in a circular pen, can be a big morale booster. Thanks David Wright and partial funding by Steve Martin of St Albans Coop.
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Every little bit counts!
CHAMP provides services for those who need them. Simply send this form in an envelope with your check made out to CHAMP for any amount that you feel comfortable giving.
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Champlain Adaptive Mounted Program
A NARHA Premier Accredited Center, volunteer driven, non-profit, tax-exempt corporation
57 East Shore Road, South Hero, VT 05486
802-372-4087
Please accept my contribution of $__________ to help CHAMP
provide its special services for special people.
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