November 2012: EAGLE POINT, Ore. – A $2,000 grant from Plum Creek Foundation will help Over The Rainbow riding program continue to bring therapy on horseback to mentally and physically challenged youth in Coos and Curry counties.

The Plum Creek Foundation grant will be used for Over The Rainbow’s transportation costs. While the program operates out of its home stable in Sixes, the specially trained horses are also trailered to central locations in Gold Beach and Bandon so that young people in those areas do not have to travel so far to participate.

“Over The Rainbow riders are spread throughout Coos and Curry counties,” says program director and trainer Mary Margaret Smith, who is certified by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH). “The distances—50-mile round trips in some instances—make it unfeasible to expect all of the riders to come to the farm in Sixes. So we transport the horses in Gold Beach and Bandon every week.”

Over The Rainbow, a nonprofit organization operated entirely by volunteers, provides free riding sessions using carefully selected horses, special equipment and volunteers. The horses are trained to tolerate crutches and wheelchairs as well as acting-out behaviors and unusual movements and sounds.

“Riders learn balance, coordination and self-assurance while receiving therapeutic muscle stimulation,” says Smith. “As a result of our lessons, their poise, posture, strength and flexibility improve. Riders also develop a sense of responsibility and build confidence and self-esteem. Equine therapy can produce dramatic and lasting benefits for our riders.”

PHOTO ID: Bill Frings of the Plum Creek Foundation presents the check for a $2,000 grant to Mary Margaret Smith of Over The Rainbow. Rider Kyle Anthony on Turtle and horse handler Dre Frary look on. Over The Rainbow rides at the Myers Ranch in Gold Beach. The Myers Ranch is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Mark Myers.

 

February 2012:  Over the Rainbow received a $2,000 grant from the Coquille Tribal Community Fund to purchase horse feed.

December 2011:   Over The rainbow has received $2,000 grants from the Autzen Foundation and the West Family Foundation.

The Autzen Foundation, provides grants to non-profit organizations in the Pacific Northwest with an emphasis on youth, education, arts and nature.

The Mission of the West Family Foundation is to give back to the community and to provide a better opportunity in life for children and families.

Over The Rainbow provides horseback riding sessions for individuals with special needs in Coos and Curry Counties. The program is free to participants.

Photo Above: Over The Rainbow volunteer Samantha Aldrich with Shasta. Samantha was formerly a rider with the program.

February 1, 2011:  Over The Rainbow has received a $2,000 grant from the Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation!

The Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation is committed to making life more bearable for children, families and pets, in need of a helping paw. With the sale of each full-sized Bearemy’s Kennel Pals® friend -- a collection of Build‑A‑Bear Workshop® plush dogs -- one dollar is donated to domestic pet programs including local animal shelters, stray pet rescue and rehabilitation organizations, and pet education programs around the country. These funds are available to qualified non-profit organizations in the United States and Canada. Visit www.buildabear.com for more information.

December 5, 2009:Over The Rainbow participated in the annual ESA Community Bazaar. The table was filled with lots of goodies baked by parents of our riders, along with a few useful items donated by some friends of OTR. Austin was pleased as punch to make a sale!

June 13, 2009: Volunteer Appreciation and the formal unveiling of our new logo (above, left).  We can't thank our volunteers enough!  OTR could not exist without you!   A HUGE thanks to  Shelley's Graphic Arts for the new logo at no charge to OTR! Thank you! Thank you!

May 2, 2009: Play Day at Meyers Ranch in Gold Beach. 11 am to 2:30 pm. Please bring your own picnic lunch. Drinks will be provided by Mr. & Mrs. Meyers. (Update: It was a nasty day, with a couple riders who braved the elements to come. Fun was had by all despite the inclement weather.)

April 30, 2009: Over the Rainbow and Head Start ride at the Curry County Fairgrounds. Check out our photos!

7/2008 Curry County Fair Parade, Gold Beach, Oregon, July 26, 1st place kiddy parade, 3rd place parade.

4th of July, 2008   Port Orford riders participate in the annual parade. (Below)

5/2008   Over the Rainbow riders earn first place trophy for best equestrian group at the Azalea Festival Parade in Brookings on May 24, 2008. (Below)

1/2008   The North Curry riding session is now being held at the covered arena at Oldden Mews Ranch on Beach Loop Road in Bandon on Saturday mornings. This new location makes it possible to ride in inclement weather. Riders in the Bandon area are now being accepted for the program.

7/2006   We are proud to announce the acquisition of a new horse trailer. The trailer was custom built for OTR by Silverado Trailers of Springfield, Oregon. A grant from the Oregon Community Foundation, individual donations and a discount by Silverado Trailers made this purchase possible.

4/2006   Our goal of raising $1,000 has been surpassed.

11/2005  The Oregon Community Foundation has pledged a $9,000 grant toward the purchase of a new horse trailer. This grant will only be available upon successfully raising $1,000 from the community. Tax-deductable donations are being accepted for this purpose. Please mark all donations, trailer fund. Go to the "you can help" page for information on sending donations.

10/2005  Fall riding sessions began in September, Tuesdays in Gold Beach, Wednesdays in Brookings and Fridays in Port Orford.

6/2005   Summer riding sessions will begin in August, Tuesdays in Gold Beach, Wednesdays in Brookings and Fridays in Port Orford.

5/2005 Mary Margaret Smith Earns NARHA Certification

Over The Rainbow program director, Mary Margaret Smith, recently completed a course of study to become a NARHA certified instructor. The North American Riding for the Handicapped Association is a non-profit organization that establishes standards and guidelines to promote safe, quality, therapeutic riding programs. Smith attended a three day workshop in Estacada, Oregon, which included: written exams; a demonstration of her horsemanship skills; along with preparation and teaching of a lesson for two handicapped individuals. “I would like to thank Sylvia Allen, of Coos Bay, Beth Welch and Alice Pfand of Port Orford for their assistance in helping me prepare for the riding section of the workshop; and our board of directors and my family for their encouragement," Smith said. "I am excited about how the information I learned through NARHA and networking with other NARHA instructors will help us to better serve our riders.”

9/2004  Fall riding sessions are now being held on Tuesdays in Gold Beach, Wednesdays in Brookings and Fridays in Port Orford.

6/2004  Summer riding sessions are now being held in Brookings, Gold Beach and Port Orford.

4/2004  The annual benefit horse show was held on May 8, at the Gold Beach fairgrounds. The show is sponsored by Driftwood Tack & Western Wear and all proceeds benefit Over The Rainbow.