Mane Stream Pride Shines Bright at the USET

What a spectacular weekend it was at the historic United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation headquarters! After a few days of intense heat leading up to the event, Mother Nature smiled on us with a perfectly lovely, sunny, and beautifully breezy day for our Annual Horse Show.

The energy in the air was pure joy as 28 of our very own Mane Stream riders and 4 fantastic riders from our friends at TRAC (Therapeutic Riding at Centenary) took to the arena. Every single participant showed incredible sportsmanship, determination, and horse show spirit. Even more exciting, thanks to the immense generosity of our participants, families, and sponsors, the event raised nearly $30,000, shattering previous records for our annual show!

While every ribbon pinned was well-deserved, we want to give a massive round of applause to this year’s top award winners:

Abby Clay Rutgers Memorial Award: Joseph O’Leary
Gracie Memorial (High Point Youth Rider): Logan McGrory

Of course, none of those ribbons could have been awarded without our incredible judges, Hala Bailey and Lily Clair Hedley! They spent the entire day meticulously watching, evaluating, and scoring all 18 classes. Keeping focused through that many rounds is no small feat, and we are so grateful for their time, expertise, and dedication to giving our riders such a wonderful, encouraging show experience.

Putting on an event at a historic venue like USET takes a village, and our Mane Stream family absolutely showed up. A giant thank you goes out to our 28 dedicated Mane Stream volunteers who kept the day running seamlessly, from dawn until the final trailers were loaded. To keep everyone fueled, we treated our riders and guests to a yummy breakfast spread, followed by a delicious volunteer brunch, a small token of appreciation for the heavy lifting our team does!

It was also wonderful to see so many familiar faces in the crowd. Long-time Mane Stream riders came out to cheer on their friends, and even our farrier, who generously sponsored a division this year, dropped by to watch the action.

We were also incredibly honored to have Doug McCullough spend the day with us. Doug had a wonderful time watching the classes and chatting with our volunteers, staff, and parents. It was a beautiful reminder of how interconnected our local community is with global advocacy. (By the way, many of us on staff already have our copies of Doug's book on our shelves. How about you? If you haven't grabbed one yet, you definitely should!)

Finally, a huge shout-out to the four incredibly talented photographers who donated their entire day, and are currently spending hours editing to capture these memories for our families. We can’t wait to share even more photos with everyone soon. Keep your eyes peeled, because those beautiful shots will be coming your way shortly!

Thank you to everyone who rode, cheered, groomed, clapped, and supported our participants. You make the Mane Stream family what it is!

Winners Circle

Abby Clay Rutgers Memorial Award – Joseph O’Leary
Gracie Memorial (High Point Youth Rider) - Logan McGrory
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DIVISION 1
Champion – Lindsay Sabattis Reserve Champion – Cliff Murtha

DIVISION 2
Champion – Miles Carden Reserve Champion – Germaine Gunnell

DIVISION 3
Champion – Emily Kane Reserve Champion – Emily Boehmer

DIVISION 4
Champion – Logan McGrory Reserve Champion – Caitlyn Branch

DIVISION 5
Champion – Lucian Rodriguez Reserve Champion – Reagan Reed

DIVISION 6
Champion – Josh Ciccione Reserve Champion – Sara Reilly

DIVISION 7
Champion – Allie Harabin Reserve Champion – Grace I.

DIVISION 8
Champion – Joseph O’Leary Reserve Champion – Daisy DeSimone

DIVISION 9
Champion – Stella Andreski Reserve Champion – Liesel V.

HORSE SHOW SPONSOR
The Kamine Family, Karen & Steve Kaufhold, Emily Maillet Kellogg & Kirk Kellogg,
Pine Woods Farm, Red Tail Farm
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RIDER & VOLUNTEER BREAKFAST SPONSOR
FirstBank Charitable Foundation
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VOLUNTEER LUNCH SPONSOR
The Rogalin Family
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RIBBON SPONSOR
A Jersey Angel
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DECOR SPONSOR
BondVet
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PRIZE SPONSOR
Jen and Chris Backshall
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DIVISION SPONSORS
Baseline Farrier Service & Scott Previte CJF, Tess Coffey and the Coffey Family,
Elizabeth Henne, Ms. Jane E. Jermyn, KMS Farm, Somerset Grain and Feed,
Melissa & Norm Thomas, The Neville Family, The Zukowsky Family
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CLASS SPONSORS
Joyce Danelski, The Flanagan Family, Katherine “Chat” Hollerith,
Rosemarie Hunninghake, Patricia W. Illuzzi
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JUDGES
Hala Bailey and Lily Clair Hedley
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MANE STREAM VOLUNTEERS
Terri Andrechick, Cynthia Barkman, Jen Baumgartner, Terry Callahan, Eric Carlson, Jessie Crowell, Nancy Cunningham, Debi DeLorenzo, Laura Edelson, Bridget Eklund, Karen Evans, Calista Fenton, Andrea Greenspan, Nancy Grossweiler, Leroy Hunninghake, Karen Mikita-Kaufhold, Elaine Milano, Josephine Neville, Gretchen Oberfranc, Barbara Schaffer, Carole Strickroth, Karen Ricciardi, Kimara Ramsey, Brandon Robinson, Jill Rodgers, Clara Worman, Mary Ellen Yen, Karen Zavaglia
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PHOTOGRAPHY SPECIAL THANKS
Brian Greenspan, Jessica Sanders Photography, Jenna O’Connor, Wolfy
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TRAILERING SERVICES
Tom & Kathy Dermody
Greg Tucker

Moving Beyond Fluorescent Lights

The impact of Horses for Healing is like a breath of fresh air.

When our latest group of four Horses for Healing participants arrived at Mane Stream for their FREE five-week session, many didn’t know what to expect. Two of our riders weren't even sure if they’d physically be able to get on or off a horse. (But at Mane Stream, we have a variety of ways to make it happen!)

Over the course of five weeks of learning to groom, tack, and master the basics of riding, something incredible happened. They didn't just build physical strength and balance; they found a community. They found "quiet time" to focus on themselves, shared long talks in the parking lot, and became friends.

One of our participants put it beautifully:

"You really have no idea what it’s like to be able to be outside, exercising, practicing balance and hand-eye coordination, and feeling like you’re making progress finally, instead of being in yet another depressing PT setting with fluorescent lights overhead... One year ago, I could not participate or even imagine in my wildest dreams getting on a horse, much less riding one."

Every single rider progressed, grew stronger, and found their balance (with plenty of laughs along the way, courtesy of Instructor Kelly!). A huge thank you to our dedicated volunteers who stayed with the same riders each week, building deep trust and camaraderie.

Want to learn more about how horses help heal? Check out our Horses for Healing page on the website.

It Takes a Village…

…and some amazing community service days!

Spring prep at Mane Stream is no joke, but our spring volunteer groups absolutely nailed it. Over the last two months, as the weather warmed up and we tackled various seasonal projects, we welcomed 60 volunteers over 4 separate days from Gill St. Bernard’s School, Liberty Mutual, and TEVA Pharmaceuticals (our double-visit superstars!).

As our needs changed, these groups were able to divide and conquer a mountain of tasks. They hauled heavy jumps into the arena, organized the Pony Palace, cleared out the sheds, and swept the hayloft. They also got down to the nitty-gritty: weeding, scrubbing stall walls, de-cobwebbing, cleaning paddock 5, and sanitizing our therapy clinic and toys.

There are far too many tasks for our small staff to tackle alone, which is why these Days of Service are so vital. But it's not all hard work! We always make sure our teams get to relax with lunch outside under the trees, take a walk around the pastures to meet the horses, and get all their questions answered.

Thank you all for giving back to Mane Stream!

Ready to get your team's hands dirty for a good cause? Reach out to volunteer@manestreamnj.org to book a Corporate/School Day of Service.

July Volunteer Milestones

We are incredibly proud to celebrate the amazing volunteers hitting major milestones this month, from reaching 100, 1,000, and an incredible 2,500 hours of service, to marking 3 and 5 years of dedication to our mission! Our volunteers truly are the heart of everything we do. We’ve featured several of these wonderful individuals in special spotlight articles, and we highly encourage you to click the links below to read their inspiring stories, learn more about their journeys, and join us in celebrating their remarkable commitment!

Join us in thanking this month's milestone makers.

Laura Edelson – 2,500 Hours
Janie Murphy – 1,000 Hours
Terry Callahan and Joseph O'Leary – 100 Hours
Laura Kinney and Elsa Huelsbergen – 5 Years
Andrea Greenspan, Wolfy, Shannon Santoro – 3 Years

Summer Daily Fun

Looking to fill a gap in your summer schedule?

We’ve got you covered, no matter what age your child is! Bring them over to Mane Stream for Summer Daily Fun, a morning packed with pony power for kids of ALL abilities! We're talking homemade horse treats, awesome arena games, painting a pony, and cooling off with sudsy horse baths. It’s all the best parts of camp packed into one incredible morning!

Check out our age-group line-up and plug a day into your calendar:

  • Mon, July 6 (9:30–11 AM) | Ages 4–6: A perfect intro for the little ones!

  • Tue, July 7 (9:30–11:30 AM) | Ages 7–11: High-energy games and grooming.

  • Wed, July 8 (9:30–11:30 AM) | Ages 12–13: The basics and beyond!

  • Fri, July 10 (9:30–11:30 AM) | Ages 7–11: Round two for the kids!

The Rules of Fun: Closed-toe shoes are required, and dress to get dirty & wet!

Cost: Only $35/participant! (We’ll email you the required forms right after you sign up)

Spaces fill fast! Tap HERE to lock in your child’s fun day.

Questions? Renae has answers! Reach out at RENAE@manestreamnj.org or 908-439-9636.

A Wealth of Experience Meets a New Passion

Turning Milestones into Magic: Meet Kim Wallace, MS, OTR/L

We are thrilled to introduce Kim Wallace, MS, OTR/L, who joined the Mane Stream team to lead our Pillar School OT sessions on Tuesday mornings. Kim also treats individual clients on weekday afternoons.

Kim is a seasoned therapist with over three decades of experience across an incredible range of settings, from the high-intensity environment of the NICU and acute care to private practice and early intervention. She is a lifelong learner, constantly adding to her toolkit with certifications in areas like primitive reflex integration.

The "Mane Stream" Spark

While Kim is a veteran in the clinical world, she is embarking on a new journey here: incorporating equine movement into her practice. For Kim, seeing the horse in action was a "lightbulb moment." She immediately recognized how the three-dimensional movement of the horse could be harnessed to achieve specific developmental milestones, sparking a level of creativity and excitement that traditional clinic walls simply can’t match.

“I am incredibly excited to be working at Mane Stream, a place I have admired for years,” Kim says. “Watching children arrive using walkers or wheelchairs and then sit upright on horseback, smiling and thriving, is nothing short of inspiring. Activities that support sensory integration and motor planning become even more impactful through the horse’s natural motion, providing unique vestibular and proprioceptive input that closely mimics walking.”

Creative Interventions, Personal Care

Known for her vibrant, outgoing personality, Kim doesn’t just "do therapy"; she designs it. She has a gift for creating purposeful, inventive interventions that make the hard work of reaching milestones feel like an adventure. Whether she’s brainstorming a new way to use the outdoor environment or collaborating with our "amazing, patient, and flexible" volunteers, Kim’s focus is always on providing comprehensive, personal care to our young clients.

At Home in the Community

Kim lives locally with her husband, two children, and two Labradors. She’s already diving into planning "fun fall activities" for our clients, and we can’t wait to see the creative energy she brings to the barn this season.

Please give a warm (and vibrant!) welcome to Kim next time you see her in the arena!

Building a Safer Mane Stream

Participant & volunteer safety - please read

Team, it’s time to put on your hard hats! Our top priority is keeping Mane Stream the safest barn in Jersey. In honor of National Safety Month, we are rolling out the blueprint for our top 6 safety protocols.

Safety isn’t just a checklist; it’s a team effort. This June, we’re asking our entire "herd" (parents, participants, and volunteers) to help us maintain a rock-solid foundation in the ring, the clinic, and the barn. Let's work together to keep our safety standards high!

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Meet the Dream Team Behind Summer Camp 2026!

We are thrilled to introduce the powerhouse trio leading the charge for 9 weeks of sun, saddles, and smiles! This year’s camp program is in expert hands, led by our Camp Activities Specialist and PATH Intl. Certified Instructor, Lola Bordoni Liotta, whose "can-do" spirit and deep expertise ensure every rider shines. Joining her are our two talented summer interns: Soph Kaltenbach, a Goucher College junior with a heart for equine-assisted mental well-being, and Paige Hagman, a University of Kentucky senior known for her high-energy "whatever-it-takes" approach. Together, they are ready to create a safe, joyful, and inclusive environment for all 72 of our summer campers!

SOPHIE KALTENBACH

Sophie "Soph" Kaltenbach (they/them) is a rising junior at Goucher College, working towards a Literature major and Equine Studies minor. Soph's academic interests aid in their pursuit of creating spaces for broader world perspectives, mental well-being, and community, with an emphasis on how relationships with animals foster connectivity. They are passionate about working in social services, particularly with horses and children. They have experience caring for rescue and feral horses, including barn chores, medical interventions, and groundwork. Soph has also engaged kids with disabilities, mental health struggles, and behavioral issues through fun activities, sports, and mental health programs. Following the completion of their undergraduate education, Soph plans to continue studying and working with horses in a professional capacity as well as a personal one. Their passion for horses and helping others informs the empathetic, enthusiastic, and educational approach they take in a work environment. Soph has volunteered the past two summers and is excited to join the Mane Stream team this summer to further their hands-on experience in the equine field and explore possible career paths. They look forward to working closely with the wonderful staff, campers, and herd of the Summer Camp program.

paige hagman

Paige is a rising senior at the University of Kentucky, where she is pursuing a degree in Equine Science and Management. A local resident with deep roots in our community, Paige has been in the saddle since the age of eight. Known by Mane Stream Riding Instructor Kelly Champion as a "whatever-it-takes" horsewoman, Paige brings a high-energy, "get-it-done" attitude that is essential for the fast-paced summer camp environment.

Her academic background in equine science, combined with her years of practical barn experience, allows her to approach horse management with both technical skill and a lifelong love for animals. Outside the arena, Paige is a true outdoors enthusiast who enjoys sports, the beach, and crafting; creative outlets that will undoubtedly help her keep our campers engaged and inspired. Paige is eager to dive into the operational side of our nonprofit, gaining hands-on experience in running a premier riding school while fostering a safe, joyful environment for our participants.


This year’s team will be led by:

Lola Bordoni Liotta, Camp Activities Specialist and PATH Intl. Certified Registered Instructor

Lola is a PATH International Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) and Centenary University graduate with a degree in Equine Studies. She was heavily involved in the TRAC program while at Centenary. Lola has spent the past year expanding her role well beyond the arena.

From assisting with volunteer training sessions and running field trips to jumping in wherever she is needed, Lola’s has become a staple of our daily operations. Her background competing on Centenary’s IHSA and Hunter Jumper teams provided a strong foundation, but it is her commitment to the diverse needs of our riders that defines her work today.

In 2026, Lola stepped into the role of Camp Activities Specialist, where she manages her team of interns and 9 weeks of summer camp for riders of all abilities. Bilingual in Italian, Lola loves to travel and explore new cultures, especially if she can find a way to include horses in her itinerary!

Additional Riding Instructors:

Kathy Dermody, Camp Director & PATH Intl. CTRI
Jen Dermody, PATH Intl. Advanced CTRI
Kelly Champion, PATH Intl. CTRI
Holland Kochanski, PATH Intl. CTRI
Rachel Doyle, PATH Intl. CTRI & ESMHL

Remembering Sheila Tweedie

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Sheila Tweedie, a beloved Board Member Emerita and a cornerstone of the Mane Stream family for over fifty years.

Sheila’s legacy is woven into the very fabric of our organization. From our early days as the Somerset Hills Handicapped Riding Club (SHHRC), when we operated on a shoestring budget out of a private backyard, to the thriving facility we call home today, Sheila was there. She wore every hat imaginable: instructor, volunteer, board member, and generous donor.

A Legacy of Service and Strength

When Mane Stream moved to Oldwick, Sheila and her husband, John, were front and center on work days, clearing wild roses from pastures and building stalls within what was then a simple landscaping shed. Board Member Cynthia Barkman fondly recalls Sheila’s formidable yet kind presence:

"I will always be grateful that our paths crossed and thankful for the critical role she and John played in ensuring the success of Mane Stream and helping to shepherd it through the transition from a backyard organization with a couple of horses and a handful of adaptive horsemanship clients to the offerings of today."

Her Lasting Impact

Sheila’s spirit remains a tangible presence at the farm, perhaps most notably through her gift of Minnie, our wonderful Norwegian Fjord. Minnie has enriched our therapy services immeasurably, carrying on Sheila’s legacy of connection with every session. Beyond the arena, Sheila’s physical labor and steady wisdom helped build the very foundation of our Oldwick facility, turning a vision into the home we share today.

Her artistry and warmth also continue to greet our community every day. The beautiful, handmade quilt she created for our 50th Anniversary currently hangs in the Mane Stream vestibule, serving as a vibrant welcome to all who enter. Many in our family will also fondly remember the joy Sheila and John brought to the world through the beautiful Golden Retrievers they raised, a testament to a life defined by a deep love for all living things.

We are forever grateful for Sheila’s wisdom, her kindness, and her lifelong commitment to our mission. Her influence remains a guiding light for us all.

Rest in peace, Sheila. You will be deeply missed.

Arrangements for Mrs. Tweedie are pending and will be posted when they are available.
SHEILA TWEEDIE OBITUARY

Nancy Jaffer Equestrian Sports Writer - article

Limited Edition Merch - Available Now Through May 20th

The Mane Stream Stars & Stripes Collection

In honor of the upcoming 250th anniversary, Mane Stream is going "Stars and Stripes!" We’ve launched a brand-new, limited-edition apparel collection that blends patriotic pride with your love for the farm. Whether you’re at the stable, the gym, or out celebrating the 4th of July, this gear is designed to show off your Mane Stream spirit in style.

Something for Every Mane Stream Fan. Our online store is packed with high-quality options for the whole family:

  • Performance Wear & Tanks: Stay cool and comfortable during those summer rides or workouts with our moisture-wicking fabrics.

  • Women’s V-Necks: A classic, flattering fit that’s perfect for everyday wear.

  • T-Shirts & Youth Sizes: From our smallest riders to our longtime supporters, we have sizes for everyone!

Shop with Purpose. Every purchase directly supports Mane Stream’s mission of providing unbridled possibilities for our participants. You get great gear, and our programs get the vital support they need to thrive.

Don’t Wait, The Clock is Ticking! The online store officially closes at midnight on May 20th. Once the doors close, these exclusive 250th-anniversary designs will be gone for good.

SHOP THE COLLECTION NOW

Items will be processed after the store closes and will be available for pickup starting June 19th. Show your stripes and support Mane Stream today!

EMBROIDERY MERCH STORE

The Mane Stream EMBROIDERED Merch Store is open all year. We specialize in high-quality, embroidered hoodies, jackets, and hats designed specifically for the frigid cold. Choose your favorite logo, and even get your name embroidered for a personalized touch. Don't get caught out in the cold—get your orders in now to stay warm and comfortable all season long!
SHOP TODAY