Friends that Share the Same Passions!

Irene Preston’s Journey to Mane Stream

Irene Preston and Karen Mikita-Kaufhold taking a break in between volunteering at the 2024 Horse Show.

Irene found Mane Stream through her love of dogs. It might seem funny that dogs brought her to Mane Stream, but really it is her relationship with Mane Stream’s Board President, that led Irene to become a volunteer. Karen and Irene became fast friends when they both got puppies, started agility training, and competed together with their pups. They are always each other’s cheerleaders! Fast forward 7 years later, they are still great friends, and now both volunteer at Mane Stream.

Volunteering has always been part of Irene’s life. Previously she served on the board of the Tewksbury Trail Association for about 15 years. Last year Irene was ready to jump back into the volunteering world, and that is when she reached out to Karen. Mane Stream seemed like the perfect fit, working with children and horses is ideal for Irene. With almost 40 hours under her belt now, Irene shared a favorite moment, “A young boy rode past me with a big smile on his face and asked if he was doing a good job.” How can you not go home feeling good about helping?! 

Irene also mentioned, “The people I meet at Mane Stream, both staff and volunteers, are amazing. They have been so supportive and welcoming. And their dedication to the participants is inspiring.” When asked what keeps you coming back, she stated, “I think what says it best is that Mane Stream has helped me as much as I have helped all of you. I feel fortunate to be part of this organization.”

And while Irene feels this way, Mane Stream is thankful that her love of dogs brought Irene to Mane Stream. Karen told us “I just knew Irene would be the perfect person to volunteer at Mane Stream because not only does she have the horse experience, but is a kind, thoughtful, and a very sweet person. As I always knew, Irene has become a fantastic, devoted volunteer for Mane Stream. It makes me so happy when we drive together to South Jersey with 7 dogs in the SUV for our agility trainings, and Irene tells me how much she loves volunteering at Mane Stream. She says it is one of the best things she decided to do. I am thrilled that it was a perfect fit for her and cannot thank Irene enough for giving her time to volunteer and help Mane Stream run their programs. Not only do we have a great friendship formed from our love of dogs, agility, and horses but now we have volunteering at Mane Stream together.”

We are very grateful for the friendship of Karen and Irene because it brought such a valuable volunteer to Mane Stream!

Our Favorite Day of the Year: Horse Show 2024

A day of smiles and accomplishments

Winners Circle

Abby Clay Rutgers Memorial Award – Daisy DeSimone
Gracie Memorial (High Point Youth Rider) - Izzy Rita
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Champion AM Adult – Emily Boehmer
Reserve Champion AM Adult – Lindsey Sabattis
Champion AM Junior – Izzy Rita
Reserve Champion AM Junior – Tess Evans
Camper Champion - Riley Santoro
Camper Reserve Champion - Nora Tackach
Champion PM Adult – Daisy DeSimone
Reserve Champion PM Adult – Josh Ciccione
Champion PM Junior – Joseph O’Leary
Reserve Champion PM Junior – Grace Iola

The Annual Horse Show, a cherished and heartwarming highlight of the year, was especially memorable this time around due to the overwhelming number of riders, sponsorship contributions, and donations pouring in daily. What better way to honor Mane Stream’s amazing riders than by enjoying a thrilling day filled with competition alongside family, friends, volunteers, staff, and our incredible horses?

On October 6th, the crisp morning air transformed into a beautiful Indian Summer day. The parking lot filled up early and remained bustling until nearly 5 PM. A generous breakfast spread, donated by Jeanne Rogalin of Midtown Direct | Keller Williams, helped kick off the day for our volunteers. The action-packed schedule was further enhanced by the Family Fun Day activity table, offering fake tattoos, pumpkin crafts, and face painting, all organized by our enthusiastic teen volunteers. Once again, we fired up the grill to provide nourishment for everyone throughout the afternoon, and BENJAMIN'S BREAD & Baked Goods added a delightful variety of baked goods made with organic flour sourced from The Farmers' Storehouse.

Once the dust settled and the generous contributions were accounted for, nearly $13,000 was raised by 41 riders and 16 sponsors! The riders who generated the most support for Mane Stream were Mary Glaser - Adult, Gemma Lawse - Youth, and Aiden Garcia - Camper. Thank you for rallying such tremendous support for your sport!

Special thanks go to our Judge, Andrea Davey, who dedicated the entire day to carefully observing each rider as they competed. In addition to ribbons awarded for each class, we also distributed 10 champion and reserve champion ribbons.

Additional gratitude is extended to our photographers: Jordan McLellan, Wolfy Nicolaides, and Brian Greenspan, who expertly captured the competitive moments and the joy shared throughout the day. Finally, the Pumpkin Patch Photo Booth, set up by Jeanne Rogalin and her son Liam, provided participants, their horses, and families with the chance to capture memorable moments together. (Stay tuned for even more photos to come!)

Thanks to Jordan McLellan Photography you can order high resolution images and prints here.

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HORSE SHOW SPONSORS
Pine Woods Farm
Red Tail Farm
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RIBBON SPONSOR
A Jersey Angel
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VOLUNTEER BREAKFAST SPONSOR
Jeanne Rogalin:
Midtown Direct Properties / Keller Williams Premier Properties
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DECOR SPONSOR
John, Kyle and Michael Roberts
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CHAMPION/RESERVE ADULT (AM) SPONSOR
Pat Colbert
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CHAMPION/RESERVE CHILD (AM) SPONSOR
The Renfer Family
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CHAMPION/RESERVE ADULT (PM) SPONSOR
The Brucker Family
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CHAMPION/RESERVE CHILD (PM) SPONSOR
Karen & Steve Kaufhold
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DIVISION SPONSORS
In Memory of Aqualonia
The Flanagan Family
The Henry-Wilson Family
The Lawse Family
Pediatric Associates of Hillsborough
The Rogalin/Peckham Family in Loving Memory of Roger Rogalin
Stilo Disposal
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MANE STREAM VOLUNTEERS
Aimee DiMeo Fine, Andrea Greenspan, Anne Davenport, Avery Boarts, Brandon Robinson, Brooke Slavitt, Charli Auerbach, Clara Wormann, Cynthia Barkman, Debi DeLorenzo, Elaine Milano, Emma Iglesias, Evie Quesada, Hannah Van Campen, Irene Preston, Janie Murphy, Karen Mikita-Kaufhold, KJ Jiritano, Leroy Hunninghake, Li Li Lin, Madison Flanagan, Mary Ellen Yen, Mike Murphy, Nancy Grossweiler, Rhea Khattar, Shannon Santoro, Tara Schweighardt, Terri Andrechick, Tess Coffey, Zan Davies
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SPECIAL THANKS
Jordan McLellan Photography
Mike (Wolfy) Nicolaides Photography
Brian Greenspan
Greg Tucker

4th Annual Holiday Portrait Fundraiser

CLICK HERE to contact Jessica Sanders and get your session scheduled!

Jessica Sanders is so excited to present the 4th annual holiday fundraiser for Mane Stream! Please see below for all of the details and email Jessica at hello@jsandersphoto.com to get your barn on the calendar!

HOLIDAY PORTRAIT DETAILS

There is a minimum requirement of 3 horses/participants per barn.

$375 per horse (or dog!) includes:

• a $50 donation to Mane Stream NJ

• your choice of black background or natural horse & rider portrait

• selection of holiday garlands

• 3 digital images for sharing online and printing up to 8x12

• 25% off all wall art, prints, and custom holiday cards

• Jessica has donated over $3,000 so far!! Thank you!

This fundraiser ends December 15th, 2024, and images will be delivered via a private password-protected online gallery within 3 weeks of session date. Check Jessica’s website out for more glorious shots!

Order Your Spirit Wear Today!

We've got something for everyone!

Remember, spirit wear isn't just for volunteering at the barn; it’s a wonderful way to showcase your pride and enthusiasm for the Mane Stream community everywhere you go. Whether you're at the gym, attending school activities, or simply going about your everyday life, our clothing allows you to represent your spirit proudly.

Take a moment to browse our collection and get shopping in support of Mane Stream. We have a nice selection of long sleeves, quarter-zips, cozy fleece, stylish vests, comfortable jackets, trendy joggers, and even some adorable beanies for you to consider!

Online Store Closes Sunday, October 20th at midnight!!

*Remember to check the size charts for each item.
**Logos will more closely match our marketing materials.

Celebrating Growth and Independence

Joseph and Myla take on new challenges at Mane Stream

At Mane Stream, we take immense pride in the growth and independence exhibited by our participants. Joseph O’Leary and Myla Schultz are great examples of participants who were ready for their next challenge. The next step on their Mane Stream journey was to complete the volunteer training so they can help other participants in Mane Stream’s programs.

JOSEPH started in Mane Stream’s therapy services program in February 2018 and moved on to adaptive riding lessons in 2020. In addition, he has attended summer camp for many years. His favorite thing about camp is the lessons in the morning which can have up to 5 other people working on different skills in the arena at the same time. “You learn to navigate with that much going on in the ring!” He became a Mane Stream volunteer about a year ago and he shared with us that he really loves connecting with people from various backgrounds and disabilities. Joseph also competes in the Annual Horse Show. It is not just for the thrill of competing, but also to share his accomplishments with his family. Joseph stated, “My favorite thing about competing at the horse show is that everything looks more formal than an everyday riding lesson.” At the 2022 Horse Show, Joseph won the Abby Clay Rutgers Memorial Award (High Point Independent Rider) and hopes to get his name on the trophy once again this year. We are excited to see Joseph to grow his confidence and communication skills as he continues to be both a participant and a volunteer at Mane Stream.

MYLA, has been part of Mane Stream’s adaptive riding and summer camp communities for the past 8 years and shares a passion for horses and riding with Joseph. She finds joy in caring for the horses and also likes the camaraderie among the volunteers. Competing in the Mane Stream Horse Shows is not just a hobby for Myla; it is an opportunity to showcase her progress for her mom while having a lot of fun in the process. Myla also attends Mane Stream’s Summer Camp and she has progressed to attending the Advanced and Adult weeks. Her enthusiasm for learning is evident, and now she can share in her favorite camp activities when she volunteers with the younger campers. Myla’s journey has empowered her to become more independent and confident, qualities that reflect her growth as a rider and as an individual.

In 2023 Joseph and Myla participated in the multi-step process to become volunteers. That means they attended an online orientation, read the volunteer manual, watched the volunteer training videos, and participated in a hands-on training session. All this demonstrates their commitment to giving back to the community that has supported them. They understand the transformative power of helping others. Their favorite activities—whether it’s tacking up horses or engaging with fellow riders—speak to their desire to be part of something greater than themselves.

As an organization, we are incredibly proud of Joseph and Myla. They embody the values we strive to instill in all our participants and volunteers: resilience, empathy, the joy of shared experiences, and of course a love of horses.

Joseph and Myla inspire us all to foster an inclusive community where everyone is encouraged to grow, learn, and support one another. Their journeys remind us that with compassion and dedication, we can make a difference in the lives of others while enriching our own.

What is Cartober?

Donate a Vehicle this October

Cartober is a national campaign created by CARS that raises awareness around this powerful way of giving. It brings the community together in the drive for change – facilitating the donations of unwanted cars, trucks, motorcycles, RVs, or boats to nonprofits and public media stations.

Did you know that vehicle donations have the potential to drive hundreds and sometimes even thousands of dollars for Mane Stream?

Turn your car into a vehicle for change by donating it to Mane Stream this October. We accept unwanted cars, trucks, motorcycles, RVs, boats, and even planes! Donating is easy, pick-up is free, and your vehicle donation may be tax-deductible.

Musical Freestyle Delights Once Again!

Katie Berger on Roan and Frederick Rodriguez on Charlie celebrate a job well done at the Musical Freestyle at Red Tail Farm on 9/6.

The 2nd annual Musical Freestyle event, held on September 6th at Red Tail Farm, provided both excitement and entertainment. There was a large crowd of spectators, chairs and picnics in hand, ready to enjoy the beautiful summer weather.

As everyone eagerly awaited the show’s beginning, the first act, a group of children rode their stick ponies into the ring, while the ringmaster used his lunge whip to keep everyone moving along. As the kids wrapped up their “rides,” local cowboy, Ben Cano from B.W. Furlong Associates showcased his roping skills, truly making it feel like we were at the Dutton Ranch or in the Wild West.

For the second year in a row, the judge for the evening was Heather Mason, an S level judge, the highest level of National judge licensure you can receive in the US. Heather owns Flying Change Farm in Lebanon, NJ, where she trains and teaches. 

The evening started with a trip to the stars with the first musical freestyle rider, Evelyn Dietz on Ginerella. She launched the show with a super cute performance dressed as a tiny astronaut, taking the audience to outer space!

Evelyn was a tough act to follow, yet several outstanding riders stepped up. Among them was Mane Stream Board Member, Madison Rezaei, whose horse, Wellie Welcome playfully asked for donations for Mane Stream, sporting large dollar signs painted on its hindquarters. Other standout performances included themes from Beauty and the Beast and two lions from The Lion King.

During intermission, spectators were treated to a Quadrille plus 2 featuring six performers on their “hobby horses.” The performance went smoothly, except for one horse that kept misbehaving. Rider Mariano Granados did a commendable job of managing his horse while maintaining the integrity of the performance. (wink, wink)

The team performances were nothing short of spectacular; each team put in tremendous effort and delivered rides as impressive as the last, impressing the judge and racking up high scores! We were also fortunate to witness Jessie Steiner riding her elegant mount Snappy in a professional dressage performance that showcased the pinnacle of her riding career.

The finale brought down the house with a vibrant 90's-inspired routine from Madison Rezaei and Tea Uzman. Both riders adorned their horses in glowing neon tack, while they donned fluorescent pink riding outfits. As the young stick horse riders distributed glow sticks to the audience, Madison and Tea had everyone dancing, singing, cheering, and contributing to the cause!

A heartfelt thank you to Red Tail Farm and all the riders who participated in this Magical Musical Freestyle Show to support Mane Stream! This year the fundraising stakes were high as a mysterious matching donor committed to match the first $10K. So when the evening was done and all was accounted for a total of just over $22K was raised thanks to the incredible support from all!

Thank you to the competitors (in order of appearance)
Evelyn Dietz, Madison Rezaei, Lila Rockmore & Katie Berger, Sophie Wayner, Liliian Mikulski & Paige Zimmerman, Quadrille (or sextette really) names: Jessica Dinonne, Mariano Granados, Jennifer Miranda, Morgan Myrdal, Madison Rezaei, Tea Uzman, Abby Fodor, Katie Berger & Frederick Rodriguez, Jessie Steiner, Alessia Morgan & Hassini Raj, Madison Rezaei & Tea Uzman.

Welcome Toby Kelly

Barn Assistant and MORE!

Toby Kelly and their best friend, Connor.

Toby graduated from Centenary University in 2024, earning an associate degree in Equine Studies. With over 10 years of experience in riding and caring for horses, they worked at various barns, gaining a wealth of knowledge about different horse breeds and temperaments before joining Mane Stream in May.

At Mane Stream, Toby will now assist with programming on Mondays and Fridays, in addition to her regular weekend shifts, bringing valuable experience to the organization. Toby has developed a strong connection with the horses, understanding each one's preferences and personalities. Barn Manager, Alex Willard, appreciates Toby’s reliability and comprehensive knowledge of horse first aid, expressing gratitude for having such a capable individual watching over the herd when she is not present.

In their free time, they can be found at the barn with their best friend and horse, Connor. Be sure to introduce yourself when you see Toby during your next visit to the barn!

What is a DAF?

Donor-Advised Funds (DAF)

Mane Stream is proud to be a founding launch partner for DAF Day on October 10th! It's a new giving day to redefine how Donor-Advised Funds (DAF) are used and who uses them. And the timing couldn't be better! DAFs are proven to increase generosity and are easier to use than ever before.

It’s true: DAF holders increase their annual giving by 96%. And now, DAF-ing (yep, that’s a new verb!) is becoming easier than ever, making it a no-brainer when supporting your favorite nonprofits, like Mane Stream!

Join the fastest-growing group of donors by becoming a DAF-er!

Meet volunteer, Anne Davenport: someone who DAFs for Mane Stream. Anne DAFs because…

“Our DAF simplifies giving – especially of appreciated securities. With one donation to the DAF at the time of greatest tax advantage, we can support Mane Stream and the organizations we care about with efficiency and ease.”

~ Anne Davenport

If you don’t have a DAF yet, you’re not alone: only 17% of the general population does. It’s not too late to join the fastest-growing donor group and we’d love for you to be able to DAF by October 10th.

If you are interested in a DAF account to fulfill your philanthropy goals please reach out to your financial advisor for more information.

The Caring Community

What Mane Stream means to Michelle & Gemma

Written by Michelle Lawse

Gemma & Michelle Lawse with Dorito (retired)

Three years ago or so now, my then 7-year-old daughter, Gemma, expressed interest in riding horses.  While Gemma is developmentally normal, she had been in occupational therapy to improve vestibular strength.  Since neither myself nor my husband spent time around horses, we didn’t know how that would work with riding.  There were many unknowns and general safety concerns. Fortunately, I had been talking to my friend, Emily Mailett Kellogg, an avid rider and member of the Mane Stream Board of Directors.  Her advice, visit Mane Stream! 

So, we came to the farm with Emily so she could introduce me to Jen Dermody, Director of Program Services, and Trish Hegeman, Executive Director.  Shortly thereafter, I brought Gemma in for a free screening and ever since then she has looked forward to her weekly adaptive riding time. Gemma’s Mane Stream experiences include more than riding and summer camp though. Last year, Gemma faced some challenges that made it clear that we needed to help her find herself.  While we wish she was never put in a situation that led to counseling, she started therapy at Mane Stream and it was the perfect place for her to rebuild her mental wellness. Each week after riding with Kelly Champion, PATH Intl. Certified Instructor, she went straight to therapy with Lori Rockmore, Psy.D, and had nothing but support from everyone. We are eternally grateful Gemma has this safe place for her to escape and work through her thoughts with so many people there to lift up her spirits.

With all the time Gemma spends at Mane Stream, I was struck by the caring community of staff and volunteers. I saw first-hand the support offered to her but also all the support given to everyone of all abilities. 

That is what motivated me to make a difference in someone’s life and I began volunteering. Not standing behind a horse’s rear was the extent of my horse knowledge so I had a lot to learn but everyone has been so welcoming and helpful throughout my journey. 

I’ve now been a side walker for almost 1 year no working alongside amazing people and new friends.  It has been such a rewarding experience being able to help children as so many helped my daughter. Volunteering at Mane Stream and watching riders become more comfortable on the horses and seeing them smile as they ride is an indescribable feeling.  I am honored to be a member of this team. 

And we are honored to have Michelle and Gemma in our farm family!