"My daughter
Sienna has benefited so much from her horseback riding lessons
and experiences under the instruction of Erica Lucas. My daughter
has gained self confidence, self esteem and has learned to form
bonds of respect and admiration for the beautiful horses that
she has grown to love. Her experiences with the riding
academy has made her a better person, student, and friend. She
tries harder now and knows that everything takes patience, practice
and passion in order to succeed. I feel very fortunate that
my daughter has been able to be part of such a wonderful place."
"Finding
New Spirit Farm has had such a positive influence in our daughters
life. Corinne had always been a shy child with little self
confidence. She had expressed an interest in horse back riding
and we began our search. I made the phone call to Erica and
she was so enthusiastic about her program and all she had to offer. Within
a few weeks of lessons, Corinne could not stop talking about her
riding. Erica lets her students go at their own pace with no pressure. When
Corinne expressed that she was ready to learn more, Erica has always
been there, encouraging and supporting her. I would stay and
watch her and was so happy to see that not only did Erica give her
instruction on how to ride and control a horse, she gave her the
confidence though the instruction that Corinne has now been able
to apply in her home and personal life as well. Corinne now
enjoys her lessons as well as the friendships she has made. She
loves to volunteer on the weekends and help take care of "her"
horses!!"
"I have had the absolute pleasure
of bringing my children to ride horses at New Spirit Farm. It
has become a little piece of heaven for my family. Erica Lucas,
the instructor, provides the children with an absolutely enriching
experience. My 7 year old son Ethan, who has cerebral palsy
and autism benefits immensely from therapeutic horse back riding. I
already see improvements in his sense of balance and his gait when
he walks in his walker. My daughters faces beam when they are
riding horses. I think their self confidence jumped ten-fold
in the short time that we have been involved with New Spirit Farm.
Erica has created a wonderful environment for the children."
"It is with great honor and delight
that I write this letter of support for the funding of New Spirit
Farm in Lake Worth, Florida. I met its executive director and
trainer Erica Lucas when I was in graduate school in Ohio over 30
years ago. Even back then, I found Erica to be sincere and
directed in ensuring that a task would be done correctly. I remember
Erica as having has an outgoing personality topped with a sharp
wit and a keen sense of humor. Her logical mind and strong
reasoning capabilities always made her well-respected among our
peers, often acting as our "voice" or our "conscience"
. Erica was always enjoyed for her intellect as well as her
social graces. Besides being a Biology professor, I also own
a farm in Georgia, and assist one Saturday a month at a therapeutic
riding program called "Driving Magic". Helping these
children is also very rewarding for both my wife and me. Thus,
I fully understand the need for programs such as the one Erica has
started because we are part of one. New Spirit Farm is innovative
in its devotion to providing high risk children a refuge that allows
them with healthy recreational activities away from the lure of
drugs or violent street crime. It is a real delight to know
that after all of these years, Erica is still assiduously dedicated
not only to her students, but the community as well. There
is no question that a unique experience such as this is "tailor
made" for funding and needs your support." Dr.
Robert H. Wainberg
Professor of Biology
Piedmont College, GA
"It wasn't until early last year
that I started seeing my daughter Brittany again on a regular basis
after she had decided to live with her father and grandmother in
2005, after a long separation and battle over custody with my husband. As
we know, in these situations the children are the ones most affected.
While driving
one afternoon, Brittany and I saw your advertisement for horseback
riding. I was very skeptical about calling because I know
how expensive riding lessons can be and thought this was not affordable. After
considering all the horrible fighting and anger Brittany had been
subjected to in the past years, I decided to call you and make
an appointment.
Brittany
was twelve years old at the time and seemed to be losing the ability
to trust people, even her family and friends. She was very
shy in front of strangers and avoided the truth whenever possible. Brittany
was falling behind in school and it did not seem to matter.
I
remember the first day we came to your farm. I was very impressed
with you, the horses and the other children. That night driving
home Brittany did not stop talking about the horse she had ridden
("Shine") and how much she liked Ms. Erica.
Brittany
has been riding now for a little over a year. She has confidence,
self esteem and a loving nature. Her love for the horses
has inspired a greater love and kindness for everyone she meets. Brittany
has just started the school year and is doing wonderful. She
shows an interest in learning, rather than just getting through
the school day.
The
time and energy you put forth is amazing. Not only do you
teach the children how to ride horses, but you teach them how
to care for the horse and the necessary steps to be able to tack
and saddle their horse before riding. This gives them a greater
respect and knowledge of riding. You teach them how to be
independent people and yet at the same time they are always willing
to help a younger less experienced rider. I think it's great
that you allow the children to choose which horse they want to
ride, even if it is the same horse every week. This gives
them the opportunity to take care of and really get to know the
horse as if it were their own.
I want to
thank you for opening your home to Brittany and letting her stay
on the weekends over these past couple of months. I think
it is wonderful that you let the children help out on the farm
and in return give them free helper rides. This shows
them that a little hard work can bring many rewards.
Brittany
is now living back with me permanently by her choice. This
is due to the fact that her father moved back into his own house
last April and has showed little interest in shared parental custody. He
has not seen her since mid May and cancels every time they make
a date to spend time together. I know this hurts Brittany,
but because of you and your farm she keeps her senses and looks
forward to a rich, fun filled and fulfilling life.
I love Brittany
very much and truly believe that finding you and the farm turned
her life around in a positive direction. I also believe that
the money I can afford to pay for all your efforts all goes to
maintaining the farm and caring for the horses.
Please
never stop caring about the children. There are so many children
that could benefit just by being at your farm for one day. I
really believe that one week at your farm could replace months
of conventional therapy for children with emotional or other problems."
Brittany and I will be forever
grateful.
Sincerely yours,
Janet Hardwicke
I
wanted to thank you for the wonderful experience that you provided
to Dominic and Olivia at New Spirit Farm. Your kind, patient teaching
style combined with your fantastic "you can do it" attitude
helped them learn more in a few days than they would have in weeks
with another instructor. They truly blossomed under your guidance
and have come to really love being around horses.
Finding
New Spirit Farm was a real stroke of luck for us and we are very
happy that you so willingly let us become a part of your special
extended family. As you learned during our visits, Dominic and
Olivia's mother, Angela, suffers from MS and can no longer walk
or care for herself. What's really great is that Angela used to
enjoy riding horses and Dominic and Olivia now feel a special
connection with their mother since they started riding at New
Spirit Farm.
What's
also wonderful is the atmosphere you've developed among your students
- anyone observing "your kids" can see how much they
look out for one another and pitch in to help in whatever way
they can. You have really developed something special at New Spirit
Farm and I wish you continued success.
Thank you so much for everything,
Todd J. Robinson
When you visit New Spirit Farm, you
enter into a world all of its own. You find young people taking
responsibility not only for the horses but also for one another.
They each seem to know what has to be done and they do it so caringly
and without being told. Ms. Erica is always present giving
confirmation and affirmation.
You will find the more experienced
young people helping the new-comer saddle up, always instructing
as they go along. There will be others checking and cleaning
the horses hoofs; others are shampooing their horse after they
have ridden him. Ms. Erica has taken the term "responsibility"
and made it into fun.
Ms. Erica opens her home
to these young people. She has created a "safe place"
where the pressures and concerns of life can be put on hold if
for just a little while. It takes a very special individual
to create the peaceful atmosphere found at New Spirit Farm and
to be able to convey to each young person they are important.
I am forever grateful for the part Ms. Erica has played in helping
my granddaughter through a very difficult time in her life.
With gratefulness,
Bev Driesbaug
We
wanted to thank Miss Erica for the kind guidance and instruction
provided to Hailey our 4 year old and Joshua our 2 year old at New
Spirit Farm. Your teaching style and positive attitude have helped
them learn confidence and proper behavior in the ring and in the
stable. They both now have English and Western riding experience
with ponys and full size horses.
They have always loved being
around horses and now I am sure it will be a life long interest.
Thank You ,
Jack &
Samantha Tedeschi
Palm Beach Gardens, FL