Each year HOPE Therapeutic Riding Center likes to recognize individuals for their work as volunteers. This year, students voted for their favorite volunteer,  and students and volunteers chose their favorite horse.

After the ballots were counted the following winners emerged.

Winning the HOPE horse-of-the-year award is Golden Par Te Girl or “Jewel” as she is endearingly called. Jewel is a versatile horse that almost everyone can ride. She became a HOPE volunteer horse this winter and quickly became a favorite among many riders. Jewel is proudly owned by Amy Franz. Ceremony organizers send out a big “Thank you” to Jewel.

The favorite volunteer award was given for both of HOPE’s two facilities. The students chose Andrew Cummings for HOPE’s North End best volunteer.

This will be Cummings’ second year receiving the award. Cummings began his volunteer work with HOPE in spring 2010 and was awarded for his ability to show students compassion, patience and perseverance. HOPE extends its thanks to Cummings for his outstanding and continued dedication to the riding program.

HOPE’s South End volunteer Kassandra Sparks was also voted top of the heap by her students.

Sparks is new to HOPE, having joined the team in fall 2011. Sparks is upbeat, energetic and always smiling — just what the students need.

HOPE extends a big thank you to Sparks, too, for joining the organization and looks forward to her help for years to come.