HAPPY 25TH TO CAMELOT! (Part 1 of 2)

An amazing lady and good friend

Mary Hadsall, Executive Director

Camelot Therapeutic Horsemanship

Scottsdale, Arizona

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Note from Michael: Last December 5th at 4:30 PM, I arrived in Scottsdale, Arizona feeling every bit like the Steve McQueen character in the movie "Junior Bonner". An interesting irony, given that this film was shot entirely on location in Prescott, Arizona! From Cincinnati through St. Louis, Indianapolis, Tulsa, Lubbock, Albuquerque and eventually Phoenix, I drove a large Penske moving truck with a flatbed (no, not a horse trailer, unfortunately) that held my SUV. For over 2,000 miles I managed to stay ahead of every ice storm, and battled the same crosswinds that buffeted our tour bus for 7 hours only a year earlier (see Photo Page 3 at www.michaelmanning.tv) across the flat lands of Indiana, portions of Illinois and into Missouri. Behind me, lay a career in network and cable television broadcasting, years spent in radio and at recording studios doing voice overs, attending acting auditions for television commercials, and some local stage acting. But it was time to leave those experiences behind and find something substantive that got me out of my own head for a much needed reality check. A visit to Camelot did exactly that. What I observed (without going into details) was nothing short of one miracle after another. Well, Camelot has just turned 25 and I can think of no finer post to share with my worldwide web readers as I catch up with all of you. This will be in two parts: posted mid Saturday afternoon between a break n my guitar rehearsal, then on Sunday. I hope you find it meaningful. This post is dedicated to the memory of my Cousin who was lost to cancer in 2001, and whose life-long love of raising horses will stay with me forever.

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"For 25 years Camelot has been providing opportunity so that people can follow their dreams. This program has been changing the world one ride at a time, while keeping a very important Promise. This is an accomplishment for Camelot and everyone who is affiliated wit this incredible riding program. The road traveled has not always been smooth, but the journey has been successful. Camelot's formula for long standing success includes hard work and dedication. The other part of the equation is unfailing faith and trust. The economic conditions being what they are today, makes me all the more grateful for the love and support bestowed upon us by our community; a community of friends and partners in this dream called Camelot.

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"All good dreams must be shared so the lessons behind them are remembered. Here is the story of our beginning and the Promise.

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"The dream began more than 25 years ago. In the midst of this dream stood a ranch created without barriers. The people there taught lessons of wildlife and nature, as well as horseback riding to children and adults who had all types of challenges to overcome. This was a ranch where every one's talents and abilities would be capitalized upon. Ideas would be shared and they would grow seamlessly together, creating an environment where every one's voice would make a difference. A philosophy emerged, engrained in the belief that everyone is a masterpiece just as they are and everyone has something valuable to give.

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"In this dream, the students discovered that they were the masters of their domain and had the responsibility to pass their knowledge to others.

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"Out from the mist of this beautiful dream, became the reality of our beloved Camelot.

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"The first stone of Camelot's foundation was based on a Promise made by Eilleen Szychowski, Camelot's founder, to her mentor Joseph Rivers, the founder of the Dragon Slayers program in Santa Cruz, California. Dragon Slayers is where Eileen studied horsemanship and learned to ride. Joseph stirred the dust and provided Eileen with two steeds so that she could start her own program. In return, Eileen made a Promise. The Promise was that she would provide all services at no cost to her students, just as Joseph did, so that finances would never be an obstacle in some one's path to Camelot.

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"In the early days, Eileen worked diligently around the clock to promote public awareness, procure funding, acquire equipment and horses, and of course to teach. During this time she was also developing a solid and dependable volunteer base to help her step off the ground and into the arena. Eventually the dream was tangible, a real program fulfilling its purpose. Camelot grew slowly with strength, one dragon slayer at a time".

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(Quotation of Mary Hadsall, Camelot's Fall, 2008 Newsletter)

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All My Loyal Readers Who Rock: Camelot is a nonprofit charitable 501(c)3 organization (Tax ID: 86 0444470). All donations are tax deductible, as allowed by law, and a receipt will follow your tax records. For those of you who are not in the Phoenix area and wish to have Camelot as your Designated Donor Choice recipient, you can receive more information about signing up from your United Way staff member or local United Way agency. Camelot is not a member agency, which means they do not receive United Way funds, but qualified non-member agencies have the opportunity to receive donations from you through the Donor Choice Program.

CONTACT:

Camelot Therapeutic Horsemanship

23623 N. Scottsdale Rd., #D3, PMB 259

Scottsdale, Arizona 85255

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(Conclusion tomorrow)