ASPIRE’S active horses come to us from rescue situations, donations and purchases. Our horse must have a kind heart and gentle spirit. ASPIRE horses must be able to adapt to a variety of situations including traffic, cones, poles, balls, rings, water, screaming children and lots of movement and squeezing. ASPIRE horses are working for our program 1 to 5 days a week to serve our riders. ASPIRE horses give us a great heart and gentle spirit. Our horses are a very special part of our riders and owners lives.

DAISY

Daisy was recently donated to ASPIRE by Tom and Kathy Schuler. She is an eight year old Appaloosa. She is a people pleaser and an easy keeper. Daisy is a gorgeous horse both inside and out. Her caring and compassionate personality will also be helpful in our Equine Experiential Learning Program and therapeutic riding program.

WRANGLER

Wrangler is owned by Eleanor Stratszheim of Waverly, Iowa. Wrangler was 1999 Horse of the Year. Wrangler has been active in the program for 8 and  going into  his 9th year of service to riders as of 2006. Wrangler is 26 years old and participates in programs 3 nights a week.

CODY

Cody is owned by ASPIRE and is a miniature horse. ASPIRE has owned Cody for 1 year. Cody is 3 years old. ASPIRE purchased Cody and his cart  from  one of  our  volunteers Cody is now Delta Certified and he visits schools and nursing homes. If you happen to see Cody in passing make sure to ask to see some of his tricks. You might also see him in parades with his cart.

DISA

Disa is owned by ASPIRE. She is a 12 year old Norwegian Fjord that was purchased at the Waverly Horse Sale in March, 2006. Disa is just beginning  her  service  as  a  therapy horse in the fall classes. Make sure you ask Disa about the handy stick and Victoria.

JACKIE

Jackie is a 24 year old Quarter Horse owned by Cindy and Don Lentz. Jackie is a very patient and gentle horse. She accepts our ASPIRE’s riders with kindness and respect. Jackie likes doing Thursday lessons, and has participated in the Sturgis Falls parade.

LADY

Lady is owned by Russ Silver. She is a Quarter Horse, is fifteen years old, and has been with us for one year. Lady likes to see everyone in her weekly lessons. She has been used as a trail horse for trail rides, and does team penning with her owner.

MAVERICK

Maverick is owned by ASPIRE and was donated to ASPIRE by Laura Gansen. Maverick is approximately 12 years of age and is a miniature horse.  Maverick   has  been   with ASPIRE approximately 3 years. Maverick just recently became Delta certified. He will visit nursing homes. You will see Maverick in parades all dressed up and in our equine experiential learning program. Watch your zippers as he like to unzip everything. Maverick nickname is mushroom head for his thick mane.

SONNY

Sonny is one of the most intuitive horses in the ASPIRE herd. He is also the leader of the herd. Sonny loves attention first and foremost. Sonny senses your need for comfort and care. Sonny makes a excellent horse for the Equine experiential learning program.

BERET

Beret joined our ASPIRE Program three years ago. She is a Norwegian Fjord. Beret is 25 years old and going strong. ASPIRE purchased Beret at the Waverly House Sale. She is very gentle and plays Mom to all of our riders. She looks after everyone and makes sure that they are safe. The riders absolutely love Beret. She has a very comfortable seat. Beret also enjoys participating in our experiential learning program. Beret was our 2005 Horse of the Year, so watch for her new trading card. Beret also enjoys participating in all of our classes. Beret's gentle personality and loving heart makes her a great part of the ASPIRE team!

DAKOTA

Dakota’s full name is Peppy Docs, and he is a registered Foundation Quarter Horse. He is also owned by Eleanor Straszheim of Waverly. Dakota is nine years old, and has been with ASPIRE since 2006. Dakota likes pleasure riding, being in the 4H walk-trot competition, and dressing up for costume contests.

GINGER

Ginger is owned by Donna Dowden of Clarksville, Iowa. She is a thirteen year old Mini/Shetland and has been doing weekly lessons with ASPIRE for one year. Ginger likes trail riding and eating!

LIBERTY

Liberty is also owned by Donna Dowden of Clarkesville. She is thirteen years old and has been with ASPIRE for one year. She is a Quarter Horse, and likes to go trail riding with her friend Susie.

JACOB

Jacob is owned by Kelly Burger of Waterloo, Iowa. He is a 12 year old Pinto Warmblood. He just started working with ASPIRE, and is already doing lessons three times a week! Before Kelly purchased him, Jacob was a lesson horse in Missouri. He has fun playing with his friends in the pasture.

HOMBRE

Hombre joined ASPIRE in 2003 and has dedicated his time by being at class on Thursday nights. Hombre has participated in Special Olympics, Iowa Horse Fair, and Waterloo Days Parade, as well as other additional activities. Hombre's gentle personal-ity, along with his loving and compassionate heart make him a wonderful part of the ASPIRE team. The children grew to love him. Hombre is leaving ASPIRE to move on to bigger and better things. Thanks you, so much, Hombre, for blessing our lives with your presence, and thank you for sharing your love with so many ASPIRE riders. Hombre is owned by Karen DeVault.

KEY

Key’s full name is Cee Beau Key, and is owned by Eleanor Straszheim of Waverly, Iowa. Key just turned 22 years old. Key is now retired, but has been with ASPIRE for four years. She is a registered Quarter Horse, and enjoys pleasure riding.

CODY (active)
2007 ASPIRE Horse of the Year

Cody is owned by ASPIRE and is a miniature horse. ASPIRE has owned Cody for three years and he is five years old. ASPIRE purchased Cody and his cart from one of our volunteers Cody is now Delta Certified and he visits schools and nursing homes. If you happen to see Cody in passing make sure to ask to see some of his tricks. You might also see him in parades with his cart.

JACKIE (active)
2006 ASPIRE Horse of the Year

Jackie is a 24 year old Quarter Horse owned by Don and Cindy Lentz. Jackie is a very gentle and patient horse, and she accepts our riders with kindness and respect. Some of our riders are fearful about riding. The instructors always choose Jackie for those riders. Thank you Jackie for your patience!

BERET (Active)
2005 ASPIRE Horse of the Year

Beret joined our ASPIRE Program three years ago. She is a Norwegian Fjord. Beret is 24 years old and going on strong. ASPIRE purchased Beret at the Waverly House Sale. She is very gentle and plays Mom to all of our riders. She looks after everyone and makes sure that they are safe. The riders absolutely love Beret. She has a very comfortable seat. Beret also enjoys participating in our at risk youth program. Beret was our 2005 Horse of the Year, so watch for her new trading card. Beret also enjoys participating in all of our classes. Beret's gentle personality and loving heart makes her a great part of the ASPIRE team!

FROSTY (active)
2004 ASPIRE Horse of the Year

Frosty is owned by ASPIRE and was donated to ASPIRE by Crystal Adams. Frosty is a POA (Pony of America) he is approximately 20 years of age and has been with us for four years. He is now retired from the riding program. His loving heart and spirit make him a wonderful part of our equine esperitial learning program. Make sure to look for his trading cards as Frosty was Horse of the Year 2004.

SMOKEY (Retired)
2003 ASPIRE Horse of the Year

Smokey is a Quater Horse Gelding owned by Nancy Fransdal. Smokey was honored as the 2003 Horse of the Year for his hard work, his willingness and his loving manner. He enjoys his participation with ASPIRE children and the difference he makes in the lives of the riders and volunteers.

CHARLIE (Retired)
2002 ASPIRE Horse of the Year

Charlie is a Ten-Year old miniature Shetland owned by Nancy Fransdal. Charlie was voted 2002 Horse of the Year for his gentle, calm and loving personality. When asked to do a job Charlie is always willing and he is loved by all riders and volunteers.

The horses in the ASPIRE program gave us their time, heart and gentle spirit till they no longer could in this world. Their life with ASPIRE has changed so many lives including riders, volunteer and staff. They loved their jobs and the students they served. They will be greatly missed by everyone in hearts that they touched. Our horses are running free in the green pastures in heaven and we will all meet them at the rainbow bridge someday. Please stop and see our memorial garden next year.

NICK

Nick was a saddlebred mix. He was donated to us by Jean Burr. He was kind of a mutt and loved to play in his water. Nick would run in the pasture with his head and tail held high. He was a gorgeous Palamino. He was donated in 2001 and left this world in December 2002. ASPIRE only had Nick for a little over 1 year. Nick was a very loving and gentle horse and the riders loved him. He was known for stopping all the time and the rider would have to tap his butt to get him moving. Nick lost almost all of his teeth and we had to feed him mash. Nick is buried at the top of the hill overlooking all his pasture buddies.

DANDY

Dandy was a registered Quarter Horse. He was donated to us by Jill Kuyvava in 2001. He was retired from the riding program due to multiple health issues. Dandy was probably one of the best therapy horses. He was full of spirit. He loved to run in the pasture and push fences and sneek through gates. Dandy gave us his entire heart and soul and worked very hard. Dandy’s favorite volunteer was Craig. They were truly bonded. Dandy was a favorite in the Adventures in Awarness weekend. Dandy helped participants to see their worlds a little differently as he had some sight issues. Dandy will be greatly missed by everyone. He is also buried at the top of the hill overlooking his buddies. Dandy was Horse of the Year in 2001.

TINY

Tiny was a miniature horse owned by ASPIRE for five years and was 37 years old. He had been retired from the riding program. ASPIRE received Tiny as a rescue from the slaughter pen and rehabbed him, fixed his feet so he could help out in our program. During this he was taken to Camp Hope when he couldn’t see well just to be groomed; both the kid’s and Tiny loved it! Tiny's unique personality made him a great part of our Equine Experiential Learning Program. He was the ‘ring leader’ of the miniature ponies, keeping them in order and pushing them out of the food when it was his turn. Yet he was obedient and a mentor to our Maverick, helping him to settle down and be less aggressive. “Bubbles” as Don would call him, will be truly missed by all. He is buried up on the hill of the pasture with Dandy and Frosty.

FROSTY

Frosty was donated to ASPIRE by Crystal Adams. He was a cattle pony and gave little children rides before coming to us. Frosty was a POA (Pony of America) and was approximately 22 years of age. He had been with us for 6 years. He recently was retired from the riding program. His loving heart and spirit made him a wonderful part of our equine experiential learning program. Frosty had a unique sense for when something was amiss concerning his rider. If a child was off balance or the saddle needed to be adjusted, he would stop and for the longest time we could not figure this out. He truly gave his heart and soul for everyone. He was a ‘pet’ so to speak. Frosty was also the ‘loner’ of the herd and typically matched with passive people who could associate with him. Every night he would put his head out of the gate to be petted goodnight and Marilyn would sing him “Frosty the Snowman”. When he ate he would also stick his head out the fence to eat his hay and he eventually rubbed off part of his mane because of this habit. Frosty will be immortalized not only in our hearts forever, but on Shelly who got a tattoo of him and also on our video. So be sure to look for him! Frosty is buried on the hill next to Dandy and Tiny. He was Horse of the Year 2004.