Tuesday, August 31, 2010

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Vote for us by clicking the like button below and help us to win some money towards Hoofprints!


I'm finally riding!

Hey all, these are some pics of me riding 'Falkor', our friends Genna and Kerrin's horse. They acheived 'Down Across & Up' in 2007 which was a fundraiser for CanTeen. Check out their website at www.downacrossup.com. Hoofprints is all becoming so real now.








Blessings,

Brent

Monday, August 30, 2010

Vote for us!

Hey there,

Click here: http://www.247girl.co.nz/inspirations/unstoppable_girl_sarah_parry/

and vote for me!

If I win, Brent and I will receive a $5000 grant towards Hoofprints!

Thanks for your support ^.^

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Can you help us?

In order Hoofprints for Hope to go ahead, we have an extensive list of supplies/things we need for the trek!

Our pressing need is currently horse and camping equipment. We would like as much of this equipment to be second hand.

We will be greatly appreciative of any equipment that anyone would like to donate to us or sell to us for a reduced amount.
Feel free to contact us about this. We would love to hear from you. hoofprintsforhope@hotmail.com

Below is a simple list of some basic equipment/supplies we will need for the trek.

Horse equipment:

Wormers
Halters (full size)
Leadropes
Bridles
Reins
Saddles (preferably Western and/or treeless)
Saddle blankets
Bareback saddle
Summer covers
Grooming kit; brushes, curry combs, hoof picks, sweat scrapers, mane/tail brushes, sponges etc
Anti-sweat rugs
Saddle bags
Horse feed buckets

Camping Equipment
Tents
Gas stove
Lantern/torches/head lamp
Kettle/pots/pans/cutlery
Mattresses
Outdoor chairs/table
Big plastic bins/containers for storage
Camping shower
Buckets
Water containers
Chilly bin

Obviously, there is a lot more that we need but these are some basics which could set us back a fair way!

Thanks for your support,

Sarah & Brent

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

TearFund, grazing and The List!

Alrighty, So things are continuing to fall into place. Well, 'fall' is a half truth as there is effort on our part, but things are gliding along easily enough at this stage. Brent and I are taking this as a go ahead so there's no stopping us now.
As the news of our journey is spreading slowly around our friend/church community, I heard a certain friend of ours gave us a shout out on Life FM last week. We are now going to suss some kind of connection out with Life FM - will be good to get our story out there! So that's in order to join the works at some stage.
Also, I met up with Beth Harper from TearFund yesterday and we talked over a few things and about choosing a particular project for Brent and I to support. We need to read through each project and pray about that. What an opportunity to serve this is - I feel so blessed.
I've also done a bit of emailing around the place to try and suss out some grazing for our horses next year! We need as much time as possible with our horses next year before we leave. 1) To get them fit 2) To get US fit! 3) To get them used to riding on the roads and desensitize them to everything... We really need to be riding every day but until we can get grazing established we can't buy horses. Grazing is expensive in Auckland, usually about $30 per week per horse - come on! We are students. It looks like the NZ Pony Club Association (NZPCA) is trying to help us at this point as I emailed the president earlier this week. I was a member years ago with my horse George, and although the NZPCA doesn't officially own any land, it coordinates 4 active pony clubs in Auckland and we have invited the NZPCA to be official promoted sponsors of ours if they can accommodate our horses next year.
Finally, Brent is meeting Kerrin and Genna Revell next week (the couple who acheived Down Across & Up in 2007 on their horses - www.downacrossup.com). We are going to further talk over things and hopefully give Brent his first riding lesson on a beautiful Clyde X horse called Falkor. How cool is that name? Anyway, I'll be sure to post photos next week so watch this space!

Anyway, I must go to sleep. Got a mad day at university tomorrow.

Blessings, Sarah.

Ps: thanks for reading!
Pps: If anyone knows of anyone with horse equipment they would like to donate - forward them our email, hoofprintsforhope@hotmail.com - we are in need for when we get our horses! I sold all my gear when I sold my horse.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

The Cogs keep on turning...

Today I'm meeting up with Kerrin and Genna who accomplished the funsraiser, 'Down, across & up' in 2007. Visit their website at www.downacrossup.com
I'm excited to talk to them about things such as route and sponsorship information. We are blessed to have people who can impart their knowledge to us as they have been there and done the ride through NZ. Brent and I made a general list of all the things we will need for the journey and the list is extensive! We need to brainstorm how we are to raise the funds necessary to make this fundraiser happen and we are beginning that process now.
Also to update, our website is up and running now! www.hoofprintsforhope.co.nz and I am meeting up with Beth Harper who works for TearFund next Tuesday to talk further about donations and setting up a website page perhaps through which people can donate through the hoofprints for hope fundraiser.
So, all in all, things are moving forward at a gallop. Sorry, had to use a pun at some stage.
Our next challenge is to get Brent riding! We have been put in contact with a few people who could help us so we are hoping and praying that some horses to ride will be provided for us soon. The sooner he can get riding, the more comfortable (or pro) he will feel on the trek. He could be a natural for all I know.
We will both be a little inexperienced in a way seeing as we will most likely be riding stock/western saddles (although I really don't want to use a saddle at all) and I have only ridden in a western saddle once...
Oh well, it's all to help those in need and all the pain, discomfort, challenge and difficulty will be far worth it. In saying that, I'm sure it's going to be a fun ride too. Praise God.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Hooray!

Good news!

Today we got an email from Tearfund saying they would definitely be keen to work with us. I'm going into the office in the next couple of weeks after I meet up with Kerrin and Genevieve (the couple who acheived riding the entire coast of NZ for Canteen in 2007) so we can talk about the mad amounts of tasks ahead.
Before I got the email I was feeling a little discouraged again just thinking maybe this is CRAZY as I'll be studying full time next year and other plans are afoot...
But it's like God just provided a push in gentle reminding that He is in control and has our backs :)
Amen is all I can say.
Anyway, i must be off. I need to go and hand in an assignment but just wanted to drop in this exciting update.

Sarah

Monday, August 9, 2010

Doubts

This week has been a hard week for 'hoofprints'. I've been thinking/outlining the enormity of the task to organize everything and the more I delve into it, the more anxious I become. On top of that is what other people think. It's hard not to take it into account. Some people think we are crazy (including parents) especially since Brent has never ridden a horse. However, despite my fears and doubts, I can't forget Phillipians 4:13, 'I can do anything through him who gives me strength' and Psalm 23:4, 'Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.'

I know that the next year and a half are going to be huge. We also musn't forget that Brent and I are students still...this is going to take all the energy we have (plus a whole lot extra from God), to get us through this. Even if we manage the task, I also fear that it won't be worth it. What if we don't fundraise very much? At this point, I need to release my fears and push onwards if this is going to commence. Otherwise, the dream will be crushed and I just know in my heart of hearts we can't let that happen. So what if this is crazy, maybe we are a little crazy. But we have an opportunity to do something good. Isn't that reason enough to trudge on?

A couple of questions we have about the trip also are 1) can I take my dog? He might get trampled! We will have to test him around horses and see if he is sensible. It's a given some days he would have to ride in the support vehicle but hey, it would be nice for him to come along!

2) Where can I teach Brent to ride? We don't have the money to pay for lessons. Brent lives next to some people who own horses so we thought that maybe we could ask them. God willing they will let us use their horses!

One thing that was inspiring me today were old photos taken when I attended a Christian outdoor leadership training course at Sonshine Ranch in Papakura. We went for a beach ride during sunset and looking over these photos makes me feel excited at the adventure ahead. Along with the great opportunity it is to raise money for a charity organization like Tearfund, what a joy it will be to experience the entire length of NZ on horse back. Many kodak moments to be had I'm sure. Here are some pics from the beach ride:




Phew, what a journey ahead.

PS: I just want to acknowledge Chris Riding and Alex Oliver for helping with website and logo design which will be up soon. I'm not gifted in that area and you guys are a real blessing.

Sarah

Friday, August 6, 2010

Ideas, ideas.

So this is the blog about 'Hoofprints for Hope'. The name only came to me last week and we have only just begun the massive task of organizing everything so that the adventure can commence in December 2011. It may seem like a long time to organize things but there is so much that will go into this trek It's also worth noting that Brent and I are still students and right up until the start date in November, I will be studying full time. I called TearFund today and am excited about the concept of partnering with them and talking things through :) After all, this is the main reason hoofprints is even happening. We going to use the gifts and passions that God has given us to do something for those in need by raising money for Tearfund. Tearfund is an incredible organization who are dedicated to getting help and funds to those who need it most around the world.

Watch this space for updates!