My Nonprofit Reviews

Years back one of my daughter's 6th grade students invited her to a horse show. My daughter invited me, too, because I loved horses. I was very impressed! When my granddaughter, Monica, was born loving horses, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with her...Blue Shadows!!
Monica began her experience with Blue Shadows(BS) in 2010 at age 9 when she began 4th grade. She studied the BS workbook daily at recess & enjoyed learning. By fall she participated with BS in the Chatsworth Christmas Parade & began making life long friends. Only that 1st year did Monica live near BS. In summer of 2011 she move to Mira Loma in Riverside county but begged to stay in BS. Her family saw its many benefits & made sacrifices to keep her in Troop weekly where she was ready & eager to ride. In 2012 she won the blue ribbon & trophy for best Trooper Equitation. Also that year Monica moved again to Devore in San Bernadino county. She wanted to stay in BS because she was learning more than horsemanship. She learned responsibility, discipline, teamwork, respect & to be extremely observant. Also in 2012 Monica was invited to try out for JAT (Junior Advanced Team), but living over an hour away plus going to her Dad's every other weekend, she contented herself with just being the best Trooper 1st Class possible. As it was she drove daily with her Mom to Studio City where she went to school at Reed Middle School, where her mom taught.
In 2013 Monica moved to Agua Dulce where she lives now & owns her own horse. Dedication to horsemanship, leadership & friendship has kept Monica in BS troop except for pneumonia, & a broken ankle (done at school). Daily, Monica travels to the Los Angeles Zoo Magnet where she is a sophomore but rarely misses BS!
Blue Shadows has been a stabalizing force in Monica's life: supported by amazing alumni trainers, officers, & horse owners around the barn who love helping. BS is Monica's steady rock because she embraces its leadership & principles & never notices the sacrifices she has made! For all of us it is about the training, confidence, learning new things constantly & having an identity with something so valuable plus awesome friends: human & equine!
BS officers went above & beyond to work extra with Monica after she witnessed an accident where a horse was put down. They took on that trauma & helped her beat it! Today she rides with confidence from a place of love in her rank of Platoon Sergeant. Who knew managing money would be learned in BS but that along with so many positive attributes are just part of our gratitude to this amazing organization! Thank you Blue Shadows, you are the best investment we've made for Monica & our family! Happy 60th Birthday! We will always be grateful to you & your memories shall remain fresh in our minds! Thank you!!!