For those of you who haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Molly Awiszus yet, I’m sure you will be amazed when you do. She is here at the farm two and three times a week to help in her regularly scheduled classes or to sub for someone in another. She always comes early to help groom and tack when she can.
At any given time you might see her holding a curry comb, a paint brush, an ad form, or an auction item. She does it all. Below, in her own words, Molly tells what volunteering at Windrush Farm means to her. Enjoy!
If I were to be honest, what first drew me to Windrush Farm were the horses. After several years of bringing my children to the Family Festival, I decided I was ready to give volunteering a try. I have to say, initially, it was a bit overwhelming, there seemed to be so much to learn. Just putting the halter over the bridle without getting the buckles and straps tangled, I thought I would never get it. Luckily, the first horse I worked with was Tory, who was as gentle and patient as he could be, letting me take my time as I figured it all out with the support of Andrea and Megan.
Working in classes was another challenge, but, as always at Windrush, if I took a wrong turn or missed a direction, my error was met by the instructor with brevity and a lighthearted comment that always made me laugh. I began to appreciate the concentration it took on the horse’s part, too, as the instructors directed them around the arena in 10- and 20-meter circles, and through changes of direction and multiple transitions.
All the horses are so incredible, tolerating different people grooming and tacking them, and having different riders almost every day.
Although my volunteering started out being about the horses, it has become so much more. I think I learn something from someone every day I’m there. Volunteering at Windrush has been a gentle reminder to be grateful. It has taught me humility, as I witness dignity, grace, and courage every time I am there. Watching the relationships between horse and rider, I see kindness, which I think is what the farm is all about—kindness to each other, kindness to the clients, kindness to the horses.
I have received from Windrush Farm more than I could ever give, and to me, the Windrush motto holds true: “We are all capable of more than we think.” Volunteering has challenged me, brought me new friendships, taught me things about myself, and made me so grateful to be a part of such an amazing place.