Hello Affinity Ranch Community,

As the (once again!) President of the Board, I want to share a message on behalf of all of us in leadership. It’s clear that for an organization like ours to thrive, we need an engaged, cohesive, and forward-thinking board. Coming off the success of our September Fundraiser and Gala, I’m filled with gratitude. That event was a testament to how well our board, staff, and volunteers can work together toward a shared purpose.

Having served as a paid employee, a deeply involved volunteer, and now as a returning board president, I’ve had the privilege of seeing Affinity Ranch (formerly Promise Ranch) from many angles, especially through the challenges of the pandemic years ago. Watching this conjoined organization evolve to where we are today gives me such deep satisfaction and pride.

That said, we’re not done growing yet! Our current board is incredibly action-oriented and diverse. We have parents of students in our programs, educators, a lawyer, business professionals, and myself, an equine-assisted coach. This diversity has been one of our greatest strengths, bringing new ideas and rich discussions that help us lead with creativity and compassion.

We also know that a great board, much like a puzzle, comes together one piece at a time. Sometimes the fit is clear and immediate; a person’s skills align perfectly with a need. As well, it can be necessary to invest the time to find just the right place where someone’s gifts can shine. And when that happens, it’s magic.

Just as our clients experience growth and transformation through their sessions at Affinity Ranch, so do our volunteers, staff, and board members. Serving on this board is not only a way to guide the organization, it’s also an opportunity for personal development and connection. I’ve seen board members grow in confidence, voice, and leadership over their service to the organization, and that evolution is one of the most inspiring parts of this work.

For me, someone who loves a good puzzle, the process of building our board feels much the same. I can’t help but see that parallel in building our board, piece by piece, perspective by perspective. We are fitting together a team of individuals whose unique viewpoints and talents create a beautiful, complete picture. As we plan for the future, we’ll continue to seek voices from many backgrounds to ensure our committees remain vibrant and well-rounded. 

These efforts have already been making our leadership even stronger and we are working to keep our vision clear.

So as we plan for the future, I invite you to reflect: Could you be a missing piece in the puzzle of Affinity Ranch’s next chapter?

With gratitude and excitement for what’s ahead,
Suzanne Opp

Suzanne@AffinityRanch.org
President of the Board
Affinity Ranch

 

Pumpkin Season! Save those seeds inside of pumpkins and toast them up in the oven. Spray with a spritz of oil and sprinkle fine salt over them for a healthy and delicious snack and a little protein boost.   

Our annual horse show, the Mane Event, held on October 11 and 12 was organized by Jewels Maslin and involved 25 volunteers who collectively gave 120 hours of volunteer time over the weekend. They started on Saturday morning with a group class where students led their horses through obstacles and then moved into the individual patterns where the riders had to remember two different patterns to maneuver their horses through. Every rider was awarded a beautiful medal and ribbon to celebrate their impressive riding achievements.

Instructors were there to support their students, and judging was conducted by equine manager Petra Kadrnozkova and Judy Snoich . Being that it was the third annual Mane Event, each year has improved upon previous ones. Classes ran in a timely way, with smooth transitions, and this year offered beautiful blue skies! 

Our 2025 Mane Event, was the best year yet and we can’t wait to continue this tradition for many years to come! A very gracious thank you to all of our sponsors including Castle Rock's B& B Cafe and King Soopers. Also a special shout out to Tom Snoich for bringing all his wonderful equipment to make our live stream of the show possible.