Cypress Swamp Ranch - Jaxson's Place holds an annual Fall Celebration to provide horse encounters for people of all ages at no cost. The Ranch rescues horses from abuse and neglect and uses natural horsemanship training to help heal people through interactions with the horses. Over 15 volunteers helped prepare for the 2013 celebration, which provided smiles and healing for 174 guests through activities like groundwork, riding, and caring for the horses. The volunteers plan to continue supporting the nonprofit through future events and promotions to recruit more volunteers. Any prize money would be used on the Ranch for sessions, events, rescuing more horses, facilities, feed, veterinary care, and safety improvements.

1. Cypress
Swamp Ranch
Jaxson’s Place
Fall Celebration 2013

2. The mission of Cypress Swamp Ranch – Jaxson’s
Place is to show God’s love to an individual
through horses and the God-given ability in
horses to help heal hurting human hearts.
The purpose of the Ranch is to encourage and
enable people, of all ages, who have a true love
and desire to be with horses, to have personal
horse interactions, at no cost.
The Ranch is committed never to charge guests
but operates solely from donations and the love
offerings of generous and caring people and
organizations.
Horse encounters involve
groundwork, horseback riding, and all necessary
care. Natural horsemanship training is taught
and used, which is designed to teach selfconfidence in both horse and trainer.
Each horse encounter involves one horse, one
visitor and one staff/volunteer.

3. Most of the horses who live at Cypress Swamp
Ranch Jaxson’s Place have been rescued from
serious neglect, abuse or abandonment and even
potential death.
The sadness and cruelty experienced by these
horses during their past life, gives them an extra
measure of understanding and
compassion, when they encounter a human of
any age, who has suffered with similar emotional
or physical pain.
There is a certain magic that happens each time
the two hurting hearts come together which
defies explanation, but is obvious to all who are
there to witness the connection and bond that is
formed.

4. Who did you serve, and what did you
accomplish that day?
• November 2, 2013 and for a number of weekends prior to this date, we
helped to prepare the Ranch for the second annual Fall Celebration,
providing an afternoon of ‘free’ fun to individuals, families and their
children.
• More than 15 volunteers dedicated the entire day, making it special for
the 174 guests who came, anticipating a horse encounter.
• Accomplishments that day: Seeing smiles on faces of all ages!
• People with emotional instability were able to experience peace through the
understanding heart of a horse;
• Veterans with PTSD were able to find joy and healing;
• Children were able to learn something new and develop confidence;
• Families spent the day, playing together!

9. What is your team's plan for an ongoing
relationship with the nonprofit?
• Individually, we have made a commitment to continue helping, sharing
and supporting the needs of the Ranch.
• For those of us who cannot give financially to this nonprofit, it is just as
satisfying to be part of the team that pulled off a successful event
which will continue to grow and reach more people each year.
• The relationship many of us have created with John and Jean Oman
(Co-Founders), the visitors and horses, has impacted each of us
positively, and gives us strength and motivation to continue with our
own dreams.
• Lastly, we will continue to promote and support the Ranch by all
means possible, including the recruitment of new volunteers!

15. What would your nonprofit do if
they won part of the prize money?
•
All monies would be spent on the Ranch in
various aspects including:
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Enabling more sessions through:
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Lighting for extended hours of operation
Covered arena for all weather use
Preparing meaningful events for those who
would benefit from horse interaction/therapy
Rescuing additional horses, which could
otherwise be mistreated or malnourished
Construction needs including barn, shed and
fencing
Grain and hay for the horses
Veterinarian and farrier care/cost
Enhancing property safety as directed by
insurance

26. Thank YOU for your support!
Co-Founders: John & Jean Oman