Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Therapeutic Riding Students Showcase their Abilities to Overcome Obstacles
Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. (Jun. 19, 2019) – Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Therapeutic Riding students will explore the Land of Oz on Saturday, heading Somewhere over the Rainbow to showcase their horseback skills at the 2019 Therapeutic Riding Show. Every year, the program’s students invite their loved ones and biggest supporters to demonstrate the skills they have learned over the last year. The inspiring riding show is also an opportunity for parents, family and friends to celebrate with riders as they receive well-deserved ribbons. Helen Woodward Animal Center’s 2019 Therapeutic Riding Show: Somewhere Over the Rainbow takes place, Saturday, June 22 between 9 a.m. and 2 pm. at the Center’s Therapeutic Riding Area located at 6523 Helen Woodward Way, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067.
Leaving “Kansas” for the Land of Oz requires getting past some obstacles on the riding course. Overcoming obstacles is something these inspirational students know firsthand. Since 1983, the Center’s Therapeutic Riding program has welcomed children and adults with a variety of special needs from cerebral palsy, to Down’s syndrome and autism, to stroke recovery and learning disabilities.
With certified instructors on hand, students ride specially-trained horses in weekly sessions to develop increased balance and muscle control, improve concentration and short-term memory, and enhance their confidence and self-esteem.
Therapeutic riding can benefit individuals with a wide range of challenges, including cognitive, physical, social, and emotional or a combination of various special needs. But perhaps one of the most significant results of the program is the unmistakable joy received by its riders.
The program aims to keep learning fun for both human students and the Center’s therapy horses by incorporating obstacle courses allowing riders to control their horses through cones and mazes and over poles. Although they may seem like simple tasks, the basic riding skills incorporate all parts of the body (hands, legs, and eyes) and also aid in developing core strength and balance from sitting upright during riding and controlling their horse. A student’s self-confidence increases as they ride and as they accomplish many skills they may not have thought they could achieve.
For the fifth year in a row, dear friends to the Center Jagger and Kristi, morning show personalities on Magic 92.5, will host the Therapeutic Riding Show. The dedicated animal-lovers are generous supporters of Helen Woodward Animal Center in a variety of ways, including promoting Center orphan pets on “Kristi’s Kritters” on Monday mornings, teaching Surf Dog lessons ahead of the Center’s annual Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon and serving as hosts and judges for Center event costume-contests. They are also avid horse lovers and have three of their own.
This year, the Center is honored to have the family of Daniel Gatto in attendance to celebrate the memorial fund created for the Therapeutic Riding program in his name. The family will help hand out ribbons to riders. The Therapeutic Riding program is also supported through the generosity of Pat and Stephanie Kilkenny, the Harriet E. Pfleger Foundation, The Myers Family Foundation, LaureL Foundation, Charity Fair Horse Show, and The Stauffer Foundation.
“No matter what their daily struggles may be, our students regularly show us their heart for riding,” stated Gretchen Davis, Riding Instructor. “Saturday’s show is about celebrating them and giving them the spotlight in front of their family and friends. It’s truly a beautiful sight to witness.
For more information on participating in the program or providing funding support, contact Therapeutic Riding Program Manager Courtney Mellor (858)756-4117×321, head to www.animalcenter.org, or stop by Helen Woodward Animal Center at 6523 Helen Woodward Way in Rancho Santa Fe.
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About Helen Woodward Animal Center
Helen Woodward Animal Center is a private, non-profit organization where “people help animals and animals help people.” Founded in 1972 in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., the Center provides services for more than 90,000 people and more than 10,000 animals annually through adoptions, educational and therapeutic programs both onsite and throughout the community. Helen Woodward Animal Center is also the creator of the International Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption drive, the International Remember Me Thursday® campaign and The Business of Saving Lives Workshops, teaching the business of saving lives to animal welfare leaders from around the world. For more information, go to: www.animalcenter.org.