(ABOVE: Therapeutic Riding students show off their skills and enjoyment during riding show)
Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. (June 21, 2024) – Helen Woodward Animal Center is pleased to honor some extraordinary students at the 2024 Therapeutic Riding Show in the Center’s Riding Arena. The annual event invites parents, friends and family members of therapeutic riding clients to gather for a performance of newly-developed equine skills. Following the inspirational event is a presentation of awards. Each year the show embraces a special theme, kept secret and unveiled the day of the event. This year’s magical theme will transport you to a faraway place, where child-like enthusiasm and adventure lives forever.
Helen Woodward Animal Center’s 2024 Therapeutic Riding Show takes place Saturday, June 22 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Center’s Therapeutic Riding Area: located at 6523 Helen Woodward Way, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067.
Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Therapeutic Riding Program was established in 1983. The program developed to assist children and adults living with a variety of special needs from cerebral palsy, to Down syndrome and Autism, to stroke recovery and learning disabilities. During weekly sessions, students ride specially-trained horses with certified instructors 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 living with a range of personal challenges from cognitive to physical, emotional, or social. The most heartwarming outcome of the program, however, is the unmistakable joy received by its riders.
Therapeutic Riding aims to make learning fun for both human students and the Center’s specially-trained horses. Instruction incorporates obstacle courses which allow riders to control their horses through cones and mazes, and over poles. These basic riding skills integrate all parts of the body (hands, legs, and eyes) and aid in developing core strength and balance by sitting upright as they ride and control a horse. Additionally, the student’s self-confidence increases as they ride and accomplish a variety of skills they may not have thought they could achieve.
For the ninth year in a row, Magic 92.5 morning personalities, Jagger and Kristi, will host the Therapeutic Riding Show. These dedicated animal-lovers are long-time supporters of Helen Woodward Animal Center. They promote Center orphan pets on “Kristi’s Kritters” every Monday morning, and participate in the Center’s annual Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon as surf dog teachers, participants, hosts, and judges for the costume-contests. Jagger and Kristi are also passionate horse lovers with three of their own.
The Therapeutic Riding program utilizes specially-selected horses to do this extremely detailed work. To care for these uniquely trained animals is costly. The program is able to take place thanks to the generosity of Barbara Menard, the Charity Fair Horse Show, the Confidence Foundation, the Haglicioglu Foundation, the Hariet E. Pfleger Foundation, the John and Beverly Stauffer Foundation, the Meyers Foundation, the S. Mark Taper Foundation, and Wayne Woodman, who allow for the service to be provided weekly to our challenged riders. Those interested in taking part in keeping this special program going may choose to contribute at https://animalcenter.org/therapeuticriding.
“This is my favorite day of the whole year,” exclaims Therapeutic Riding Program Manager Courtney Mellor. “To see these riders, and all their joy and excitement – it’s incredible. The feeling you get when they share their accomplishments on the back of an adaptive horse who has become a true friend is astounding. It is a clear example of how much animals and people can give to one another.”
If you would like more information on how to donate to the therapeutic riding program, or get involved in other ways, please contact Therapeutic Riding Program Manager Courtney Mellor: (858)756-4117 x321, or visit https://animalcenter.org/ Helen Woodward Animal Center is located at 6523 Helen Woodward Way in Rancho Santa Fe.
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About Helen Woodward Animal Center
Helen Woodward Animal Center, celebrating its 50th Anniversary, 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: https://animalcenter.org/