Here is the rest of my "horse tail..." Captions are positioned above each image. Enjoy!
September 2007 brought my hard-fought international competition in Langley, BC near Vancouver. I took 2nd place in both my events that weekend and was honored to be one of two riders chosen to represent my "horse" family. That coach is now training the Canadian Paralymic Dressage gold medalist. I can proudly say that I knew Sandra "before" she was famous :)
I was losing my balance in this photo and had to correct in the middle of the judging round. I took 2nd happily! It was the highest place ribbon I'd ever received.
My good friend, Zana, and I spent nearly 10 years of Saturdays riding together. This was a competition in Woodinville, WA against our "rival" therapeutic riding center. Zana and I cheered each other through junior high and high school. We both have a form of Cerebral Palsy.
Here I am, about to enter the arena for our show in Woodinville. Thinking about these days brings back so many memories!
This flyer image was created in 1995. I am with Clyde. That year, I was the WA Easter Seals Youth Ambassador. Clyde won Therapeutic Horse of the Year honors. We were a magnificent team! At the end of my ambassador's year, a framed 10x13 print of the photo was given as a gift of thanks. I remember crying gratefully because my wheelchair was barely visible. Riding allows people with disabilities to be "one" with their horses. The sense of freedom and mobility is very powerful!
Thanks for letting me share one of my passions with you! I rode at Easter Seals, (located on the Gig Harbor peninsula), from my Kindergarten year through the summer I graduated from high school --13 years in all. Riding has many physical benefits for people with disabilities. The warmth of the horse and its constant motion simulate walking in those who cannot, and improve blood flow to the lower limbs. Riding also requires students to develop lateral trunk stability and balance. People with neurological damage like myself do not have hard-wired balance. Every "balancing act" I do has been acquired. The horses made necessary therapy fun and inspired me to believe in my ability to reach goals. Those lessons will remain with me for my entire life because there is far more behind them than a girl on a horse. The friendships and mentorships are priceless, too. The Easter Seal people gave me the courage to believe in myself!
Thanks, everyone. Hope you enjoyed my story :)
Here I am, about to enter the arena for our show in Woodinville. Thinking about these days brings back so many memories!
This flyer image was created in 1995. I am with Clyde. That year, I was the WA Easter Seals Youth Ambassador. Clyde won Therapeutic Horse of the Year honors. We were a magnificent team! At the end of my ambassador's year, a framed 10x13 print of the photo was given as a gift of thanks. I remember crying gratefully because my wheelchair was barely visible. Riding allows people with disabilities to be "one" with their horses. The sense of freedom and mobility is very powerful!
Thanks for letting me share one of my passions with you! I rode at Easter Seals, (located on the Gig Harbor peninsula), from my Kindergarten year through the summer I graduated from high school --13 years in all. Riding has many physical benefits for people with disabilities. The warmth of the horse and its constant motion simulate walking in those who cannot, and improve blood flow to the lower limbs. Riding also requires students to develop lateral trunk stability and balance. People with neurological damage like myself do not have hard-wired balance. Every "balancing act" I do has been acquired. The horses made necessary therapy fun and inspired me to believe in my ability to reach goals. Those lessons will remain with me for my entire life because there is far more behind them than a girl on a horse. The friendships and mentorships are priceless, too. The Easter Seal people gave me the courage to believe in myself!
Thanks, everyone. Hope you enjoyed my story :)
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