SMILES...... CHEERS...... AMAZEMENT........ AND TEARS
Twenty seven riders, volunteers and families from Morning Dove Therapeutic Riding Center participated in the Traders Point Hunt Club Hunter Trials. Riders enjoyed the beautiful ambiance of the 75 year history of the Trader’s Point Hunt House set in the heart of horse country. It was quite an honor to be invited to ride in two classes especially designed for our special needs riders: Hunter Equitation and Hunter Trial.
“I cried when I saw my son out there riding” said the father of Morning Dove rider, Jack. “Everywhere we go, it is always about the other children’s activities and keeping Jack busy. This time it was all about Jack, he was doing something really cool, something really important, all by himself! It was not ‘therapy,’ it was real life; it is what we have dreamed about for our son.” Jack enjoyed a valued activity and the whole family was out to support him. “It was truly amazing to watch our son out there riding a course, overcoming so many challenges.”
What is amazing is if one drove by and saw our riders, they would never see their dis-abilities, only their abilities! This is truly the heart and soul of therapeutic riding, enabling our riders to develop confidence, courage, social skills, team work….to overcome their challenges and to be proud of themselves and their hard work and practice.
The Morning Dove horses were also amazing! The Trader’s Point Hunt Club Members made a human fence around our independent riders for safety. What was observed was not run away horses, rather, an up close and personal look at the way Morning Dove horses love their riders and their job. Thank you to the Traders Point Hunt Club and to our wonderful Judge Mrs. Phyllis Heck, from Ohio, for allowing Morning Dove the opportunity to participate in one of the most prestigious of equestrian sports.
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