INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — What do Marilyn Monroe, Babe Ruth, Annie and Harry Potter have in common? Like Annie, the miniature horse recently named the Pony Ambassador for Give a Buck for Special Equestrians, they were orphans whose life stories stole hearts and captivated the imagination of adoring fans.
Named after the world’s most beloved red-haired orphan, Annie is a six-month-old “chocolate palomino” Falabella miniature horse. Her mother passed away while giving birth. Adopted by a loving family and taken under the wings of the Forget Me Not Farm in Wellington, Fla., she is now enjoying life as Pony Ambassador for Give a Buck for Special Equestrians.
Standing no more than two-and-a-half feet, the diminutive equine with the oversized heart was the perfect choice to be the mascot for Give a Buck for Special Equestrians, a fundraising initiative that supports therapeutic riding programs for children and adults with physical, developmental or emotional disabilities.
An all-volunteer organization founded in 2013 in Vero Beach, Give a Buck for Special Equestrians provides financial support for several nonprofit therapeutic horseback riding programs in Florida and North Carolina including: Appalachian Therapeutic Riding Center (North Carolina), Good Hope Equestrian Training Center (Miami), Special Equestrians of the Treasure Coast (Vero Beach), Stable Place (Davie), Naples Equestrian Challenge and Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center (West Palm Beach).
Give a Buck aims to share the joys of horses and horsemanship with those facing difficult emotional and physical life challenges to ensure that no one is denied access to this life changing therapy. Give a Buck and its Young Ambassadors encourage horse owners to contribute as little as a buck, or as much as they can, with each month’s stable rental payment. Give a Buck also raises funds through apparel sales and novelty items at horse shows and local tack stores.
To a child or adult with a physical, developmental or emotional disability, life looks a lot brighter on horseback. The power and warmth of a horse strengthens and tones muscles, improves balance, head control and coordination, builds pa¬tience and self-esteem, and offers a sense of freedom and equality. Horseback riding gently and rhythmically simulates the human gait, so riders with physical disabilities improve their flexibility and muscle strength. Grooming horses helps promote a sense of calmness and well-being.
When not playfully galloping, or being pampered like a princess, Annie will trot alongside Give a Buck’s Young Ambassadors, the organization’s volunteers aged 12-18 and backbone of the charitable organization at horse shows, fundraisers and other equestrian events to help spread the word about Give a Buck and the therapeutic horseback riding programs it supports.
Look for Annie and the Young Ambassadors at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Fla.
“We are incredibly excited and grateful to have Annie as our mascot,” said Sissy DeMaria, founder of Give a Buck. “Annie’s sweet and playful demeanor makes her the perfect representative for our organization as she brings joy and comfort to those around her. We are so thankful to Stefanie Mazer, Psy.D, and Maya Saxena of Forget Me Not Farm and HorseWise, Inc. for allowing Annie to help draw awareness to Give a Buck’s charitable mission.”
