Onlookers got a little teary-eyed watching the expressions of pure joy on the faces of two young riders going through their paces last Saturday evening at a Pony Up Hootenanny at the B.G. Polo & Equestrian Club to benefit Special Equestrians of the Treasure Coast. SETC students Bella, 8, and Lindsay, 12, were demonstrating just how therapeutic horseback riding can be for children and adults with physical, developmental or emotional disabilities.
“That’s what it’s all about; that smile,” said Daniel Perkins, whose family adopted Bella 15 months ago from a former foster mother who said she was uneducable; at the time Bella knew only a few words. A whole new buoyant Bella sat atop gentle Elsa, at one point confidently and clearly singing the entire alphabet song to enthusiastic applause.
“What you see today is completely different than she was 15 months ago; she’s responding very well,” said Perkins, crediting SETC programs for the vast improvements. “We’re very grateful. Bella has changed our lives the way these programs have changed hers.”
“She’s grown up in the program; she been in it about 7 years,” said Barbara Hires, as daughter Lindsay showed off her riding skills and later threw kisses to the crowd. “Special Equestrians doesn’t focus on the defects; they focus on what she can do and they let her shine.”
Trained, certified instructors work with parents to devise lesson plans and goals for students to help with physical development, self-esteem and independence. Students are often non-verbal or have difficulty speaking, lack core strength or have paralytic limbs, and working with the horses improves their verbal communication, self-assurance, balance, posture and core strength.
“We serve between 30 and 50 riders, depending on when we’re doing Special Olympics,” said 8-year SETC instructor Joan Swiderski, adding that while they have not yet had students compete at the national level; they have competed at area and state levels.
Darlene Dennis, an instructor who has been with SETC 9 years, recently put together a 10-week Ride Beyond Diagnosis program for breast cancer survivors in partnership with the support group Friends After Diagnosis. A breast cancer survivor herself, Dennis said, “We’re trying to combine fun, a spiritual connection and sense of comfort from the horses. The horses do realize what someone has gone through. It’s a good thing.”
“We’re really excited to be paring up with Special Equestrians. It’s my understanding that there are only three programs like this in the country,” said Lin Reading, who chairs Friends after Diagnosis. SETC has provided scholarships for the initial four riders, and she said they are looking for people to sponsor riders to accommodate six more on the wait list.
Meanwhile, back at the barn, Charley Replogle and his Ocean Grill Polo Team were busy tending the fire for an impressive Argentine Asada, featuring an assortment of ribs, various sausage varieties, chicken and steak to go along with all the other fixings offered at the mouthwatering buffet dinner.
Gaston [Rodriguez] is from Argentina and he showed everybody how to do this,” said Replogle. “He’s a three-goal polo player.” Others helping out were Cesar Rodriguez from Venezuela and Pedro Enriquez from Mexico. “You build a bonfire and then cook with the coals. Once it gets going it’s a really nice slow way of cooking. These guys do this every other week at my barn; usually Sundays after polo.”
The event also included a performance by banjo picking comedian Todd Charles, music by the Last Chance Band, silent and live auctions and a raffle, all in an effort to help defray the expense of taking care of their of very special equine therapists.
The public is invited to visit the barn, located at 7280 53rd Street, to watch the Special Olympics County Competition, 9 a.m. Sat. Feb. 27.
