“Just walking up to the property, driving to the barn seeing the horses and our riders makes my heart swell,” said Vinnie Parentela, Special Equestrians of the Treasure Coast board president.
His is a sentiment shared by many of the volunteers, sponsors and families who attended a special Denim and Diamonds 25th Anniversary Gala last Saturday evening at the Vero Beach Country Club. Guests were there to “pony up” in support of SETC therapeutic riding programs for children and adults with mental, physical and emotional disabilities.
Before dinner, a lively live auction and a performance by Royal Ballroom dancers, the country couture-clad guests congregated in the main foyer, browsing auction items and sampling hors d’oeuvres while enjoying the smooth country tunes of the Low Key Band.
Royal Ballroom dancers Asya and Oleg Dimitrov, whose daughter, Karina, takes riding lessons with SETC, were joined by Kerry Bartlett, all volunteering their entertainment services to support the organization. The dancing couple said they have seen positive changes in their daughter’s demeanor since she began riding with instructor Cassie Ford at the SETC property on 53rd Street.
“Karina is always much brighter all the days after her interaction with the horses, and being with the nice people who are so careful with her there,” said Asya Dimitrov.
Volunteers and instructors shared stories of miraculous changes in their students, as they learn how to balance, communicate, take command of their horses and build up confidence physically and mentally through the programs.
“We had a student completely scared of our little beginner stuffed horse, and now he dives on and off so enthusiastically we have to watch him,” said volunteer Donna Schantz.
“After repeating the term ‘walk on’ over and again, one little girl who was non-verbal finally repeated the term as best she could. That is why we get up at 5:30 every morning,” said instructor Dar Denis.
“The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a person,” said instructor Joan Swiderski, paraphrasing a quote she attributed to Winston Churchill. “It gives me goosebumps to see the changes in some of these children.”
Program Director Vickie Penly said that horseback riding provides a lot of benefits for people with disabilities; it makes them stronger and helps with social skills. The program they run in partnership with Dodgertown Elementary School combines reading and math to help with those skills, too.
Denis also recently started a new Ride Beyond Diagnosis program for breast cancer patients, which helps them cope with the disease through equine therapy.
“The true heroes of Special Equestrians are our wonderful riders who are our students and our therapists – the horses. They make this program,” said Parentela. “I really want to thank our volunteers, instructors, board members and, of course, our sponsors, without whom we would not be able to continue.”