Sugus won the junior walk trot
test.
Sandra Cooper & Derek Franklin
Since November 2009 the Able the Disabled Foundation has been providing
hippotherapy to children with special needs. Hippotherapy is a type of therapy
using horses and aims to improve balance, posture as well as strengthen muscles
and many children in Pattaya have benefited from regular therapy sessions.
Sandra Cooper, the driving force behind the Abel the Disabled Foundation,
started offering therapy using horses to local children here in Pattaya after
she founded a similar project in Malaysia, and where she spent ten years
offering this service to children with special needs.
During the Walk Tests, the rider
maybe led, and have a side walker.
Many disabled people benefit from riding, some from the
therapy it gives, others by actually learning to ride. The benefits can be
enormous and wide-ranging. They include improvements to balance, co-ordination,
muscle tone, concentration, co-operation and behavior. The riders may benefit
from the necessary discipline, respond to requests, overcome fears, learn trust
and interact socially with their helpers and their peers, developing an increase
in confidence and self-esteem.
It takes many hours, months and sometimes years to train some special needs
riders to compete at a given level. After attending weekly sessions at Horseshoe
Point for many months, fourteen children, all with varying special needs, Downs
syndrome, autism and learning difficulties, were selected to compete in the
inaugural Able the Disabled Foundation Dressage Competition at Horseshoe Point
Pattaya held on Saturday June 22nd 2013 under International Riding for the
Disabled rules. The dressage tests are a Walk Test and a Walk/Trot Test taken
from the UK system.
The overall winner, Tom, is
congratulated by Sandra Cooper, right, and volunteer trainer, Diane.
Several children from the Father Ray Center for Children with
Special Needs participated and they all looked smart in their riding uniforms,
complete with colourful ties.
The riders, competing in two separate groups, young children and teenagers, were
expected to perform a number of routines around the arena while staying in
control of their horse and at the same time attempting to impress the two
judges.
Dressage tests consist of a series of circles, turns and transitions. For a
person with limited physical ability, who has mastered the basic skills of halt,
walk and steering, dressage provides a continuing challenge and the opportunity
to compete against others.
Riding for the Disabled standards range from Walk Tests where the rider maybe
led, and have a side walker. As they progress they remove the side walker and
can ride independently in a Walk/Trot Test. As riders progress to riding
independently off the lead rope they can have a caller telling them which letter
in the arena to go to and what shape to perform. Later the rider will develop
skills to remember the test, and compete it on their own.
Many nervous parents looked on, but at times several could be seen hiding their
eyes with their hands and one was heard saying a prayer before her child entered
the arena.
The beautiful rosettes (and the
medals) were a perfect end to a wonderful day.
This is the first time that such a competition has taken
place in Pattaya, and it could be the first of its kind here in Thailand.
The Walk Test lasts for 8 minutes consisting of some 20 metre circles which must
be ridden correctly in shape and size. The Walk/Trot Test moves the rider up to
another level where some sitting or rising trot will be performed from certain
dressage letters. Each test has two salutes which the riders love to do. Marks
are out of 10 per movement within the dressage test. These tests encourage
memory, following instructions, co-ordination, basic riding skills and a huge
feeling of achievement.
Each of our 15 riders is awarded a medal and rosette for competing and the rider
with the most marks gets their name on a large trophy sponsored by Pattaya
Sports Club.
Tom Whitnal shows off his trophy
for winning the senior walk trot test.
These children have benefited from the hippotherapy. Children
who have spent most of their life lying in a chair, unable to sit upright, now
they are able to do so and it is all down to the therapy they have received at
the Able the Disabled Foundation.
For those participating in the dressage competition it was not just about
winning a trophy, a medal or a rosette. Being able to show off their new skills,
make their parents proud and feeling a sense of achievement was more important.
The rosette and the medals were just a perfect end to a wonderful day.
We would also like to thank Horseshoe Point Hotel for sponsoring the rosettes
and medals. Our competition white shirts for all the riders are sponsored by
Esso. Thanks also go to all our volunteers who give up their time for this
Foundation and to Horseshoe Point for their continued support.
When the competition was complete, Sugus won the junior walk trot test whilst
Tom Whitnal won the senior walk trot test.
Each test has two salutes which
the riders love to do.
The rider’s smile says it all!
Tom Whitnal won the senior walk
trot test.
Sandra Cooper with one of her
young riders
A salute before starting.
Miss Bee from the Father Ray
Foundation was one of the older participants.
Receiving her beautiful rosette
after a splendid performance.
Happy to participate in this great
event.
It was truly a day to remember.
Ploy did not win the competition,
but she seems happy with her rosette
