The top seven finalists in the
trotting category.
Derek Franklin
The second annual Able the Disabled Countryside Challenge took place
recently at Horseshoe Point. Twenty children and teenagers, all with varying
special needs, competed over a series of challenges, all with the hope of
lifting the winner’s trophy.
Organised by Sandra Cooper and her wonderful team of dedicated volunteers, the
competition saw the children riding horses while performing a series of
activities, all under the watchful gaze of the judges.
While the competition looked like a lot of fun, there was a serious side to the
event. The Able the Disabled Foundation has been providing weekly hippotherapy
sessions for several years, with the aim of improving the posture and balance as
well as increasing muscle strength of children with Down’s syndrome, cerebral
palsy, autism and other intellectual disabilities.
Due to the varying levels of ability, the children competed in two categories,
those who were able to trot while on a horse, and those whose horse walked
around the course.
The aim of the competition was to judge the children on their skills, not just
the way they rode their mount, but also the way they balanced themselves,
controlled their horse and used their motor skills to perform a set of
activities. Activities included guiding the horse around a series of large
plastic animals, picking fruit of a tree and dropping it into a bucket, and
posting a letter in the postbox, all while sitting on the back of a horse.
Many of the children competing attend the Father Ray Center for Children with
Special Needs, and there were also two international competitors from Russia,
who, like all the other children competing, received a medal for their efforts.
While the winner of the trotting group, a young man called Tom, lifted the
winner’s trophy for the second year running, the competition was not all about
winning. It was about taking part, showing off their skills, making their
families proud - the medals, which every competitor received, were just a bonus.
A very happy Tom, winner of the
trotting category for the second consecutive year.
Rivals in the ring, but friends
forever.
Miss Ploy, winner of the walk
category, receives the winner’s trophy from Sandra Cooper.
Miss Bee, this year’s runner-up.
Contemplating his strategy.
After winning gold and silver
medals at the recent Summer Olympics, this young man had to settle for seventh
place this time.
