Byline: Suzi Bartholomy
Sep. 21--Saturday looks like it will be a good day to take the kids to the country. The weatherman said it will be mostly sunny and 90 degrees, which is almost balmy compared to the triple-digit temperatures of a month ago.
Take advantage of the good weather, load up your cowgirls and cowboys and drive out to the Bittel Equestrian Center on U.S. 60 West. It will not only be a fun outing for youngsters, but it will help support Dream Riders of Kentucky, an organization that teaches children and adults with physical, mental and emotional needs to ride a horse.
This is the third year that Dream Riders has held a Fall Jamboree. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. there will be pony rides, hayrides, horse show, petting zoo, inflatable bouncers, face painting, horse painting, River City Clowns and games. Admission is $10, which includes everything but concessions.
There is no charge for parents.
Dream Riders is the inspiration of Mike Clark and a group of Daviess Countains who wanted to expose their children and others to a therapeutic riding program that builds confidence and improves balance and speech. Children with learning and physical disabilities sometimes feel left out when they see their classmates participate in activities that are out of their reach.
Kids with disabilities can't participate in school sports, said Suzy Higdon, whose daughter, Haley, is one of the independent riders in the program. 'Kids who don't fit in at school can find their place here,' Higdon said.
'Horses are Haley's life,' said Higdon, who is vice president of Dream Riders. 'She couldn't roller skate or ride a bike, but she can ride a horse.'
Clark has a daughter with Down syndrome and wanted to level the playing field for her and other children and adults who have physical and mental limitations. He also wanted to do something in honor of another daughter of his who was killed in an automobile accident.
'She had the uncanny ability to help anyone,' Clark said.
Besides Higdon and Clark being equestrians they are educators and have incorporated activities in the riding program that improve their clients' speech, balance and confidence. Clark, president of Dream Riders, is principal at Mary Carrico Catholic School in Knottsville and Higdon is a speech therapist.
When Dream Riders started five years ago it had 12 riders. Today more than 300 children and adults ride on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and Friday mornings.
'It's all free to the riders,' Clark said.
The jamboree is the organization's main fundraiser. 'It costs $45,000 a year' to operate the program, Clark said.
'Dream Riders is a good example of the power of volunteerism,' Clark said. More than 100 teens and senior citizens donate thousands of hours assisting the riders, grooming the horses and mucking out their stalls.
Even severely disabled children can ride, Clark said.
'We want to engage their bodies and their minds,' he said.
One of their routines while riding around the arena is to carry a plastic egg in a spoon, which improves their balance. The simplest tasks are monumental to them, and riding makes them happy, Clark said.
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Copyright (c) 2007, Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro, Ky.
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