Each year the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) celebrates its especially outstanding equestrians, equines, instructors and volunteers, and this year's PATH Intl. region recognition award winners have been posted on the PATH Intl. Conference web site along with the 2011 national adult equestrian, adult independent equestrian, child equestrian, youth equestrian, Sis Gould, PATH Intl. Horses for Heroes and EFP/EFL Recognition award winners.
All region award winners will be recognized, and the 2011 national equine, instructor and volunteer of the year and the James Brady award recipient will be announced at the 2011 PATH International Conference and Annual Meeting Awards Banquet in Lexington, KY, Friday, November 11.
Adult Equestrian of the Year:
Shellie Muzzey, Region 9, Sagebrush Equine Training Center for the Handicapped, Hailey, ID
Independent Adult Equestrian of the Year: Lara Oles, Region 10, National Ability Center, Park City, UT
Horses for Heroes of the Year: Ryan Ormundt, Region 7, BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding & Educational Center, Harvard, IL
Youth Equestrian of the Year: Carly Renguette, Region 6, Midwest Terapeutic Riding Program, Racine, WI
Child Equestrian of the Year: Milee Huffman, Region 3, St. Andrews Ride Like a Knight, Laurinburg, NC
Sis Gould Driving Award: Corie Brooks, Region 11, EQUI-ED, Santa Rosa, CA
EFP/EFL Recognition Award: Martha McNiel, Region 11, DreamPower Horsemanship, San Martin, CA
Equine, Instructor and Volunteer of the Year
Region 1
Equine of the Year: Tabano Ben, T.H.E. FARM, Tewksbury, MA
Volunteer of the Year: Deborah Welles, High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Center, Old Lyme, CT
Instructor of the Year: Jonnie Edwards, High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Center, Old Lyme, CT
Region 1 includes the following states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont and the Canadian provinces: New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Quebec
Region 2
Equine of the Year: Shugs grey Lady (Lady), Circle of Hope Therapeutic Riding, Inc., Barnesville, MD
Volunteer of the Year: NA
Instructor of the Year: Doria Fleisher, Melwood Recreation Center Equestrian Program, Nanjemoy, MD
Region 2 includes the following states: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York Pennsylvania and Washington, DC; and Scandinavia, Europe, Middle East
Region 3
Equine of the Year: Sadie, EQUI-KIDS Therapeutic Riding Center, Virginia Beach, VA
Volunteer of the Year: Patty Revels, Astride With Pride, Inc., Bedford, VA
Instructor of the Year: Kelsey Redfearn Gallagher, Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program, Clifton, VA
Region 3 includes North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia
Region 4
Equine of the Year: Dan's Red Sun (Dan), Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center, Augusta, MI
Volunteer of the Year: Jacob O'Brien, Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center, Augusta, MI
Instructor of the Year: Tammy Porter, Discovery Riders, Inc., Zanesfield, OH
Region 4 includes the following states: Indiana, Kentucky Michigan, Ohio; and the Canadian Province of Ontario
Region 5
Equine of the Year: Valentino, Therapeutic Animal Partners, Columbia, TN
Volunteer of the Year: Elleene Morgan, Dream Quest EFP & TR, Inc., Bethlehem, GA
Instructor of the Year: Lynne Evans, Saddle UP!, Franklin, TN
Region 5 includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee and Puerto Rico
Region 6
Equine of the Year: Stormy, River Valley Riders, Bayport, MN
Volunteer of the Year: Kathy Jo Hanson, River Valley Riders, Bayport, MN
Instructor of the Year: NA
Region 6 includes the following states: Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin; and the Canadian Provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan
Region 7
Equine of the Year: Big Mac, Exceptional Equestrians of the Missouri Valley, Inc., Washington, MO
Volunteer of the Year: Joan Castell, Main Stay Therapeutic Riding Program, Richmond, IL
Instructor of the Year: Jennifer Ann Lamoreux, One Heart Equestrian Therapy, Inc., Colo, IA
Region 7 includes Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska
Region 8
Equine of the Year: Peanut, Hearts and Hooves, Inc., Sherwood, AR
Volunteer of the Year: Randy Hurt, ManeGait, McKinney, TX
Instructor of the Year: Anita Sepko, Riding Unlimited, Ponder, TX
Region 8 includes the following states: Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas; and Mexico, Central America and South America
Region 9
Equine of the Year: Hercules, Changing Rein, LLC, Graham, WA
Volunteer of the Year: Bill Postlewait, Sagebrush Equine Training Center for the Handicapped, Hailey, ID
Instructor of the Year: Lisa Hanson, Sycamore Lane Therapeutic Riding Center, Oregon City, OR
Region 9 includes the following states: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington State; and the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia
Region 10
Equine of the Year: Tulip, National Ability Center, Park City, UT
Volunteer of the Year: Cheri Bashor, TREC, Therapeutic Riding & Education Center, Pueblo West, CO
Instructor of the Year: Trudy Chapman-Radley, Horses with H.E.A.R.T., Inc., Chino Valley, AZ
Region 10 includes Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming
Region 11
Equine of the Year: Tulips, DreamPower Horsemanship, San Martin, CA
Volunteer of the Year: NA
Instructor of the Year: Maxine Freitas, Equi-Ed, Santa Rosa, CA
Region 11 includes the following states: California, Hawaii and Nevada; and Asia and Pacific
Early registration is currently offered online on the conference page at www.pathintl.org, as well as more information about conference sessions, the conference hotel, the conference travel deals and fun things to do in Lexington.
Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.), formerly NARHA, was formed in 1969 to promote equine-assisted activities and therapies for individuals with special needs. At more than 800 member centers, a total of 42,000 children and adults find a sense of independence through involvement with horses. These member centers range from small, one-person programs to large operations with several certified instructors and licensed therapists.
In addition to therapeutic equitation, a center may offer any number of equine-assisted activities including hippotherapy, equine-facilitated mental health, driving, interactive vaulting, trail riding, competition, ground work or stable management. Through a wide variety of educational resources, the association helps individuals start and maintain successful equine-assisted activities and therapies for individuals with special needs.
There are more than 24,000 volunteers, 2,000 instructors, 5,700 therapy horses and thousands of contributors from all over the world helping people at PATH Intl. centers.