Nearly a thousand riders are participating in the 50th Annual Cleveland Grand Prix Horse Show, but one group of riders competing this year wins just by touching and interacting with the horses.
Opportunity for Riders with Disabilities to shine at Horse Show
Students who participate in the Riders With Disabilities Horse Show spend hours with the horses every week, but once they step into the competition arena with them, it is an experience like no other.
For the last 20 years, the Riders with Disabilities Horse Show has been a high light of the Grand Prix. This year, sixty people participated in the show.
Students spend hours with the horses every week, but once they step into the competition arena with them, it is an experience like no other.
Joey Nook, 18, who lives with Prader-Willi Syndrome, which is a genetic disorder that affects his speech, muscles and ability to learn certain things takes the reins and using a simple command, Joey's horse, May, obeys.
His mother Kate says it gives him something to do and helps him grow.
"For them to have the opportunity to do something that is fun and therapeutic, to take it out of the clinical setting, it is really important," said Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center Chief Development Officer Maureen Foster.
Foster says they work with more than 800 students with psychological, developmental and neurological disorders. "They work so hard for this," said Foster. "And this is their one day to shine, but every day they are accomplishing so much."
Those accomplishments make their parents proud.
"He does not read," said Frank Gwirtz. "He does not do math. His motor skills are somewhat limited." But Gwirtz says this gives his son Vincent a chance and in addition to the riding, comes the ability to work in the barn and to be recognized for his accomplishments.
Each year, Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center organizes this event. Five other therapeutic riding centers, Ramelton Center, Camp Cheerful, Reins of Life, Country Crest Farm and Valley Ballin Stables also participated. The organizations did not have to pay to use the facilities at the Cleveland Metroparks Polo Field.
The Chagrin Valley Hunter Jumper Classic featuring the 50th anniversary of the Cleveland Grand Prix runs through July 12th.