Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 27, 1995 TAG: 9504290016
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BETSY BIESENBACH STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"She really loves it," said her mother, Ann Austin. "It's a real thrill for her."
Lots of children love riding horses, but for Katie, it's more than a hobby. She has Down syndrome, a genetic defect that causes varying degrees of mental retardation, heart problems, and lack of muscle tone. Compensating for the motion of the horse stimulates and challenges Katie mentally and teaches her how to better use and strengthen her body.
Katie takes her lessons through the Roanoke Valley Therapeutic Riding Program, which provides horses, equipment and instruction to youngsters ages 3 and up with a wide variety of disabilities, including spina bifida, cerebral palsy, autism and multiple sclerosis.
There is a one-year waiting list to participate in the program, which hopes to expand, said Barbara Petty, administrator and treasurer.
As luck would have it, help is coming from what may seem to be an unlikely source. On Saturday, the Roanoke Valley Chapter of the Harley-Davidson Owners' Group - HOG - will hold a fund-raising event at Green Hill Park in Salem for the Therapeutic Riding Program.
The event, from noon to 6 p.m., is called "Ride for Life." It will feature a 75-mile race, a motorcycle show, a parts swap meet, and an auction of Harley-Davidson items. There will be food vendors, music by the Rhythm Doctors, and two raffles - one for a vacation for two to Cancun, Mexico. There also will be a demonstration of therapeutic riding as well as pony rides for children.
Although the usual image of a Harley-Davidson enthusiast is of a rough, tough guy with plenty of tattoos and leather, members of HOG actually come from all walks of life, said Howard Semones, who is organizing the event for his club. One member is a federal judge; others are business owners, professionals and "ordinary blue-collar guys."
Each year, the group raises money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and selects another charitable organization to help. Semones said his group was "very impressed" by a presentation made by the Therapeutic Riding Program.
About 3,000 people are expected to attend the event, he said, and the group hopes to raise about $13,000. The proceeds will help buy more horses and equipment.
When the program began three years ago, it had nine riders, donated equipment, borrowed horses, a handful of volunteers and a budget of $5,000, Petty said.
By the end of 1994, it had helped 25 riders; bought three horses, two sheds and a computer; hired a part-time instructor; had help from 185 volunteers; and had a budget of more than $15,000.
Petty said her group hopes one day to own 10 horses and serve 100 riders. It also needs additional modified saddles and other equipment.
For children like Katie, it's not just a matter of putting them up on a horse and letting them go, Petty said. They need assistance and special instruction to get the most out of the experience. Safety is a concern, and it takes three volunteers to assist each rider.
It's an activity they can't find anywhere else, Petty said. In fact, the project draws participants from all over Western Virginia.
The parents and doctors of the participants often notice improvement in their condition soon after the lessons start, Petty said.
For Katie, the lessons have built up her self-esteem, Ann Austin said. "I see a sense of pride in her" that wasn't there before.
"It's their one chance to get out doing and participating," Petty agreed. "It's taking a risk. It's trying and succeeding."
The organization also is looking for someone to donate about 50 acres of land. The program has been borrowing space from public boarding stables, which have been very generous, Petty said, "but we always wear out our welcome."
The donation of the land could be set up as a charitable trust, Petty said, which could give the donor a tax break.
Petty said her group is not picky about the condition of the land. "We'll take anything," she said.
\ Note: RVTRP is five years old, not three.
by CNB