THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 29, 1996 TAG: 9609270239
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JANIE BRYANT, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 59 lines
The Beazley Foundation in Portsmouth has awarded a $35,000 grant to a Virginia Beach horseback riding program for children and adults with disabilities.
Barbara S. Ford, director of the nonprofit EQUI-KIDS Therapeutic Riding Program, said the grant is the largest the program has ever received.
While the Beazley grant may be the largest grant so far for EQUI-KIDS, it's hardly the largest for the foundation.
The foundation was created in 1948 with funds provided by the late Portsmouth philanthropist Fred W. Beazley and his family.
``Last year we made about 100 grants, ranging from $100 to $100,000,'' said Lawrence I'Anson Jr., foundation president.
A $300,000 commitment was made to Virginia Wesleyan College.
In Portsmouth, about $500,000 a year goes to programs ranging from the Beazley Senior Center to the City Dental Clinic and a school dental program.
Now that the foundation has added EQUI-KIDS to its long list of grant recipients, the horse-riding program will be able to expand staffing and bring 20 new people into the therapeutic classes.
The program, located at Holly Ridge Manor Farm in Virginia Beach, offers horseback riding lessons to mentally, physically and emotionally challenged children and adults.
The program has a waiting list of about 60 adults and children now, according to Ford.
I'Anson and a foundation staff member went to see the program's first summer camp this year.
``We had written the proposal for the grant, but they had not made a decision,'' she said.
I'Anson said he was impressed with what he saw participants able to do in the program. Children who had difficulty moving around on their own were able to ride a horse and enjoy it, he said.
``I'm sure it builds their confidence,'' he said.
Ford says the riding programs help relax participants and while they're enjoying the ride, their muscles are being stretched and worked.
But a big plus is the boost to self-esteem, she said.
``I have children that come to the lessons in wheelchairs and walkers, and they get on a horse and you would not know that anything is wrong with that person,'' she said.
Ford said there are about 24 similar programs in Virginia and between 80 and 100 riders from those riding centers are expected to participate in a state horse show next month.
But Ford says EQUI-KIDS is one of the largest, with students coming from as far away as North Carolina.
``We're the largest therapeutic riding program, I would say, between here and Staunton,'' Ford said.
The Virginia Beach program started with ``one little pony and six students,'' she said.
EQUI-KIDS now has five horses, about 45 students, four instructors and about 70 volunteers. MEMO: For more information on EQUI-KIDS, call Barbara Ford at 425-8833. by CNB