Best Friends!

Posted on June 23, 2009 by Jerrilee.
Categories: health, riding.

freddie-on-shetland-pony.jpg

A Jack Russell dog shows off his horse riding skills.

Freddie leaps on the back of his neighbor’s Shetland pony Daisy for a trot around the paddock in Flaxley, Gloucestershire, England.

Owner Patricia Swinley said the dog was a “natural” jockey whose equestrian skills have blossomed.

“When he first saw Daisy he rushed across the yard and just jumped straight on her back,” she told the BBC.

Freddie, who has been nicknamed the Flaxley Flier, is often to be seen riding round the 25-acre farm and Daisy, who stands at just 37 inches tall provides the perfect taxi, for her pal.

“The children love to come and see him,” Mrs Swinley said. “I guess it is a rather peculiar sight.”

from: simply marvelous wordpress

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Para-Equestrians: the path of valor

Posted on June 2, 2009 by Jerrilee.
Categories: handicap.

mike-richardson.jpg by Jerrilee

Heroes are those people who risk their own lives to help others in harm’s way. Their bravery and selflessness teach incredible lessons. Yet there is another kind of hero. One whose path in life challenges nature and redefines the words innovation and perseverance. Mike Richardson of Broken R Ranch found his place in the saddle once again after a tragic accident left him a paraplegic. Unable to use traditional tack, his determination to continue riding inspired him to develop a specialized saddle that kept him steady and in balance with the horse.

Video from the Equine Expo

Currently he teaches and trains at his ranch in Texas. Mike’s inspiring experiences are shared through his public appearances throughout the country. His speaking schedule is linked here
Para-equestrians are other equestrians with similar physical complications. They participate worldwide in the newly developed Paralympics, where they match their skills on their talented mounts to compete both in jumping
and in dressage.
These heroes lead the way as they reinvent fresh ways to train and teach both horses and riders. They lead without arrogance, they inspire without pretense, they succeed without notoriety. The talent of these riders is slowly gaining recognition, however, as Para-Equestrian events have finally been scheduled into the Kentucky 2010 FEI Games. These events should put a new face on the world of horsemanship!
Elie Wiesel, a holocaust survivor, wrote: “It takes a certain amount of confidence and courage to say; “I can do something. I can change this and make a difference.” Our fellow para-equestrians are daily living this change and making this difference.

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