Horse enthusiasts ride for ‘freedom’

Last Saturday morning, 16 horseback riders rode eight miles in support of the Northern Therapeutic Riding Association for the disabled during Freedom Ride 2000.
The riders spent weeks collecting pledges for the ride, with the $6,051 raised to be used to feed the horses throughout the year as well as contribute to a fundraising campaign to build an arena enabling disabled riders to ride year-round.
“What we need more than anything else in the world is an arena,” said Joyce Young, owner of Trail’s End Riding Stable. “They get so disappointed when they can’t come.”
NORTRA is based at the Young’s riding stable, where she has been providing a place for the disabled to ride for 15 years thanks to private lessons and riding fees as well as the fundraising.
“Now I have no worry for feed. It’s paid for by the freedom riders,” said Young.
An additional$300 was raised by a contingent of 22 motorcyclists who took part in a Freedom Ride poker run that same day.
Much to Young’s surprise, the bikers joined the cause last year.
“Over the hill came 11 Harleys,” she recalled. “I was looking and I couldn’t believe it.”
A number of the riders who took part in this year’s Freedom Ride have spent time at the Trail’s End Riding Stables and attest to the benefits horseback riding has on the disabled.
Carol Kliner was on hand to see one older boy who was diagnosed as quadriplegic reach out and grab hold of the reins. Kliner said the boy now rides on a regular basis and smiles the entire time he’s sitting atop a horse.
“When you see him it makes your day,” said Kliner. “I can attest to the therapeutic value and it does wonders for your attitude.”
Young said the movement of a horse beneath the riders moves the same muscles used to walk–muscles disabled people don’t have the ability to move on their own.
The participants started their ride just after 10 a.m. and finished around 1 p.m. Afterwards, they were rewarded for their efforts with a number of donated gifts.
The youngest rider, Holly McRae, was the most successful fundraiser with $1,932, winning a saddle. She was followed by Shannon LaRocque ($1,126) and Susan Tupper of International Falls, Mn., who heard about the ride only a week before but still raised $891.
“It’s to help the kids,” said Tupper. “Some of us are more fortunate and I enjoy helping out.
The riders finished the day with a potluck meal and games on horseback.
Young hopes to raise $55,000 to pay for arena materials. The building will be built by a number of local residents who already have volunteered their time.
NORTRA currently provides riding for 32 children and seven adults from across Rainy River District as well as 11 children and four adults from International Falls.