Inaugural therapeutic riding event launched

American Paint Horse Foundation spotlights
healing power of Paints at APHA World Show

The American Paint Horse Foundation made history this summer during the World Championship Paint Horse Show at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas, when the non-profit charitable organization hosted its first-ever therapeutic riding event – the “Freedom Challenge.”

               

In addition to exhibiting their skills in traditional show classes, riders also demonstrated the maneuvers they perform on horseback for physical exercise and therapy.

 

            

 

Riders received Paint Horse trophies for their displays of talent at the American Paint Horse Foundation “Freedom Challenge,” as veteran show announcer Louis Amedee congratulated them for their World Show debuts and jobs well done.

 

 

Following their participation in the inaugural “Freedom Challenge” at the World Championship Paint Horse Show in Fort Worth, seven therapeutic riding centers received checks for $500 each from the American Paint Horse Foundation to continue their work.

 

 

 

  

 

    

 

 

Haynes and Boone, LLP, an international law firm with an office in Fort Worth, donated $500 toward the Foundation’s therapeutic riding program. Attorney Vincent Circelli presented the check to APHA President John Corbin, Foundation Therapeutic Riding Committee Chairman Kevin Hardcastle and Foundation Board of Director Ron Shelly.

 

The next therapeutic riding demonstration will involve a dinner, a benefit auction and riding demonstration on Oct. 1, 2009, at Bell Mountain Stables in Castle Rock, Colo., during APHA’s Annual Convention. Haynes and Boone LLP, an international law firm, and Ford Farms of Las Vegas, Nev., were the first to step up with a $500 donation each to support the event.

For details on sponsoring or to help the Foundation’s Therapeutic Riding fund grow, contact: Jerry Circelli, Foundation Director at (817) 834-2742 or by email: jcircelli@apha.com