Open to the public; it is designed to underscore the accomplishments and progress that each individual makes toward independence and an improved quality of life.
Lehigh Valley and the Poconos, PA — Equi-librium will be hosting its First Annual Participant Horse Show and Open House at its farm in Nazareth, PA. Originally scheduled for Saturday, October 3, it was rescheduled to Saturday, October 10 from 9am to 2pm at 524 Fehr Road, Nazareth, PA 18064.
For the first time, more than 25 of our participants-individuals with special needs from 2 to 85 from Lehigh, Northampton, and Monroe counties-will compete in Equitation, Trail Riding, Carriage Driving, Egg and Spoon, and Barrels. Ribbons will be awarded for 1st through 4th place in all categories/classes. The public is invited to come learn more about our facility, enjoy food and fun, and cheer on our participants!
“In May we hosted the Horse Show for Northampton County Special Olympics,” said Cheryl Baker, Equi-librium’s CEO. “Twelve of our students compete in Special Olympics. Our Participant Horse Show gives all of our participants the opportunity to show and celebrate their accomplishments. It’s also our Fall Festival, and it will be a great opportunity to showcase our farm and our programs to our neighbors and friends in the community.”
The title sponsor of the Show is Straight Arrow Products, Inc. Other sponsors include Tomer Trucking, Waitz Corporation, Hilltop Sales and Service, and All Points Equine. Judges include Diane Wampole, and Sue Weirback, both friends of Equi-librium. Diane is an active volunteer and regularly competes with her own horse, Liberty, in shows for the AQHA (American Quarter Horse Association), and Sue is a former board member and the owner of Willie, one of the horses currently in our program.
In addition to the competition, refreshments (including hot dogs from Potts’) will be available; there will be children’s activities, games, and prizes. The One Saturday Program will be on hand assisting with a collection for Equi-librium’s Shoes for Shoes effort. People are encouraged to bring along gently-used shoes for donation; all the proceeds from this effort will help to offset the costs of shoes for the horses.
More information can be found online at www.equi-librium.org. For information about the event, please contact Cheryl Baker at 610-365-2266 or Cheryl@equi-librium.org.
About Equi-librium: Formerly a program offered by Easter Seals under the name of RISE (Riding Instruction for Special Equestrians), Equi-librium was founded in 2001 and each week provides therapeutic riding and carriage driving programs to approximately 100 children, youth and adults with special needs ranging from autism and cerebral palsy, to stroke symptoms, MS and social-emotional/behavioral challenges like ADHD. Participants come from primarily Lehigh, Northampton and Monroe counties, both as individuals referred by physicians, therapists and psychologists, as well as in groups from other human service agencies and educational organizations. The benefits of horse therapy include improved balance, muscle tone, attention to detail, confidence and fun, all leading to a higher equality of life and greater productivity.
Equi-librium is the only Premier Accredited Center of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) International organization in the region, and the only one to offer both riding and carriage driving in the Commonwealth. It is also an Education Improvement Organization, so designated by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development as part of its Educational Improvement Tax Credit program. It is also a Partner Agency of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley.
For more information about Equi-librium, please go to www.equi-librium.org, or contact Cheryl Baker at 610-365-2266, Cheryl@equi-librium.org.
GREAT PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES!
