Therapeutic riding center marks anniversary

On a small brown and white pony named Peaches, Philip Brooks, 7, carefully steers his way through five cones standing in the center of the ring.

"We were looking for a way to jump start his physical therapy," says his mother, Jerri Kamicker, watching from the side. "We wanted to do something fun to get him excited, and this has helped a lot with his balance and hip stability."

Philip is a student at Maryland Therapeutic Riding, a nonprofit organization in Crownsville that for 10 years has been helping kids and adults with special needs through horseback riding.

Tomorrow, the nonprofit will hold a fund-raiser and 10th anniversary celebration 4:30 p.m. at Medieval Times in Hanover.

"We feel Maryland Therapeutic Riding is a great charity, and we wanted to help make it a special night," said Rae Ann Cinquanto, marketing manager for the medieval-themed dinner theater at Arundel Mills mall. "We share a love for horses, and we have a great deal of respect for them."

Medieval Times originally offered to donate a horse to the program, but that didn't work. Instead, they're donating the proceeds from the event.

The goal is to raise $50,000 for the group, said Betsy Kimrey, development director for Maryland Therapeutic Riding. About $27,000 in sponsorships already have been raised.

The event comes as the riding center is marking a sad occurence, the death of one of its 11 specially trained horses.

Calvin, a 14-year-old quarterhorse-thoroughbred cross, died May 3 from colic, a condition that affects digestion and can cause severe abdominal pain and intestinal distress.

"With his generous spirit and advanced training, Calvin was an excellent teacher, giving hisriders the opportunity to shine and succeed," Mrs. Kimrey said. "He gave his riders the gift of confidence, which allowed them to stay focused on learning new skills."

A memorial service was held at the farm in Crownsville, and more than two dozen volunteers and riders attended the ceremony to bid him farewell. Although it can take a year to train a horse for therapeutic riding, there is no plan to make Calvin's passing part of tomorrow's event.

The riding center started in 1996 with only a few riders and one horse. Now, about 180 riders with a variety of disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, brain injuries and neuromuscular disorders go for treatment.

Philip began riding about four years ago to help with his motor skills, Mrs. Kamicker said. After a short break he returned for lessons with his sister, Hope, 12, who recently was diagnosed with scoliosis.

"This will help her develop muscles, and it will give her more strength and stability," Mrs. Kamicker said. "She says she feels better after a lesson."

Beverly Willard, director of therapeutic services for the organization, said she can see an improvement in riders after only a few lessons.

"I have one little boy who has been coming here for about four weeks, and after his first session his parents came back to me and said he'd been doing stairs without hanging on to the railing and he could sit up straight," she said. "They could see a big difference."

Maryland Therapeutic Riding is also great for kids because they don't realize the riding is therapy and they get to have fun while doing it, Mrs. Willard said.

"The way a horse walks is almost identical to the way a person walks," she said. "So for a lot of these kids, this could be the first time they feel how the hips and pelvis are supposed to move normally."

The horse can help riders with their posture, balance, mobility, behavior and even communication skills, Mrs. Morton said.

"In some cases people use a ball, do muscle development or practice speech therapy while they're riding," she said. "It's an amazing way to achieve goals, and kids love being on horses."

A memorial fund has been started in Calvin's honor. Donations can be sent to Maryland Therapeutic Riding, P.O. Box 6477 Annapolis, MD 21401, or for more information, call 410-923-6800, e-mail betsy@mtrinc.org or visit www.horsesthatheal.org.

WHEN YOU GO

WHAT: Fund-raiser for the 10th anniversary of Maryland Therapeutic Riding

WHEN: A special reception at 4:30, seating at 5:30 and the tournament and feast at 6 p.m. tomorrow

WHERE: Medieval Times, 7000 Arundel Mills Circle in Hanover

TICKETS: $125 for adults or $50 for kids and can be purchased by calling 410-923-6816 or on site at the farm, 750 Old Herald Harbor Road in Crownsville. Tickets can be purchased through Medieval Times by calling 888-WE-JOUST. Donations are also accepted.

INFO: 410-923-1187 or www.horsesthatheal.org.

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By ELIZABETH COE, Staff Writer

Published 05/19/06, Copyright © 2006 The Capital, Annapolis, Md.