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DENVER, CO - The North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) is pleased to announce the recipients of several honors given out at the Association’s Annual Banquet, which was held on November 12 at the Houston Marriott Westchase in Houston, Texas.

“James Brady Professional Achievement Award”

The James Brady Professional Achievement Award is NARHA’s top honor, recognizing significant contributions by professionals to the therapeutic riding industry. The 2005 award has been presented to Barbara Ford of Virginia Beach, Virginia.  Barbara was a member and leader of the Therapeutic Riding Association of Virginia from the beginning. She has worked tirelessly on the annual state horse show. She is founder, executive director and head instructor at Equi-Kids in Virginia Beach. Barbara also implemented a Mobile Equestrian Outreach Program, a traveling 26 foot trailer with the program’s mascot, a miniature horse named Blue Boy. This program is designed to educate the general public about Equi-Kids and the benefits of equine assisted activities in the state of Virginia and since its inception two years ago has hosted over thirty-one thousand visitors. Barbara is also a new member of NARHA’s administrative committee.

“Sis Gould Driving Award”

Named after longtime NARHA driving advocate, Sis Gould, this award recognizes NARHA members who exemplify outstanding dedication to the promotion of carriage driving for individuals with disabilities. This year, the Sis Gould Driving Recognition Award was presented to Tina Bennett of Freeland, Michigan.  Tina has been a licensed Standardbred horse driver since 1992 and took that interest into the arena of therapeutic driving.  In 1997, she took the Driving for the Disabled Workshop in Maryland and subsequently became a NARHA Driving Clinician.  She runs two therapeutic riding programs for Bay and Saginaw counties in Michigan and developed her own therapeutic driving program.  Tina’s dedication to promotion of driving for individuals with disabilities extends to her tireless service as a volunteer helping to create the NARHA driving standards, content for the NARHA driving certification courses and current role as chair of the NARHA Driving Committee.

“Horse of the Year”

NARHA’s 2005 Therapy Horse of the Year is “Goodie,” of Midwest Therapeutic Equestrian Center in Rancine, Wisconsin.  Goodie has been a favorite at Midwest Therapeutic Equestrian Center for the past 6 years.  At age 31, this special Appaloosa mare truly lives up to her name.  She had been a show horse on the west coast before retiring and moving to Wisconsin.  As a show horse, she qualified for the World Show in 5 different divisions, in such things as Western pleasure, team penning, halter, and saddleseat pleasure.  The participants at the center are predominantly small children and many of the volunteers are not experienced horse people.  Goodie’s attitude and temperament are ideally suited for them.  Goodie is always the first choice to instill confidence in a new or timid rider.  As a retired show horse she is very versatile depending on the needs of the lesson or hippotherapy session and her wonderful, caring nature makes her an ideal horse for therapeutic riding.

“Volunteer of the Year”

Over 80% of all work at NARHA centers is completed by volunteers.  Without their steadfast support, many centers would simply not be able to function.  NARHA is pleased to recognize Annie Mabry of Anchorage, Alaska as the 2005 NARHA Volunteer of the Year.  Annie founded Rainbow Connection in 1983 as a 4-H community service project to keep her teens involved in their communities by utilizing their passion for horses.  What started as a project became a lifetime endeavor as she dedicated herself to the education and certification that would eventually enable her program to become a NARHA Center in 1991.  Because of Annie’s tireless dedication to the excellence of the program in all aspects, she has made herself an inspiration to each volunteer to strive for more than they might believe they can achieve.   She has acted as head instructor, sidewalker, leader, fundraiser, administrator, recruiter and trainer, has given countless presentations to school districts, banks, hospitals and even lobbied in the state capital with senators and the governor.   Annie’s volunteer efforts in equine assisted activities go far beyond her local efforts; she has been the NARHA Alaska state chair for 8 years and was elected as the NARHA Region 9 Representative.

“Child Equestrian of the Year”

Ten year old Kayla Bruno of Thornton, Colorado is NARHA’s 2005 Child Equestrian of the Year.  Kayla has been a rider at Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center for three years.  In that time, she’s learned to groom, tack, lead, mount and ride independently.  Although she wears a prosthesis which causes her some pain, she never complains.  In a letter to the center she wrote, “Soon I might have to get another surgery on my leg because I was born with one leg but I’m not so worried about it if I think about horses . . . They make me feel like I have a leg.”  Kayla is an inspiration to others both in her accomplishments, riding with a beautiful balanced seat at the walk and the trot, and in her patience and support of others.

“Youth Equestrian of the Year”

Once fearful of horses, seventeen year old Ryan Wolf of Dallas, Texas, now eagerly pitches in to water and feed horses, muck stalls and clean tack.  NARHA is proud to recognize him as the 2005 Youth Equestrian of the Year. Born with microcephaly and diagnosed with intellectual disability, Ryan started riding when he was five years old.   In March 2005, Ryan competed in his first hunter/jumper open show with enthusiasm that was infectious to all who were there that day.  Additionally, he recently completed Equest’s volunteer training to become an official volunteer as well as a participant.  Ryan is an exceptional individual who shares his unconditional love of animals and a glowing personality that lights up the entire room when he enters. NARHA is proud to recognize him as the 2003 Youth Equestrian of the Year.

“Adult Equestrian of the Year”

Bob Joder of Boulder, Colorado is NARHA’s 2005 Adult Equestrian of the Year.  Bob is a seasoned equestrian who now rides at Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center after sustaining a traumatic brain injury in 2002 as a result of a fall from his own horse.  However, his involvement with the center dates back to its beginnings 25 years ago when he and his wife offered their facility to the founders of CTRC.  Throughout its history, Bob remained an active supporter, long before becoming a participant.  Since his initial accident in 2002, he has suffered additional falls and traumas including a broken hip.  But he continually returned to mount his horse again and strive to regain his mobility and balance.  Today, Bob walks with difficulty but rides with a grace and confidence that transfers to whatever horse his is riding.

“Independent Adult Equestrian of the Year”

Tracy Cole’s biggest thrill is going on trail rides where she can experience woodland paths that would be impossible for her off the horse.   A Dover, New Jersey resident, Tracy began riding as a child and fairly quickly outgrew side walkers and progressed to complete independence at walk, trot and canter in her early teens.  As a teenager, she became interested in serious competition and after attending a number of local shows, was selected for the New Jersey state team to go to the USCPAA national games in 1989.  She then competed in the International Victory Games on Long Island, New York.  Although she won her share of blue ribbons, Tracy eventually decided to exchange the stress of competition for the chance to coach and encourage other riders.  Tracy embodies the spirit of therapeutic riding in general: to be a lifelong learner, to be gracious as both winner and loser in competition and to give back in any way possible to the sport she loves so much.  NARHA is pleased to recognize Tracy Cole as the 2005 Independent Adult Equestrian of the Year.

For photos or more information on NARHA and its award program, please contact Andrea Spridgen, Communications Specialist at 1-800-369-RIDE (7433), ext. 109 or at aspridgen@narha.org.

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About NARHA:

The North American Riding for the Handicapped Association was formed in 1969 to promote equine assisted activities for individuals with special needs.  At more than 700 member centers, a total of 36,000 children and adults find a sense of independence through involvement with horses.  These member centers range from small, one-person programs to large operations with several instructors and therapists.  In addition to horseback riding, a center may offer any number of equine activities such as driving, vaulting, trail riding, competition, ground work, or stable management.  Through a wide variety of educational resources, the association helps individuals start and maintain successful riding programs.  There are more than 24,000 volunteers, 2000 instructors, 5,700 therapy horses, and thousands of contributors from all over the world helping people at NARHA centers.

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For more information, contact:

Andrea Spridgen
Communications Specialist
North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, Inc.
800-369-RIDE (7433), Ext. 109
aspridgen@narha.org