Equine Therapy for 20 Children with Special Needs

This January, thirteen athletes competed in the Broward County Equestrian Special Olympic Games at Equine-Assisted Therapies of South Florida.  Athletes dressed to impress in their show clothes – a navy show jacket and tan pants ready to show off their skills.

Special Olympic Equestrians at Equine-Assisted Therapies of South Florida are scored in two different events – English Working Trail and English Equitation. Athletes are judged on their successful completion of obstacles on the trail, or schooling figures in the arena.  These scored elements in both trail and equitation are similar to what Olympic eventers and dressage competitors experience!

Judges for both events are accomplished equestrians in their own right! Ellie Scofield judged the English Equitation portion of the competition. She is the owner and operator of Galloways Farms and Spectrum Saddle Shop. Ellie has trained riders who have received national awards from the U.S. Dressage Federation and the U.S. Equestrian Federation. Allison Young, the judge for the Working English Trail is the owner/trainer for Young Equestrian, and an accomplished horsewoman of over 20 years. She has worked under many top trainers.

Through the Equestrian Special Olympics, participants get exposure to how a show day runs, and how scores are tallied – just like in a horseshow that we might see in Wellington, Florida!

The energy of the Special Olympics is truly contagious. From the presentation of the colors, parade of athletes, and watching the success of each athlete – the day was certainly one for the books. Congratulations to all of our athletes at Equine-Assisted Therapies of South Florida!