Horse Show Spotlights Special Needs Riders

The Northland Therapeutic Riding Center improves the quality of life for people with special needs through equine therapy. The riders participate in classes to teach them how to handle and interact with horses. The Riding Center is preparing for their biggest event of the year on September 11: the annual Fall Horse Show and Tack Sale. 

They hold those trophies up and you feel how great that is for them - Executive Director Shaney Othic

The horse show begins at 9:30 am and goes until noon at the outdoor arena. It’s a chance for kids and adults with special needs to participate in an event for a public audience. The participants are proud to show off all the special equestrian skills they have acquired through the Riding Center’s programs.

“Oftentimes for kids that don’t have special needs, they’re involved in a lot of activities like football, soccer and ballet, anything that shows off what they do,” said Executive Director Shaney Othic. “For our riders, this is that event, so this is really important to them.”

The horse show begins with the National Anthem, then a parade with goats, mini horses and all participants. Following the opening festivities, the riders come out by classes to show their equestrian skills.

The Tack Sale is open throughout the day beginning at 8 am and ending at 4 pm in the covered arena. There is still booth space available for vendors who have new or used equine-related items to sell. Vendors can also sell other merchandise like western wear, hats, boots, crafts and collectables. Booth space can be reserved for $25 by calling the Riding Center at 816-876-6220.

This all-day event occurs on Saturday, September 11, at 13608 Henson Road in Holt, and is free to the public. There will be plenty of things to do including balloon animals, face painting, and kids’ activities. Kids can also meet mini horses Pete and Snickers and goats Bert and Ernie.

The Horse Show and Tack Sale is Shaney’s favorite event at the Riding Center because it makes people so happy: “It’s so much fun to see how proud they [the riders] are,” she reflected. “Their parents come and grandparents, aunts, uncles and neighbors, and everybody cheers, and they…light up. They hold those trophies up and say yee-haw, and they have so much fun. You feel how great that is for them.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story