The Santa Ynez Valley Therapeutic Riding Program is sponsoring a Ride-A-Thon May 22-June 12. Due to COVID-19, the organization’s popular Cowboy Ball, held for the past 11 summers, has been cancelled. Instead, volunteers will be setting their own 10-mile course and Riding For a Cause.
Riders can saddle up, set their own route and ride for 10 miles alone or with friends. Each equestrian is encouraged to gather $1,000 in pledges from friends, family and supporters of the Therapeutic Riding Program, although donations of any amount are gratefully accepted.
The program needs $50,000 to continue its work of helping students with emotional and physical needs heal through the joy of horses. Certified instructors and mental health professionals assist students who have diagnoses such as autism, cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy.
Funds are needed to help pay for the horses’ upkeep while the program has been on hiatus, as well as to help the more than 70% of the program’s enrolled students who are on scholarship get back in the saddle once it is safe to reopen.
Santa Ynez Valley Therapeutic Riding is a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) program. Studies have shown the value of horse riding to stimulate cognitive and neurological and social growth. Santa Ynez Valley Therapeutic Riding Program hopes the community will support the Ride-A-Thon and ensure the organization can continue its work.
“We are more than a treatment for our students, we are a community,” said Robin Serritslev, the organization’s executive director.
“This program is amazing and life changing. My son is nonverbal, but now he says, ‘thank you’ to his horse and everyone at the program,” said the mother of new student.
“This program changed my son. It changed our family. My son wouldn’t have grown into the young man he is without this program, and we are forever grateful,” said the mother of past student.
Community members can help the therapeutic riding program, which serves students throughout northern Santa Barbara County, by volunteering as a rider or pledging to sponsor a rider. Riders are encouraged take pictures or videos that can be shared.
To make a pledge, become a Ride-A-Thon rider or learn more, visit https://www.firstgiving.com/event/454923/Cowboy-Ride-A-Thon, or email Robin at Robin.syvtrp@gmail.com. Checks can be mailed to SYVTRP at PO Box 256 Solvang, CA 93464.