Therapeutic Horsemanship Program for the Disabled
Ponder, Texas

August 20, 2007 Winner’s Circle Riding Unlimited Therapeutic Horsemanship and Carriage Driving for the Disabled Dear Current & New Friends of Riding Unlimited: We are writing to you in the hopes that you will join us and others in continuing to make the therapeutic riding and carriage driving program at Riding Unlimited (RU) a success by participating in our brand new Winner’s Circle program where you can register online to donate to RU automatically each month via your credit card (instructions on other side). RU’s mission is to provide therapeutic horsemanship programs including carriage driving, dedicated to the enhancement of the physical, social, educational, and emotional abilities of all individuals with special needs. RU serves participants from Collin, Dallas, Denton, Tarrant and Wise counties in the great State of Texas. RU operates out of a magnificent 49 acre facility in Ponder that was purchased ten years ago. RU is a premier center accredited by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association. Fifteen years ago I answered a newspaper ad to attend volunteer training. Today I am President of the organization – and for the second time. I just cannot leave this fantastic program. To me, the children and adults that RU serves are not disabled. They are people like you and me, who just happen to have more difficulty doing things that we take for granted. This is not to lighten the fact that they are disabled and face many challenges. Our rider’s disabilities run the gamut from Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Muscular Dystrophy, Spina Bifida, and more. For individuals with disabilities, equine-assisted activities have been shown to improve muscle tone, balance, posture, coordination, motor development as well as emotional well-being. Therapeutic carriage driving is unique in that it offers people who cannot ride the opportunity to participate in an equine activity. Driving a horse also utilizes to a greater degree eye/hand coordination and spatial awareness. You should see the excitement in our student’s faces as they look beyond their disabilities and see their possibilities! Jim Barton is the founder of RU. Jim has Cerebral Palsy and is also a rider at RU. His vision was to create an environment where the participants can motivate themselves to set goals and then reach those goals. It was a vision for a little girl named Olivia. Olivia came to ride at the age of 2 ½ yet was not walking. By the end of her first 10 week session, Olivia was taking her first steps. It was a vision for Tommy, who used to wheel up the ramp to mount his horse and now walks up that same ramp, leaving the wheelchair behind. We could not operate without the thousands of hours our wonderful and dedicated volunteers spend leading and sidewalking for our students. And, of course, our special therapy horses, most of whom are donated to the program, for without them the magic would never happen. All of this cannot continue without your generous support. Therefore we are asking you to join RU’s Winner’s Circle and register online for a monthly tax deductible donation on your credit card. This would occur automatically each month so you do not have to do anything else once you register. Just follow the steps in the box to the right. If you do not have access to the internet or have any questions regarding this new program, please call RU at: 940-479-2016. Riding Unlimited’s Winner’s Circle Go to: http://ridingunlimited.org Click on Winner’s Circle - center of screen Follow the instructions and be sure to click: “I would like to make this a recurring donation deducted Monthly” Please help RU’s students continue to make strides and be able to “Walk On”! THANK YOU in advance for YOUR much needed support! Sincerely, Dana Barber President Regards, Charlie Wagener Vice President Yours Truly, Mary Gwinner Executive Director