Ride-A-Thon to BenefitTEACH
By Maryeileen Flanagan

On Saturday, April 7, 2001, an estimated 80 riders will gather at Picacho Peak to participate in the second annual Therapeutic Equine Academy for Children (TEACH) Ride-A-Thon. Registration, with free coffee and donuts, will be at 9 a.m. A minimum of $25 in pre-collected pledges or donations must be turned in to participate, although it is hoped riders will gather much more! After registration, participants may ride at will in Picacho Peak State Park from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.. A barbecue lunch will be served to riders on their return to the staging area.
Tri-Valley Equestrians are volunteering their services to help coordinate this worthwhile event. Picacho Peak State Park is waiving the park entrance fees for riders. All proceeds from the ride-a-thon go directly to TEACH, an Eloy-based program that enables special needs students to enjoy the benefits of therapeutic riding. Anyone interested in riding or assisting in this event should call Shirlee at 520-466-7002 or email her at : TEACH@c2i2.com for sponsorship forms and additional information.
Last year, at the first ever TEACH Ride-A-Thon, twenty-one riders participated and raised over $1,500. Most of the money was put toward the eventual purchase of a covered arena which will cost nearly $100,000, but some went toward resurfacing the current riding arena, the purchase a harness and custom, wheelchair-accessible driving cart, and special equipment needed by TEACH riders who enter local shows. The ride-a-thon is TEACH's main fund raising event, although a few smaller events are also planned throughout the year.
The school currently can not operate at full capacity during the summer months because of the heat and sun. A covered arena, particularly one with some sort of cooling system, would enable the riders to continue their therapy year-round. While normal riders often find the Arizona summer sun a bit too warm for comfort, many of the TEACH students are physically handicapped and extremely heat sensitive making summer riding impossible. Since TEACH is located in Eloy, in the middle of the state's hottest region, the program all but shuts down during the months of June, July and August every year. In some years May and September are also lost due to the weather. A covered arena would permit students to continue their riding therapy throughout the year.
Therapeutic riding is an exceptionally beneficial form of exercise and therapy for individuals facing emotional, mental or physical challenges. TEACH serves students in all three categories. For students with physical problems, the rhythmic movement of the horses helps improve coordination, balance, and flexibility.
Mentally challenged riders find their self-esteem increases significantly due to their riding success. As the student progresses through being able to independently walk, trot and sometimes even canter, the student gains confidence in his or her ability to control the horse. This translates into confidence in the individual's ability to control other aspects of their environment.
As for the emotionally challenged, everyone who loves equines knows there's something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a person. The gentle, loving, dependable mounts used in therapeutic riding help heal emotional scars for children in a way that is almost magical.
Many people volunteer each week at TEACH, and without the volunteers, the program could not survive. There is always room for more, however, and not every volunteer need be a "horsy" person. In addition to people to help with the horses and students, volunteers are needed in many areas of construction.
For example, TEACH needs a porch built. A metal shed and sub-floor are also needed, and must be constructed with volunteer time and materials. There is always a need for someone who can do plumbing, electrical, welding and miscellaneous carpentry work throughout the year. One teenage volunteer is building a web-site for TEACH, but someone will be needed who can maintain it after it is uploaded to the internet.
For people who don't have extra "man-hours," there are many other ways to support TEACH. Donations of money and items are always welcome. Tack and horse supplies such as fly masks and fly control items and tools such as electric screwdrivers, saws, drills, and cleaning supplies are needed. TEACH cooperates in a work-skills program for special education students, and these items are used in conjunction with that partnership. Another way to support TEACH is to sponsor a horse or rider. Sponsors receive a picture of the horse for which they are caring and have the privilege of coming out to visit and pet the horse. There is also an "adopt a rider" program which permits the sponsor to pay for some or all of a child's monthly lessons.
TEACH is a North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) affiliate, and as such is part of a nation-wide network of therapeutic riding centers. NARHA was founded in 1969 to promote and support therapeutic riding in the U.S. and Canada. There are more than 600 NARHA riding centers serving over 30,000 individuals. These centers range from small, one-person programs to large operations with several instructors and therapists.
NARHA provides program accreditation and instructor certification, along with several other benefits. Certification and training help combine an understanding of the riders" disabilities and needs with a knowledge of horses. NARHA's standards for riding centers provide a basis for maintaining a safe therapeutic riding environment.
A large part of this environment is the horses. TEACH accepts donated horses on a space-available basis. Donated horses must be sound: "steady as a rock;î able to walk, trot, and canter; and preferably under 20 years of age as they must be trained to get used to the mounting ramp, wheel chairs and other equipment. Horses which pass the preliminary qualifications are taken in on a 60 day trial basis. If they work out, they are then signed over to TEACH. If, during the trial period, it becomes clear the horse will not work out it is returned to its owner - unless other arrangements are made before hand.
If TEACH can't use a horse when a suitable one is offered, they often know of another therapeutic riding program which has an opening. Right now, until enough money is raised to build the covered arena, there is a possibility TEACH would consider a donated lease agreement that runs September through May with the owner taking the horse home for the summer when it is too hot for the students to ride.
TEACH welcomes inquiries, donations and volunteers at any time. The best time to reach a "live person," however, is Monday through Thursdays from 7 am to 7 p.m.. Want to lend a hand and warm your heart? Give Shirlee or Sheila a call at 520-466-7002 or email them at: TEACH@c2i2.com. They are warm, friendly people and will be delighted to hear from you.