Page 85 - Southern Oregon Magazine Winter 2020

HOPE SILHOUETTE
JUICY COUTURE
EQUESTRIAN LA EYEWORKS

COACH
CENTER KATE SPADE

MAUI JIM

SMITH
HOPE Equestrian Center is a OAKLEY
nonprofit organization providing
therapeutic horseback riding to
individuals with physical, emo- Eye Exams by Dr. Garry Kappel, OD FCOVD
tional, and learning disabilities,
including autism, cerebral palsy,
spina bifida, spinal cord injury, CONTACT LENSES | GLASSES | SUNGLASSES
Down Syndrome, learning dis- 530 Crater Lake Avenue
abilities, or developmental delays. Medford
Instructors and staff design indi- 541 774-3937
vidualized plans based on input www.lassmans.com
from doctors, therapists, teach-
ers, and parents. Despite a “bad
day” or emotional upheaval, when
riders mount, they sit tall and
smile their appreciation. As they
develop a relationship with their
horse, they learn life skills such as
trust and following instructions.
Along the way, they gain confi-
dence while discovering adven-
ture, freedom, responsibility, and
dignity.

Angie Ballard, Executive
Director, brings to HOPE per-
sonal empathy, having witnessed
the joy horses brought to her
sister with special needs. Trained
instructors lead weekly lessons,
with assistance from volunteers.
Parents sitting in the bleachers
cheer for their riders and take
pictures and videos. One young
child with Down syndrome could
not distinguish colors. It was at a
riding lesson that he gained the
skill. He beamed, and his mother
wept. In the end, “Move on” is
about more than spurring a horse
forward.

winter 2020 | www.southernoregonmagazine.com 83