Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy

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December 10, 2009

Written by: Susie Bowie
12/10/2009 9:40 AM

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County's Nonprofit Resource Center feels proud to work with you throughout the year. We know you're the ones on the front lines dealing with tough everyday realities as you make a positive difference. Our You're the Story $500 grant contest was conceived as a celebration of you. Many non profits come to us searching for ways to increase awareness about their impact. But the truth is, your own people are your best stories and you have the power to tell them.

Winning Program Story: Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy, submitted by Gail Clifton

Mallory will tell you her first true love is a big, brown horse named Ricky. When she started coming to SMART for Riding Therapy four years ago, it was Ricky who helped her grow from a shy girl with slumped shoulders, hiding behind her bangs, to the happy, giggly teenager she is today. In Ricky, Mallory found a kindred spirit-- he was a horse with a reputation for being strong willed and very smart, and she liked that. Living with CP, Mallory was resigned to life in her wheelchair with television and computer games for companionship. But she developed a whole new perspective the moment she was placed high in the saddle on top of Ricky. Over the last few years, she and Ricky have accomplished great things. Through hard work and the help of her SMART extended family, Mallory is now able to sit upright and independently ride her horse at the walk. Occasionally she will still collapse on Ricky's neck, but that’s only because of yet another uncontrolled bout of laughter!

This year brought even greater accomplishments. Mallory’s physical therapists noticed that due to her riding therapy, she had improved upper body control and no longer crossed her legs at the ankles. Mallory's mother had always been told that her daughter would never walk; however, tapping into Ricky's strength, Mallory was up for a challenge. Eagerly, she set her sight on new goals, including walking. Mallory graduated from high school last May-- and walked across the stage to accept her diploma. A dream come true for Mallory, her family and those of us who love her. It took a lot of hard work, but Mallory would be the first to tell you (with a giggle) that she couldn't have done it without her big, brown horse named Ricky!

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What judge Kivi Leroux Miller said: “This is a great story because through the journey of one girl and one horse, we understand the real impact that the organization can have. The results are crystal clear -- riding therapy works. The descriptive language is wonderful - we see the girl hiding behind slumped shoulders and bangs, with a social life limited to computer games. In the end we see her giggling and walking across the stage, something she was never expected to do. It's a great story of human triumph, made possible in part by the nonprofit.”

Congratulations to Mallory, Ricky and Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy!