By June Mathews
Kathleen Claybrook has been around horses her whole life. She had a horse of her own growing up, and she credits horseback riding with helping her shine as a youngster.
“It gave a small kid like me the opportunity to be athletic,” she said.
For the past 24 years, Claybrook’s horsemanship has served her well as the executive director of Special Equestrians, a nonprofit organization that provides therapeutic horseback riding to individuals with special needs.
“I started volunteering here in 1987 and got hooked,” she said. “I’d wanted to do something for my community, and with my experience with horses, this was a natural. At one time, I had planned to become a social worker, so I earned a degree in psychology. I also worked in property management for 10 years, so there was a lot about my background that fit in with this program’s needs.”
Not long after signing on as a Special Equestrian volunteer, Claybrook became an instructor in the program and served in that capacity for the next few years. She stepped into the executive director role in 1993.
Now there’s no greater advocate for the program.
“I feel like horses can do for a person with disabilities what nothing else can do,” Claybrook said. “Horses give freedom just by virtue of sitting on them and taking a ride. Riding builds balance, stimulates nerves, increases focus and helps calm the rider, among other things. And there’s a certain self-esteem that comes from learning to ride.”
The instructors and occupational therapists who work with Special Equestrian riders are all nationally certified therapeutic riding instructors, as is Claybrook, and can safety accommodate a wide range of disabilities.
Nearly 100 riders a week come to Special Equestrians. Each requires the assistance of two or three volunteers, depending on their level of disability, so it takes about 300 volunteers to operate the program.
“We’re constantly growing and adding new programs, and we have a waiting list,” Claybrook said.
Among the volunteers are Claybrook’s husband and her son, who she said is 24 years old and a great help with the horses.
“He basically grew up here and has served as one of our interns,” she said. “It’s a family thing for us.”
Rita Mendel, who founded the program in 1986, also volunteers, giving credence to Claybrook’s assertion that “most of the people who come here stay here.”
Each volunteer completes a training process that involves classroom and hands-on training, and new volunteers are paired with experienced volunteers until they learn the ropes. Volunteer duties range from side-walking and horse-handling to ground maintenance and care and feeding of the horses.
“Our success is reflected in the smiles on the faces of our riders each week,” said Claybrook. “Regardless of their disabilities, they learn riding skills, play games on horseback, ride through woods and on trails, and with a gentle pull on the reins – not always easy for a person with cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis – they can go wherever they like.”
Special Equestrians is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving individuals with disabilities from Jefferson, Shelby and neighboring counties. The program is based on the campus of Indian Springs School and is accredited through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International.
For more information, visit specialequest.org.
Boots and Black Tie Gala Raises Funds for Special Equestrian Programs
Special Equestrians will host its seventh annual Boots and Black Tie Gala on April 22 at Mazzoni Equestrian on U.S. 119.
The funds raised will help make the organization’s programs affordable for riders, regardless of their ability to pay.
Entertainment will feature riding performances, including some by Special Equestrians riders. Local musician Kevin Harrison will perform throughout the evening.
“The Boots and Black Tie Gala is a very special event for our program,” said Executive Director Kathleen Claybrook. “Guests enjoy a spectacular dinner in a beautiful setting while being a part of entertaining live and silent auctions. Guests also have the opportunity to learn more about our program and meet some of our riders who benefit from the gracious contributions of our donors.”
A variety of sponsorship opportunities are available. Individual tickets are $200 each; tables of 10 may be reserved for $2,000. For sponsorship and ticket information, go to the Events page at specialequest.org.