Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Foundation is a Grande Dame in a relatively new field that uses horses as tools to help the disabled. Established 31 years ago, it was founded to provide riding lessons to disabled students when the county and the needs for such services were small.

As the county has grown (and grown and grown) so has the need for all its services, and a major fundraising campaign is currently underway to ensure that LTRF can grow axiomatically to meet those needs.

The Foundation is raising funds as it always had – from a combination of corporate grants, personal giving and of course their annual event which will take place this year April 23 at Landsdowne Resort in Leesburg. This year, Betty Oare will be honored as the recipient of the annual "Equitarian Award," and former Redskin Tom Carter will be attend the gala event to receive his "Spirit of Sport Award."

Currently 12 trustworthy, fit and happy horses along with seven certified instructors, 120 volunteers and four staffers are at the ready to serve their ever-growing client base. Seventy students, most between the ages of 5 and 13, ride on a weekly basis at the Foundation's Morven Park facilities while another 80 are waitlisted at any given time.

"There's isn't a lot of turnover," explains Program Director, Joanne Hart. Hart who has been with the program since 1984, has witnessed first hand the remarkable benefits and the enjoyable, one might say, addicting nature of the therapy. "Once kids get started, they tend to stay. We had one little girl who started with us at age 2 and stayed until she was 20."

The fun factor is one reason kids remain with the program but Hart also points to a lack of outdoor opportunities for disabled children in Loudoun County.

"The County is growing so fast," says Hart. "Most programs have waitlists."

In order to accommodate more students, the fundraising campaign will build a comprehensive, expanded facility within the grounds of Morven Park. "I can't say enough about Morven Park," says Hart as she explains their relationship with the Equestrian Center there. "They are so good to us."

The new center will include offices, an indoor riding ring, stables, a viewing room and a therapy room. Having all their facilities essentially under one roof will allow them to expand their program and include more riders. While funds are raised and plans finalized for the new center, LTRF carries on its work as it always has. Between April and November on any given day classes are given to children with a wide range of physical, mental and/or emotional disabilities. But much more is going on then plain old fun with horses.

Therapeutic riding has been formally used by therapists since about the mid 1950s as a means of improving the lives of the disabled. The science of equine assisted therapy started in Europe and then was established by interested parties in this country in the Sixties.

At first the approach was embraced by just a handful of therapy professionals. Then a meeting took place in Middleburg that heralded the beginning of the organization that has grown and matured into what is now known as NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association).

That meeting took place at the Red Fox Inn in November 1969. Approximately two-dozen professionals gathered there to form the organization that today oversees the training and certification of therapeutic riding professionals, as well as the promoting awareness of the benefits of equine therapy.

According to NARHA's Mission Statement, "Because horseback riding gently and rhythmically moves the rider's body in a manner similar to a human gait, riders with physical disabilities often show improvement in flexibility, balance and muscle strength. For individuals with mental or emotional disabilities, the unique relationship formed with the horse can lead to increased confidence, patience and self-esteem."

Equestrians everywhere can attest to the therapeutic nature of their time spent with horses. NARHA and its affiliate partner American Hippotherapy Association (AHA) create guidelines and instructions for therapists who hope to harness that equine therapy on behalf of their client base.

Above all, safety is stressed. Clients are mounted on safe horses (which are donated to program centers). Then each rider has at least one leader and up to two "side-walkers," volunteers who walk along side the horse and rider just in case the rider lose his balance.

Physicians, teachers and therapists refer students to the Loudoun program. Those professionals then work with the staff members to develop a program that addresses the specific needs of each student.

Key to helping each student reach his or her goal is an appropriate equine partner.

Loudoun is lucky to have 12 of the most gracious horses and ponies to do so. On an early April morning, just before the 2005 season begins, they quietly graze and playfully amuse themselves. Thoroughbreds, draft crosses, quarter horses and one very charming Connemara cross pony provide the equestrian part of the team – crucial contributors to a program that provides safe, effective therapy and plain old fun.

For more information regarding the program or to make reservations for the gala fundraiser, which will include dinner, dancing, and live and silent auction, contact Joanne Hart at jhart@ltrf.org or call (703) 771-2689.