Mark Bolender and Bolender Horse Park are partnering with the nonprofit organization, Rainier Therapeutic Riding (RTR) to raise money and awareness for RTR’s mission: to provide equine assisted therapy to active and retired soldiers suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and other physical or emotional challenges. RTR provides a relatively new treatment modality that started pilots in Texas and Virginia in 2007. Giving wounded soldiers the chance to communicate with, ride, and train a horse is therapeutic because horseback riding mimics the human locomotion. Over 30% of service men and women returning from battle deployments are diagnosed with PTSD. Eight horse Shows are scheduled to raise awareness for RTR. The eighth and final Show will be held on September 15, 2012 at Bolender Horse Park in Silver Creek, WA. Buckle awards are given by Tracy and Bob Stout of Sky Hawk Ranch and ribbons donated by Mare Magic. The fit between RTR’s mission and Mark Bolender couldn’t be better. Bolender is the national grand champion in the sport of Mountain/Extreme Trail. Since RTR’s goal is to move soldiers into trail riding, who better to train them than Mark Bolender? He says, “It’s the very least we can do for our heroes.” All proceeds from “Bolender’s Mountain Trail Challenge to Support Rainier Therapeutic Riding” will go to RTR. Those interested in participating in the show – either donating, volunteering, or vending – please contact Lee Sampson (360-269-6156; info@BolenderHorsePark.com ) or Debbi Fisher (360-259-3782; www.rtriding.org or saddleup@rtriding.org).
Published August 2012 Issue
The Colorado Horse Source is an independently owned and operated print and online magazine for horse owners and enthusiasts of all breeds and disciplines in Colorado and surrounding area. Our contemporary editorial columns are predominantly written by experts in the region, covering the care, training, keeping and enjoyment of horses, with an eye to the specific concerns in our region.