And photographs, if you have any.
Horseytalk.net Special Interview
Jenna Pratt
Jenna suffers from epidermolitic hyperkeratosis.
She is
unable to sweat and her skin is susceptible to tearing. But
she loves riding horses.
Jenna Pratt, 10, of Brattleboro, Vermont has come a long way since she started horseback riding a little over a year ago.
Last April she was being led by a helper on a pony, and now she can walk and trot independently. Her favorite part of her lessons is cantering, which she likes both for the challenge of it and because it means going fast.
Jenna Pratt rides
Blis during a riding lesson at the Winchester
Stables Therapeutic
Riding Center. (Kayla Rice/Reformer) >>
The amount of progress Jenna has made would be an achievement for any child, but for Jenna it has perhaps even more significance; her whole life she's had difficulty engaging in many physical activities because of a medical condition called epidermolitic hyperkeratosis. She is unable to sweat, and her skin is susceptible to tearing.
Over the years she tried a number of sports, but the potential for aggravating her skin condition was worrisome for her parents, and the experience was often stressful for Jenna.
Then last February her family found out that the Southern Vermont Therapeutic Riding Center was opening at Winchester Stables in Newfane. Her father, Christopher Pratt, said that after her first lesson he could tell she finally found an activity she loved.
"This is something I could see her doing the rest of her life, that's how passionate she is about it," he said.
Under the leadership of riding instructor Lorna Young, the facility recently earned its North American Riding for the Handicapped Association accreditation.
"Lorna's done a great job promoting the program," Christopher Pratt said.
Over the last year, the program has grown from just two students to more than 30 riders.
The center was visited by NARHA officials on May 26 to verify that all standards for accreditation had been met. Young, who has been a NARHA certified Advanced Therapeutic Riding Instructor since 1995, said there are multiple benefits to being accredited.
"It tells people that we are a safe place to go," Young said. "That the instructors are certified, the horses are good and the center is well-kept."
The facility is now eligible to host events and workshops through NARHA, she added.
And the riding center has grown to include students from all over Windham
County. Leland & Gray Union Middle and High School, the Brattleboro Retreat,
Kindle Farm School and NewBrook Elementary School all have riding at the
Newfane stable built in their program for a portion of their students.
Residents at one of the local senior centers visit the barn as well, Young said.
Jenna Pratt leads Blis after the riding lesson at Winchester Stables Therapeutic Riding Center. (Zachary P. Stephens/Reformer)
The therapeutic riding program specializes in using horseback riding to improve strength and balance for those with physical challenges. For others, riding and horsemanship can help improve cognitive skills or emotional and mental health.
Horseback riding has helped boost Jenna's confidence; her father and her brother, Samuel, said they have seen a big difference in her.
"Before, she didn't want to leave our side," said Christopher Pratt. "Now she speaks louder, and she's not afraid to go off with other adults."
A prime example, he said, was when Young first accompanied Jenna on a ride in the field adjacent to the barn. She had no problem riding off with Young and told her parents they could stay behind, though they offered to walk along with her.
Samuel comes to watch Jenna's lessons, as do her parents.
"I love watching her," Samuel said while Jenna trotted her horse around the riding ring. "She's so small on such
a big horse, and she's so comfortable.""I just like the feeling of the horse and stuff," said Jenna, peering out from under her helmet with a serious expression in her big blue eyes.
She said proudly that she can trot her horse over poles on the ground with
no hands. In her upcoming lessons, she wants to practice more cantering.
<< Vishakha Bellizia-Lyons, left, and Hannah Lawley brush Boston at Winchester Stables Therapeutic Riding Center. (Zachary P. Stephens/Reformer)
She's also looking forward to competing in the riding center's second annual horse show, which takes place Aug. 6 and is accompanied by a tack and book sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
All the proceeds from the sales will go toward scholarships for riders. Currently the program sponsors about five riders, giving them the opportunity to participate in an eight-week-long program.
"The community has been incredibly supportive, between the volunteers, the school systems and the local business who donate food for our events," said Young.
She said she is looking for more volunteers to walk beside those students who need a little extra help during their lessons.
"We have a strong core of about 25 volunteers," Young said, adding that she could always use more.
Anyone who would like to find out more about the Southern Vermont Therapeutic Riding Center, or who is interested in donating to the tack and book sale or volunteering, may contact Betsy Atwell at 802-365-9434.