CHAGRIN FALLS — Nine riders, two coaches, and six horses from Mansfield’s Raemelton Therapeutic Equestrian Center traveled to Cleveland Monday to compete in the Chagrin Valley Hunter Jumper Classic. The drive – as it turns out – was well worth the effort.
Riders from Raemelton took home multiple blue ribbons, plus a host of other placings in the competition. The event was sponsored by Fieldstone Farm of Chagrin Falls and featured equestrians from riding centers throughout Ohio.
Therapeutic riding centers like Fieldstone Farm and Raemelton provide opportunities for individuals with disabilities to connect with horses and equestrian sports as part of their treatment.
Riders competed in disciplines such as trail, equitation, futures, and dressage where they demonstrated their horsemanship to judge Sally Cutler.
Coaches Tara Corrigan and Dawn Miller were visibly proud of their team. Corrigan, Raemelton’s executive director, said “I love to see them progress and get more confident on horseback. It is very rewarding and makes the hard work worth it.” And hard work it is. Corrigan, Miller and a host of volunteers were up at 3 a.m. bathing, preparing, and loading horses and equipment for the drive to Chagrin Falls.
Based upon the haul of ribbons and beaming smiles of her team, it seems the early bird gets the worm.
Riders competing were Ellie Allred, Sharon Houser, Brian Moran, Yvonne Anderson, Brittany Schneider, Samantha Kauf, Timothy Rigdon, Taylor Garrison-Wise, Michael Lupo, and Garrett Combs.
