Hampton Classic Hosts Finals of Riders With Disabilities

Equestrians who compete in the Long Island Horse Show Series for Riders with Disabilities (LIHSSRD) once again have the opportunity to compete at The Hampton Classic Horse Show on Monday, August 25.

The LIHSSRD made its debut at the Hampton Classic in 2006. The show series, created by HorseAbility, was founded to provide riders with disabilities the same competitive experience that other equestrians enjoy.

"We are thrilled to welcome back the LIHSSRD championships to the Hampton Classic," said Hampton Classic Executive Director Shanette Barth Cohen. "It is wonderful to see these riders compete and we urge everybody to come out and support them."

The LIHSSRD competition at the Hampton Classic is the culmination of the organization's eight-show series that took place at various horse shows on Long Island in the spring and summer of 2008. Thirty-five riders competed in the series with the hope of qualifying for the Finals, but only the top 10 in the "With Aids" Division and top 9 in the "Independent" Division qualified to ride at the Hampton Classic Finals. Riders compete in classes such as walk, walk/trot, walk/trot/figure 8 and walk/trot/canter and are awarded points according to USEF rules for equitation classes.

Last year, Tara Smilowitz was Champion in the Equitation "Independent" Division and Kelsey Renz was Reserve Champion. In the "With Aids" Division, April Kloepfer won the Championship and Victoria Natale was Reserve Champion. These four riders have been invited back to the Finals to present this year's champions with their awards.

HorseAbility was founded in 1993 by Kathleen (Katie) Kilcommons McGowan when she lent her horse to a friend and physical therapist who used therapeutic riding as a method of treatment for a child with cerebral palsy. When McGowan saw the child's physical and emotional connection with the animal and subsequent acceleration in his treatment, she knew she had found her calling. Combining her education, love of children, and long-standing relationship with horses, she founded HorseAbility.

Since then, the organization has become a New York non-profit corporation and is one of only two "premier centers" on Long Island as accredited by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association. Its mission is to offer a wide range of horse-related programs to those with special needs in order to promote their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.

"We are thrilled to be returning to the Hampton Classic Horse Shows for the LIHSSRD Finals this year," said McGowan. "Our riders are more excited than ever, and we are looking forward to a great day of competition!"

This was the biggest season for LIHSSRD thus far, with riders from five different barns from all over Long Island participating. Host shows this season were Thomas School (Melville, NY), Salt River (Center Moriches, NY) and Glen Head (Muttontown, NY).

More information on HorseAbility and the LIHSSRD can be found at http://www.horseability.org, by emailing info@horseability.org or calling (631) 367-1646.

"With Aids" Division

"Independent" Division

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