Behind the Scenes at Special Olympics

Special Olympics 2013
Thomas Blackwell, Stephanie Hindman, Natalea Watkins and Kenzie Hindman making sure the right riders, horses and shirts are ready to compete in nearly 40 events.

You can read all about Turning Point’s medals at Special Olympics in the 2012 Year End Newsletter but this picture gives you an idea of all the “behind the scenes coordination it takes to make it happen.  Meanwhile Carson worked on his iPad when he wasn’t riding, Sarah was our youngest competitor and won her first medal but was ready to ride out of the arena on Dad’s shoulder and Ryan was thrilled with his participation ribbon.

Darin, Darrius, Chelsea and Sam worked nearly 12 hours to make sure our riders and horses had a great experience
Darin, Darrius, Chelsea and Sam worked nearly 12 hours to make sure our riders and horses had a great experience

Special Olympics is always a highlight of our year for riders, parents, volunteers and most of our horses.   Several of them weren’t thrilled with the “Slumber Party” in the Expo Center barn the night before.

Our horses  definitely prefer the Turning Point pasture even though Kenzie, Callie  and Camille did a great job of tucking eight of them in on Friday night.

Here's Chiquita happily munching hay.
Here’s Chiquita happily munching hay.

Games for the Game of Life

Laughter and games are a hallmark of Turning Point sessions.  But behind every giggle is a challenge designed to build life skills, train muscles or increase confidence.   The colorful TPR game room is where it all begins.

TPR Activities
It take a lot of noodles to make therapeutic riding fun and productive

Pool Noodles play a big role at Turning Point even though there’s not a pool in sight.   They are firm enough for “spelling” during warm-ups to give riders a nice gross muscle workout.  And they are soft enough that they don’t bother the horses if a rider’s aim is slightly off.

Noodles extend a rider’s reach in a lively game of freeze tag. And they can be the source of brain teasers when riders must name a food the same color as the dive rings they are threading on noodles.