2017 Therapeutic Championships Showcased
Riders performed at walk and trot before judge Amy Pippin, Philadelphia, PA, and were judged on their horsemanship and equitation. Riders in the assisted class were allowed to have leaders for their mounts and sidewalkers if needed. Riders in the Unassisted class performed without help.
The Assisted class was won by Claire Hammaker, Mt. Wolf, PA, riding Cinderella’s Glass Slipper. Second place was awarded to Baylee Gilson, Spring Grove, PA, riding TZF Sandy, and third place went to Charles Turnbaugh, Newville, PA, riding Specially A Princess.
The Unassisted class was won by Briana Rapuet, Harleyville, PA, riding Lil Lilly. Second was Dana Shick, Mechanicsburg, PA, riding Beautee, with third place going to Briana Bevans, Bensalem, PA, riding Zephyr.
International Grand Prix riders Callan Solem and Jimmy Torano were on hand to present the awards to the riders in center ring. “I am so proud of these riders,” said Solem. “They all rode so well. And I am grateful to the PNHS Foundation for giving them the opportunity to show here. They deserve it.”
The 2017 Pennsylvania National Horse Show Foundation Therapy Horse of the Year award was presented to Zipped In Black Magic, from All Riders Up in Garnet Valley, PA.
Zipped In Black is a 19-year-old Appaloosa gelding, working as a therapy horse at All Riders Up. Zip exhibits all the characteristics of a good therapy horse. He is responsive to leg and voice commands, is well mannered, and is accepting of unusual situations and differently-abled riders. As the 2017 Pennsylvania National Horse Show Foundation Therapy Horse of the Year Zip exhibits a unique ability to divine what each individual rider needs from him one any given day. What makes Zip so extraordinary is that he possesses all these traits while he himself is totally blind.
Despite his own limitations, Zip is the go to horse at All Riders Up, and accepts riders large and small, young and old, able-bodied and challenged. He has an innate awareness of the rider’s ability and offers his own form of quiet confidence and reassurance.
