CKRH
Help Unleash the Healing Power of the Horse
RIDING FOR HOPE CKRH was established in 1981 by Dr. Peter Bosomworth, former Chancellor of the UK Medical Center, and Somerset horse lover Debbie Marcum. The first classes began that fall at the Bluegrass Riding Stable at the Kentucky Horse Park with four students. In 1987, CKRH became a nationally accredited riding center by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association. A year later, CKRH gained the status of a Premiere Accredited Center by the North American Riding for the Handicapped, making it one of three accredited centers in Kentucky.
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Martha Calie
artha Calie, a 22-year-old rider from Berea, has been coming for lessons at CKRH since she was 6 years old.
Martha was born with medical problems, which escalated after a cardiac arrest and a high temperature when she was a year old. Martha is nonverbal and uses a wheelchair. Being one of the more medically complex riders at CKRH, it was hard for Martha to sit up on a horse when she first started her therapeutic riding lessons. But with the help of her volunteer team, Martha thrived in the program, and her family soon saw an improvement in Martha’s condition. “The volunteer team really helped her realize that she was part of a team,” Mary Calie, Martha’s mother, said. “We really saw her address the need to participate. It wasn’t just the volunteers helping her
More than two years ago, CKRH expanded, opening an indoor riding facility that allows riding sessions to have longer seasons. Currently, CKRH has 176 regular riders, approximately 250 volunteers, four therapist in physical and occupational therapy, two licensed clinical social workers and one recreational therapist. And, of course, 28 horses and minis. To expose more people to assisted activities and therapies, CKRH recently partnered with Hospice of the Bluegrass, Veterans Administration Hospital, public schools and adult day programs, the U.S. Pony Club, and has worked with local colleges such as the University of Kentucky, Midway College, Eastern Kentucky University and Asbury University. Because only 15% of CKRH’s revenue comes from student fees, the non-profit organization is mainly funded by grants and fundraising events. Scholarships for therapeutic riding sessions are also offered for qualified participants. t 2011 Exceptional Family KY
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