"She listens to me really well and she's a really good horse to ride," Michelle Wilder said in an interview.
The 42-hectare WindReach Farm in north Durham helps people with disabilities or special needs participate in outdoor activities such as farming and its therapeutic riding program. When the program lost two horses that were on loan after their original owner sold them earlier this year, $10,000 had already been set aside for WindReach from the annual City of Pickering Mayor's Gala. And when Pickering Mayor Dave Ryan heard about the loss, he offered to replace them. A couple of weeks ago, the farm officially announced its new residents as a result of the donation: Cortina and Houston. Mayor Ryan was thrilled to see Michelle ride and said it reinforced the need to support worthy organizations like WindReach.
"When Michelle is on the horseback, the entire focus is on her riding abilities," he said. "You just see a young woman enjoying the freedom and joy that horseback riding entails; that's what it's all about."
Michelle's reasons for riding - something she does three times a week - are simple.
"It's just a lot of fun and I just find it very relaxing and just fun to do," she said.
Michelle's mother, Leann Wilder, attended the event and said without such charitable donations the program wouldn't be possible.
"They just help the program so much," she said.
Leann said her daughter has done very well in dressage competitions with Cortina. In fact, they have won two second-place ribbons and they're awaiting the results from another two competitions. Cortina and Michelle will also participate in the 2008 Ontario ParaSport Summer Games in July.
Leann was impressed not only by Mayor Ryan dedicating his time, but also by his ease with horses when he hopped up on 19-year-old Houston.
"He did really well," she said. "Houston behaved really well."
WindReach is fully accessible and offers a number of activities and programs. For more information or to donate, visit www.windreach.org/thefarm or call 905-655-5827.
