Are you aware of the beneficial mission fulfilled by White Oaks Therapeutic Equestrian Center (WHOA)? This unique private, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization uses equine assisted activities to provide recreational, educational, therapeutic, and social opportunities, for persons age four through adult, who have physical and/or mental disabilities. Their goal is to improve physical capabilities and functional skills…and social interaction. The WHOA staff and volunteers do that with a half-dozen horses! It takes weeks or months to train a therapeutic horse, but their “impact is immeasurable.”
Over 85% of WHOA’s participants require financial assistance. Public support will help provide
- student scholarships
- enhancement activities
- educational materials
- lesson participation
- special equipment.
To benefit WHOA, on Saturday, June 20, 2015, there will be an Open Horse Show fundraiser at the Whiteside County Fairgrounds, Morrison, IL. Twenty-five classes will be exhibited, with money and prizes awarded. The entry fee is $6 for exhibitors age Six-and-Under through Adults.
No admission is charged for the public to enjoy the show, but individual seating must be brought to the Arena area, south of the Grandstand. There are no bleachers.
Horse entries begin at 8:00 a.m., “hopefully from a large area,” stated Barn Manager Tawny Wiersema. Call her on June 20 at 815-535-6208, if the weather is questionable. The Concession Stand also opens at 8:00. There will be grilled pork chop, burger, and hot dog sandwiches and a bake sale.
The Grand Entry will begin the show about 8:50, with a rider carrying the American flag into the Arena and the signing of The National Anthem. Seven classes will follow.
The “seventh inning stretch” involves a WHOA Drill Team pattern performance. After the ninth class, a second Drill Team performance will involve a trail (obstacle) course. Afterwards, a 30-minute break for lunch will be taken.
New this year is a vendor selling horse tack. There will be a 50-50 drawing; tickets are one for $2 and ten for $10. Wiersema can be contacted for purchase if you cannot attend the Horse Show. Two themed bucket raffles will be of interest: Farm & Fleet prepared a bucket of horse supplies; a second bucket includes horse tack.
WHOA Marketing Director Kendra Kophamer stated, “Our greatest need is helping assist financially with scholarships for class time. It costs $30 per class and $180 for a six-week season. A full scholarship of 20 weeks, the whole season, is $600. We always need volunteers…you must be 14 and older to work with the animals.” Ongoing tasks are cleaning stalls and fundraising. “The Fair Board helped us out,” Kophamer added.
For more information or to make a donation with an impact, go to rideatwhoa.org.