Bloom Where You're Planted Farm

Terry and I went to a really neat event this past Saturday.  "Blue Jeans & Dreams" was a benefit for the Heartland Equine Theraputic Riding Academy (HETRA) and was held at Five Star Stables near Bennington, NE.  Here's a little bit about HETRA, taken from their website: 

   "Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding Academy was started in 1989 by Steve and Janet Henthorn of Omaha, Nebraska. The program started with one student, one horse and three volunteers. We have grown significantly over the last 16 years, we now have 13 wonderful therapy horses, 13 NARHA certified instructors, and over 90 students. We also offer services in Therapeutic Riding, Hippotherapy and Therapeutic Carriage Driving. HETRA is a non-profit 501c3 organization, and was the first NARHA Premier Accredited Therapeutic Riding center in Nebraska!

HETRA serves a variety of clients including Children and adults with disabilities such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis, brain tumors, head injuries, blindness, autism, and strokes. Last year HETRA served 90 riders (both children and adults) per week and our goal is to continue to expand the program this year. Also, in 2008 we completed 2841 individual student sessions and volunteers donated 12,576 hours.

Our students benefit from therapeutic riding in a variety of ways. The rhythmic motion of the horse at the walk helps to relax tight spastic muscles. Sitting on the horse encourages students to hold themselves up which strengthens neck and trunk muscles. Riding also stretches hip and thigh muscles, and improves balance. Interaction with the instructor helps students follow directions, extend their attention span and work on concepts such as right and left. Interaction with the horse allows the students to develop a bond with the animal that improves self-esteem and builds confidence. Each student rides for approximately 30 minutes one time per week, and most students are assisted by a leader and two sidewalkers throughout their session. Two of our instructors are Occupational Therapists who monitor the students progress throughout their participation in the program."

The benefit was a lot of fun.  Dinner was catered by Skeeter Barnes Barbeque.  Following dinner we watched a demonstration by Mark Lyon and his mustang Christian, winners of the 2008 Extreme Mustang Makeover.  Christian is an amazing horse who just a year ago was untouched by humans.  Mark, who is from Elkhorn, NE, had just 90 days over the summer to train Christian, and they ended up winning the whole competition.  To learn more about the competition and Mark's win visit www.extrememustangmakeover.com.

One of the tricks that helped win the Extreme Mustang Makeover competition

Later, some of the HETRA riding students demonstrated some of the therapy they do from horseback.  This is Kelly riding Skippy who was chosen by the students as "Horse of the Year." 

  After the demonstrations there was a live auction, silent auction, and dance.  We were told that 665 people had registered for the event--the place was packed!  To learn more about HETRA, please visit their website www.hetra.org.