MTRA student Blake Myers makes his radio debut with NBC HorseTalk Radio host Louisa Barton
From the horse’s mouth: Interview with an MTRA Rider
At our recent “Ride Into the Wild West” ACTHA Trail Challenge to benefit MTRA, NBC’s HorseTalk Radio was at the beautiful Grand Oaks Resort & Carriage Museum during the Saturday morning ride and interviewed Blake, a young man who suffers from Asberger syndrome and has been riding with MTRA for about six months.
Asberger is a high-functioning autism disorder that is characterized by significant difficulties in social interaction and nonverbal communication, alongside restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interest. Knowing that, you will understand that the simple act of Blake allowing and participating in an interview on live radio is certainly a milestone in his life… one that may not have been possible without the confidence he has developed through his time with our very special horses and instructors.
Blake has shown a very natural talent for riding and has even performed in his first horse show, with high accolades from his instructor, Sally Lyle, and even the judge officiating that day, who could not believe he’d only been riding a short time. Louisa Barton, host of HorseTalk radio, asks Blake his age to begin the interview and Blake immediately responds and begins to talk about his new found world. “Any other activity I’ve ever done has just been an interest, and the horseback riding is more of a passion.”
Judy Myers, Blake’s mother steps forward and reinforces the changes that have begun for Blake since he began his career as an equestrian. “He has much more confidence, a sense of self accomplishment, he’s much more comfortable.”
“It’s totally changed his whole persona,” Judy explains. Blake has ridden through two 10-week sessions with amazing progress from week to week that has had a ripple effect of satisfying excitement through the entire MTRA family of instructors, volunteers and staff. The Blake family has been very supportive and are learning that this new world permeates their lifestyle in more than one way. “He loves the horses, it doesn’t just help the actual student, it helps the whole family.”