Julianne Dennis and her parents on the podium during medal presentations
It was an incredible springtime for the MTRA riders and their families as they participated in the Regional Special Olympics at Stirrups ‘N Strides in Citra, FL, and then went on to go for the gold at the State Finals in Weirsdale at the beautiful Grand Oaks Resort.
At the Special Olympics Area Games on April 5th, MTRA took eight of our Greenway riders and had outstanding results:
- John Peets (on Goldie): 1st Working Trail, 1st English Equitation (walk only aided), instructed by Sally Lyle
- Robert Karl (on Anna): 1st in Dressage and 1st in Pole Bending (walk-trot-canter), instructed by Jessica Brown
- Adrienne Bunn (on Ernie): 1st Working Trail and 1st English Equitation (walk only aided), instructed by Jessica
- Rebecca Arndt (on Jaeger): 2nd in Working Trail and 2nd in Dressage (walk only independent), instructed by Jessica
- Zoe Long (on Jaeger): 1st in English Equitation and 3rd in Working Trail (walk only aided), instructed by Jessica
- JuJu Dennis (on Goldie): 3rd in Stock Seat Equitation and 4th in Working Trail (walk-trot aided), instructed by Jessica
- Jasper Roman (on Ernie): 2nd in English Equitation and 5th in Working Trail (walk only aided), instructed by Jessica
- Adam Dresbach (on Anna): 3rd Dressage Equitation and 3rd in Working Trail (walk only independent) instructed by Jessica
Moving on to the State Finals on May 2nd and 3rd were Robert Karl, Adrienne Bunn, Zoe Long, JuJu Dennis, Jasper Roman and John Peets. These six riders worked extra hard in the weeks after the regional finals and leading up to their Grand Oaks appearance in the State Finals. Instructor Jessica Brown enjoyed a grand finale to her most recent time here at MTRA, as her five riders brought home four gold medals, two silver medals and two bronze medals. Jessica will soon be leaving to attend graduate school in Maine, where she will receive her Masters degree in Hippotherapy and (we hope) will then return to MTRA to begin this program in Ocala. We will miss her while she’s gone, but we will anxiously wait for her return!
Jessica’s “Stable of Stars” and their accomplishments include:
- Robert Karl (on Anna): Gold in Walk-Trot-Canter Dressage and Bronze in Walk-Trot-Canter Pole Bending
- Adrienne Bunn (on Ernie): Gold in Walk Only Trail and Bronze in Walk Only Equitation
- Zoe Long (on Jaeger): Gold in Walk Only Trail and Silver in Walk Only Equitation
- JuJu Dennis (on Goldie): Gold in Walk-Trot Trail and Bronze in Walk-Trot Equitation
- Jasper Roman (on Ernie): Silver in Equitation and 6th in Walk Only Trail
Long time MTRA instructor Sally Ann Lyle coached student John Peets at the finals for a Gold Medal ride in Equitation, and a fourth place in Walk Only Trail. John and Sally have a wonderful student-teacher relationship and compete for the Biggest Smile Contest with every lesson.
We are so proud of our competitive and hard working riders and instructors and are looking forward to competing at the Summer Fun Show at Grand Oaks in June!