MTRA Riders Shine at Special Olympics Area Games

Freedom Reins@MTRA veterans present the colors to open the games

This was a memorable spring day for the riders and families as they competed in the Regional Special Olympics at the MTRA’s Greenway facility in Ocala, Florida on March 28^{th, 2015}. Our MTRA Freedom Reins veteran riders were on hand to present the colors, while MTRA parent Tommy Dennis provided a moving acapella version of our American anthem to kick off the event.

Lunch was provided to all attendees compliments of the Marion County Professional Firefighters

The Professional Firefighters of Marion County were kind enough to provide box lunches for all attendees, and our trusty MTRA volunteers provided a bake sale to satisfy any sweet tooths in attendance.

Several of our riders will be continuing on to participate in the State finals at the beautiful Grand Oaks Resort on May 2^nd and 3^rd.  Once again, MTRA riders proved practice makes perfect and the proof is in the results:

Christopher Sprague: Pole Bending 1^st/Equitation 4^th
Robert Karl: Pole Bending DQ/Dressage 1^st
Sheila Schlemmer: Dressage 1^st/Trail 2^nd
John Peets: Trail 1^st/Equitation 1^st
Jasper Roman: Trail 1^st/Equitation 5^th
Kristen Goss: Showmanship 1^st
Faith DiMarie: Equitation 2^nd/Trail 2^nd
Mackenzie Robbins: Equitation 1^st/ Trail 1^st
Marisa Rodrequez: Equitation 2^nd/Trail 3^rd
Becky O’Brien: Equitation 3^rd/Trail 2^nd
Andrew Beaton:  Equitation 4^th/Trail 4^th
Jacob Newbern: Equitation 2^nd/Trail 1^st
Mikey Gerhardt: Equitation 3^rd/Trail 1^st
Tammy Venable: Equitation 1^st/Trail 3^rd
Ann Leutje: Equitation 2^nd/Trail 3^rd
Lacie Thurston: Equitation 1^st/Trail 3^rd
Roger Wilkie: Equitation 3^rd/Trail 1^st
Blake Myers: Equitation 1^st/Trail 1^st
Adam Dresbach: Equitation 1^st/Trail 3^rd
Sebastian Thurston: Equitation 3^rd/Trail 1^st
Alison Guthrie: Equitation 1^st/Trail 2^nd
Heather Counts: Equitation 3^rd/Trail 1^st

All of the riders at the Special Olympics were stars that day, but the MTRA riders were great representatives of the accomplishments that are possible with hard work, determination, great instructors, staff, and volunteers. We wish the riders going on to the Grand Oak Resort State Finals the best of luck!