THUNDER BAY – A partnership with the Thunder City Speedway is helping a local therapeutic horseback riding charity go the distance, boosting a program that offers valued recreation services to the local disability community.
The Thunder Bay Therapeutic Riding Association recently accepted over $61,000 in proceeds from 50/50 raffles held at the dirt racing track over the summer.
The organization says that amount, approaching its typical yearly budget, will make a life-changing difference for a number of local riders and their families.
Founded in 1990, the volunteer-driven charity offers therapeutic horseback riding for people of all ages with a wide range of physical and intellectual disabilities.
The group offers rides at marginal cost two evenings a week while the weather allows, typically from May through September.
They also hold “groom sessions” that allow people to get to know the horses and learn about proper care.
President Tereza Biloski said the organization has had life-changing impacts for many local families over the years.
“It offers you occupational therapy, physiotherapy on horseback rides, communication – it opens up so many different things for them,” she said. “People in wheelchairs [experience] movement, different feelings of freedom on a horse.”
Biloski experienced that impact firsthand with her now-adult son Ethan, who began riding at the age of eight.
While it took a few tries, his initial reluctance soon transitioned into pure joy. While Ethan is non-verbal, Biloski said his body language in the moment he gained confidence on horseback spoke volumes.
"It was like a crying moment," she said. "I still will cry about it."
"It’s very rewarding for everybody. The smiles are breathtaking."
Maureen and Clarence Downey own the Calvert Road property used by the group and help lead programming.
"It's amazing to see the kids that come," said Maureen. "We've had kids that kind of scream and cry and don't want to get on. As soon as we put them on a horse, the smile starts – and then it's hard to get them off."
Aside from the simple pleasure of being on horseback, she said the activity brings numerous therapeutic benefits.
“Riding a horse stimulates their bowels, their vocal, their lungs, and it's really good for the mental part of it, [for] children that don't socialize a lot. There's lots of socializing out here.”
Shayla, a longtime participant, agreed while preparing for a recent ride, saying she’s soothed by the horses’ gentle nature.
“I like coming to therapeutic riding because it's nice and gentle, and it’s calming,” she said. “I love therapeutic riding.”
Clarence Downey called the partnership with the Thunder City Speedway a “Godsend” for the group.
“If it wasn't for the 50/50 from Thunder City Speedway, it would make it very difficult to keep this program running,” he said. “We don't get any funding from any other organizations at the present time – there’s no government funding for us.
“We have no paid staff whatsoever, everything we do here is all done volunteer. I work all day and I come here and work all night.”
Volunteers from the association organize the 50/50 raffle sales at the Speedway along with another local charity.
The proceeds will help cover the costs of purchasing new horses, as well as things like equipment and vet bills.
Beyond financial assistance, the organization is always in need of volunteers, Biloski noted.
More information is available at the association’s website.
