Southeast Michigan’s first Special Olympics equestrian team is achieving another first, competing nationally at the American Royal Horse Show in Missouri.
“It will be amazing,” said Nancy Lee Heussner, executive director of O.A.T.S., Offering Alternative Therapy with Smiles. “It gives our riders a chance to compete and have fun. It will give them life experiences they wouldn’t get otherwise.”
Equestrians Sergey Douglas, Andrew Paquette, Tisbe Pizani, Caitlin O’Reilly, Danny Moloney, Sarah Dorla Palmer, and Savannah Rovelli are competing this week at the Exceptional Challenge Cup, United Professional Horseman’s Association.
They all have coaches, but they will compete independently.
“It’s awesome, what it does for self confidence,? said Elaine Moloney of Clarkston, whose son, Danny Moloney, rides Buck, a buckskin paint. “He likes the independence riding gives him. He’s in charge.?
? Phil Custodio