Dear everyone,
A twenty year old, chestnut, chunk of a horse carried my daughter's 95 pound,cerebral palsied body through a paraequestrian dressage test on June the 4th. The entire arena was paralysed for the full, five minute dressage test: the first of its kind to be ridden in Nova Scotia, Canada. There was some reflective glass at the end of the ring, and big Capone, as generous and willing as he is with my daughter, tried to resist moving toward it in the required straight line toward "C". His tiny rider, Nel, eight years his junior at age twelve, with determined, gentle hands and the most focused energy I have ever seen, somehow, (telepathically?), convinced him to return to the center line. The juxtaposition of this horses's power and strength, his willingness to identifiably, slow and steady his gait for her, and then to trust her enough to walk toward the reflective glass at her urging, was the most heroic, magical thing I have ever seen. The two were like a centaur, and for that glimpse of time, they both appeared as invinceable as the myth itself. The local television station ran a story on Nel and Capone the next day, and it went National in Canada the next. This is such a testimony to this great creature, and to the need to return its gift with non-violence and loving care as per Monty's message.
Lorraine Godin-Keating
Rainy
I do hope that someone video taped the performance. I would love to see it if you have one. Children and horses are quite remarkable particularly when faced with adversity. Can't is not in their vocabulary.
Congratulations to all
Cheers
Hi Rainy
.
This is a wonderful thing to have witnessed. Reading your post brought tears to my eyes. Nel and Capone are very lucky to have eachother. Horses like him are priceless as are Monty Roberts' non-violent training techniques :-)
.
Kind regards,
.
Gen
Hi Gen and Dennis
thankyou for your kind responses. Dennis I do have the clip on my facebook page. I don't think there is a way to post video on this site is there? I have the News story and her complete ride on DVD as well. It was really magical...
Lorraine
After a little sleuthing I found this site that has your daughters incredible ride
http://barnmice.ning.com/video/riders-june-4-bronze-dressage
I hope everyone looks at it. It truly is incredible, not because Nel has cerebral palsy, that is part of it, but to see the calmness of both rider and horse in a equal relationship. That is what we all strive for.
Please tell Nel how much I enjoyed watching her ride and I wish her luck in all the other events I am sure she will want to enter.
Cheers
I just watched the clip and it brought tears to my eyes - horses are just the most wonderful animals. Thank goodness for horses! Thank you Lorraine for sharing Nel and Capone's story.
Hi Dennis and Ruthy
Dennis thanks for finding and posting the clip. I am not much of a techi and didn't think to include it.
Ruthy, i am so glad that you enjoyed it. I hope that it helps people to recognize how special horses are and how transformative they can be for people with disabilities.
That was absolutely wonderful to see. Thank you for sharing it with us, Lorriane. Please convey my congratulations to Nel as well as to Capone.
Horses are constantly amazing me with the way they seem to understand the "responsibility" they are charged with when a disabled rider mounts them.
I've led groups of disabled riders when I was still a trainer at a riding school, so I know a bit of their challenges as well as their advantages when it comes to riding. Nel's feat is quite outstanding. Cudos to her for her bravery and gusto. You go girl!
Hi Rainy! What a great story. I agree with Dennis, I hope someone video taped it.
I have a mild form of autism, and I am just starting out with dressage. I hope that I could be a good rider like that someday.
Hi
I am sure that you will love it! You can see Nel and the video on my facebook page. Send me a friend request to Lorraine Godin-Keating and the link is there. Dennis, a few comments above, also found it on http://barnmice.ning.com/video/riders-june-4-bronze-dressage
Take a look.
All the best to you and your horse!! Let me know how it goes. We are newbies at it all and need all the help we can get!!hahaha
I just viewed the news video and comments on the website given above. Beautiful! Thanks for sharing this heartwarming example of the power of love between a Capone and Nel!