Shaw Wins Pegasus Horse Show Award

Amid a cheering crowd of family, friends, and proud instructors, student Isabel Shaw, of Newtwon, earned her class’s Best Half Seat award at the 31st annual Pegasus Horse Show on May 20. Shaw’s award recognized her skill at maintaining proper riding form while walking over ground poles and trotting.

Hosted by the Richter family at Coker Farm in Bedford, N.Y., the Pegasus horse show celebrated both individual achievement and the importance of teamwork. More than 80 students with special needs demonstrated the horsemanship skills they practiced during weekly therapeutic lessons at one of Pegasus’ five chapter locations in Fairfield, Putnam, and Westchester counties. In the Pegasus tradition of inclusiveness, every student won a ribbon in recognition of improving some aspect of his or her technique.

“Our Horse Show students represent the more than 225 children and adults who participate in our equine-assisted programs throughout the year,” said Pegasus Executive Director Todd Gibbs. “They all possess unique abilities, and they all work hard to develop them. This event is our opportunity to publicly recognize their efforts and celebrate their successes.”

The 31st annual Pegasus Horse Show was made possible thanks to the generosity of hundreds of supporters. Nicole and Tory Russo of Fairfield, served as event co-chairs for the ninth consecutive year.

Pegasus Therapeutic Riding is a PATH Premier Accredited Center that provides the therapeutic benefits of horseback riding and other equine-assisted activities to individuals with special needs. For information about programs, or to make a donation in support of its mission, visit www.pegasustr.org or call 845-669-8235.