On May 20, a special group participated in the East County Horseshow Organization’s hunter/jumper show at Pillsbury Ranch. There were five competitors representing Partners Therapeutic Horsemanship, the NARHA member center located close to the competition in San Diego County’s Lakeside.
The Partners participants were two independent riders, Shane Clarke and Kent Ashbaugh, and leadliners Cody Harris, Annamarie Wiksten and Emily Kaminsky, supported by Partners volunteers. They were competing in the show’s benefit class, “Pony Up: Equestrians Giving Back,” which raised over $2,500 for the therapeutic riding program.

Eight year old Emily Kaminsky was a star of the show. She is a unique young lady who shares her joy of riding with everyone at Partners. Emily started riding with Partners TH a year ago. On her first visit, she was introduced as Emily, as in “Every Minute I Love You.”
She is a special miracle who has had a very difficult start in life. Her grandmother, Marshelle Newby, is raising Emily. From birth, there were many instances where her fragile body faced death, but Emily survived with the help of modern medicine. She still encounters an overwhelming collection of challenges every day.
Emily delights everyone with her unique sense of humor and unusual interests. Lessons are challenging because she is legally blind and wears a hearing aid. She has sensory integration and anxiety issues, and is learning appropriate responses in social settings and stressful situations. She has a cleft palate and is currently learning to eat a variety of foods. She has trouble modulating her voice when speaking and can be very boisterous when excited. 
She is also quite strong, helping lift a 50-pound salt block into the wheelbarrow! She discusses room remodeling like a pro and cites “Tiffany Box Blue” as a favorite color.
Interesting Lessons
Lessons are always interesting when Emily is riding.
We had to be creative to help her understand the parameters of the ring and the concept of “riding on the rail.” With some creative use of colorful craft foam, a hole punch and pipe cleaners, the gray rails were now easily visible for Emily, and much more interesting to look at for everybody!
Emily has progressed to maneuvering her large, gray Quarter Horse, Murphy, around the large arena with great skill. Murphy’s laziness is no match for her determination. We discuss Murphy’s emotions and his feelings and his need to be encouraged. Emily is reminded to use a light, chirpy voice to encourage him to “walk-on.” All Partners horses have been taught verbal cues and respond well to voice commands. But sometimes it is not enough and volunteers have been known to pack a paper cup of sweet breakfast cereal to bribe the horses to move on.
This young lady is very determined and has decided she wants to learn to jump. Because she is very literal, we stated a distant time, when she reached third grade, that would be considered for jumping. That seemed like a long way off, but she is now approaching the magic date. Now the fun will be in figuring out how we will help accomplish her goal. Emily was thrilled with her first blue ribbon, which she earned at the ECHO show, and is looking forward to the next time.
Emily is just one of the special riders that participate in lessons at Partners Therapeutic Horsemanship. Partners is privileged to share our talents and laughter with many riders like Emily who have very special needs and a heartbreaking list of problems. Whatever their circumstances, they smile and try so hard to improve when we work with them. 
Family members and caretakers benefit from the relaxed setting at Partners. They have time to talk, share books, resources and social skills tips that worked for their children and to empathize with other parents while the children are in the arena learning and having fun. Time at Partners winds up being therapeutic for the whole family!
Partners Therapeutic Horsemanship was established in June 2004 and has a team of five horses and a special pony who has earned a pass straight to heaven. Partners TH provides riding lessons to people with physical, mental and emotional challenges. Two ramps are available for assisted mounting. Progressive lessons may offer independent riding, including jumping, the basics of dressage and western riding. Many of the riders are on the road to becoming accomplished equestrians.
The program is located in Lakeside, in east San Diego County, at a private ranch off El Monte Road. All the elements of riding and horse care are introduced and instructors consider the challenges of each rider when teaching. Group and individual lessons are offered, depending on the client’s needs. Lessons are $25 each and are billed in eight to 10 week sessions. Partners TH is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization supported by lesson fees and donations from service organizations, the community and staff.
Author Karen Crampton is Partners Therapeutic Horsemanship’s program director and a certified North American Riding for the Handicapped Assn. instructor. For more information, Karen can be reached at 619-469-9544.