Julie's Story

Julie has indeed been rising, rising right out of her saddle into a standing trot! This blind, hard-of hearing teen came to Ride On St. Louis over a year ago. When asked what we can do for her, mom replied that Julie needed something to do for recreation. She said she loved horses and thought that this might work for her. We weren't surprised to hear of a teenage girl loving horses; it seems that a majority of girls go through that stage, but for a blind girl to want to ride meant she had to trust strangers while she's atop a huge moving animal. Sighted people use their eyes for more than just seeing where they are going, they also use them to help keep balanced. Julie's riding instructor Marita is a person who inspires trust in all her student riders, and Julie quickly learned that Marita was ready to try all sorts of ways to help Julie improve her balance and walk around freely. Julie performed some grooming to help her relate to her horse, and started riding with a leader and 2 sidewalkers. As she continued to come to ride, Julie's skills improved with each riding lesson. She soon got along with only 1 sidewalker, then none, needing only her leader holding the lead rope. Julie learned all about starting and stopping and guiding her horse using reins with her instructor walking along side her. She learned about sitting the trot, standing the trot, and finally, this fall, was given control of her horse without a leader, finding out where to go by listening to Marita's instructions and orienting herself in the arena by listening to a music box placed at one end. Her true enjoyment though is trotting. As she is flying down the arena we hear her satisfied voice calling out no mistakes! letting us know that she knows what a good job she's doing. After each lesson she lets her horse know how happy she is with its performance too by always having an apple ready to reward it. We are rewarded too, not just by Julie's presence, but also because she brings her family to support us. The new paint job on the mounting deck is courtesy of her brother! Congratulations Julie for being our Rising Rider this season.