By Jessica Navarro
Tampa, FL - Feb 20, 2008 - In September 1979, Deni Andretta was a U.S. Equestrian Rider, competing at the highest level and training new students at many stables. One month later, she was fighting for her life after sustaining significant injuries in a car accident. When she finally returned to health, all her horseback riding dreams seemed shattered. She was denied access to the same stables where she had previously taught, and her competitive plans were quickly halted. But the passion to ride horses continued...

After many years of searching and perseverance, Deni's dreams finally found a home, at Horses for Handicapped. While other stables were unprepared for her physical limitations, Horses for Handicapped stepped up to rekindle her passion.

The Horses for Handicapped program provides recreational horse riding opportunities for children and adults with disabilities, resulting in therapeutic benefits of balance, strength, coordination and language development. It gives both adults and children the opportunity and environment to increase abilities, self esteem, and camaraderie through participation in Challenge shows, Special Olympics and other riding events.

The passion of the staff and many volunteers is evident. Volunteer coordinator and instructor Beth Harre-Orr can often be found horseback behind one of her students, supporting those whose physical strength alone would keep them off the horse. She explains, "the main benefits we see from our participants are self-esteem, truck control, especially for individuals with cerebral palsy, coordination, and speech." Whether it's on the scenic trails or inside the ring, the students gain physical and emotional therapy from the horses and are given the opportunity to move at their own pace. "When I wanted to try something new, they never told me no," Deni shares. "It was just a matter of figuring out how we could do it." Parents also volunteer their time during lessons and become part of the experience.

Deni now rides once a week as part of the Bakas Center Horses for Handicapped Program, and together with her favorite horse, Zander, she celebrates the therapy, relaxation, and communication of horseback riding. Together, they do riding exercises and practice dressage, a competition where the horse maneuvers based on the body signals of the riders. Deni explains, "Dressage is the ultimate communication between horse and rider. [Because of my limited movement], when I move my head, Zander moves in that same direction because he senses even the smallest shift in weight."

On a recent Saturday, Deni shared her passion for horses and her journey back to horseback riding. "When I was injured and couldn't ride anymore, it was very upsetting. On the ground, I was so limited. [Now] Zander becomes my legs and together we become an athlete."

The opportunities with the Bakas Center Horses for Handicapped Program are available to all people with disabilities. The Bakas Center is a member of the North American Riding for Handicapped Association (NARHA) located in Tampa Bay, Florida. To find out more, visit http://www.bakasridingcenter.com or locate your own local riding center affiliated with the NARHA at http://www.narha.org.