TALL IN THE SADDLE
A Michigan 4-H Proud Equestrian Program with certified therapeutic riding instructors.
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We are on break between sessions, please have a fun and safe summer and we look forward to seeing everyone again for Fall Session 2010 beginning on September 7 and 8.
Photos link to all
program-related photos.
| FUND RAISING:
Our next restaurant fundraiser will be held at the Midland Buffalo Wild Wings on Monday, September 27. Download a flyer. We raised $236.18 at our April 19 fundraiser hosted by Bennigans! |
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| Tall in the Saddle gratefully accepts donations via PayPal. | |
ABOUT OUR PROGRAM
The Midland County 4-H Exceptional Riders Program, also known as Tall in the Saddle (TIS), was started in the Spring of 1976 through the interest of local friends and parents. The initial purchase of equipment was made with donated funds. The program was then, and continues to be entirely supported and run by volunteers.
Our program is able to accommodate 20 students and maintains a "waiting list" from which substitute riders are called. Applicants to our program are reviewed by a state licensed occupational or physical therapist and our instructors. Applicants are accepted within the age range of 8 years to 25 years old. Once in the program students may remain riding until the age of 25 years as long as the student continues to benefit from the program. Please see the admission policies on the back of our application from for more information. They are available by contacting the Midland County MSU Extension office.
We offer weekly classes via Spring and Fall Sessions which normally are eight weeks in length. Our classes are held at local privately owned farms and both program and privately owned horses are used.
Classes are geared to individual riders and are coordinated with their abilities in mind. They are taught to ride - not taken for a ride. Some students may never master riding independently but all will benefit in balance, posture, and coordination. Improvements come gradually as the riders progress in skill levels.
Horseback riding is a therapeutic form of recreation for people with the following disabilities:
- Mental impairment.
- Emotional and learning impairment.
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Hearing and visual impairment.
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Physical impairment.
Horseback riding and following commands from a trained instructor builds concentration skills, muscle control, self-esteem, and self-confidence. The horse provides a freedom that many of our riders do not experience in daily life. The horse is an equalizer that gives the student a chance to achieve a talent that other children can achieve.
Our instructors received certification from Cheff Center and NARHA and maintain 4-H Proud Equestrian Program (PEP) certification to teach in Michigan by attending a mandatory annual Instructor Update sponsored by MSU Extension.
TIS COMMITTEE
Tall in the Saddle is run by a dedicated committee of volunteers consisting of the following positions, as well as members at large. If you are interested in joining the Committee, please contact the chairperson.
| Chairperson | Betsy Evans, OTR |
| Secretary | Barbara Junga |
| Treasurer | Connie Anders |
| Volunteer Coordinators | Kathi Hitchcock & Ann Rowe, PT |
| Fundraising | Sally Ginter |
| Equipment Coordinator | Connie Anders |
| Instructors & Horse Coordinators | Kay Gotham, Sr. Instructor & Chris Boomgaard, Instructor |
| Members at Large | Jennifer Aloff |
The TIS Committee meets on a monthly basis on the third Monday of each of the following months at 7:15 p.m. at Chapel Lane Presbyterian Church in Midland.
January, February, March, April, May, June, September, October and November. One summer meeting is also held.
If you are interested in learning more about joining this group of special people, please email either of our instructors: Kay Gotham or Chris Boomgaard.
