Chariot Riders Go for the Win at Spring Horse Show

The cool, clammy morning weather didn't dampen spirits at the recent Chariot Riders Spring Horse Show in Manchester.

The day long event held on May 22 pitted able-bodied riders and assisted riders against one another in six divisions that involved progressively more challenging elements.

Dana Catrone took a sixth-place ribbon in her first event. The 22-year-old travels an hour from Carteret for lessons every week and gamely chatted while moving from her wheelchair to her horse. Catrone has cerebral palsy.

"It's really good for my legs and my posture," she said.

"It gives her a lot of confidence. Nobody else does this that we know. She can own it; it's totally hers," said Catrone's mother, Susan Catrone.

"We love that the barn doesn't just teach Savannah to ride, but it teaches her respect for animals," said Robin Wallace, of Oceanport, who's daughter also went home with a sixth-place ribbon.

"It teaches her respect of people with different ability levels," Wallace said. "It helps her appreciate that everyone isn't the same. To see special needs people doing the same thing she loves creates a point of relation."

Julia Antonis won three blue ribbons. Like Wallace, Antonis learned about Chariot Riders through its affiliation with the Girl Scouts of Monmouth County and takes twice monthly lessons at its Farmingdale location.

"It's a safe family environment. I like the inclusivity of it," said her mother, Dawn Antonis, owner of Seaside Sam's Deli in Seaside Park.

"It opens up her world," said Julia's grandmother Mary Jo Davis.

Coach Roe Lipari embraced Julia when she exited the ring with her ribbons. Lipari has been riding 16 years and "fell in love with working with kids" after she began volunteering at Chariot Riders seven years ago. 

Julia couldn't find words to describe her excitement about her winning streak, but her radiant smile spoke for her. 

Jackson LaScala, of Jackson Township, won three ribbons, for first, third, and fourth places. The 6-year-old also has cerebral palsy.

"[Horseback riding] helps improve his core muscle tone," said his mother, Karen LaScala.

It also helps his posture and stretches his hamstring muscles, she said, but Jackson doesn't always enjoy it. Chariot Riders makes him work hard, encouraging him to hold the reigns with his right hand, which he doesn't use often, and take his own stirrups off at the end of a ride, LaScala said.

Alexandria Hislop and Allison Braunstein are Chariot Riders "working students" from Howell Township who assisted riders at the competition. 

"It's like therapy. If you're having a rough day, you come here," Hislop said, summing up the sentiments of many.