Majestic Hills Ranch - Kids's Corner

KID'S CORNER

Ava Champe

2011 Regular Session Rider of the Year

By John and Sarah Champe

Ava was born weighing less than a pound of butter. Fourteen and a half ounces to be exact. She was born at 24 weeks gestation (3 ½ months early) and was the length of notebook paper. At one year of age Ava was diagnosed with spastic diplegia which is a form of cerebral palsy that affects her muscle control from the waist down, balance, and coordination.

Ava has been late to meet developmental milestones such as sitting, standing, walking, and talking. She learned how to walk using the smallest walker I have ever seen; it looked like it was built for dolls. Ava still uses a walker occasionally for bumpy terrain, in crowded places, or when she is tired.

One of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen is a wheelchair and walker abandon next to the riding arena by their small charges. Nobody needs one of those when they are on “their horse” at Majestic Hills Ranch. Something really special happens when a kid, especially these very unique kids, gets together with their horse. I see both the physical benefits (improved trunk control, stretching tight hip muscles, improved posture, etc.) and emotional benefits (relaxed, calm, confidant, connected to another living being, etc.) our daughter has gained from Majestic Hills. But most of all she just simply loves going out to “the ranch.”

Having a disability makes participating in most main-stream sports and many other activities quite challenging and even impossible. I cannot imagine how it feels to be four years old and have to sit on the sideline. Of course there are a lot of adaptive opportunities available but there are catches to them. When Ava is riding at Majestic Hills she gets to be in charge of her body in a way that she cannot be when she is on her own two feet.

When Ava is riding she does not have to concentrate on making her body move like it is supposed to naturally; she is up on a horse in the sunshine (at least we hope for sun), and breathing fresh country air. She has a different view of the world up there, and for once she does not have to look up to people because they are looking up to her. I cannot imagine the subtle and very long term benefits she has gained from therapeutic horseback riding.

Thank you for having such a special place just for our precious little ones. And thank you for recognizing Ava as a Rider of the Year at Majestic Hills Ranch.

Our entire family has witnessed numerous positive changes in our daughter, Rebecca, while participating with the Majestic Hills Ranch.

Over this past summer’s sessions, the morning’s anticipation of seeing and riding “her horse” filled our breakfast times! It was an “eternity” a long time to wait and improve on patience, while waiting for something special!

I noticed Rebecca’s initially tentative mood change to complete confidence over the course of just a few weeks’ time. She soon knew which horse had what stall, and the best barn kitty to cuddle and tell secrets to.

I was in awe at the change in Rebecca’s posture, both on and off the saddle. Completely at ease . . . balanced she sat tall, proud, and confident atop the horses. At home and at school she held her shoulders back, now proud of her tall frame, with a smile ear-to-ear. “I’m a rider, you know!”

I believe the enormity of the horse’s size and weight grounded her, both physically and mentally. For days after, there seemed an invisible anchor, keeping tract of language, behavior and forethought on Rebecca’s part. On our families end, overall, there were more periods of harmony and less teenaged angst.

We, as a family, have been blessed to participate at Majestic Hills Ranch. The support of staff, the surroundings there, and team-taught skills have done what many years had yet to do. The vision of our daughter successful and proud atop the horses, winning at being her authentic self, accepted and loved by all who come to know her.