DISABLED EQUESTRIANS RIDE TO WIN.Byline: Sylvia L. Oliande Daily News Staff Writer With smiles as broad as can be and more than a few thumbs up, the winners in the Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, Special Olympics Special Olympics International sports program for people with intellectual disability. It provides year-round training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type summer and winter sports for participants. State Equestrian Championships bent down from their horses to receive their medals after a good ride. ``These kids don't hold back their emotions,'' said Valerie Ward, head coach of the Moorpark Handicapped Equestrian Learning Program. ``Their emotions are true. They don't have that peer pressure, they just get out there and have fun.'' Approximately 73 athletes with various developmental and physical disabilities competed in the event Saturday at the Ventura County Seaside Park. Everyone got a medal, but only two were to be selected from the gold medalists to go on to the World Special Olympics next summer in North Carolina North Carolina, state in the SE United States. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean (E), South Carolina and Georgia (S), Tennessee (W), and Virginia (N). Facts and Figures Area, 52,586 sq mi (136,198 sq km). Pop. . But that was a long way away, and long out of their minds as the athletes put their horses through their paces. They competed in English and Western equitation equitation the art of horsemanship. and trails - an obstacle course obstacle course n. 1. A training course filled with obstacles, such as ditches and walls, that must be negotiated speedily by troops undergoing training or participants in an obstacle race. 2. - on Saturday. And they were expected to continue the event with pole bending Pole bending is timed event that features a horse and one mounted rider, running a weaving or serpentine path around six poles arranged in a line. This event is usually seen in high school rodeos as well as American Quarter Horse Association, local National Barrel Horse and barrel racing Overview Barrel Racing is a form of rodeo event that demands some of the most athletic horses and dedicated riders in order to be successful in terms of financial earnings. today. Attending this year were two teams from Ventura County, Oso Ranch in Ojai and Moorpark HELP, and one team each from the organization's Tri-Valley, San Gabriel Valley The San Gabriel Valley is one of the principal valleys of southern California. It lies to the east of the city of Los Angeles, to the north of the Puente Hills, to the south of the San Gabriel Mountains, and to the west of the Inland Empire. Orange County, Tehachapi and Los Angeles Metro regions, officials said. The event was the culmination of several months of qualifying meets throughout Southern California. ``We provide sports training and competition,'' said Bob Martin, area director of the Ventura County Special Olympics. `If we don't have these programs, these athletes would not get any equestrian experience. We provide a bridge, that basic learning that other kids might have that our guys don't have.'' The competitors ranged in ages from about 8 years old, on up to a 47-year-old from Moorpark HELP. Jeff Watlington, who won a gold medal in the equitation portion of the event, said he has been competing in equestrian events for 13 years. He said he enjoys competition and likes encouraging athletes who are just starting out. ``I love it,'' he said. ``I love every minute of it. I love riding with the disabled people, helping people out.'' CAPTION(S): 3 Photos PHOTO (1) Bethany Svoboda, 9, smiles at a Special Olympics equestrian competition Saturday in Ventura. (2) Left, Dina Orbison and her horse trot past the Special Olympics flame at the event, staged Saturday at Seaside Park. (3--Ran in Simi, Conejo, and SAC Editions only) Melissa Beatie reaches into a mailbox beside coach Valerie Ward during an equestrian obstacle course Saturday at Seaside Park in Ventura. Michael Owen Baker/Daily News |
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