HORSE SEMINARS SET AT EQUESTRIAN CENTER 2 DAYS OF CARE, RIDING CLASSES PLANNED.Byline: Nathaniel Greely Staff Writer BURBANK - More than 1,200 people - from novice riders to seasoned horse show veterans - are scheduled to attend a two-day series of educational seminars that kicks off today at the Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. Equestrian Center in Griffith Park Griffith Park is a large public park at the eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains. It is situated in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. The park covers 4,210 acres (17 km²) of land, making it one of the largest urban parks in North America. . Organizers say the inaugural West Coast Equine Symposium, running 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Sunday, provides a unique forum to learn about all aspects of horsemanship horsemanship: see equestrianism. horsemanship Art of training, riding, and handling horses. Good horsemanship requires that a rider control the animal's direction, gait, and speed with maximum effectiveness and minimum effort. . One-day tickets are $20. ``The event is for people that have horses and want to further their learning, and also for people who are interested in horses and want more information,'' coordinator Joanne Asman said. The event includes workshops on equine care and dentistry, basic jumping and show techniques, and advanced tips on gaining a competitive edge in horse shows. ``There's something strange about horses. People find they have an affinity for them, and it becomes a lifelong thing,'' said Linda Allen, who designs equestrian courses and is teaching a workshop on better understanding the competition. The benefits of riding horses are far-reaching, organizers say, including therapeutic benefits for stroke survivors, and people with cerebral palsy cerebral palsy (sərē`brəl pôl`zē), disability caused by brain damage before or during birth or in the first years, resulting in a loss of voluntary muscular control and coordination. and autism autism (ô`tĭzəm), developmental disability resulting from a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain. It is characterized by the abnormal development of communication skills, social skills, and reasoning. . A program in Los Angeles called Horses in the `Hood has discovered that providing at-risk, inner-city youths with riding experience has created positive changes in many of their lives. ``Working with horses teaches young people patience. You can't overpower o·ver·pow·er tr.v. o·ver·pow·ered, o·ver·pow·er·ing, o·ver·pow·ers 1. To overcome or vanquish by superior force; subdue. 2. To affect so strongly as to make helpless or ineffective; overwhelm. 3. the horse; you have to work with it. That carries over into their relationships with other people,'' Allen said. Another goal of the West Coast Equine Symposium is to dispel the myth that only the rich can afford to ride horses. Lessons are available throughout 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, that cater to people who can't afford to buy and maintain a horse. For those who want to own a horse, but can't afford to keep it in a stable, there are other options available as well. One of the fastest growing segments of the horse show world is a division called ``Rusty Stirrup stirrup, foot support for the rider of a horse in mounting and while riding. It is a ring with a horizontal bar to receive the foot and is attached by a strap to the saddle. ,'' for adult beginners. ``Most people become fascinated by horses when they are young, but they get a job, start a family, and don't have time for it,'' Allen said. ``Later in life, when they have the time and the resources, they usually come back and start riding.'' Allen says it's hard to explain the hold horses have over people. ``If I could describe it, maybe I could get over it,'' she said. |
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