JUST HORSING AROUND GETTING THE RIDE OF THEIR LIVES.

Byline: Amy Raisin Staff Writer

NEWHALL - The interview process to become a horse at Carousel Ranch, where children with cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and other disabilities receive equestrian therapy, produces maybe one perfect fit for every 10 candidates.

It's not that the other nine, however, weren't kind, gentle, people-friendly souls. But the horses selected to work with children like 8-year-old Hannah Leff - a cheerful girl born with a genetic condition that causes low muscle tone and delayed motor skills - must be those rare animals that don't spook and are unfazed by nearly anything.

``Hannah was one of our first kids when we started five years ago,'' says Denise Tomey, founder and executive director of Carousel Ranch. ``When she first started she was very scared. But you see her now? She stands up on the horse. For Hannah it's a lot about balance and coordination.''

The nonprofit organization now serves 70 clients each week, promoting everything from muscle control and joint mobility to improved self- confidence.

Hannah's mother, Diana Leff, gladly makes the drive from La Crescenta every Saturday to continue the therapy that has helped her daughter blossom.

``You wouldn't know to look at her now, but she has some balance problems,'' Leff says. ``I credit that a lot to this program. I think for kids who have special needs, they go into a therapy session in a clinical setting, and they kind of know it's work. You come here, and it's fun. It's different.''

One look at 10-year-old Briana Reyes bounding from her parents' minivan Saturday morning confirms as much. Born with Down syndrome, the Stevenson Ranch girl with the perpetual smile forces the ranch's staff - there are about 10 full- and part-time employees - to keep up with her.

After his daughter dismisses his suggestion that she wear a sweater, Sal Reyes smiles as Briana saunters away atop one of the ranch's nine horses.

``She's got a lot of confidence in herself, and I'd say it's confidence that she's (achieved) with this program,'' Reyes says.

Tomey, who runs Carousel with co-founder Becky Graham, knows how fortunate she is to have a job that brings smiling children to the riding arena at Atlasta Ranch every day.

``We just couldn't do the 9-to-5 job,'' Tomey says. ``We can come in having the worst day and then you see these kids and whatever was not going right just becomes unimportant. The motion of the horse causes a natural reaction and stretch for the child, but they think they're just horseback riding.''

With an annual budget of about $200,000, Carousel Ranch depends on a grant from the city of Santa Clarita and the North Los Angeles County Regional Center for funding. However, much of its budget is paid for with money from Carousel's twice-yearly fund-raisers.

The sixth annual fall fund-raiser, with a dinner, auction and casino night, will be held Oct. 12 at Legacy Partners/Rye Canyon Studios in Santa Clarita. For information on attending or about making a donation, call [phone].

``Santa Clarita and the community have just been amazing,'' Tomey says. ``We live on our fund-raisers, and we don't ever want to turn any child away based on ability to pay. It's a delicate balancing act of getting the funds, but the struggle is completely worth it.''

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4 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color -- ran in SAC edition only) Alexa Arnold, 5, takes a ride on Rooster, one of the horses at the Carousel Ranch.

David Crane/Staff Photographer

(2 -- color -- ran in SAC edition only) Developing their skills as horseback riders helps disabled children to become more confident.

(3 -- 4 -- color -- ran in SAC edition only) Michael Skelly, 6, of Santa Clarita, takes a ride, left, at the ranch. Alexa Arnold, right, hesitates before offering a carrot to Rooster.