SPECIAL ATHLETES GRAB HOLD OF REINS; DISABLED COMPETE IN RIDING EVENT.Byline: Jesse Hiestand Daily News Staff Writer Ribbons, medals and broad smiles were the outward signs of achievement Sunday at the 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 Competition in Ventura. But riders and organizers alike said the greatest benefit occurred in the hearts and minds of these athletes as they struggled and succeeded in overcoming mental and physical handicaps. ``To see this event go off - the smiles on their faces, the esteem - is very rewarding and very satisfying,'' said Bob Martin, who coordinates all the sporting events for the Ventura County Special Olympics. ``I enjoy it a lot,'' added Vince Peterson of Ojai, who took home a gold medal gold medal traditional first prize. [Western Cult: Misc.] See : Prize for guiding his mount through through 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. of pylons and raised bars. ``You just have to tell the horse what to do and have them go.'' Peterson was one of 70 competitors, 21 of them from Ventura County, who took part in the two-day event in the Morgan Arena on the Ventura County Fairgrounds n. pl. 1. same as fairground. . The event, dubbed a state competition but actually a regional one for Special Olympians from 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, , drew competitors from as far away as San Marcos San Marcos (săn mär`kəs). 1 City (1990 pop. 38,974), San Diego co., S Calif., a northern suburb of San Diego; settled 1880s, inc. 1963. near San Diego San Diego (săn dēā`gō), city (1990 pop. 1,110,549), seat of San Diego co., S Calif., on San Diego Bay; inc. 1850. San Diego includes the unincorporated communities of La Jolla and Spring Valley. Coronado is across the bay. . Almost 200 medals were awarded to riders ranging from 9 to 48 years old. There were heats for showmanship, barrel-racing and jumping. Each participant, as a Special Olympian, has some degree of mental retardation mental retardation, below average level of intellectual functioning, usually defined by an IQ of below 70 to 75, combined with limitations in the skills necessary for daily living. , Martin said. In some cases it is very mild, as with Peterson who is licensed to drive a car and helped organize this year's event. Others require more attention, such as those in wheelchairs who were rolled up a ramp and lifted into the saddle. All the riders wore protective helmets and boots. Organizers place a premium of safety and there were no mishaps or injuries at the competition, he said. The event, now in its fourth year in Ventura County, was made possible by the work of about 40 volunteers, many from the National Charity League in Ventura. Ventura County Special Olympics offers 18 types of sport to its 600 clients, everything from aquatics and basketball to bowling and track and field. The equestrian program relies on two Ventura County ranches that donate staff and horses for weekly training session. These are Oso Ranch in Ojai and Pete Peters Ranch in Moorpark. Starting in the mid-1970s, Peters spent several years working to get equestrian events included in Special Olympics. It was officially adopted in 1982, he said. ``It's really good for these kids' esteem,'' Peters said. Andy Wang Andrew P. 'Andy' Wang (born May 28 , 1977) is is an American mixed martial artist, currently competing in the lightweight division. Wang was a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter 5 show, featuring fighters in the lightweight division. He originally fought for B.J. of West Hills agrees. His 19-year-old son Curtis, who has moderate mental retardation, received four medals at this weekend's competition. ``This has turned out to be the best thing for him in terms of confidence,'' Wang said. ``When (Curtis) saw that he could do it, it helped him a lot.'' Curtis said simply, ``I like the coaches.'' Coaches like Bob Kane, a 40-year-old actor, are volunteers as well. Kane has spent 11 years working with a Special Olympics equestrian program at the Tri-Valley Ranch in Chatsworth. ``It's very satisfying,'' he said. ``We get as much out of it as they do.'' CAPTION(S): 2 Photos Photo: (1--color in SIMI SIMI Sea Ice Mechanics Initiative SIMI Search for Intelligent Monkeys on the Internet SIMI Students Islamic Movement in India SIMI Society of Irish Motor Industry SIMI Smallholder Irrigation Markets Initiative and CONEJO edition only)Andrea Hall of Northridge eases Cookie around the arena Sunday during the Special Olympics event at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. (2--ran in SAC and AV editions only) Curtis Wang of West Hills walks Cookie past coach Barney McGreary on their way to the riding arena. Wang, 19, took home four medals. Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion