Chas. Area Therapeutic Riding 20th Ann.

C.A.T.R. horse show memories 

Julia Nichols with Brad and Sally Rumph 

Margaret Blackmer, Winslow Hastie and Alicia McCory

When the sponsors, founders and organizers of the Charleston Area Therapeutic Riding (C.A.T.R.) set their minds to a cause they usually overachieve. For 20 years that cause has included exposing special needs youth, perhaps with autism or downs syndrome, to the experience of being in the saddle on a horse at their farm on John's Island. To be sure, these special riders are handled with great care while on the horse as safety is a paramount concern, but the dividends the riders receive after feeling the large animal respond and acknowledge their presence is something they can take away with them. On Sept. 27 at Magnolia Plantation the C.A.T.R. crowd decided to commemorate their 20th anniversary with an evening of fine food, music and more along the banks of the Ashley River. A silent auction raised funds for C.A.T.R. and a slideshow of past activities revealed just how galvanized this group is when it comes to equestrian outreach. There are many volunteers that work at C.A.T.R. farms because they enjoy their time together and they believe in the message of improving people's live through therapeutic horseback riding. Each year C.A.T.R. holds their own horse show for the special riders, and for more information visit their website.

To view past blog entries about equine activities click here.