Galloping for a great cause

by ROGER HARRISON | ARAB NEWS
Published: May 29, 2011 00:44 Updated: May 29, 2011 00:44

JEDDAH: UK Ambassador Sir Tom Philips and Lady Anne Philips presented awards for committed service to the volunteers and staff at the annual Open Skies “Thank You” gathering at Al-Aseel Equestrian Center in Jeddah on Friday.

Abdul Khaliq Saeed, board member of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and staunch supporter of Open Skies, was guest of honor.

The awards marked the efforts of the volunteers to help disabled children improve their lives both physically and mentally through therapeutic horse riding under carefully monitored conditions.

The guests were given a short demonstration by two children who have, over their years of attending the group, improved their motor skills and acuity of the techniques used during therapy enormously.

In recognition of the services provided by the eight horses, which the children ride, each was given its own award by Anne — a keen horsewoman.

Philips’ reaction to his first visit to the group’s activities was one of delight. “It’s wonderful, superb! Seeing the two children on the horses, the volunteers and the incredible support network and the number of people helping so generously with their time is a very moving experience.” He added that it was not simply a British community, but a “very moving demonstration of whole community support.” The volunteer group consists of helpers drawn from more than 10 nationalities.

Founder and organizer of Open Skies, Judy Houry thanked the volunteers, which include the UK Consul General Kate Rudd who attended the celebration, and baccalaureate students from the British International School in Jeddah, for their support.

“I would like to impress on you all that we receive a constant stream of thanks from the parents of all our riders,” she said. Houry said there were now 50 riders, many of whom Saudi, who regularly attended the riding sessions. “We are now receiving requests from hospitals and private enquiries and in the near future hope to be working with autistic riders as the word spreads.”

Open to all, Open Skies bases its therapeutic riding on the long known yet not fully understood relationship between horse and human. The effects and biology of the therapy is well understood, as the use of the rhythmic movement of a horse improves both head and trunk stability and upper extremity function in children with, for example, cerebral palsy. In 2008 researchers from the Washington University Program in Occupational Therapy established a causal link that put the therapy’s effectiveness beyond doubt.

Houry thinks that a vital part and unquantifiable element of the therapy is the almost spiritual relationship that develops between the rider and his mount.

“In a wheel chair everything has to be done for you and you look up the whole time,” she explained. “On a horse, your view of the world changes — you have to control yourself and the animal — you are in command to stay aboard and you are looking down on the world. The child or adult on the horse is suddenly doing something that his brothers and sisters can’t do and they encounter self respect at last.”