Please take a look at the following sports that are offered during the fall.
SOCCER
EQUESTRIAN
GOLF
FOUR PERSON BOWLING
ROLLERSKATING
VOLLEYBALL
EQUESTRIAN
The Equestrian Program is a Fall sport in terms of competition. However, because of the need to learn unique skills, and to build on those skills as safely as possible, the program conducts two 8-week training sessions a year - one in the Spring (April-June) and one in the Fall (September-November). Athletes compete in events such as showmanship, English equitation, and trail. Our goal each year is to prepare to compete at the State Games in early November in Virginia Beach.
This is not a therapeutic riding program. Our goal is to have each athlete riding independently - without lead or side walkers. However, beginning riders do require this support, and we provide it to the best of our ability within available resources. To maintain the highest level of safety, and to ensure that each athlete attains and builds on necessary riding skills, we require each athlete be accompanied by a parent or guardian at every riding training session and event.
Athletes and parents or guardians must be committed to the entire 8-week training session when they sign up. A missed lesson is a lost opportunity for another athlete, and lost funds for Special Olympics.
We expect the parent or guardian to learn with the athlete - to prepare (groom and tack) the horse for riding, to learn basic horse handling procedures, to be able to walk as a lead or side walker as needed, and to help in any way needed.
Prospective athletes will be screened for suitability - again with safety in mind. Athletes must be able to understand and follow complex direction, and they must not exhibit behavior that could cause a horse to react unexpectedly. Finally, part of our screening will be to make sure that the athlete is not afraid of a rather large animal.
To be eligible for this program an athlete must be registered with Special Olympics Virginia. Please visit the "Become an Athlete" section of this website for registration details.
Practice location is:
Tamarack Stables
9905 Old Colchester Road
Lorton, Virginia 22079
Practice day and time:
Sunday: First session 8:00 - 9:00 am
Second session 10:00-11:00 am
To explore this program, contact the Coordinator, Gary O'Toole.
Please include this information in your email:
1) Athlete's name, age, height, weight, and contact information (phone number(s)/
e-mail address)
2) Name and contact information for the athlete's parent or guardian
3) Information on the athlete's previous riding experience
