Benefit ride-a-thon planned for Saturday

Humans and horses have made a good team for centuries in both working and social relationships. The Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship (MVTH) program of Cape Girardeau capitalizes on that special connection by putting people with disabilities together with horses.

As a result, riders learn new skills and achieve cognitive, behavioral, psychological and physical goals.

This Saturday, MVTH will hold its first big fund raiser, a benefit ride-a-thon, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. The ride will begin at Wesley United Methodist Church in Fruitland.

Registration starts at 8 a.m., lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. After lunch, MVTH will provide a demonstration of its services; awards and prizes will be given out.

Tim and Jana Rodgers of Cape Girardeau organized the horsemanship program in February of 2001. Riding started at Flickerwood Arena, but now takes place at Crystal Creek Stable on County Road 620, north of Cape.

"I had volunteered with a similar program in graduate school at the University of Kansas," Jana Rodgers said. "I am a speech pathologist and I love horses, so it just fits right in."

It took several steps to get the program started. First, not-for-profit incorporation paperwork had to be completed. The Rodgers' daughter Madison, now 6, helped train the horses.

They joined the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association and acquired insurance and located a site willing to allow therapeutic riding. Finally, they recruited their first rider.

A pool of approximately 35 volunteers keeps the organization going. Ten riders are currently participating in the program, which represents less than 1 percent of people with disabilities in the Cape/Jackson area who could benefit from therapeutic riding, according to Rodgers.

Corporate sponsors of the ride-a-thon include Staples, Equine Medical Services of Southeast Missouri, the Southeast Missourian, Praxair Distribution Inc., McDowell South Inc., Rhea Optical Company, Dr. James T. Hall, Kids Wear Again, Kage Family and Community Education Club and Crystal Creek Stable.

Many other businesses and agencies are providing prizes and awards for the event. For more information or to make a contribution, contact Jana Rodgers at 651-4860 or Leah Shrum at 243-7540.

jgosche@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133