MOORPARK : Special Equestrians Shine in the Saddle

On a sprawling, hilltop horse ranch overlooking the city of Moorpark, an enthusiastic group of equestrians gathers each sunny Saturday to saddle their mounts and enter the riding ring for a couple of hours of pole bending, barrel racing and jumping.

Never mind that some of the riders can only manage to get their horses to walk, let alone trot or canter. These are members of the Ventura County Special Olympics equestrian team, and it’s an achievement for some of them to even be astride a horse.

“When you take a kid who couldn’t even walk and get them to where they can guide a 1,500-pound horse around the arena, it’s really something,” said volunteer Hank Heister of Westlake Village.

Barbara Menke of Ventura agrees. She is also a volunteer and an accomplished horsewoman whose son, Scott, 27, is on the team.

“This has given him a place to shine,” she said as she coached him from the center of the arena. “He adores that horse and has become pretty versatile.”

Scott said he was apprehensive about joining the team because he was “a little bit scared at first.”

His mother says Scott now loves to ride as fast as he can and credits Special Olympics for “giving him the opportunity to do something he ordinarily wouldn’t.”

The equestrian team was organized about seven years ago by Edward (Pete) Peters and his wife, Opal. They own the Arabian horse ranch and have set aside a dozen gentle horses for the special athletes to use, as well as saddles, bridles and other necessary equipment.

While many of the 20 or so riders are mentally retarded, Peters has opened up the team to other handicapped and developmentally disabled children and adults. Not only do they compete in county and state Special Olympics horse shows, but they also ride in local parades.

The program has been so successful that a satellite team has been formed in Ojai, and another will soon be formed in Camarillo.

During one recent practice, Peters hustled about the barn as the athletes got their steeds ready to ride. He shouted encouragement and challenged them to surpass whatever goals they attained the week before.

“Can you stand up in your wheelchair Robbie?” he asked one child. “Don’t say no, because we don’t say that around here.”

Peters says they are always looking for volunteers and recognition, and the group is in “desperate need of financial help.”

Upkeep for each horse is about $150 a month, which is paid mostly by the Peters. The Ventura County Kiwanis Clubs donated $4,000 last year, and will donate again this year.

Financial worries shrink, though, at the sight of a special athlete atop a horse.

“They give us more than we give them,” said Opal Peters. “They’re such a loving group and they appreciate everything you do. That does something for you.”