Riding Club Gets Saddle Donations

Four saddles have been donated to the American Riding Club for Handicapped Children on Thursday after a burglary left the organization short of seven saddles made specially for disabled youths, members said.

“Although [the donated saddles] are not the kind we really need, it was really neat to see people taking an interest in kids,” said Saskia Knight, a volunteer for the club. “One woman even offered a saddle that once belonged to her grandfather. She said we could use it, but we are a little nervous about that. Obviously, it is very special to her.”

On the Fourth of July, a volunteer said she went to the stable in El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, where the equipment was stored, and found the door to the storage shed open. Equipment, including seven saddles, worth almost $10,000 was stolen, members said.

The stolen saddles are deeper than their typical counterparts to allow more support and balance for the children, many of whom suffer from multiple sclerosis.

Base officials were continuing the investigation.