Special Olympics Will Showcase Equestrians

A horse show today at Pegasus Creek Equestrian Center in Agoura Hills will show off the abilities of more than 100 mentally and physically disabled riders in a variety of equestrian events.

The third annual Tri-Valley Special Olympics Pegasus Creek Invitational Horse Show, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Warner Center in Woodland Hills, starts at 8 a.m. The center is at 2972 Triunfo Canyon Road.

The event raises money for the Tri-Valley Special Olympics through sponsorships and a silent auction, but the event also gives participants a chance to shine.

“This wasn’t originally done as a fund-raiser,” said Elizabeth Pedersen-Knapp, a riding coach and event organizer. “It gives them motivations to improve themselves.”

Tri-Valley Special Olympics is a Burbank-based organization dedicated to promoting a variety of sports for those with mental disabilities. Each Saturday, members of the equestrian program meet for free riding lessons in Chatsworth.

Today’s show will include other Special Olympics equestrian athletes from Ventura County and as far away as San Diego.

Riders can enter as many as four of 22 events, which include Western equitation, trail, pole bending and jumping.