There’s something about horses. They have a way of inviting us to slow down.
North County residents can experience that special connection firsthand on November 14, when TERI hosts a free Horse Show followed by a ticketed Hoe Down BBQ fundraiser at the organization’s one-of-a-kind TERI Campus of Life in San Marcos.
TERI’s horse show is free and begins at 3 p.m., featuring students from TERI’s Therapeutic Equestrian Program. Attendees will see riders from the special needs community showcase their skills and the remarkable partnerships they have developed with the horses.
“There’s something incredibly powerful about the relationship between a person and a horse,” said Natalie Birchfield, director of TERI’s Therapeutic Equestrian Program. “The horse meets each person where they are, and through that relationship, we can help them build confidence, independence, communication and skills that extend far beyond the arena.”
For some of TERI’s therapeutic riders, those gains can be life-changing. One participant initially needed significant physical support to stay upright on a horse. As his core strength and mobility grew, he gradually required less assistance. Eventually, he was able to sit upright and ride using his own strength, progressing from extensive support to only minimal assistance.
Another young TERI program participant rarely spoke above a whisper. As she learned that her horse responded when she told it to “go,” her voice grew louder. She also began making and communicating choices about where she wanted to ride.
TERI has offered therapeutic equestrian for the special needs community since 1990, using therapy-based riding to support physical development as well as cognitive, emotional and behavioral growth.
TERI’s Harvest Hoe Down will follow the horse show and begin at 5 p.m. with TERI’s famous Smoked Out BBQ dinner and dancing with live music from the Back Pocket Whiskey Fellas, playing foot-stomping pub-dance-rock at the barn. Tickets for the Hoe Down are $85 and proceeds help support TERI’s horse care and equestrian program.
Whether you come to cheer on the riders, enjoy dinner and live music, or learn more about the power of horses to help people grow, TERI’s Saddle Up event offers a chance to experience the campus—and its horses—in action.
Join TERI on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 3 to 7:30 p.m. at 555 Deer Springs Road in San Marcos for a night that celebrates horses, community and the people they help empower. To purchase tickets, visit go.tericampusoflife.org/hoedown
