Straight from the Horse's Mouth December 2017 | Page 5

Katelyn
Hi, my name is Katelyn. I am a horse girl and
also an equestrian rider. I have both visual and
hearing impairments and also have cerebral
palsy. I wanted to start riding with Ride On St.
Louis in 2005 mostly because I loved horses.
I went through two surgeries, selective dorsal
rhizotomy (SDR) and Percs, which helped with
the tightness in my legs and feet. At first, before
I had the surgeries, my legs and feet were tight;
It made riding difficult. The most challenging
thing was trying to stretch my heels down, but
after I had the surgeries my legs and feet aren’t as
tight anymore. Riding before I had the surgeries
helped stretch my muscles, but riding after I had
the surgeries now strengthens my muscles. I am
happy that I don’t have much tightness now and
that these surgeries changed my life forever, but I
still stretch to prevent stiff muscles. Riding makes
me feel wonderful and happy— being around
horses makes me feel like I’m in Heaven.
I have been riding for 12 years now. Through
the years I rode many different horses at Ride
On St. Louis. I don’t really have a favorite one;
I loved them all. Charity was the first horse I
rode when I was young, but I love working with
Lucy now. My dream is to have a horse of my
own, and board her at Ride On St. Louis. I have
always wanted one ever since I was a little girl. I
want to take care and spend time with my horse
one day, ride for fun, travel and go on trail rides
in different places like the beach, forest, or the
mountains. I want to ride with friends, make
a ton of memories with my horse, and maybe
enter competitions. (I’ve never rode a horse
competitively, but I would like to continue my
lessons and try one day!) I will NEVER stop
riding and caring for horses. Horses are my
whole life. Horses are the best and the most
beautiful creatures in the world. I will never
outgrow the “I love horses” phase.
Katelyn as she heads towards the arena
"Riding makes me
feel wonderful
and happy- being
around horses
makes me feel like
I'm in Heaven."
Opposite page far left: Sports Rider Katelyn bridles Lucy and finishes tacking
Opposite page left: Katelyn demonstrates correct leg position and contact as she rides Lucy
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