A Special Brand of Horsepower
Loudoun Therapeutic Riding connects people with physical , intellectual , and emotional challenges to the healing power of horses
BY CHRIS WALTON
Every time I turn off Berlin Turnpike and pass through the gate of the Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Center , a big smile appears on my face . There is something about being in a horse barn that just feels good . I feel safe , I feel love , I feel at home . When you ’ re in the barn of Loudoun Therapeutic Riding ( LTR ), the feeling of happiness is overwhelming .
For 48 years , LTR has been embracing the power of equineassisted services to promote wellbeing and community inclusion for people with physical , cognitive , and mental health challenges . It ’ s an organization that brings out the best in everyone who gets involved . The riders , volunteers , the staff , the board members , the donors , and the horses are fully vested in the core values of love , trust , and respect .
My history with Loudoun Therapeutic Riding began with a bottle of champagne . I was attending their annual spring fundraiser , the Preakness Party — now called the Boots and Bridles Dance — at the invitation of my close friend Reggie Howard . I have a “ brilliant ” strategy for participating in charity auctions . It ’ s simple . I bid on the first item , usually something small , and I pay a ridiculous price for it . At one event , I got the party started by bidding $ 250 for an apple pie . This night , it was going to be a bottle of champagne .
I first met Reginald M . Howard from Macon , Georgia , on July 2 , 1985 , in Annapolis , Maryland . It was our Induction Day into the United States Naval Academy Class of 1989 , the “ best class ” as Reggie always reminds me . As Plebes , we were required to memorize the full names and hometowns of every classmates in our platoon . I still remember most of them .
Along with 1400 of my fellow Plebes , Reggie and I walked in formation together to be sworn into the Navy . The first day of our journey to become Naval Officers . It turns out our mothers happened to be sitting together in the audience , having never met , to watch the ceremony . It was their day to watch their boys begin their journey to become men .
The next four years were quite a ride . Reggie and I went to US Army Airborne training ( Jump School ) together in Fort Benning , Georgia , and Navy Flight training together in Pensacola , Florida . After graduation , he was a groomsman in my wedding where my wife Amy was ceremoniously welcomed into the Navy . As we walked through arched swords , the last swordsman gave her a swat to her backside and a shouted “ Welcome to the Navy , Mrs . Walton .” For the past twenty years , we ’ ve both lived in Loudoun County watching each other ’ s families grow up .
All this to say , Reggie is one of my oldest and dearest friends . A brother in every sense of the word . But he is not my favorite Howard . It ’ s not even close .
I ’ m in love with his daughter Rosie . If you ’ ve met her , I suspect you ’ re in love too .
Rosie is pure love and joy . As a rider at LTR , she has found a safe , loving place to support her special needs . LTR is a place just for her and about her . I ’ ve watched her grow up and face her challenges with nothing but a pure joy for life . Her deep connection with a beautiful horse named Teddy and with the help from her amazing trainers and volunteers , riding has helped her develop self-awareness , build self-confidence , improve concentration , increase self-discipline , strengthen , and relax muscles , improve posture and so much more . And for all this , Rosie has given back tenfold with her smiles and enthusiasm .
Rosie ’ s story is not unique . LTR has helped hundreds of people in need over the years . The horseassisted services provided by LTR have helped young children with severe emotional trauma , break out of their shell by providing a safe and caring connection with their horse friend . People with
40 wander I fall • winter 2022