Five riders with the Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association displayed their equestrian skills to the Princess Royal, Princess Anne, and her husband Sir Tim Lawrence when they visited the facility in Saanichton on Sunday, May 6.
The Princess Royal awarded ribbons to the riders, including six-year-old Elliot Burns, who was recognized for his perseverance.
âHopefully that left the impression that these programs are really, really important and these kids are really happy. Itâs amazing that she got to see that and we got to participate. I feel very proud,â said Burns mother, Genevive Parent, in a news release.
Parent noted Burns has quadriplegic CP, and riding has not only helped him get physically stronger, heâs also become good friends with his horse Bangsie.
âWe discussed my balance, which is really shaky if Iâm not in a wheelchair. She said to me âWell, sitting on a horse is a great equalizer isnât it?â I told her thatâs absolutely right, when I sit on this horse, I donât think about the wheelchair and Iâm a different person,â said Pippa Blake, another rider with the VTRA.
The VTRA was one of multiple stops she made in Greater Victoria, which included participating in a service marking the Battle of the Atlantic at the legislature.
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