Rainbow Riders to benefit from Tim Hortons event Sept. 23-29

Rainbow Riders in St. John’s operates year-round, offering fall, winter, spring, summer sessions with riding programs the main focus. These are a form of physical therapy and recreational activity and as sport there are also opportunities for competition.

The programs are offered to individuals with a range of disabilities such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, autism, Down syndrome and others. Program participants are welcomed from around the province.

The greatly appreciated contribution made by Tim Hortons in St. John’s, Mount Pearl and CBS through its Smile Cookies week, September 23-29, is a major fund- ing source for Rainbow Riders.

Volunteer Melanie Stone (a director and instructor with Rainbow Riders) says that as the organization is seeing increased interest in its programs, “we do our best to accommodate all who are interested. If they are coming from out of town to visit the Children’s rehab or for medical appointments we endeavour to coordinate our schedules with theirs.” Demand is such that there is a waiting list - “but we would never turn anyone away,” says Melanie.

Rainbow Riders receives referrals for its programs from such sources as The Janeway, Easter Seals, Autism Society and others and parents also contact them directly for information. There is a registration form to be completed and a doctor’s referral (clearing riding as safe for the person) is required.

Melanie says that currently the organization has 13 horses at its Mount Scio premises and with programs all year round, it all rep- resents “a huge volunteer effort.” Horses must be cared for yearround, there is equipment to be acquired, there are farrier and grooming costs, fence repair, snow removal and a manager to be paid. Operating a stable yearround is a big undertaking, Melanie emphasizes.

“As a mostly volunteer-based organization with no guarantee of funding, Tim Hortons’ Smile Cookie project is very, very important to us and deeply appreciated,” she adds. From Monday, Sept. 23 to Sunday, Sept. 29 , 2013, the entire proceeds from the sale of Tim Hortons Smile Cookies in St. John’s will be donated to this project.

Relying primarily on donations and fundraising, Rainbow Riders operates from a facility that currently houses 14 horses and provides an indoor riding arena to support year-round operation. This work is only possible with the assistance of generous...

For the past 20 years, Rainbow Riders has operated a therapeutic riding program to help countless Newfoundland and Labrador children grow and develop despite physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities – all through horseback riding.