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Tag: horseback riding

  • Project R.I.D.E. offers equine therapy in Elk Grove

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    Project R.I.D.E in Elk Grove has been connecting riders and horses across the greater Sacramento area since 1979, offering equine therapy to people of all ages with special needs. “It’s hard to put in words unless you experience it,” Danny Ford, director of operations at Project R.I.D.E., said of the program’s impact. “I think it’s the happiest place on Earth. It’s better than Disneyland, in my opinion.”The nonprofit and therapeutic riding facility offers recreational riding to individuals with diagnosed physical, emotional and intellectual disabilities. The organization has a list of some of the diagnoses it accepts listed on its website.Five-year-old Rahi Parekh uses a wheelchair. KCRA 3 joined him for his lesson at Project R.I.D.E. late last month. He said he enjoys playing games while horseback riding and visiting with the barn cats, who also call the facility home.“I feel happy. Yeah. Happy. I feel happy,” he said.Ford noted horses have a special ability to connect with their riders.”They know completely how you’re feeling when you’re sitting in the saddle. They can actually sense and feel your heartbeat as well,” he said. “They will kind of match your senses, the way you’re feeling.”Ford began his work with the organization as a volunteer, but he first came through the barn doors as a dad. His son started riding at the facility as a toddler.”He’s now 21, has Down syndrome,” Ford said. “The sense of independence and that sense of control in life, I think, completely changes his life for 30 minutes, at least, every week.”For individuals who are unable to ride, Project R.I.D.E also has a fully interactive simulated horse, fondly named Buster Brady. “It’s hard to put into words exactly everything that we can do here, but it’s easy to see on the faces of our participants, I think, what the outcome of it all is,” Ford said.Project R.I.D.E. instructors are accredited through PATH International, the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship.”Come and sit in the stands, watch a lesson, and it’ll completely change your life to see the joy and the reward that some of these people get from the time that they spend with us,” Ford said.The organization is currently preparing for its annual steak dinner fundraiser on April 18. It relies on donations and a team of dedicated volunteers to keep the program active.As part of our 70 Years of Service initiative, we’re highlighting organizations that are making a difference all year long. See more stories in the series here.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

    ELK GROVE, Calif. —

    Project R.I.D.E in Elk Grove has been connecting riders and horses across the greater Sacramento area since 1979, offering equine therapy to people of all ages with special needs.

    “It’s hard to put in words unless you experience it,” Danny Ford, director of operations at Project R.I.D.E., said of the program’s impact. “I think it’s the happiest place on Earth. It’s better than Disneyland, in my opinion.”

    The nonprofit and therapeutic riding facility offers recreational riding to individuals with diagnosed physical, emotional and intellectual disabilities. The organization has a list of some of the diagnoses it accepts listed on its website.

    Five-year-old Rahi Parekh uses a wheelchair. KCRA 3 joined him for his lesson at Project R.I.D.E. late last month.

    He said he enjoys playing games while horseback riding and visiting with the barn cats, who also call the facility home.

    “I feel happy. Yeah. Happy. I feel happy,” he said.

    Ford noted horses have a special ability to connect with their riders.

    “They know completely how you’re feeling when you’re sitting in the saddle. They can actually sense and feel your heartbeat as well,” he said. “They will kind of match your senses, the way you’re feeling.”

    Ford began his work with the organization as a volunteer, but he first came through the barn doors as a dad. His son started riding at the facility as a toddler.

    “He’s now 21, has Down syndrome,” Ford said. “The sense of independence and that sense of control in life, I think, completely changes his life for 30 minutes, at least, every week.”

    For individuals who are unable to ride, Project R.I.D.E also has a fully interactive simulated horse, fondly named Buster Brady.

    “It’s hard to put into words exactly everything that we can do here, but it’s easy to see on the faces of our participants, I think, what the outcome of it all is,” Ford said.

    Project R.I.D.E. instructors are accredited through PATH International, the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship.

    “Come and sit in the stands, watch a lesson, and it’ll completely change your life to see the joy and the reward that some of these people get from the time that they spend with us,” Ford said.

    The organization is currently preparing for its annual steak dinner fundraiser on April 18. It relies on donations and a team of dedicated volunteers to keep the program active.

    As part of our 70 Years of Service initiative, we’re highlighting organizations that are making a difference all year long. See more stories in the series here.

    See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

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  • An 82-year-old equestrian’s secret to staying young

    An 82-year-old equestrian’s secret to staying young

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    >> 82 YEAR-OLD HORSEBACK RIDERS SADDLING UP FOR HIS NEXT COMPETITION. IF SUCCESSFUL, HE WOULD BECOME PART OF AN EXCLUSIVE CLUB OF RIDERS. NBC TWO’S RACHEL WHALEN SHOWS US HOW IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO PURSUE YOUR PASSIONS. IN TONIGHT’S STORY, TO SHARE. >> ONE THING ABOUT HENRY WATSON. HE’S GOT TO TELL IT TO YOU STRAIGHT. YES, STRAIGHT FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH. GENERALLY SPEAKING OUT, A LOT PEOPLE OR COURSES. WE HAVE NEVER LOTTERY. IF THEY’RE AFRAID THEY’LL TEAR. >> IF THEY’RE THEY WON LAUGHTER. WE MET HENRY AND HIS HORSE SMOOTH BULLET TO GET AT THE HIDDEN HAVEN RANCH IN NORTH FORT MYERS, DOING TRICKS. GOOD BOY AND PRACTICING FOR THE NEXT SOUTHWEST FLORIDA JURORS. SASHA, LET ME SHOW YOU HOURS CAN DO. >> THAT’S THE ESSENCE WHERE THEY’LL BE JUDGED ON HOW THEY PERFORM A SERIES OF MOVES. LOT TO HIM HERE NOW AND SEE WHAT HE DID. YOUR COOKIE. >> YOU WANT TO OKAY? I DON’T HAVE >> WHEN HENRY AND BULLETS COMPETES ON SATURDAY OCTOBER. 26 MIL OFFICIALLY BE A PART OF THE CENTURY CLUB BECAUSE BULLETS IS 20 AND HENRY IS 82. IT’S NEVER TOO LATE. AND THAT’S THIS CENTURY RIDE IS ALL ABOUT. IN FACT, HENRY DIDN’T EVEN START COMPETING INTO HIS GOLDEN YEARS. HE BOUGHT HIS FIRST HORSE AT 70 YEARS OLD. SOMETHING ALWAYS WANTED ALWAYS DREAMED ABOUT WRITTEN BOOKS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, LOOK, WATCH THEM ON TV AND >> THAT KIND OF THING. YOU’RE JUST. BUT IT WAS NEVER. POSSIBLE. BULLETS BEEN BY HIS SIDE EVER SINCE THROUGH A COUPLE HURRICANES AND HEALTH SCARES. >> LAST MARCH BULLET SPENT 12 DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL. IT LIKE ONE OF MY CHILDREN. HAD A LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION BECAUSE YOU. >> AS A RETIRED PERSON IN BECOME YOUR FAMILY. NOW BULLET IS BACK HEALTHY AND READY TO COMPETE. >> THE COMPETITION’S KEPT HENRY VIBRANT TO FROM MIKE TOLD ME THIS ONE HOURS. GETTING RID YOUR TIME TO REMEMBER WHO IT WAS, SHARES YOU BETTER FIND SOMETHING TO DO TO GET INVOLVED YOU DON’T GO HOME AND SIT ON THE COUCH OR YOU DIE. THAT’S PICKLEBALL SO GREAT. IT REALLY IS JUST KEEPING PEOPLE OUT ALIVE. I DON’T LIKE >> OPT FOR THE HORSES. >> IN FORT MYERS, RACHEL WHALEN NBC 2 THAT. WORDS OF WISDOM. YOU GOT TO KEEP DOING STUFF TH

    An 82-year-old equestrian’s secret to staying young

    An 82-year-old horseback rider is saddling up for his next competition. If successful, he’ll become a part of an exclusive club of riders.”Generally speaking, I don’t like people. I like horses,” said Henry Watson.Hearst sister station WBBH met Watson and his horse Smooth Bullet at Hidden Haven Ranch in North Fort Myers as they were doing tricks and practicing for the next Southwest Florida dressage show. They’ll be judged there for a series of moves. “Let me show you what my horse can do. That’s the essence of it,” said Watson.When Watson and Smooth Bullet compete on Saturday, Oct. 26, they will officially become a part of the Century Club. That’s when the age of the rider and their horse equals 100. Henry is 82 and Smooth Bullet is 20. “It’s never too late, and that’s what this Century ride is all about,” said Watson.Watson started competing in these shows during his golden years. He bought his first horse at 70 years old. “It was something I always wanted, always dreamed about,” said Watson.Smooth Bullet has been by his side ever since, even through a couple of hurricanes and a health scare. Last March, Smooth Bullet spent 12 days in the hospital for a colic. “It was like one of my children had a life-threatening situation because, as a retired person, they become your family. They’re not livestock,” said Watson.Now, Bullet is back to being healthy and ready to compete. The competition has kept Watson healthy, too. “Somebody told me this when I was getting ready to retire, and I don’t even remember who it was. He says, ‘You better find something to do, to get involved in. You don’t go home and sit on the couch, or you die.’” said Watson. “That’s why pickleball is so great. It really is. It’s keeping people alive. I don’t like it. I prefer the horses.”

    NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. —

    An 82-year-old horseback rider is saddling up for his next competition. If successful, he’ll become a part of an exclusive club of riders.

    “Generally speaking, I don’t like people. I like horses,” said Henry Watson.

    Hearst sister station WBBH met Watson and his horse Smooth Bullet at Hidden Haven Ranch in North Fort Myers as they were doing tricks and practicing for the next Southwest Florida dressage show. They’ll be judged there for a series of moves. “Let me show you what my horse can do. That’s the essence of it,” said Watson.

    When Watson and Smooth Bullet compete on Saturday, Oct. 26, they will officially become a part of the Century Club. That’s when the age of the rider and their horse equals 100. Henry is 82 and Smooth Bullet is 20. “It’s never too late, and that’s what this Century ride is all about,” said Watson.

    Watson started competing in these shows during his golden years. He bought his first horse at 70 years old. “It was something I always wanted, always dreamed about,” said Watson.

    Smooth Bullet has been by his side ever since, even through a couple of hurricanes and a health scare. Last March, Smooth Bullet spent 12 days in the hospital for a colic.

    “It was like one of my children had a life-threatening situation because, as a retired person, they become your family. They’re not livestock,” said Watson.

    Now, Bullet is back to being healthy and ready to compete. The competition has kept Watson healthy, too.

    “Somebody told me this when I was getting ready to retire, and I don’t even remember who it was. He says, ‘You better find something to do, to get involved in. You don’t go home and sit on the couch, or you die.’” said Watson. “That’s why pickleball is so great. It really is. It’s keeping people alive. I don’t like it. I prefer the horses.”

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  • Lolahol’s “Cuntradiction” Video: A Familiar Equine Scene

    Lolahol’s “Cuntradiction” Video: A Familiar Equine Scene

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    Seeming to no longer have any qualms about following in her mother’s footsteps, Lolahol—still better known as Lourdes Leon—has not only stepped up behind the microphone to record an album (okay, an EP) called Go, but she’s also shown that she takes no issue with emulating Madonna’s visuals either. And we’re not just talking about the “Like A Virgin”-esque writhing and general hyper-sexual image. No, Lolahol has gone into Madonna’s aesthetic vault to bring us a video concept centered on horses.

    To those who regularly see Madonna on Instagram, it doesn’t take long to realize that the video for the second single (after “Lock&Key”), “Cuntradiction,” makes optimal use of Madonna’s Bridgehampton realm. One in which we frequently see her feeding and riding horses in the various photos and videos she posts. But hey, why shouldn’t Lolahol make good use of that property? It is likely part of her inevitable inheritance, after all. However, more than just Madonna riding horses in her day-to-day life (even after falling off of one in 2005), she also long ago incorporated them into her work (the most current example being “Medellín”). This transpired rather notably in a Steven Klein (a fellow Bridgehampton resident) video and photoshoot that served as backdrops during Madonna’s 2006 Confessions Tour (specifically for the opening, “I Feel Love/Future Lovers”). As is to be expected, Madonna, at times, gets very suggestive in her interactions with the horse (tranquilized or not), with one image featuring her lying on top of its side smoking a cigarette. Lolahol furnishes us with a similar pose (minus the cigarette) via direction from Anna Pollack.

    A bed in the corner of the hay-filled stable lends added kink to the très Equus-oriented motif. Interspersed “disturbing” shots of horses filmed in black-and-white or nightshot mode are meant to lend perhaps a tinge of “horror” to the bestial flavor. And, speaking of, as Lolahol sensually sings, “I want it to last/But I want it to end,” she leans back while mounted atop a horse in “bondage”-y lingerie that Rihanna would surely approve of (and yes, Lola already made her debut as a Fenty model in the Savage X Fenty Vol. 3 show). And also, of course, her mother, who, like, invented such provocative scenes and maneuvers (see: Sex).

    While some children might have run in the other direction away from “that life” (kind of like Rocco Ritchie running into the arms of Madonna’s ex-husband back in 2015), Lola has very much decided to embrace it. Dare one even say, “carry the torch.” The very “fire” Madonna tried to symbolically pass on to Britney and Xtina at that 2003 VMAs performance… yet neither pop star has been able to fully embrace it in the long-run (Britney for obvious reasons). And, incidentally, since Lourdes “played” a flower girl at the beginning of the aforementioned performance and then graduated to full-on “Like A Virgin” bride regalia for the 2009 “Celebration” video, maybe all the writhing and gyrating she’s employing in the present was foreshadowed.

    More of which comes after the first round of “stable scenes,” when things start to get “impressionistic” as we’re shown images of Lolahol eating an apple (yes, how “profound” on the symbolism front) and other assorted fruits before we see her lounging sideways on a banquet table and then smashing some grapes… and, predictably, crawling/writhing (again, very Madonna) across it.

    Another tableau presents itself when Lola and a suspended rope appear in an empty barn as she proceeds to “do sexy shit” with it. This leads into another dirt-filled barn where horses run around amid mirrors that reflect their image back to them in a manner that, one would think, might cause an inevitable snafu. But anyway, that’s not the real standout of this portion, so much as Lola vaguely recreating the pouring of sand on her body the way Madonna does in the “Don’t Tell Me” video (the moment, it could be said, that M’s own fascination with horses first began). Implementing the dance moves she studied in school (as her mother did before dropping out), Lolahol does everything to give the most while pretending to do the least.

    In the final scenes, Pollack captures footage of a butterfly on Lola’s hand (cue Lana Del Rey’s “Happiness Is A Butterfly”), followed by the image of crushed grapes that remind one of what Caroline Polachek’s vibe was in “Billions.” It’s all concluded with a black-and-white image of a horse running away through the field. Likely back to Madonna’s crotch.

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    Genna Rivieccio

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