Everyone’s a Winner!

Lovelane’s annual Student Horse Show was held on Saturday, April 30th and Sunday May 1st.  The Horse Show is truly the most joyful and inspiring event of the year and as one parent aptly stated “The Lovelane Horse Show is the best sporting event you’ll attend all year.”

A full crowd of proud parents, doting grandparents, devoted siblings and supportive friends filed into the big green barn on Baker Bridge road to watch the students shine. Over the course of two days, Lovelane students are able to showcase their successes to adoring onlookers.  Lovelane instructors Marnie Munger and Kate Ford narrated the show; helping spectators fully appreciate the value of each activity and understand the therapeutic goals of each rider.  Despite a few pre-show jitters, nearly 90 Lovelane students mounted their horses and proudly showed their skills. 

Some students rode bareback, others rode backwards in order to use different muscles and contribute to improved balance.  Students who use wheelchairs or walkers left them behind and confidently urged their horses forward with huge grins and great pride.  Some of our oldest students displayed incredible skill and control by riding ‘unhooked’ (off the lead-line) and were able to ‘ask’ their mounts to move from walk to trot and some even to a canter.  This year we have quite a few new students, some as young as two years old who were huge crowd favorites as they grinned their way through their show slot. 

This year’s show was particularly poignant as the day was dedicated to the memory of Lovelane Founding Board Member, Dr. Stanley Sabin, who passed away suddenly at the end of March.  He loved this event and never missed it.  Dedicating the weekend to him was a fitting tribute to his legacy. 

An army of dedicated volunteers were there to help keep the show running smoothly, and Lovelane’s herd of talented therapy horses were ready and willing to help their students perform.  Special thanks go to Marcus Partners, Inc. whose corporate sponsorship underwrote the cost of this year’s show.  Thanks to everyone who made the day such a raging success!  Come back next year to see how far your favorite student has come.  Everyone is a winner at a Lovelane horseshow.