Bringing horseback riding to kids

Relational Riding Academy owner and instructor Michelle Binder-Zolezzi believes children benefit greatly from learning to ride a horse - and there are studies to back her up.

A 2013 study performed by the Pennsylvania State University Department of Dairy and Animal Sciences and reported on the website Horsetalk.com.nz found that youths who learned to ride showed better decision making, thinking, communicating, goal setting and problem solving skills while improving their confidence and self-esteem.

The study also found that most, 86.9 percent, were female and 87.8 percent owned their own horse, which is why Binder-Zolezzi is holding this Saturday's scholarship drive fundraiser, "Fabulous Fall Festival" at the academy located on West Anderson Road.

Proceeds generated during the event, particularly the rummage sale and the raffle, go to help the mission of Spokane's HEART organization. HEART, Healthy Equine Association for Rehabilitation and Training, is a federal 501 (c) 3 charity whose mission is two-fold - to rescue horses and to hook those horses up with kids who can't afford to ride. Binder-Zolezzi has seen and experienced the benefits of both during her years of teaching numerous styles of horseback riding, and relates the experience she had this past August when she teamed with HEART to bring a pair of horses to the final day of kids summer camp the West Central Episcopal Mission in Spokane.

Binder-Zolezzi said the children were pretty excited as they watched the horse trailers pull up and the animals disembark. That excitement turned to joy when they found out that they were going to be able to do more than just pet the animals - that they were also going to be able to ride.

"That's what this fundraiser is all about," Binder-Zolezzi said. "Getting that scholarship fund really built up so we can scholarship kids next year."

The rummage sale is open at 7 a.m., with raffle tickets also going on sale. Family events take place all day, with a morning and afternoon vaulting exhibition as well as two performances by the HEART Drill Team that includes rescued horses.

There is also a "Wild West Kids Carnival" from 1 – 3 p.m. that Binder-Zolezzi said will be "an absolute blast for the kids." It features games such as an Apple Bob and Cake Walk along with activities like pony rides, a Wild West photo booth and roping lessons.

Primal Fire will provide concessions, featuring barbecue, and the day's activities conclude with line dancing lessons by instructor Marge Austin, beginning at 6 p.m.

"And we'll just keep dancing," Binder-Zolezzi said. "She's a very good instructor so that will be the evening entertainment."

Binder-Zolezzi said they have some great items to be raffled off, including a 1949 Kimball upright piano valued at $700, vintage 1921 Noritake china, a $150 gift certificate to the Davenport Hotel and a champagne night.

"We have some really good fundraising items," she added.

Relational Riding Academy is located at 3714 West Anderson Road. More information is available by calling (509) 290-4301 or online at SpokanesHEART.org.

John McCallum can be reached at jmac@cheneyfreepress.com.