April 2021 Issue

Page 4 April 2021 EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN “Ella” from Leg Up Farm in Mount Wolf, PA, is the winner of Hope in the Saddle’s fourth-an- nual Therapy Horse of the Year contest. The national contest recog- nizes the special talents, selfless work and invaluable contribu- tions of therapy horses. Entrants nominated a horse who has made a significant, positive difference in someone’s life. Selected from 430 entries, Ella was chosen as the grand- prize winner. Ella (along with her human friend, Jessica Warns, Equine Director of Leg Up Farm), will receive more than 1,000 pounds of Nutrena® Equine Feed, a $250 Tractor Supply Company gift card, Hope in the Saddle jackets and more. Ella, a 16-year-old Quarter Pony, is the most veteran therapy horse at Leg Up Farm. In her nine years there, she has helped dozens of riders with special needs reach new heights of independence. Recently, she has developed a special bond with an individual with autism spectrum disorder. “For the past few months, [this individual] has started to learn to post the trot and is even able to ride Ella independent- Therapy horse Ella is shown with rider Nathan Tomkins at Leg Up Farm in Mount Wolf, PA. Ella was chosen Hope in the Saddle’s Therapy Horse of the Year for 2020 over 430 entries. Photo credit: Hope in the Saddle “Ella” Chosen as 2020 Therapy Horse of the Year ly when doing so,” explains Warns in her nomination essay. “Sometimes he gets very excited when he gets to do this. He will vocalize loudly and bounce up and down on her back. Ella always remains calm and just continues to trot at whatever pace they were already going. In just the past few weeks, we have been able to introduce the canter…Ella always takes care of him and does as he asks. For someone who relies on others for everything in his life, the independence he gets to experi- ence with Ella makes her a hero in our eyes.” Read the nomination essays for the Therapy Horse of the Year winner and finalists at hopeinthesaddle.com. Tell our advertisers you found them in East Coast Equestrian. Submit your events to East Coast Equestrian at steph@eastcoastequestrian.net for inclusion in our calendar at no charge! Please provide event name, location, city, state and contact information by the 10th of the prior month. Attention Event Organizers!