A dappled gray Arabian scrapes his hoof through the dirt, neighs and tosses his head.

His rider, dressed in tan riding pants and black, over-the-calf boots, squeezes the horse's sides slightly.

Horse and rider crisscross the arena, working as a team to complete the dressage pattern - a test of riding skill used in English-style competitions. The trained horse does complex movements in response to barely perceptible rider commands. At times the rider does a posting trot, moving her legs in rhythm with the horse. At times, she does a sitting trot, seeming to simply enjoy the choppy bounce. At almost every turn she is smiling.

"Serzal's my best buddy," Molly Blomstrom, 26, said after finishing her lesson at REACH 4A Star Riding Academy. Then she combed her fingers through Serzal's mane and pressed her nose against his.

"I know he's there for me, and I'm there for him," she said.

Ultimately, that's the goal for each of the academy's riders. REACH 4A Star riding academy is a program of I-REACH 2 that uses horses as therapy for people with physical, mental, emotional and social disabilities.

Riders have a variety of conditions. The most common include developmental delays, cerebral palsy, downs syndrome, visual impairment, autism, attention deficit disorder, depression, substance abuse, eating disorders and behavioral issues.

But once students step into the REACH 4A Star arena, their disability doesn't really matter, said Karol Santistevan, executive director for the arena.

"Our horses bond with participants in ways that appear to be mystical to humans," Santistevan said. "The horse is a safety zone because the horse won't tell anybody about their disability. The horse doesn't judge them."

The horses are equalizers.

"Most have learned to sit back and let people do things for them, but we don't do that," said instructor Leigh Flack. "They learn to master these big horses and their self confidence just blooms."

Before the season begins in April, doctors, therapists, teachers and parents help set goals for each student. A level one rider may be assisted by a leader and two side walkers. A level two rider may work on following multiple step directions, grooming the horse and more complicated riding techniques.

Sometimes progress is rapid, with riders "graduating" away from their disability and entering a regular riding class, Santistevan said.

Sometimes, especially with physical and developmental disorders, progress keeps pace with the condition.

"So many disabilities are progressive," Santistevan said. "It's frustrating when you know you're making progress and their disease keeps debilitating them."

Each rider is matched with a horse instructors think will offer the best experience, based on the horse's height, weight, stride and personality.

A rider with cerebral palsy, for example, is placed on a horse with a side-to-side gait. As the horse's mid-section sways left and right, the rider must engage their weaker side to stay balanced. As the muscles on the weak side are used, it becomes stronger, Santistevan said.

A rider with a developmental disability may have the strength to stay balanced but lack the fine motor skills to effectively steer. They jerk the reins and squeeze both legs together too hard. They are paired with a stubborn horse and encouraged to "softly" ask the horse to turn and not yell at it in frustration, something they quickly discover doesn't work.

Instructor Julie Feiler tells her students to hold their reins like a cup of hot chocolate, always keeping it upright and moving carefully so it doesn't spill. When the horse responds to their gentle movements and respectful commands, these students learn to move through other activities in life in the same controlled manner, Santistevan said.

Classes for those with autism are busy, Santistevan said. Students move from individual stations to group stations, building Lego houses then playing catch with other students. The mix of social and individual interaction becomes safer on the back of a horse, Santistevan said. She had one boy who had a complete meltdown the first time he entered the academy. He didn't even get his helmet on. Two years later, the boy now comes in, puts on his helmet, rides and interacts with others. The horse helps him focus on the present and not on the frightening changes.

Several riders at the academy have behavioral and emotional issues.

Instructors use the horse to teach them respect and healthy communication, Santistevan said.

"The horse doesn't talk. It weighs thousands of pounds. Can you make this horse do anything?" Santistevan said. Defiant students learn how to "talk" with the horse and gently command it. Those communication skills and respect for another creature then spill into the rest of the student's life.

"These riders put our life into perspective," Santistevan said. "We try to teach them what we can, but really, they teach us way more."

Like how to go on when it seems physically, mentally or emotionally impossible.

Student Tina Wagner comes to class every week in a wheelchair. Every week she sets her eyes on her horse and says her wheelchair will not keep her from riding. She mounts with help from four or more people.

And then she rides.

"How can you let the disability get the best of you?" she said. "You can't. I won't."

Many of the riders at REACH 4A Star Riding Academy use the horses to supplement their regular physical therapy or counseling sessions.

"Ongoing physical therapy is boring," said instructor Leigh Flack. "But put them on a horse, and physical therapy is enjoyable."

Therapy on a horse is more natural, too, said Karol Santistevan, executive director of REACH 4A Star. Muscles engage when on a horse, even if the brain isn't consciously telling them to engage.

Physically, the horse's gait mimics a person's gait, providing hip and back action similar to walking.

The warmth of the horse relaxes tight muscles.

Over time, riding improves muscle tone, joint mobility, posture, balance and coordination, Santistevan said.

Mentally, riders improve cognitive processing as they follow directions and build habits.

Eventually, riders will not have to be instructed to pick up their reins and give the "walk on" command. They will just do it. Then more complicated instructions can be added, Santistevan said.

Emotionally, students learn to respect the horse when riding and grooming. As they learn new skills through concentration and self-discipline, self-confidence improves.

With a better self-image, riders enter appropriately into social interaction, Santistevan said. ]]>

Shalome is a 6-year-old registered Arabian mare that will be raffled June 16 to help support REACH 4A Star Riding Academy. She was donated by Hiser Farms and is appropriate for beginner and experienced riders. Raffle tickets are $10 each or three for $25. For more information on the raffle, call Karol Santistevan at 267-7416 or visit www.reach4astar.org. ]]>

REACH 4A Star Riding Academy does charge a fee for riding lessons, but most students receive scholarships. The academy holds a few major fundraisers throughout the year to make lessons available to all who need them.

Their next event is the Chutes and Giggles All-Star Rodeo, a day of races, relays, mechanical bull riding and rodeo princess competition. The public is invited to enter teams, regardless of riding ability. (Just a hint: Stick horses are available.) Calcutta betting on the various teams and the princess contest will be held the night before. The REACH 4A Star Drill Team will also perform.

* what: REACH 4A Star Riding Academy Chutes and Giggles Rodeo

* when: July 27 and 28. Calcutta betting is at 6:30 Friday night; the rodeo begins at 10 a.m. Saturday.

* where: Calcutta betting will be held at the Petroleum Club. The rodeo is at the REACH 4A Star Riding Academy arena, 4250 N. 6-mile Road.

* cost: Rodeo is $5 adults, children under 12 free. Entry fee for races, relays and bull riding is $5 per person, per event. Entry into the princess contest is $20. Sponsorship options available.

* info: For more information on REACH 4A Star Riding Academy, the Chutes and Giggles Rodeo or to purchase tickets, call REACH 4A Star at 472-7827 or visit www.reach4astar.org.

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