GOOSE DOWNS BENEFITS NM CENTER FOR THERAPEUTIC RIDING

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, August 8, 2011

Santa Fe, N.M. -Top horsemen and women from all corners of the Southwest will compete at the Goose Downs Farm in Galisteo, N.M., Saturday, August 20 and Sunday, August 21. The event will benefit New Mexico Center for Therapeutic Riding.

The riders will perform the equivalent of a horse triathlon, including the finesse and balance of the dressage component; the precision and timing of the stadium-jumping; and the thrill of galloping the cross-country phase in a United States Eventing Association (USEA) recognized national competition.

The competition will also feature a Team Challenge Trophy. Teams of three riders (one member from the NM Center for Therapeutic Riding, one member of a local US Pony Club, and an international rider who has represented their nation in international competitions) combine their scores for the challenge. The lowest score for the competing teams will win the trophy.

The premiere three-day eventing center is located on 350 acres south of Santa Fe in the beautiful and historic Galisteo Basin. Spectators will witness the camaraderie and spirit that drives the 50-plus riders of all skill levels.

"We thank Jeffray Ryding and Tom Angle from Goose Downs and all of the riders participating who will be assisting our riders and their families," says Don Miller, Co-founder of the New Mexico Center for Therapeutic Riding. ‘We formed the New Mexico Center for Therapeutic Riding to serve people with special needs. With more than 12,000 people in Santa Fe County with special needs, we work with Santa Fe Public Schools Special Education Department, Adelante, and the New Mexico School for the Deaf to provide riding programs for students with physical, cognitive, behavioral and economic special needs."

"Horseback riding is the only form of physical therapy that can simulate the three dimensional movement of walking," says Michael Rawn, Co-founder of the NM Center for Therapeutic Riding. "This means that the horse is a motivator that connects therapy to sport, confidence and freedom.

WHAT: Goose Downs Benefiting the New Mexico Center for Therapeutic Riding
WHEN: Saturday and Sunday, August 20& 21, 2011, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
WHERE: Goose Downs Farm, 64 Goose Downs Road, Galisteo, NM
Goose Downs Farm is off N.M. 41 across from mile marker 58, and today's events begin at 8 a.m.
Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, sunscreen and blankets as well as water.

The New Mexico Center for Therapeutic Riding is a non-profit tax exempt charitable organization providing equine assisted therapy programs to greater Santa Fe since 2006.

www.nmctr.org
www.goosedowns.com

Contact:
Jennifer Marshall
505-231-1776
jennifer@jmarshallplan.com
www.jmarshallplan.com