TROT, Therapeutic Riding of Tryon, held its annual Volunteer Appreciation and Student Recognition picnic recently at FENCE.
It was a celebration with games, food and fun. Foothills Mountain Bar-B-Cue owner Paul Dale donated the lunch.
The TROT program could not exist without our volunteers.
“In fact the whole program is run by volunteers, and we appreciate them all,” said Robbie Hambright.
Each year, the organization tries to honor a volunteer who has gone the extra mile with an award called the Golden Stirrup. This year, TROT had two winners.
Judy Banks was awarded a Golden Stirrup. As a retired speech therapist, Banks brought a knowledge of people with special needs that makes her very effective in working with TROT students. In addition, Banks, quickly took on the extra responsibility of becoming a lead volunteer one day a week. She was always there when TROT needed her.
Llyn Josef was also awarded a Golden Stirrup. Joseph recently moved to Columbus from Buffalo, NY. She brings her horse, Chester to TROT. Chester is an experienced therapy horse and Josef is a retired special education teacher. Together, they made a wonderful team. Josef and Chester contributed a great deal to their students riding experience.
“We are extremely fortunate to have Judy and Llyn as members of our dedicated group of volunteers,” Hambright said.
Therapeutic Riding of Tryon (TROT) changes and enriches lives by teaching horsemanship skills to adults and children with physical, cognitive, developmental and emotional challenges in a safe, friendly and supportive environment.  TROT is a program of FENCE.  For more information visit www.fence.org/trot.
– article submitted
by Robbie Hambright