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Recently, Ruth Gold spoke to the Tryon Estates Rotary Satellite Club about TROT –

Therapeutic Riding of Tryon. TROT is a program offered by FENCE that provides equine-assisted activities to adults and children with physical, developmental and cognitive disabilities in a safe, friendly and supportive environment.

Ruth has been a volunteer with TROT for 15 years and currently has her third horse, Toby, in the program. TROT Program Director Summaiya D’Adamo also contributed to the presentation.  

Currently, 45 riders ages 6 – 80 who have special needs participate in the program. These riders come from Polk and four other nearby counties.  

A highlight of the presentation was acknowledging the presence of four current residents of Tryon Estates who have been volunteers at TROT:  Joanne Opel, Cobie Smith, Gail Cornelius and Carol Ten Broek.  

Ten Broek volunteered for 11 years and was named National Volunteer of the Year in 2010 for NARHA – North American Riding for the Handicapped Association – which is now known as PATH International.  

All are welcome to attend the Rotary Satellite Club meetings and benefit from the programs. For more information, contact Judy Lair at (828) 894-8744.