We had had our own little “mini-Michael-Phelps” event today when Brent won four gold medals at the Michigan state-wide 4-H show.
The state-wide show is where riders who do well in 4-H fairs and horse shows around the state during each summer are invited to compete at the state level with riders from around the state. The show is always held at the end of the summer at the Michigan State University Livestock Pavillion – it is a great event with everyone bringing their best game.
Brent has been riding as part of his physical therapy for Cerebral Palsy since he was five years old and he has been in 4-H since he was 11. He is now 17 years old so he has been riding for 12 years. Bonnie DePue (who runs CHUM Therapy) feels strongly that having therapy riders compete in 4-H is an important part of their therapy – it serves to motivate them to do their best and gives the participants a handicap-friendly event several times per year.
A bit of background:The 4-H has a special class for differently-abled children – it is called the Proud Equestrian Program (PEP). There are special classes for handicapped children to compete against one another – 4-H supports the PEP classes across all of its activities. They alter the activities to make them accessible for all. They do things like allow the PEP riders to ride first – in the cool of the morning – before the heat of the day as well as have specially trained judges for the classes. The classes are still quite competitive and riders are expected to perform flawlessly to the level of their ability to get the top ribbons. This is not just about participating – it is about competing – competing with yourself and striving to do your best in the ring with other riders.
Because the horse gives even very handicapped children mobility in a competitive situation, for many severely disabled children – 4-H PEP is likely the only time in their life where they will compete and earn an award in a physical competition. Children do not have to get a blue ribbon to be very pleased with their efforts and create great memories for their life.
Back to Brent’s story:Brent has been riding for six years in the PEP program and this was his last year in the PEP program – next year he moves into the regular 4-H program and will compete with all the other riders in 4-H.
So this year’s state show was his last competitive ride in PEP. Brent competed in four events:

• Walk-trot Equitation (unassisted)
• Horsemanship Challenge
• Pattern Riding
• Obstacle Course

The classes were pretty small – Brent put on his best riding performance ever (at least the best I have ever seen). He sat up tall and proud and hit every mark perfectly and did each of his gait transitions with careful focus. It did not hurt that Bonnie had let him ride Splash. Splash is my favorite horse of all-time. Splash belongs to Chris DePue (Bonnie’s son) – and Splash is very well trained in jumping and equestrian events – Splash is so good with the children and a great horse to ride (I always tell Splash that she is my favourite puppy – because she is so cuddly).
The announcer knew it was Brent’s final PEP ride and as the Gold medals racked up in each of the events, the announcer let the crowd know that this was Brent’s last PEP event ever – which made him even prouder of his work.
At the end, Brent had won four gold medals and won all of the classes. The judge/announcer told him to take trot Splash around the arena for a “victory lap” – which Brent did to a standing ovation and more than a few teary eyes.
The 4-H state show is very competitive and I am guessing that four gold medals is possibly the record for a single individual to win in a single state show. Like Michael Phelps – this may be something that will not be repeated. Brent was at the top of his game – at the end of a long and distinguished PEP riding career – the classes were small. Since it was PEP, there is an asterisk – But who cares!
Next year is Brent’s last year in 4-H – he is a senior. The senior year culminates with a special ride at the Ingham County Fair called the “senior ride” where the rider walks around the arena while a short story is read about what they have done in riding and what it means to them. If you come – bring tissues.
By the way – you are always welcome to donate to Bonnie DePue’s – CHUM Therapeutic Riding at www.chumtherapy.net. CHUM Therapy is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to making this world a better place through horses interacting with handicapped children.
Bonnie understands that the purpose of CHUM is far more than one hour of physical therapy per week for these children – and I publicly thank her as often as I can.
You can see some online videos of CHUM Therapeutic Riding that I have produced over the years.
A video about Brent.