Left to right: Pegasus Barn Staff Elizabeth Peterson, volunteer John Taraba, Pegasus Program Director Betsy Stein Medinger, volunteer Becky Fagen, and Pegasus Executive Director Patti Coyle, Westport resident and longtime Pegasus Therapeutic Riding student Leslie receives the Robert M. Stein Challenge Trophy for Outstanding Rider of the Year.

BEDFORD, NY: The 26th Annual Pegasus Horse Show at Coker Farm in Bedford, NY, went off without a hitch on May 20th, 2007, showcasing the therapeutic riding talents of over 90 Pegasus students for friends, family, and the Pegasus community.
     Early morning drizzle quickly made way for sunny skies by the 10AM start time. Pegasus rider Brian warmed up the crowd by playing the national anthem on his keyboard piano followed by a nice medley of Americana music, and the Pegasus Greenwich Chapter Drill Team opened the show of 14 rider classes with their choreographed music routine. The Costume class, a perennial favorite at the Horse Show, featured 5 different riders and their leaders and sidewalkers dressed up in fantastic costume ensembles and themes such as Alice in Wonderland, The Cat in the Hat, Annie Oakley, The Wicked Witch of the West, and The Little Mermaid. The Horse Show also features a Pegasus merchandise tent sale, a very popular arts & crafts tent, and free popcorn and ice cream for all riders!
     The Horse Show is the organization’s signature fundraiser event, raising funds for its therapeutic riding programs and other equine-assisted activities. It is also Pegasus’ annual opportunity to recognize the many different special people who contribute their time and efforts with various awards. A special therapeutic riding award was presented to Coker Farm owner Judy Richter with her son Phillp. The Richter family has graciously hosted the annual Pegasus Horse Show at their Coker Farm for the past 24 years!

Luke receives the Roy Daly Award

      The Robert Stein Award for Outstanding Rider of the Year was presented to longtime Pegasus rider Lesley of Westport, CT. This award is given annually to the Pegasus student who demonstrates outstanding qualities in sportsmanship and improved riding skills. The Roy Daly Award for Happiest Rider was awarded to Luke of Pelham, NY, for exhibiting the joy and happiness found through the special bond between horse and rider.
      Nicole Russo, a former Pegasus board member and co-chair of the 26th Annual Pegasus Horse Show along with her husband Tory, was pleasantly surprised to learn she was the recipient of the Pat Bugg Award for Special Service and Dedication to Pegasus. This award is given annually to a member or members of the Pegasus community who make extra special efforts in dedication to Pegasus Therapeutic Riding. Bob & Tina Theurkauf, longtime contributors to the Horse Show and Pegasus, were recognized with the Peggy & Bill Larned Award for Most Helpful Volunteers, created by Judy & Max Richter in memory of longtime Pegasus volunteers and co-founders Peggy & Bill Larned.
      New Canaan Mounted Troop was on hand to accept the Libby Bartnick Therapy Horse of the Year Award for Cortell, one of their own special horses, which they graciously share with Pegasus for their Thursday therapeutic riding program. The NCMT then closed the show with their wonderful drill team performance!
      Pegasus is also very excited about the Summer 2007 move to their new home facility in Southeast, NY! Thanks to an anonymous donor, Pegasus received 2.1 million dollars, which enabled the purchase of a 20-acre, large-animal veterinary facility. The property will be eventually transformed into a world-class therapeutic riding center, with an indoor riding facility to accommodate year-round therapeutic riding. Located in the woods in the back of the property will be an extensive network of sensory-stimulation trails to further enhance Pegasus’ existing therapeutic riding regimens. For more about Pegasus, see www.PegasusTR.org.