UNIVERSITY PARK — Dressed in the tan pants, white shirt and blue blazer of an equestrian in competition, Joella Albright steered her horse to the left and right, in circles, at a walk and then a trot.
The 12-year-old from Bucks County smartly ended her routine with a bow to the judges, and dismounted with a flourish and a smile.
“Charlie makes me look good,” Joella said, referring to her brown horse.
This year marks Joella’s first appearance in the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Summer Games, the annual festival combining competition with camaraderie, which kicked off on Penn State’s campus and around State College on Thursday.
Joella planned to compete in all the equestrian events, including dressage, trail, equitation and showmanship. On Friday at the Penn State Snider Agricultural Arena, she had no time to spare between her showing in the dressage and her appearance, moments later, in the trail competition.
Joella started riding a year ago for the physical benefits of the therapeutic riding program at the Ivy Hill Therapeutic Equestrian Center in Perkasie. But she quickly became engrossed in the sport and now practices once a week.
“It’s so fun! I love being able to ride a horse,” Joella said.
Sean O’Brien, who practices twice a week at Ivy Hill, performed a lively dressage routine that included his first canter in competition.
In dressage, riders must follow the instructions shouted by an instructor from outside the ring. Establishing trust and cooperation between horse and rider is key, Sean, 14, said.
“It takes a lot practice and a lot of time with the horse to get good,” he said.
Sean has ridden for five years and has had the time to form a deep bond with his horse through training. The less-experienced Joella established her own fast-track strategy for creating that bond: apples.
“Every time we have a good ride, Charlie gets an apple,” Joella said.
Martha and Paul Bettendorf, a mother and son from Lewisburg, are hoping to increase the participation of central Pennsylvania athletes in equestrian events. Paul Bettendorf, 44, medaled in swimming at the Special Olympics National Games in 2006, but is seeking a new sport to pursue.
“I’m excited to try it,” Bettendorf said.
The Bettendorfs said they are looking into therapeutic riding programs in the area and Paul hopes to be competing by next season.
That would make Hope Bratton happy.
Bratton, of Warriors Mark, is this year’s Special Olympics equestrian event coordinator. A competitive rider herself, she said most of the equestrian athletes showing at the Special Olympics are from the eastern part of the state. They participate in programs like the one at Ivy Hill, which has seen rapid growth in recent years. It now serves more than 150 riders with individuals with physical, social, educational, and psychological challenges.
Bratton said she thinks local programs can have similar success.
“I hope it picks up here, because this area could really use more representation,” she said.
Regardless of where they come from, Bratton said she had been inspired by the athletes she had watched ride on Friday.
“So many of them are skilled, but they never get carried away by the competitive aspect. They just go out and have fun,” Bratton said. “They put the sport back in perspective for me.”
Cliff White can be reached at 235-3928.
