A horse with the nearby DreamPower Horsemanship organization was named “2014 Therapy Horse of the Year” and will be inducted into the Horse Star Hall of Fame.
The Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International is honoring Pete, a 17-year-old registered paint horse gelding with DreamPower since 2009.
DreamPower volunteer Shelly Cedars on Thursday was at his stable—on a ranch off Ferguson Road near Highway 152—lauding Pete for his honor.
“So Pete is the best horse in the world,” Cedars said affectionately toward the horse. “Yes you are.”
Pete has overcome challenges to get to this point. He had severe, untreated navicular—or degeneration of a bone on the front feet. He had three surgeries and is now free of pain, according to the PATH website. Last year, a horse in DreamPower’s herd died, and Pete filled in with an extra workload.
On Friday in Wellington, Fla., “Pete” will be inducted into the Horse Star Hall of Fame. To celebrate, DreamPower Horsemanship is hosting Pete’s Hall of Fame Party from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at the Lazy K Ranch, 3465 Susie Lane in Gilroy.
Pete’s celebration will include a dinner catered by Thyme Catering, LLC, live dance music from “Long Time Forgotten,” line dancing instruction and face painting and barnyard bubbles for the kids. Tickets had to be purchased by Feb. 16. No tickets will be available at the event.
DreamPower Horsemanship describes itself as a nonprofit therapeutic horsemanship program that has been serving children, teens and adults with special needs since 2002. DreamPower offers 16 distinct equine programs that serve children on the autism spectrum, combat veterans and their families, pre-school children, at-risk teens, adults with multiple sclerosis, adults with traumatic brain injuries and many other individuals with special needs.
For more information about DreamPower Horsemanship, visit DreamPower Horsemanship on Facebook or www.dreampowerhorsemanship.com.
