NEWS & VIEWS, MHIB Grants, continued from page 8
groups as well as an introduction to the public legislative and regulatory processes. T e grant will be used for their Annapolis education ses- sion about the Maryland General Assembly. League of Maryland Horsemen: T e grant will be used for maintenance and expansion of the Patapsco State Park public bridle trails. T e Maryland Hay Bank: A unique and in- novative program that has the potential to ben- efi t individual horse farm owners in fi nancial distress as well other rescues, sanctuaries, and shelters, the grant will enable the Bank to reach out to more potential recipients. Maryland Horse Council: MHC will con- duct detailed research on how county zoning laws, regulations and enforcement experiences regarding horse farms either reinforce or con-
reclassifi cation. T e equestrians were joined by those involved in fl oor hockey, cross-country ski- ing and sailing—and to them we off er our most heartfelt condolences and implore them to fi ght for their sports. However, for those of us who are horse people, we are involved in our own fi ght. I contacted the offi ce of SOMD, and spoke
with Sam Hodapp. While I was verbally as- sured by Mr. Hodapp that the Special Olym- pic Equestrians would absolutely be able to go to the national level and beyond in their sport, it is important to point out that the wording of the “extensive assessment process” actually reads: “In order to maximize the experiences of those sports impacting the greatest number of athletes, diffi cult decisions needed to be made which re- sulted in the majority of our current sport op- tions being classifi ed as state sanctioned sports while a small group of sports were reclassifi ed as locally popular sports. A state sanctioned sport will be off ered at Special Olympics Maryland State level competitions and be the primary means for athletes to advance to National and World Games. A locally popular sport will not be off ered at Special Olympics Maryland state level competitions. T e opportunities for ath- letes in these sports to advance to National and World Games would be available on a limited basis.” One can only imagine the limitations placed upon a “locally popular sport” that has already been for all intents and purposes written off as not numerically feasible. A further statement involving numbers and
the Special Olympics athletes caught my eye. It reads “During the evaluations process which in- volved Area/County directors and coaches, Spe- cial Olympics Maryland needed to determine those sports which required the most resources and best met the seven founding principles of the Special Olympics movement. T is enabled us to discover sports that impacted the greatest number of athletes throughout the state, required the greatest investment of funding, personnel, and with whom there were community partner- ships. It also uncovered sports that served a small
56 | THE EQUIERY | JANUARY 2012
tradict the state’s legal recognition of horses as agriculture (specifi cally, whether certain coun- ties are enforcing zoning or building codes that treat horses diff erently from other livestock). Personal Ponies: Personal Ponies provides a disabled child with a small Shetland Pony (on a free lease arrangement); the child learns to care for and bond with the pony. T e organization works with breeders and horse people to raise and train the ponies before matching them with a child; other ponies travel to nursing homes and treatment centers. T e grant will be used for upgraded software and training so that the organization can better track the various ponies and their people. Pony Express 4-H Club: T e new PA system would be used by the club, by the county fair
number of athletes and did not meet some of the seven founding principles.” And this is where I fi nd no resonance with
SOMD. I have read those founding principles [see sidebar] and I do see that the last line of #7 mentions the “greatest number of eligible athletes.” However, considering the context of the six statements above it, I believe that means that Special Olympics is to be an inclusive or- ganization, not an exclusive one. It is hard to believe that SOMD is seeking to hang the crushing of the hopes of even a small number of very Special Athletes on such a weak nail. I am sure that, if SOMD tries and more spe-
and by three other horse clubs. Tuckahoe Equestrian Center Youth Group,
T e Hoof Picks: T e Youth Group will host a one day “hands-on with horses” event for the general public on the Eastern Shore. University of Maryland Cooperative Exten-
sion: A three-part education program, including a CD and a brochure, will be developed about the horse industry on the Lower Eastern Shore. University of Maryland Equine Studies Pro-
gram: T e grant will be used for the improve- ment of the Equine Rotational Grazing Dem- onstration Site, which researches best pasture management practices for equine health and the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. T e site hosts public education programs for horse farm owners.
Equestrian Sports Takes One in the Shorts, continued from page 8
cifi cally if they ask for help from the equine community, the coaches, the guardians and from those Special Athletes themselves they will fi nd a way to make sure that the equestrian athletes can be included in full participation in an organization whose leaders’ historical plan was founded on full participation for all. If all else fails, I encourage the leaders of SOMD to read principle number fi ve over and over again until it becomes clear to them. And I encourage everyone to do what they
can to ensure that equestrian sports remain an offi cial part of the Special Olympics of Mary- land’s state level competitions.
The Founding Principles of Special Olympics
T e founding principles of the Special Olympics, which must continue to guide the operation and expansion of the global Special Olympics Movement, include the following: 1. People with intellectual disabilities can, with proper instruction and encouragement, enjoy, learn and benefi t from participation in individual and team sports, adapted as necessary to meet the needs of those with special intellectual and physical limitations. 2. Consistent training under the guidance of qualifi ed coaches, with emphasis on physical con- ditioning, is essential to the development of sports skills, and competition among those of equal abilities is the most appropriate means of testing these skills, measuring progress and providing incentives for personal growth. 3. T rough sports training and competition people with intellectual disabilities benefi t physi-
cally, intellectually, socially and spiritually; families are strengthened; and the community at large, both through participation and observation, is united with people with intellectual disabilities in an environment of equality, respect and acceptance. 4. Every person with intellectual disabilities who meets the eligibility requirements set out in these General Rules should have the opportunity to participate in and benefi t from the sports training and athletic competition programs off ered by Special Olympics. 5. Special Olympics must transcend all boundaries of race, gender, religion, national origin, geography, and political philosophy, and off er sports training and competition opportunities to all eligible persons with intellectual disabilities in accordance with uniform worldwide standards. 6. Special Olympics celebrates and strives to promote the spirit of sportsmanship and a love of
participation in sports for its own sake. To that end, Special Olympics aims to provide every ath- lete with an opportunity to participate in training and competition events which challenge that athlete to his or her fullest potential, regardless of the athlete’s level of ability. Special Olympics therefore requires that Special Olympics Games and Tournaments off er sports and events which are appropriate for athletes of all levels of ability, and in the case of team sports, provide every athlete with an opportunity to play in every game. 7. Special Olympics encourages sports training and competition opportunities at the local, area and community level (including schools) as a means of reaching the greatest number of eligible athletes.
800-244-9580 |
www.equiery.com
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