Higher Hopes participants enjoy Halloween Party
Trick or Treat: McKenzie Clapper dressed up as a witch for the Halloween Party at Higher Hopes Therapeutic Riding Center. Participants in the program were invited to bring their families with them Monday evening, Oct. 26 to enjoy trick or treating on horseback and refreshments. Beacon photo by Josie Sellers
WARSAW – McKenzie Clapper loves coming to Higher Hopes Therapeutic Riding Center.
“There are a bunch of beautiful horses here,” said the 9-year-old.
Higher Hopes provides therapeutic riding opportunities for children and adults with disabilities. Participants in the program were invited to bring their families with them Monday evening, Oct. 26 for a Halloween Party at the riding center located at Tom and Peggy Roahrig’s Triple R Stables. On this special evening everyone in the family was invited to trick or treat on horseback and enjoy food afterwards.
“Tom and Peggy are amazing,” said Kristine Kempf. “They do so much for the kids and put a lot of time and effort into Higher Hopes. Without them it wouldn’t be quite the same experience.”
Kempf’s 18-year-old daughter Khyla Dawson has ridden at Higher Hopes for more than five years.
“Our initial motivation for coming was she has a passion for horses, but then I also heard how riding can help her with stability, muscle tone and confidence,” Kempf said.
Dawson was excited to be at the riding center.
“It’s awesome to be out here,” she said. “The horses are beautiful. I love to ride and help the kids get on the horses.”
Kempf enjoys watching her daughter ride and chatting with the other parents during lessons.
“We can relate to each other and talk about parenting issues,” she said. “We are like a close little family.”
Cherie Reveal, whose 15-year-old son Riley has ridden at Higher Hopes for at least eight years, agreed with Kempf.
“The Roahrigs are part family to us,” she said. “They are wonderful people with big hearts.”
Reveal is helping organize Higher Hopes next big event, which is the 15th annual auction on Saturday, Dec. 5, at River View High School. Doors open at 4 p.m. and the auction begins at 5 p.m. Some of the auction items that have already been gathered are two seven day passes to the Memorial Golf Tournament, an autographed cookbook from Guy Fieri, and both the Bengals and Browns have made donations.
“Everything we get (for the auction) is exciting,” said Tom Roahrig. “Our Halloween Party winds up our riding for the year and now we focus on getting ready for the auction.”
He added that the reason they do Higher Hopes is to see the participants smile.
“Seeing those smiles is all that matters,” Tom said.
josie@coshoctoncountybeacon.com
Category: People & Places
