History of RCTRC
Humble Beginnings
In 1986 as an undergraduate student at West Virginia State College
(now West Virginia State University) – Connie (Gilkeson) Boggess dreamed of one day owning and operating a therapeutic horseback riding facility. “I wanted to be able to provide therapeutic recreation services to anyone who had a challenge; that needed assistance in becoming as independent as possible. I believed then, and still do today, that a horse could and would change the lives of those he or she came in contact with,” stated Connie in a 2000 interview with West Virginia Public Television for a story about RCTRC.
Pilot Program
River Cities Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3, non-profit organization that provides therapeutic horseback riding to children and adults in West Virginia. The riding center was formerly incorporated following the completion of our pilot program that consisted of four riders from BrynLee Rehabilitation.
This research project on the Efficacy of Therapeutic Horseback Riding on Children with Cerebral Palsy was presented at Marshall University's School of Medicine’s 8th annual research day in May of 1994. All of the children had a documented change in their gross motor functional measure, which ranged from 1.5-6 %. Treatment consisted of ˝ hour per week for six weeks. Researchers involved were Connie S. Gilkeson-Boggess, MS, CTRS, Dr. Kim Pauley, and Brenda McGahan, PT.
Our Growth
We began with two horses, and then the riding center adopted Libbey-Sue. In 2001, Libbey-Sue was euthanized due to age related problems and Aries Legacy continues the efforts along with the addition of Chinook, Lady Jo, Harley, Fizz and Bo.
As the horses we began with grew in their ability to relate to the participants in the program so did our need for a permanent location, which the Boggess’
purchased in 1999. How funded
Since we incorporated in 1995, we have survived on program fees, donated equipment, facilities, and community donations and support. Our program has had to move several times since its establishment, and through all of the hardships, our program participants moved with us.
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River
Cities Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc.
