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800-939-JUNK A Centenary Student’s Passion for Horses and Equestrian Skills has Greatly Benefited Individuals with Special Needs No. 21 Vol. 1
My Life Publications • 1-800-691-7549
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By Jaimie Julia Winters Centenary student’s passion for horses and equestrian skills shines as she shares her love for riding with individuals with special needs, creating unforgettable connections and inspiring moments. Annemieke A. Forte discovered her love for horses while volunteering with her mother at an animal rescue when she was just four years old. Although she longed to ride, she faced challenges due to two eye surgeries that left her with limited depth perception and peripheral vision. This made riding and jumping horses difficult, but it didn’t deter Forte from pursuing her passion. Today, she is an accomplished competitive equestrian and also serves as a Therapeutic Riding Program instructor at Centenary University (TRAC), where she provides equine-assisted services for individuals with special needs. “Many people and horses have supported, encouraged, and believed in me over the years, helping me attain my dream of being an equestrian,” Forte said. “When I arrived at college, the therapeutic program at Centenary University offered the perfect opportunity to return all the support I had been given. It was a way to give back to those in need and, at the same time, pursue my love of both riding and training.” Therapeutic Riding At Centenary (TRAC) in Long Valley, N.J. is recognized as a Premier Accredited Center by the Professional Association for Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.). The program was founded in 2003 by Dr. Octavia J. Brown, CU Professor Emerita, and, since 2020 has been directed by Karen Brittle, Assistant Professor of Equine Studies.
TRAC provides equine-assisted learning to veterans, children, and teens with academic challenges, and other special populations while developing leaders for the equine-assisted services industry, Brittle said. Forte said over the four years she has volunteered at TRAC, she has developed bonds with the animals and the many students participating in the program. “The animals are so attuned to the rider and adjust their jobs to that person. Watching that bond is amazing,” Forte said. ”Seeing the benefit and improvement of the participants week after week is extraordinarily satisfying and rewarding.” She recalled a student with multiple sclerosis, a chronic disease of the central nervous system, gaining confidence as she learned to handle the horse and improve her riding skills. “The horses provide a unique motivation and special connection to our participants, volunteers, and instructorsin-training,” Brittle said. Although Forte, an economics business major, has been assisting the three other certified teachers with lessons since her freshman year, she just recently became certified to teach in her senior year. The multi-faceted certification qualifies horseback riding instructors to provide riding instruction of therapeutic value to riders with disabilities. This includes working with horses both mounted or unmounted, Brittle said. CTRIs are trained to incorporate participants’ life goals into their lesson plans and offer accommodations for specific needs. “The participants engage in whole-body exercises and practice social and communication skills,” Brittle said.
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Annemieke Forte with Aspen. Photo credit Jenna O’Connor.
Forte said that Brittle serves as an excellent role model for those looking to enhance their equestrian skills while helping others. Forte plans to become a trainer and successfully run an equestrian business upon graduating.
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