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Special Olympics athletes compete in equestrian competition

Chattanooga Times Free Press (TN) - 10/19/2014

Oct. 19--CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- Cullen Fewell, 17, had been preparing for this day for 18 months.

Every week he practiced with his horse, going over the drills and obstacles in the course. He learned to guide his horse as it weaved through cones or carefully stepped over wooden planks. He practiced getting the horse to turn around in a specific amount of space, as well as going right up to a tall mailbox, so he could open and shut the door from the saddle.

On Saturday, he was able to show off these riding skills during the Tennessee State Equestrian Special Olympics at the Tri-State Exhibition Center near Cleveland, Tenn.

About 20 athletes competed in the event, said Denise Limeberry, one of the lead coordinators of the event. She said this is the first time the center has hosted a Special Olympics event. Limeberry said she got the idea for hosting after volunteering at Special Olympics equestrian events in Georgia.

The regulations for the riders in Special Olympics are exactly the same for riders in any other competitive equestrian event, and Limeberry said that was something that drew her to Special Olympics.

"I was always like, 'Why don't we expect the same from these riders?'" she said.

There are different equestrian events in the Special Olympics. Those include obstacle courses, relays, equitation -- effectively riding in certain styles with proper posture -- and others. During these events, judges look for the rider's balance, seat, use of aids, ability to follow directions and good communication with the horse.

Carl Irwin, the judge for the event, said he has judged more than 140 competitions but this was his first Special Olympics.

"The horses and these kids are special," he said.

Irwin said one of the interesting things about the event is that the horses used usually wouldn't be fit to compete in other contests. Most are less well-bred and were lent out for the Special Olympics events. In a way, he said, it gives those horses a chance to shine, too.

"It's made me get a whole different outlook on the horse industry," he said.

Athletes' friends and families turned out to cheer them on, including Fewell's parents, Melanie and Randy Chitty. As Fewell rode his horse through the obstacle course, Melanie Chitty briskly followed him from behind the observation fence, snapping pictures and waving at him the whole time. Occasionally, Fewell would stop to wave back.

She said her son has autism, and working with the horses has helped him improve immensely.

"It's very therapeutic for children who have autism," she said, adding that it's also given him confidence. "He's in the program for that reason."

Melanie Chitty said in last year's competition -- Fewell's first -- he had trouble getting a ring onto a peg, which is one of the stations during the obstacle course. During Saturday's competition, he finally got it.

"We're really proud he was able to finally get that ring," she said, beaming. "I'm really proud of him, and you can tell he's proud of himself."

She said one of her favorite things about Special Olympics is that the competitors are always happy simply to participate.

"They know they've won, no matter how they place," she said.

Contact staff writer Hannah Smith at hsmith@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6731.

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