‘There's a place for everyone here': Halifax Lancers offer horseback riding for children with disabilities
The Halifax Lancers and Easter Seals Nova Scotia partnered to offer a Learn to Ride program for children and young adults living with disabilities.
The horseback riding program is available for children age seven-to-24 who live with intellectual or physical disabilities.
'There's a place for everyone here,' said Joanne Bernard, president of Easter Seals Nova Scotia.
The Learn to Ride program started in 2020. Riders have the chance to learn to ride as well as learn about barn care and horse care.
'It's important because children living with differing abilities have a right to be included in sports,' Bernard said.
The program helps the children's development, self-esteem and physical abilities, she continued.
'Olivia really enjoys riding on the horses and Easter Seals is such a great organization to have these programs for kids like Olivia,' said Amy Demone, whose daughter is in the program.
Bernard said it's a great program not only for the children but for the parents, too.
'Families get to know each other, they form friendships because they have something in common, she said. 'They live with challenges that other parents of abled body children do not.'
With files from Mike Lamb
Halifax Lancers
The Halifax Lancers and Easter Seals Nova Scotia partnered to offer a Learn to Ride program for children and young adults living with disabilities. (CTV Atlantic/ Mike Lamb)
For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Globe and Mail
8 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
Days after first LPGA Tour win, Akie Iwai leads CPKC Women's Open
Akie Iwai was right back on top of the leaderboard in the CPKC Women's Open on Thursday, four days after her breakthrough victory in the Portland Classic. Iwai closed her afternoon round at Mississaugua Golf and Country Club with birdies on the par-four eighth and ninth holes for a seven-under 64 and a two-stroke lead. 'Last week I won, but already it's in the past, already past,' Iwai said. Fifteen-year-old Canadian amateur Aphrodite Deng was tied for second with top-ranked Jeeno Thitikul, Leona Maguire, Gaby Lopez and 2023 winner Megan Khang. Aphrodite Deng is the talk of the tournament at the LPGA Canadian Women's Open On Sunday in Oregon, Iwai joined twin sister Chisato as a rookie LPGA Tour winner. The 23-year-old Japanese player had second-place finishes in Thailand in February and Los Angeles in April, then watched her sister win at Mayakoba in May in Mexico. She's playing in Canada for first time. 'Really beautiful course,' said Akie Iwai, a six-time winner on the JLPGA Tour. 'Looks like something similar in Japan course.' Chisato Iwai bogeyed Nos. 8 and 9 to shoot 75. Thitikul played her first round since taking the top spot in the world from Nelly Korda. 'I think just like another day at work for me,' Thitikul said. Korda opened with a 69. Slumping Canadian star Brooke Henderson had four birdies and four bogeys in a 71. The 2018 champion won the last of her 13 LPGA Tour titles in January 2023. 'Just grateful we were able to get it back to even,' Henderson said. She played alongside Thitikul and Women's Scottish Open winner Lottie Woad, who shot 75. Defending champion Lauren Coughlin had a 74. She won last year in Calgary.
National Post
37 minutes ago
- National Post
Canadian amateur Aphrodite Deng leads youth movement at CPKC Women's Open
MISSISSAUGA — Aphrodite Deng leaned on a club, cooly crossing a leg at the ankle as she stood on the 18th fairway of Mississaugua Golf and Country Club, waiting her turn to shoot with all the confidence of a seasoned LPGA Tour pro. Article content As soon as Deng was up, she strode directly to the ball, set her feet, and connected on her approach shot, seemingly with no doubt about her club selection or her target. Article content Article content It's hard to believe that the Canadian amateur is just 15 years old. Her score in the first round of the CPKC Women's Open was also hard to believe, as she finished her round tied for the clubhouse lead with Mexico's Gaby Lopez and Megan Khang of the United States at 5-under 66. Japan's Akie Iwai took over the lead with a mistake-free 7-under round in the afternoon, with world No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand and Ireland's Leona Maguire tying Deng, Lopez and Khang two shots back. Article content Even Deng's answers when asked about her demeanour on the course give off a sense of effortless cool. Article content 'I'm trying to hit each shot and play in the fairway,' she said after submitting her scorecard. 'I don't really like playing slow because then I think too much.' Article content Deng was born in Calgary and her family lived in Montreal before moving to New Jersey for her dad's work. She mostly lives in Orlando now but remains a Canadian citizen and plays for Golf Canada's junior program. Article content For most of her first round at the Canadian national women's championship Deng was alone atop the leaderboard until Khang and Lopez caught up to her in their final holes. Although a little nervous about doing media on live TV, Deng was nonchalant about leading a professional golf tournament. Article content 'I did look at the leaderboard a few times, yeah,' she said. 'I thought it was pretty cool, but I just knew I had to keep the same game plan.' Article content Jeff MacDonald, head coach of Golf Canada's NextGen team, said that Deng's quick pace and unperturbed style of play is typical for her. Article content 'No matter how big the event is, she just handles herself the same way over and over again,' he said. 'Doesn't change anything, doesn't make too too much of the moment. Article content 'And with the quickness, she just gets that decision her head, and she knows what she wants to do, and she's committed to the shots. I think it's an asset to her.' Article content Article content Deng's strong showing in Thursday's opening round put her in the spotlight but she's actually just a part of Golf Canada's youth movement. There are 16 Canadians in the field at the Women's Open, 10 of them are amateurs and six of those amateurs are juniors. Article content Lauren Kim, a 20-year-old junior at the University of Texas, was the second lowest Canadian on Thursday. The Surrey, B.C., native shot a 1-under 70 to sit in a tie for 21st.
CBC
38 minutes ago
- CBC
Highlights of Day 13 at the 2025 Canada Summer Games
Team Saskatchewan grabbed gold and bronze medals in diving Wednesday, along with a bronze in the men's decathlon. Meanwhile, some other teams earned playoff spots.
