Volunteers Find Winner’s Circle with Mitey Riders
We all know the adage about leading horses to water. But Charlotte-area resident and longtime equine enthusiast Harry Swimmer had a different idea about horses and perhaps its the horses who lead us where we need to be.
In 1994 Swimmer began Misty Meadows Mitey Riders on his horse farm in Weddington to provide provide free, certified equine-assisted therapy to young people with a range of disabilities, including muscular dystrophy, Down syndrome and autism and over 700 children have benefitted from his organization.
Mitey Riders helps more than 60 kids a week. “At my tender age of 86, I'm very fortunate to be able to work with these children, and I hope to be able to do it for many years to come,” Swimmer told CNN last month when the cable network featured Swimmer in its ‘CNN Hero’ segment. “It may be nice to lay on a beach someplace and not do anything, but it would absolutely kill me. This has become my life, and I don't ever want to do anything else.”
But it’s not just the therapy recipients that benefit from the Mitey Riders’ experience. Volunteer and horse-lover Madison Draper, 16, has been helping with the organization for several months now and has reaped her own rewards. “I spend most of my time with the horses,” Madison said. “We make sure the horses are ready when the kids come to ride, and keep the barn clean and clear.” What began as something to earn service hours for her high school quickly evolved.
“Now Mitey Riders is an important part of my weekend that I really look forward to,” Draper said. “Getting to spend time with and talk to the other volunteers, the kids or families, Harry and everyone else is enjoyable. Everyone at the farm is so friendly and just nice to be around.”
Madison’s mom, Katherine Draper, says her daughter’s experience with Mitey Riders has taken her love of horses and morphed it into something greater.
“The experience has taught her so much, and has really given her a heart for therapeutic riding and community service,” Katherine said.
Madison Draper with her horse Gryffin. Courtesy: Katherine Draper