In 2019, The Equiery launched a new annual feature to celebrate those people and horses that contribute greatly to the non-profit community. Anyone can nominate a non-profit staffer, volunteer or horse for this annual award. The award committee reviews nomination essays and picks three to print in the November Charity issue with all nomination essays being posted on equiery.com throughout the month. This year we received nominations for six people and three horses. Read all of their stories on equiery.com this month!

Crissy
submitted by Maryland Therapeutic Riding

Maryland Therapeutic Riding (MTR) would like to nominate our Buckskin Quarter Horse, “Chrissy” for The Equiery’s Philanthropic Award. MTR is a non-profit organization nestled on 25 acres of beautiful pasture in Crownsville, MD. Our mission is to improve the quality of life of children, adults, active military and veterans with special needs by connecting humans and horses in a healing environment.

Time and time again, we see the impact of equine-assisted activities and therapies on increasing a person’s overall sense of well-being.  With their naturally insightful dispositions, horses make the perfect companion for anyone who is seeking healing and wholeness, and Chrissy sets the standard for these equine-partners.

Chrissy is our longest resident at MTR, having been here since 2008.  She came to us as a 7 year old and from day one, proved that she was up to the challenge of equine-assisted activities and therapies.  She has been integral in the lives of many of our participants over her 12 years at our farm.  With her forward-thinking mind and steadfast disposition, she has provided opportunities for those to experience the joy of horse-back riding who may have felt themselves disqualified from the sport.  Chrissy is tolerant of muscle tightness, sporadic movements, unexpected noises, anxiety and fear in her participants and so much more as she offers them the gentleness they so desperately need in order to feel safe enough to challenge themselves.  She earnestly takes care of her participants and is always up for a good neck scratch as a thank you.

As a result, she is one of our most popular herd members.  Our participants and volunteers alike immediately feel a distinct bond with her and she is happy to reciprocate their affection.  She is known on the farm as being a bit of a “diva,” being very particular about meal-times, rain and chilly weather and has no problems asking for exactly what she wants.  Of course, she usually gets it.  It’s the least we can do for this amazing mare who has given so much of herself and continues to do it happily.  She really is a one-of-a-kind girl.