Great Oak celebrates equestrian excellence
Dec. 4—Perseverance paid off for dozens of local equestrians Saturday, with Great Oak Equine Assisted Programs offering a Holiday Horse Show, giving riders a chance to put their strengthened skills into action in front of a highly receptive audience.
Family members, friends and instructors witnessed "a really great demonstration of what happens at Great Oak on a daily basis," in the words of Eva Finnan, Great Oak's director of programs.
"It's all about showing the families and the friends what they're doing, and their capabilities, and it was outstanding. Everybody was smiles and laughter ... The horses were amazing — very tolerant and patient, and just outstanding."
Riding around the arena were residents of Aiken as well as Graniteville and North Augusta, along with some from the far side of the Savannah River, representing Augusta and Evans, Georgia.
"What was exciting is that we actually had 43 students participating," Finnan said. "We had all age groups, so from age 4-1/2 to age 50, and I just think it was a great demonstration of the students' pride in showing their families and the community and their friends what they've been working on, how hard they've been working."
A salute also went to a pair of Great Oak volunteers. Windsor resident Lily Galvarino, 12, was named as the first recipient of the Jessie Smith Award, named in honor of a 2022 Aiken High School graduate now attending Presbyterian College.
Smith, over the course of her five years as a Great Oak volunteer, was involved in the establishment of Pony Pals, a Great Oak program for youth volunteers (ages 8-13), and Lily, a student at Augusta Prep, has been a major booster of the effort "to give young people opportunities to give back to the community, become an ally to persons living with disabilities and for young equestrians to increase their horsemanship skills while gaining volunteer hours," as described by Nicole Pioli, Great Oak's executive director.
Great Oak provides equine-assisted activities "that promote the physical, emotional, and psychological health of individuals with special needs," as described on its website. The website also notes, "Our programs are the catalyst for unbridled personal growth and awareness. We share our knowledge to empower individuals and their families."
Among the four-legged participants on board for the Christmas festivities were such creatures as Buddy, Ricky Bobby, Duke, Jack and Q.P. (short for Quarter Pounder, with animal sponsorship by McDonald's). Great Oak's sponsors also include such names as Aiken County Farm Supply, Newberry Hall, Floyd and Green Fine Jewelers, Seminole Wellness and Aiken Tack Exchange.
