By Dan Roark
While Tonya was unable to participate in the Veteran’s Parade during the Opening Ceremonies of Chisholm Challenge due to time constraints, she was one of the first to compete in the veteran’s division. She was also the first veteran representing New Hope’s Horses Helping Heroes program.
Tonya had a great showing in both Equitation and Trail, winning a buckle in each event. It is uncommon at Chisholm Challenge for a rider to win a buckle in the first year, much less a buckle in both of the events in which they are entered.
One might say that Chisholm Challenge and winning the two buckles is the end of a long journey. However, Tonya would say that it is a significant step in an ongoing journey. A journey that began years ago while she was still a Captain in the Air Force – doing a job that she loved. You can read more of Tonya’s backstory in this post, which has links to the previous posts for the complete story.
Just over a year and a half ago, Tonya arrived at New Hope strapped into “the tank” (a “wheelchair” that literally looked like a tank), that allowed her to position herself to groom Olivia and get to know her. With a combination of lessons at New Hope and sessions with her physical therapist, she was riding Olivia weekly, when possible, due to weather and doctor visits. Her physical therapist used pictures taken of Tonya on her first few rides with Olivia to develop a routine to build up the muscles necessary to ride.
At Chisholm Challenge, Tonya crossed the threshold of a plateau she has long been trying to reach. The first step was being able to get on Olivia and ride in the first place. The second step was participating in the National Veteran’s Wheelchair Games in New Orleans last summer. She qualified to compete in bocce ball, archery, bowling, and power soccer.
And now Tonya has earned two buckles and ribbons in the Veteran’s division of equitation and trail at Chisholm Challenge. Congratulations, Tonya! Good luck on your continuing journey!
Ride on and ride for hope.
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