McKeever’s First Ride, the therapeutic horsemanship program of OPAF and The First Clinics, was featured as part of the 113th annual Verona Horse Fair, or “Fiera Cavalli.” The 4-day event, which draws over 250,000 attendees each year, was held from November 3-6.
Deenie McKeever, the founder of McKeever’s First Ride, and Ed Dabney, an international horse trainer and clinician, travelled to Verona to talk about the benefits of equine therapy and the First Ride program for those with physical disabilities, according to an OPAF press release. Luigi Fedeli and Pierandrea Rebella, both amputees from Italy, were demonstration riders. There was also a 90-minute seminar with video footage from recent clinics in Atlanta presented by Dabney, McKeever, and Italian equine experts. Franco Barbagallo served as the interpreter and event organizer in Italy.
The 2012 Atlanta McKeever’s First Ride, hosted by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, is scheduled for April 21, 2012, at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds in Atlanta. The full-day event will include riding, grooming, groundwork, carriage riding, arts and crafts and live music from noted Nashville artist, Templeton Thompson.
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