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The Blind Rider Program (BRP) is an extension of STAPELL's Mobility Adventures (and in addition to our Fishing & Kayaking Program). It is one of the only two programs STAPELL runs solely. Our other Mobility Adventures are built with subcontractor involvement. Whether you are new to vision-loss or you are a veteran VIP, were once a rider or are deathly afraid of horses, equine workshops are tailored to your specific experience needs and capabilities. 

The BRP focuses on increasing stamina and mobility through horse management, training and riding sessions. The program is run by Mary Chapell, Director of STAPELL and prior USA Eventing competition rider. In addition to Mary's prior professional equestrian work, she is also a qualified Orientation & Mobility Specialist and a Guide Dog Mobility Instructor Specialist. Combining blind/low-vision specialties with equine management aids to build our clients' endurance, coordination, muscle memory, balance, and mental stamina.   

PROGRAM OVERVIEW:

First Session - Equine Workshop Assessment

• This session offers you a chance to experience the workshop and its program outline so that you can make an informed decision about whether these workshops are right for you. *Not all attendees will be at the same level within the program. 
• A client will be placed in either one or more of the following categories: Management, Training, Riding, and/or Assessment.

Management Sessions -

• Catching or retrieving a horse from a paddock or stall;
• Haltering and attaching the lead;
• Walking through doors/gates and leading the horse;
• Tethering the horse (types of knots / tether attachments);
• Types of brushes and their use;
• Parts of the horse and equipment for those areas;
• Cleaning feet, grooming, rugging, tacking, mounting, untacking, washing, making up feed, returning to paddock or stall, cleaning equipment and putting equipment away. 

Training Sessions - 

• In addition to the above, training sessions will include general ground work in the form of working various horses on the lunge line,
• using a lunge whip as an aid,
• safety equipment for the horse (tendon boots, bell boots, etc),
• securing the reins and stirrup placement, 
• handler's position within the circle, 
• auditory strategy for horse awareness, 
• further techniques on the lunge,
• and preparing the horse to ride or be returned to the stable.

Riding Sessions - 

• Moving in sequential steps from groundwork, the riding sessions will include the rider's work from atop the saddle,
• rider safety equipment (helmet, vests, gloves, breeches, chaps, boots),
• mounting position and the mounting process,
• checking the girth and organizing rein holds,
• moving off from the mounting block and tracking direction,
• halting, turning left, turning right, and moving forward,
• use of voice, body position, and mounted exercises, 
• changing direction,
• and dismount procedures.

Assessment Sessions - 

Every time you work with your horse, one of you is training the other. Every time you work with STAPELL, your Specialist will be assessing you. Assessments will be negotiated with the student on the appropriate skill they feel confident in demonstrating. 

On the books for 2021 are some Australian horse adventures potentially in the Kimberly region, Margaret River, Tasmania. These will include O&M, support work and the practical use of mobility training we’ve been working on with you. 

“Mary is such an experienced horsewoman. In her global experience, you feel like you are really getting top quality training whether you wanted to go Paralympic or trail ride.” - Anna Kasec

Not sure what it’s all about? Contact us to talk more about if this program aligns with your current goals. 

CURRENT SCHOOL HORSES

• "April's Opal" - is a 16.3 hand, 17-year-old Warmblood. April has done it all, from upper level dressage, stadium showjumping and eventing courses, April is an experienced riding horse for our advanced riders. She can be ridden at walk/trot/canter and jumping. She is typically ridden by staff as our lead/guide horse. 

• "Triple C Suzie Q" aka "Matilda" - is an 11-year-old Shire, she is lower energy than most horses but a big puppy to learn to ride on. "Matilda" can walk, trot and canter but her favorite gait to sustain is the walk. 

FORMER SCHOOL HORSES

• "Dakota’s Diva" - “Diva,” as she has been affectionately named by the people who work around her, is a 6-year-old Australian Stock Horse x Thoroughbred cross. She has a Labrador like personality and is still learning about the world. Dakota is great to work with on the ground for our more experienced riders and is a good beginner horse to learn on in the arena for walk/trot work.  
  
• "Silver Invitation" aka "Ice" - 10-year-old Quarter Horse purchased by one of STAPELL's former students and no longer in use with STAPELL. 

”I am a wheelchair user. Would I be able to ride with you?”
The BRP currently only works with participants who have a primary disability of vision-loss. Unlike RDA (Riding for the Disabled), our services at Stapell focus solely on vision-loss as this is where our expertise lies.

“I know many riding places have a weight limit. Does Stapell have a weight limit for the BRP?”

Yes and no. STAPELL's riding weight limit for the BRP is around 75-80kgs. However, our activity weight limit is nonexistent. We have many participants who are over the 80kg limit to ride that still do all of the Management, Training and Assessment phases. This is just as important as riding.