After the auction held during our December meeting, I wanted to know when the presentation of the auction funds was going to be. I just simply wanted to get the scoop so that I could just add another page to the website. I was not expecting to be touched the way I was.

We arrived at the farm on 232 St., Langley, just barely 2 minutes south off of Highway #1. It was the first day of winter, 22-DEC-02, a great morning, cool, crisp and sunny. Within minutes of the predetermined time we were all assembled, all 9 of us, in the lounge room. This is where the riding helmets for the kids are kept, the offices and coffee are served for the meetings that are held there. Off to the side was a padded leather covered wooden riding horse, similar to the gymnastics vaulting horse but at floor level, a few chairs and couches. The wooden horse, as we would find out later, is used to check the childrens sitting balance before they are accepted into the Association. It is also used to help stretch and limber up the kids before they get on the real horse. Agnes McCorquodale introduced herself to us and suggested we have a tour of the facilities.

We were first shown to the office of Pippa Hodge, which is in the medical centre where the kids at checked out before they are accepted into the Association and allowed to ride. Pippa Hodge is not only the resident pediatric physiotherapist but the founding member of the Association. The medical condition of the child is paramount, both physical and mental. They must be stable enough to accept the new experience and to be determined if this type of therapy is appropriate. This was followed by a walk through one of the 2 barn/stables. As we walked through, there were volunteers cleaning the stalls, brushing the horses, preparing the horses for the therapy sessions that were scheduled for the morning. At the end of this stable, Agnes took us into the tack room where all the saddles and grooming equipment is kept. This was followed by a viewing of the covered riding ring, where some of these therapy sessions are held during poor or inclement weather. At the west end of the riding ring was an interesting contraption. Agnes explained that some of the kids need special assistance to get on the horses and this machine was basically a specially designed hoist to get them from their wheel chairs to the saddle.

After the tour, we gathered for the presentation. Dave Young brought around his 1953 Ford F100 and Bryon Dearborn lined up his 1936 Hudson Terraplane coupe. The rest of us gathered in front of the vehicles for the pics. The official deed was done by Henry Tjart, Treasurer, presenting the $2,700 cheque to Agnes McCorquodale. Then off we went to the lounge room for what was Agnes's way of showing their appreciation. Agnes had prepared some coffee and tea, delicious cake and cookies, ( all of which were sampled & verified by the Webmster as very tasty ) and we chatted for awhile. During these chats, Agnes disclosed that with the pending cuts from the Provincial Government, they were not sure of the available funding for the coming year. She also expressed how timely the donation from B.C.H.R.A. was. These funds would be put toward assisting families who now have to use their own funds more and more and cannot afford to send their child for therapy. The V.T.E.A. feel that a child's health and well being is much more important than the family worrying about the cost of therapy. In some extreme cases the V.T.E.A. have written off the costs of the therapy sessions. All the therapy rides are private, there are no group rides. The average cost per ride is $45 per half hour. The V.T.E.A. charges the families $18. The access to Government aid with the physio therapy was cut effective January, 2002. Other funding comes from the annual June Farm Golf event and some bingo nights that are held for the V.T.E.A. The rest is by donation.

As a personal experience during the time we were out there, I watched as a parent and V.T.E.A. volunteer were on their way to the riding ring. The child was being pushed in a wheel chair, he may have been 8-10 years old and was periodically kicking his legs and stretching his arms somewhat uncontrolled. I watched as they made their way toward the ring thinking of the child's discomfort and limited lifestyle, the pain and suffering of both child and parents as well as the love, care and dedication from the parents and the volunteers. During the cake and coffee time, I slipped out to the riding ring to see what was happening with the boy in the wheel chair. What I saw was nothing short of a miracle. Here was this child, riding atop of this horse. He was looking down on his world instead of looking up. He was peaceful, happy and laughing, eyes wide and a great smile. Almost a transformation. I'm hooked. This, I did not expect. As I have since been told, it is the natural movement of the horses back that helps the legs and backs of these children. This natural movement transmitted from the horse gives the spastic muscles relief and relaxation and temporarily brings back the elasticity that we all take for granted.

The V.T.E.A. puts on a summer buffet BBQ to help raise funds for maintenance. The big draw for this event is the "Farm Golf". Now, for the price of $50 you not only get the fabulous food and drink but they even throw in 18 holes of golf. The course is really course ( some of the hazards are still warm ), the real back 40 is your golf course. You get one (1) golf club and one (1) golf ball, . . . . actually, its a tennis ball. They have some good prizes and giveaways. This all happens on Sunday, 23-JUN-02.

	Left to right in the tack room: Henry Tjart, Dave Young, Harold Wellenbrink, Agnes McCorquodale, Harold Swift and the saddles.
OK Bill, on your mark . . . . . get set . . . . . .
	Harold W. holding an impromptu meeting of the "Hands in Pockets Club" at the VTEA was overheard saying . . . "OK boys, now that Bill beat us to the cake . . . "
Harold presenting Agnes with a BCHRA plaque.

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