STAMFORD – Pegasus Therapeutic Riding is getting ready to celebrate its 30th anniversary and it needs your help.

Four visionary founders who sought to help eight disabled riders created Pegasus in 1975 and now – almost 30 years later – the organization expects to accommodate 600 riders in 2005. Operating out of eight barns in Westchester and Fairfield counties (including Corgi Hollow Farm in Newtown), the cost of accommodating one rider is $175 per hour.

“Knowing the financial strain families of challenged children and adults bear,” said Pegasus president Elizabeth W. Foulk, “we keep our fees as low as possible at $35 per rider, while offering financial aid up to 95% to any rider in need. It is only possible to close this gap through our fundraising efforts – reaching out to generous individuals, corporations and foundations to keep us going.”

For the past five years, Pegasus has maintain a mini central facility at Ox Ridge Hunt Club in Darien but is currently searching for a permanent central facility.

“We have been searching long and hard for a suitable location,” said Foulk, “but have yet to find one.”

Pegasus contends that a main central facility would enable the organization to reach more riders on its waiting list and to widen the opportunities it can offer to students, parents, volunteers, staff and other Equine Assisted Activities professionals.

Some Pegasus riders …

Luke, 13, is a surviving twin born prematurely at only 26 weeks and hospitalized for the first three months of his life. He has been diagnosed with a broad spectrum of developmental delays and while he is enthusiastic and engaging, he only speaks one word – Mom. He has been exposed to swimming, soccer and other activities but none of those have captured him like horseback riding. “The horses fill a place in his heart by giving him their unconditional love,” said his mother, “which Luke returns tenfold.”

Kennedy, 4, has been suffering from two occurrences of a spinal cord tumor and with surgery and chemotherapy, she has been left with significant balance and muscle tone deficits. But with her riding program at Corgi Hollow, she has improved her strength and extremity control while avoiding such problems as scoliosis (common for young children with spinal cord diseases).

Brian, 16, was born premature at 25 weeks, weighing only one-and-a-half pounds. He was blind as well as deaf in the right year. But after mobility exercises and exploring his body in space (judging distances and discerning movement), he not only rides but also is an accomplished pianist who opens the Pegasus Annual Horse Show with his keyboard rendition of God Bless America.

Contact Pegasus Therapeutic Riding at 1-203-356-9504 or write them at 45 Church Street, Suite 205, Stamford, 06906.