Bringing western pleasure to all kinds of riders.

Corbett Ryan is the 2010 NSBA world champion in riders with disabilities walk/trot western pleasure - supported rider. (Scroll down for more Journal photos from the show.)

The National Snaffle Bit Association crowned many worthy champions during its world championship show August 18-22 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. But few garnered as much applause or tears as those in the riders-with-disabilities division.

“My dream has been to be a world champion in the (horse) show world,” said Corbett Ryan, of Chicago. It happened on August 21, when he won the NSBA world championship in RWD walk/trot western pleasure – supported rider, riding his 14-year-old American Quarter Horse gelding, Clay Bar Chips.

Born with cerebral palsy, Corbett has been riding almost all his life. Since age 15, his coach/trainer has been Diane Helgeland of Partners for Progress in Mundelein, Illinois.

“(Corbett) has always wanted to show at a national level,” Diane said. “He was hoping to get on the show team in college and he couldn’t get any doors opened there. NSBA, a year ago, said they would add the supported (rider) classes; they’ve been wonderful for us.”

With his parents, Pat and Shirley Ryan, in the stands, Corbett came into the arena with his regular helpers Jamie Herwald at the lead and Kyle Helgeland and Lindsey Weick as his sidewalkers.

“They always go with me to horse shows. We really work together really well,” Corbett explained. He added that his team knows how to lend support while “letting me do the work (of riding).”

His gelding stayed pleasure-horse steady as Corbett guided him both directions around the arena, walking and jogging, then into the lineup for his backup. Friends and family cheered as the placings were called and Corbett was left last in the arena.

“Today, Corbett actually realized one of his life’s dreams; so it was awesome for him and all of us,” Diane said.

This was the second year for RWD classes at the NSBA World, and it grew from 19 riders in 2009 to 30 in 2010. The division offered supported-rider and independent-rider classes in western pleasure and hunter under saddle. Corbett’s determination was a big part of NSBA’s decision to offer the supported-rider classes.

“I’ve been riding five days a week since I bought (Clay Bar Chips in January),” Corbett said. “I love him to death.” He added with a smile: “I’ll be back every year. This is a lifelong thing for me.”

That makes NSBA Director and AQHA Professional Horseman Dianne Eppers smile.

“Until you get involved with these riders, you have no idea how touching each of their stories are,” Dianne said. “And then you get to see what that horse does! When you watch those horses march around and do their job, and the joy they bring (these riders) – it’s a feeling you don’t get very often.”

Watch for more news from the NSBA World, in the rail and pattern section of the October issue of The American Quarter Horse Journal. You can find the results for all the NSBA World classes at www.nsba.org.

Check out the Journal slide show below (click on each photo to see the caption).

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Christine Hamilton
Editor – general, rail & pattern, halter, health, breeding
American Quarter Horse Journal

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