The 150th Kentucky Derby took place on Saturday, May 4, and about 90 local Derby fans converged on the Osceola County Therapeutic Equestrian Center in St. Cloud to watch the “Run for the Roses” first leg of the Triple Crown and raise money for a great veteran cause.
The Equestrian Center was converted to Churchill Downs East for the day and fancy dress, big ladies’ hats, and a few mint juleps were in evidence, along with an even dozen military veterans who have participated in the McCormick Research Institute’s Horses and Heroes program to help with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. In addition to the entrance fee, a silent auction, Whiskey Wagon open bar, and Monte Carlo Night games added to the funds raised in support of McCormick’s charitable programs.
Military veteran and program graduate Toshua, and “Teddy,” complete with an iconic blanket of roses normally reserved for the Derby-winning horse, greeted guests in the “Winner’s Circle” at the entrance to the barn. The normal inhabitants of the spotless barn enjoyed a spell outdoors in the adjacent corrals as cool breezes blew in from nearby afternoon rain showers.
The McCormick Research Institute, originally known as Heavenly Hooves, began in 2002 and operated at various locations in Osceola County until moving into the Osceola County equestrian facility completed in 2016. In 20011, the Institute began a partnership with the University of Central Florida, introduced the Horses & Heroes program for veterans, and added educational programs and research initiatives.
Currently, in addition to the direct benefit to veterans from the equestrian therapy program, McCormick is in Phase III of its multi-year concurrent research program. This phase includes disseminating research findings to Veterans Affairs Healthcare, medical professionals, elected officials, and industry partners to increase access and awareness of effective equine-assisted therapies.
The research program also offers education, research protocols, and best practices to others interested in learning more or participating in research-based equine-assisted activities and therapies. The Institute also seeks to expand its collaborative research efforts into additional areas of interest generated as a result of research program conclusions and to offer a McCormick Research Certification accreditation to other qualifying programs.
For more information on the McCormick Research Institute and its programs see https://bit.ly/3woilA8
