PEORIA MAGAZINE June 2023

CENTRAL ILLINOIS RIDING THERAPY CIRT is a nonprofit organization in East Peoria serving people with mental, physical, emotional and behavioral dis abilities in a therapeutic riding program. Walker said that CIRT works with about 100 students a year, from age 4 to 86. Two full-time and two part time employees provide supervision for students as they ride CIRT’s 11 horses. “When we're in class, we're working on hand-eye coordination and improving the time it takes to pick up an object or the time it takes to put the object down,” said Walker. “Some of it is com pletely confidence building, which is wonderful because when you're riding a 1,000-pound animal, that's a lot of confidence to steer and make them do certain tasks.” Every year, the Frietches offer their Heart of Illinois Arena to CIRT for their annual horse show. This year, the show will be held on June 3. All proceeds from this event go toward funding for CIRT. “The love of the horses is just something that money cannot buy,” said Patricia Frietch. HEART OF ILLINOIS ARENA Patricia and Ernest Frietsch Phone: (309)645-6499 9201 N Galena Rd, Peoria, IL 61615 PRINGLE STABLE Julie Catton Email: catton.julie@pringlestables.com website: www.pringlestables.com 6425 US Route 150, Edwards, IL 61528 CENTRAL ILLINOIS RIDING THERAPY Jenna Walker Email: cirt@cirt.info website: cirt.info 305 Neumann Dr, East Peoria, IL 61611

Adults and students from Kellar Primary School visit Pringle Stables in Edwards

Some shows are quite the spectacle. In April, the arena hosted a de-spooking clinic for horses with Bill Richey from the Mounted Police Training School. “It was just amazing … to watch these horses go through smoke bombs, sirens and fire,” said Patricia. “The whole arena was lit on fire.” In addition to the horse shows, the arena hosts auctions, weddings and fundraisers, sporting events such as BMX bicycle racing, and even birthday parties. PRINGLE STABLES Pringle Stables, located in Edwards, offers boarding, riding lessons, on-site training, camps and other events. During a typical one-on-one lesson, the student will interact with a horse by grooming and putting on the saddle and bridle tack. For a first lesson, Catton will establish a baseline for the experienced in accordance with what the student’s goal is. The students work with Pringle’s five employees and 13 horses. Pringle continually develops new ways to integrate horses into the lives of area residents. This summer, Pringle will host an eight-week summer class for beginner horsemanship students. Students will spend an hour a week interacting with a horse, learning how to approach the horse, and how to care for the horse. Additionally, students will learn how to ride and manage the animals. “There’s a great energy around here,” Catton said.

A big part of the appeal for Patricia is that there is no age limit, with many of her riders in their late 60s. “I’m 78 years old and still riding, so I believe the people that are involved in it are younger in mind and heart,” she said. This summer, the Heart of Illinois Arena has many events that will be open to the public. The Heart of Fun shows displaying the talents of young riders are scheduled for June 10-11 and June 24-25. The CIRT show is June 3, and the Illinois State Buckskin Association has a three-day event in early July, followed by a ranch horse clinic. In August, notable horse trainer Carson James from Florida will host a three-day horsemanship and groundwork clinic. “This is brand new,” said Patricia. “The Midwest has never seen this before.” CIRT volunteer Stephani Erp works with 8-year old Andrea Frietsch as she learns to ride at Central Illinois Riding Therapy in East Peoria

Sarah Rashid is a Peoria native and recent Indiana University graduate with degrees in journalism and law and public policy

JUNE 2023 PEORIA MAGAZINE 95