Sussex officials approve therapy riding facility

“When we ride, we are free.”

Those words from Alyssa Hudson, a young Southern Delaware Therapeutic horseback rider, were enough to convince Sussex County officials to approve a conditional-use application for the program's new home near Milton.

During her heart-felt testimony at the county's Oct. 12 planning and zoning meeting, Alyssa wanted everyone to know how important the program was to fellow riders who couldn't attend the hearing. “I am their voice,” she said.

“She has grown stronger and more coordinated and more confident through equine therapy, which is so much more than any other therapy, and we've attempted many. This is so much more than pony rides,” said her mother, Jessica Hudson. “Each week this program gives us moments that many people take for granted.”

That night, the county's planning and zoning commission voted 5-0 to approve a conditional-use application for the recreation/therapy facility, office, caretaker house and stables on a nine-acre parcel at 17170 Harbeson Road.

The organization provides equine-assisted therapy for children and adults with disabilities with one-on-one lessons designed for each rider. In addition, two horse shows are scheduled each year.

Speaking on behalf of the organization, Mark Davidson, land planner with Pennoni Associates in Milton, said the new facility will allow for expansion and more collaboration with other organizations.

“And it will not change the use; it was a horse facility,” he said.

Davidson said there are 1,750 children and 28,000 adults with disabilities in Sussex County.

“There is a huge need in our community,” said Georgia Truitt, a certified instructor.

She said the organization serves about 65 people with disabilities each week but hopes to increase that number to 100 to 150 per week at the new facility. In addition, she said, the organization wants to start a program aimed at disabled veterans.

Davidson said Southern Delaware Therapeutic Riding – one of 250 accredited facilities in the world – has operated out of leased facilities since it began in 1988. The new location includes 26,000 square feet of buildings, including a 13,000-square-foot indoor arena, a caretaker's house and office, stables and storage buildings. The parcel also has four fenced pastures to allow for more horses.

According to the website, the property was purchased through a private loan from a program supporter. The organization is conducting a campaign to raise $1.1 million to pay back the loan and make improvements to the property.

The organization has a full-time farm hand, three certified instructors and one instructor in training. “Volunteers do most of the work,” Truitt said.

For more information, go to sdtrhr.com.